If you’re on the market for diamond rings this year, it helps to know which trends are hot on the market right now.  While it may not always be advisable to buy trendier diamond rings, for fear that there hot status turns cold all too quickly, the hot trends in diamond rings for 2010 all seem to have a very timeless heir about them, guaranteed to keep them stylish year after year.

One of the top items on the diamond rings trend list is Edwardian settings.  These antique style diamond rings were very popular in the early 1900s and ave once again returned to the height of fashion in the diamond rings market.  Known primarily for their intricate detail and craftsmanship, Edwardian style diamond rings rely on intricate metal work for that extra special touch.  Various lace like patterns can be cut or punched into the bands of the diamond rings for a unique and beautiful piece of art.

Another hot trend for diamond rings also involves something old, just more so in the literal sense of the word.  While antique and vintage styled diamond rings are still hot on the market, true heirloom diamond rings tend to hold a special place in many people’s hearts.  Traditionally passed down from one generation to another, heirloom rings can represent a wide range of time periods as well as design styles.  In fact, many diamond rings retailers are encouraging consumers to spend the extra money on high quality diamond rings to ensure they will last to become heirloom rings for later generations.

With regards to the cut of stones in popular diamond rings this year, the baguette cut is making a strong comeback.  With its narrow rectangular design, baguette stones offer the perfect side accent pieces for diamond rings, adding sparkle and shine to both sides of the centre stones in the diamond rings.  This year, baguettes are in such high demand that many people are foregoing the centre stone altogether in their diamond rings and opting for one or more baguette stones on each side of the diamond rings that simply meet in the middle of the upper portion of the rings.

We’ve already looked at several styles of vintage diamond rings, including signet diamond rings and bridal jewellery pieces.  There are, however, several other styles to consider when shopping for vintage diamond rings that may suit you best.

One popular style among vintage diamond rings were friendship diamond rings.  These could be exchanged between two close friends or given as promise rings to indicate the intent to propose marriage at a later date.  These types of vintage diamond rings are also known as ‘Regard’ rings.  Upon closer inspection, one will find that these diamond rings were aptly named for the fact that they were set with a ruby, an emerald, a garnet, an amethyst, another ruby, and then a diamond, with the first letter of each gemstone in these unique diamond rings spelling out the word regard.  For an extra special touch, a sapphire could be included in the rings as well, making them ‘regards’ rings.

Other friendship or promise diamond rings at the time utilized the Claddagh design.  This was symbolized by two hands holding a heart and bearing a crown.  They often featured a heart shaped diamond in the design to make them truly splendid diamond rings.

Cocktail or dress diamond rings were also extremely popular and numerous examples of beautiful vintage cocktail diamond rings still exist on the market today.  Unlike the other types of rings we’ve looked at so far, cocktail diamond rings were meant to stand apart from the rest of the crowd, displaying the true beauty and extravagance that diamond rings were meant to achieve.  While cocktail diamond rings are still popular in modern design, vintage cocktail rings were particularly dazzling due to the age of indulgence that many of them dated back to.

While more of a time period than a style of ring, Art Deco diamond rings are another category in extremely high demand on the vintage market.  Art Deco rings were not only stunningly beautiful, they were also very unique.  Instead of the flowing curves and organic nature of other vintage pieces, Art Deco diamond rings broke the mould with their reliance on architectural designs, focused on sharp lines and clean angles.  Often replicated in modern design, the Art Deco period was one of the most successful times for jewellery design and still remains so even in the modern day.

The vintage diamond ring jewellery market has been going strong for quite some time now and is showing no signs of slowing any time soon.  If you’re on the market for vintage diamond rings, you should take the time to familiarize yourself with some of the various categories of vintage diamond rings that are offered for sale.

One of the most popular types of vintage diamond rings in demand are diamond rings that fall into the bridal jewellery category.  Vintage engagement diamond rings, in particular, are some of the most sought after.  These diamond rings are known for their elegant settings, ornate designs, and quality workmanship.    While stones in vintage engagement diamond rings may not be as substantial as they are in modern engagement diamond rings, the other details and accents worked into vintage diamond rings more than make up for the smaller stone sizes.

Vintage diamond rings that were intended for use as wedding rings are also extremely popular.  It was often the case that a woman would wear only a diamond ring once married, as opposed to both a engagement diamond ring and a separate wedding band.  This was not only done for simplicity’s sake, it was also common during times of wide spread financial hardships that made multiple diamond rings a bit too extravagant for many people.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, vintage eternity diamond ring are also quite popular.  While half eternity diamond rings were most commonly seen, full eternity diamond rings are also common sights in the antique jewellery market.  Similar to the other styles of diamond rings discussed, even eternity diamond rings tended to focus more on the overall design of the diamond rings themselves, as opposed to simply emphasizing the stone sizes in the diamond rings.

With regards to mens vintage diamond rings, the signet ring was the most popular choice.  While these diamond rings typically only featured diamond accents, they were still very regal and elegant in appearance.  The upper surface of the diamond rings were often square in nature, featuring a raised or embedded inscription, such as the wearer’s initials of an ornate design.  These diamond rings were not only decorative in nature, they were also commonly used to seal or stamp documents to show authenticity.

We’ve reviewed all of the various types and styles of diamond rings in the past, but a quick refresher course never hurt anyone.  Knowing the various styles of diamond rings not only gives you a better sense of the meanings and the traditions behind the various diamond rings, it also gives you a better idea of which styles of diamond rings may suit you best.

The simplest of all diamond rings is the solitaire diamond ring.  Most commonly used for engagement purposes, solitaire diamond rings feature a single diamond set in either a plain metal band or one that is slightly more ornate.  The stones in these types of diamond rings can literally be any size or shape, as the ring itself can be made to accommodate rather easily.

The next choice in diamond rings is the three stone ring.  A step up from solitaire diamond rings, three stone diamond rings feature a centre stone, flanked on either side by two smaller shoulder stones.  This style of ring can be used as an engagement ring, particularly for women looking for a little extra sparkle in their bridal jewellery set, but was intended for use as an anniversary ring.  Designed to represent the past, present, and future of a couple’s relationship, three stone diamond rings are the ideal way to celebrate milestones in a relationship or even use for vow renewals.

For even more dazzling diamond rings, eternity rings may be your jewellery of choice.  These breathtaking diamond rings features sparkling stones wrapped around the entire band of the ring.  Eternity diamond rings are meant to symbolize the unending love between a man and a woman, or the eternal bond between a mother and child.  Because of this, they are ideally used for anniversaries or to commemorate the arrival of a new child.  Some couples also choose to use eternity diamond rings in place of traditional wedding bands.  Eternity style diamond rings can also be used to stand in for both the engagement ring and wedding ring for couples who prefer a less cumbersome and more streamlined set.

We’ve already discussed what can be done to re-purpose a pair of old solitaire diamond earrings, but what about the other types you may have lurking around in your jewellery box?  Let’s look at some easy ways to re-purpose those as well.

Cluster diamond earrings can be one of the more challenging types of diamond earrings to re-purpose, but one of the easiest at the same time.  The small stones in cluster diamond earrings offer a wide range of choices when it comes to creating a new piece of jewellery.  The most obvious choice is, of course, using the small stones in the cluster diamond earrings to create a new larger cluster diamond ring.  You could also create a cluster diamond ring and a matching necklace using one of each of the diamond earrings to make each new piece.  The difficulty of re-purposing cluster earrings lies in the fact that it can be a very labour intensive process, often with a lot of added costs being incurred for the time it takes to take each stone form the diamond earrings and work them into a new piece.

Hoop diamond earrings can be either a simple task or a complicated one, all depending on the style of the hoop diamond earrings you have.  If the diamond earrings are done in a pave setting, you will run across similar issues as you would with cluster diamond earrings.  Eternity style diamond earrings, on the other hand, tend to have larger stones to work with, making them much easier to re-purpose.  One of the most popular options you have when it comes to re-purposing eternity diamond earrings is to simply create an eternity ring from the stones in both diamond earrings.

The final style of diamond earrings to consider are chandelier diamond earrings.  Like hoop earrings, chandelier diamond earrings can vary in the degree of difficulty it can take to re-purpose them.  Some chandelier earrings include some smaller accent stones, while also having several larger stones.  Other consist of primarily smaller stones, presenting the same challenges as cluster diamond earrings.  Keep in mind, it is entirely possible to re-purpose any style of diamond earrings, regardless of the size of the stones they contain.  You just need to remember that the smaller the stones are, the more difficult they may be to work with and, therefore, the higher the cost may be for the re-purposing.

Everyone knows the demand for vintage diamond rings has been going strong for quite some time now.  The trick is, how many people know exactly what the characteristics of vintage diamond rings are?  Any jeweller can pick a few second-hand diamond rings from his collection and call them “vintage”.  Knowing the more common traits of true vintage diamond rings, however, can help ensure you are getting the real deal.

One of the first things many people notice about true vintage diamond rings is the gold itself.  While modern diamond rings typically come in 14kt gold or 18kt gold, vintage diamond rings were most commonly made with 9kt or 10kt gold.  This was often due to the fact that the cost of purer gold made jewellery harder to afford.  The lower karat golds also tended to be somewhat stronger and longer lasting, as the lower karat also meant a high concentration of stronger metals such as steel.  This added strength is also one of the main reasons that so many diamond rings from back in the day are still in circulation today and being used as heirloom diamond rings.  If you prefer diamond rings with higher gold concentrations, most vintage inspired rings in production today are made from either 14kt or 18kt gold.

The second most common feature among vintage diamond rings was their artistic nature.  Art deco diamond rings focused on unique angles that were often architectural in nature.  Victorian and Edwardian diamond rings were designed to be delicate while also being extremely intricate.  Regardless of the time period the diamond rings came from, the bands tended to be highly detailed or encrusted with small stones.  In essence, every visible surface area of the diamond rings was made to be beautiful.

While vintage diamond rings did use quite a few diamonds, particularly smaller stones used for accents, they also relied heavily on other gemstones as well.  Similar to the gold concentration in vintage diamond rings, the inclusion of gemstones also helped to keep prices as affordable as possible.  Not to mention the fact that, while diamond rings on their own may be a beautiful sight to behold, gemstone and diamond rings have their own unique visual appeal.

If you take a look in any jewellery store you may notice that the majority of diamond jewellery being sold, diamond earrings in particular, are being marketed solely towards women.  In fact, diamond rings tend to be one of the few luxuries that reserve a small section of their target audience for me, and even then the selection tends to be somewhat limited.  The growing trend of men’s diamond earrings, however, doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon and has in fact increased tremendously over the past several years and diamond earrings for men have become a more widely accepted concept.

Ironically enough, the custom of piercing the ears originated as a male tradition, often done to show rank or status in a culture.  As the rise in popularity of diamond earrings grew, however, the tradition became one restricted almost exclusively to women.  Many years ago, men began to take back their rights to wear diamond earrings, often just a single stud in one ear and partly as a nod to the punk generation who decided that males had every right to wear earrings as women did.  Eventually, the fact that more and more men were wearing diamond earrings proudly passed from controversial to commonplace.  Now it seems that men’s diamond earrings are becoming nearly as common and as popular as women’s diamond earrings.

The most popular style choice for men’s diamond earrings has long been stud diamond earrings.  Typically found in square or round cuts, these types of diamond earrings offer the sophistication of diamond earrings while also remaining conservative in overall appearance.  Occasionally, men will also choose to wear small hoop diamond earrings, although solitaire diamond earrings are the more prevalent.  Pave set diamond earrings are also a string contender on the men’s diamond earrings market, often found in more geometric shapes such as squares or triangles.

With the rise in popularity of coloured diamond earrings, the demand for black diamond earrings is quickly increasing.  While men may also choose from the other hues in the coloured diamond earrings range, but black or the black and white diamond combination are the most sought after.

Diamond eternity rings are a brilliant way to showcase just how dazzling and elegant a diamond ring can be. After all, why settle for a single diamond when you can have multiple stones set beautifully in a variety of diamond eternity rings. The one thing to keep in mind, however, is that diamond eternity rings should be considered a sizeable investment, therefore caring for diamond eternity rings should be a top priority.

One of the first steps to take in caring for diamond eternity rings is making sure they fit properly. Diamond eternity rings that are too loose on the finger have a tendency to slip off at the most inconvenient times. Diamond eternity rings that are too tight, on the other hand, have a tendency to cause discomfort during extended wearing. Properly fit diamond eternity rings should fit snug on the finger while also being able to be removed easily with just a slight effort.

Cleaning diamond eternity rings is another key step to take to ensure your diamond eternity rings are always looking their best. Since setting styles for diamond eternity rings can be somewhat unique, such as channel settings or bezel settings, it is crucial to clean diamond eternity rings on a weekly basis at home. Diamond eternity rings should also be cleaned and inspected at least once a year by a professional jeweller. Regular cleanings of diamond eternity rings help prevent buildup on and around the stones which may diminish the overall dazzle of the stones in diamond eternity rings.

Last, but not least, you should be fully prepared should loss or theft of the diamond eternity rings should befall you. Always make sure diamond eternity rings have valid appraisals to accompany them. This not only details the quality of the diamond eternity rings, it also provides a professional estimate of the overall cost of the diamond eternity rings. This information and value of the diamond eternity rings should then be given to the insurance company in order to substantiate any claims. You should also make sure your insurance policy is large enough to cover any diamond eternity rings you may own. If it isn’t, make sure to have a separate clause or coverage added for fine jewellery that will cover the replacement value of any diamond eternity rings lost or stolen. The policy should also provide reimbursement should the diamond eternity rings become damaged in a fire or other catastrophe.

When it comes to wearing diamond rings, one of the most important tricks is to wear just enough jewellery to properly complement the diamond rings, without wearing too much and possibly overpowering them.  The easiest way to do this is by looking at each piece of jewellery as a part of a collection, making sure you have the exact number of pieces and types of pieces in the collection to make a masterpiece.  The can also be done in a somewhat mathematical fashion.

Diamond rings come in all shapes and sizes and the easiest way to begin accessorising your diamond rings is to determine the numeric value of the various diamond rings in your collection.  Diamond rings can essentially be rated on a scale of one to three, with one being small delicate diamond rings, three being larger cocktail diamond rings, and two being nearly anything in between.  Once you have properly categorized your diamond rings, you can proceed to the next step.

The same general sizing rules should be applied to any potential accessories for your diamond rings.  This includes earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.  Small pieces should be considered one’s, medium pieces are two’s, and larger pieces are three’s.  The easiest way to pick the proper combination of pieces based on your diamond rings is by using the rule of four.

If you are wearing diamond rings that fall into the one’s category, you are able to select three more numeric units to pair with the diamond rings.  This may be a medium sized bracelet and a pair of small earrings.  Medium sized diamond rings could also be paired with a simple bracelet and a small necklace.  As long as the total count of all your accessories, including the diamond rings, does not exceed four in value, you should be safe.

The only thing to keep in mind when adding pieces to wear with your diamond rings is that a piece of jewellery should never be worn next to one another when at all possible.  Bracelets, for example, should always be worn on the hand opposite the diamond rings.  Also, if you are wearing a diamond necklace to complement your diamond rings, diamond earrings may not be your best bet.  The only exception to this would should be when your diamond rings are accessorised with a small bracelet, a small necklace, and small earrings.  In this case, it is acceptable to wear earrings and the necklace on the same time.  The bracelet, however, should still be worn on the hand opposite the diamond rings.

One of the perfect things about diamond rings is that they truly are the perfect gift for nearly any occasion.  They don’t have to be restricted to bridal jewellery collections at all.  Diamond rings are also perfect gifts for women or girls of nearly any age.

If you start from the beginning, infants in many cultures are given tiny diamond rings when they are born, similar to the custom of piercing a baby’s ears.  The stones in these delicate diamond rings are often never more than a tiny glimmer, but they are diamonds none the less.  Once the infants grow out of their baby diamond rings, they are typically placed in a memory box with other important keepsakes.

For many years to come, the only diamond rings the child will be playing with are the costume jewellery ones.  Once a child reaches a particular maturity level, many parents decide to purchase small diamond rings to give to the child to teach them responsibility.  Again, these diamond rings are typically very small in nature and quite affordable.

When the child becomes a teenager, she will most likely have an event to commemorate her 15th or 16th birthday, depending on the culture.  During this time, many parents choose to give their children somewhat more substantial diamond rings than they have had in the past.  These diamond rings can also be given upon graduation from high school or university as well.

The next diamond rings women typically receive are from their potential future husbands.  After all, the use of diamond rings to propose marriage is a long standing tradition that shows no signs of fading any time soon.  If she instead chooses to remain single, she may buy herself one or more diamond rings to wear in the dress diamond rings fashion.

On the other hand, if she does marry, future diamond rings will come most often in the form of anniversary gifts.  If she has a child, she may also receive diamond rings to commemorate that event as well.  On that same note, diamond rings make an excellent mother’s day present that her kids should keep in mind for later down the road.

As always, the rumour mill would be nothing without the hottest talk of which stars wearing what jewellery……particularly their diamond rings.

True Blood star Anna Paquin received a gorgeous diamond ring from her on and off screen love, Stephen Moyer.  The diamond ring features a 1.5 carat centre stone set in a very classical, almost art deco, setting.  This dazzling diamond ring is said to have cost a cool $50,000 USD.  Coincidence or not, the real life ring was given around the same time Paquin’s on screen character was proposed to by Moyer’s character as well.

Pop singer Katy Perry is not only one very outspoken celebrity, she also knows exactly what she wants when it comes to diamond rings.  Future husband and actor/comedian Russell Brand surprised Ms. Perry with a beautiful 5 carat Cartier diamond ring set with a nearly flawless pink diamond.  Being the independent woman she is, she promptly decided that she did like the idea of marriage, not so much the pink diamond ring though.  A few days later, she swapped the diamond ring out for a smaller 3 carat round cut diamond ring set in yellow gold, also made by Cartier.

Fergie, the sexy singer not the former princess, recently renewed her vows with husband Josh Duhamel.  During the ceremony, he re-presented her with her stunning 4 carat round cut diamond ring designed by H. Stern.  The diamond ring, originally used when they married in early 2009, is said to have cost nearly $90,000 USD.

Proving that not all reality TV stars are created equal, Bethenny Frankel of Real Housewives fame is now sporting about $150,000 USD worth of diamond ring on her finger.  The 6.5 carat pear shaped diamond ring was designed by Kristin Farrell.  The dazzling diamond ring was given to her by real estate husband Jason Hoppy.

Once again turning to one of the many stars of reality TV, Kim Kardashian received a diamond ring valued at over $850,000 USD.  Known for bringing some much loved and hated drama to the airways, she was given the stunning diamond ring by her boyfriend Lama Odom just a few weeks before their wedding took place.  The ring featured a brilliant cut diamond weighing in at just over 12.5 carats and designed by Vartan’s Fine Jewellery.

With an estimated auction price of nearly $1 million, the famous red argyle diamond ring on the auction block in Australia remains unsold. While the bids did reach an impressive $490,000, that was only slightly more than the $480,000 opening bid that had been set for the diamond ring. Sotheby’s set the record in 2007 for the highest priced piece of jewellery auctioned in Australia. That auction brought in $456,000 for an unmounted diamond weighing in at just over 5 carats. They were hoping to set a new record with the red argyle diamond ring, which the $490,000 bi would have done, but refused to let the ring go for what would have been less than half the estimated selling price. In comparison to the loose stone, the red argyle diamond ring pales by comparison, weighing just over 0.8 carats.

Procured from the Rio Tinto Argyle, located in Western Australia, the red argyle diamond that serves as the centrepiece of the ring is rare to say the least. The extremely high estimated selling price of the ring was based partly on past sales of the rare red diamonds. A similar stone weighing 0.91 carats sold in Hong Kong in 2004 for just over $1 million. The fact that this diamond was only slightly smaller, along with the fact that it was set in a ring also bearing two blue diamonds and several white ones, led the auction house to believe it would fetch a similar price, if not more.

The primary reason a diamond of this colour can fetch such a high price is the fact that a naturally occurring coloured diamond is extremely rare. A naturally occurring red diamond, however, is the rarest of all the colours and, therefore, can fetch the highest price per carat. Of the 30 million carats of diamonds produced from the Rio Tinto Argyle mine each year, an impressive percentage bear the signature Rio Tinto Argyle pink hue. These pink diamonds can fetch a significantly higher price tag than white diamonds as well. Even out of the percentage of coloured diamonds produced, it is estimated that less than five true red diamonds are mined each year, making them the rarest commodity the Argyle mine possesses.

According to the auction house, the ring will be kept safe and re-auctioned at a later date. They are hoping that once the word economy begins to stabilize and improve, the unique ring will be able to command its original estimated price.

The Geneva branch of Southebys held it’s Spring Auction on May 11th. One of the primary pieces up for sale was a two stone blue diamond ring weighing in at just over 10 carats in total weight. The diamond ring was designed by Alexandre Reza and features a 5 carat stunning fancy blue vivid pear shaped diamond mounted alongside a white diamond of the same shape and size. Auction experts estimated the ring would fetch between $4 and $7 million dollars.

The centrepiece of the auction, however, was the nearly 53 carat diamond ring that was open for bidding. Rated as a flawless stone by the GIA, the diamond was also graded with excellent symmetry and polish. The massive emerald cut ring was expected to fetch well over $7 million.

Among the other pieces up for grabs was a nearly 8 carat intense blue diamond with an expected final price of between $4 and $6 million. This cushion cut diamond is yet another example of the significantly higher price per carat a coloured diamond can command as well as further proof that coloured diamonds are becoming more and more popular with consumers looking for unique and rare pieces of jewellery.

There was an oval diamond with a brilliant cut that is expected to sell for upwards of $2 million, as well as a Van Cleef & Arpels ring weighing just over 10 carats that is estimated at nearly $1 million.

For vintage jewellery enthusiasts, a 1915 diamond necklace was on display, expected to sell for up to $450,000. The centre circular stone weighs in at nearly 28 carats and is surrounded by a bevy of pear shaped diamonds. A bracelet obtained from the same collection that dates back to 1920 was available as well. It features a combination of diamonds and sapphires and was expected to sell for just over $80,000.

Other diamond necklaces available included a 28 diamond necklace with a total carat weight of over 160 carats that was expected to sell for over $2 million. The necklace was part of Southeby’s Noble Jewels collection which also features a diamond and pearl necklace dating back to the early 1900’s. It was expected to sell for just over $200,000.

While these pieces are definitely out of the average person’s budget, they do offer a representation of just how magnificent a piece of jewellery can be.

By this time, your significant other is either really excited or really frustrated. Keep your fingers crossed that it is not the latter. You also need to keep her individual personality in mind. If she is the type of person that likes a good challenge or adventure, this could potentially be an all day event. If, on the other hand, she is the type that prefers to get right to the point, keep the number of stops along the way to a minimum to ensure she is still in good spirits when she arrives at the final destination where her diamond ring will be waiting.

The last address she receives will send her either back to the original jewellery store or to a different one. You can arrange to have your contact at her last or second to last stop call you once she leaves so you have a general idea of when she will be arriving. If you are sending to her a new store, when she walks into the store, have the sales person pretend they have no idea why she’s there and claim they have nothing waiting for her. If you are using the same jewellery store as before, have the sales person tell her they were only presented with one gift for her, not two and that the cards must have gotten mixed up somehow. This is when the sales person will have to act quickly before she is able to leave the store.

Have the clerk asks is there is anything else she may be interested in, suggesting a new pair of earrings or a necklace perhaps, emphasizing one of the cases in the store for her to look at. He can either tell her that they just received some lovely new pieces that she may be interested in. Hopefully the clerk is persuasive enough to get her over to the case which will not only contain a selection of diamond rings, but will also have a large sign that has been placed in the case asking “Will you marry me?”.

At this point, let her know you are in the store so she can answer your question. Assuming she says yes, you can either begin shopping for diamond rings then and there, or come back at a later date once she has had time to compose herself. Follow the day up with a romantic dinner and it will definitely be one she will never forget.

So, you already know you want to pop the question to your significant other. You’ve already picked out the perfect engagement ring that you want to place on her finger. You already have the perfect plan to drop down on one knee and ask her to marry you. You are a very lucky person and should stop reading now.

For the rest of you…….you already know you want to pop the question. The only flaw is that you either have no idea what her concept of the perfect engagement ring would be or you would prefer to give her the chance to pick the diamond ring herself. After all, it is one she would potentially be wearing for the rest of her life. With that significance given to the diamond ring itself, it is only fair that it should be one she truly loves. If you are ready to propose, but have no idea how to do it without the ring in hand, here are a few creative ways to make the proposal memorable, even without presenting her the engagement ring on the spot.

The easiest way is to, of course, have a substitute ring to use. This works best if you plan to have the proposal be a public event, possibly surrounded by friends and family. Since a ring-less proposal is slightly easier to pull off in a more intimate setting, a public venue requires the use of a ‘prop’ that will take the place of the real engagement ring. If you want to go the whimsical route, the 25¢ gum-ball ring is the perfect stand in. In some cases, the gaudier the ring, the better so bystanders will know that it is, in fact, a true stand in for the real thing. As you propose you can explain that you want her ring to be as perfect as your love for her is and, therefore, didn’t want to make the selection without her by your side.

Following along those similar lines, there is nothing wrong with presenting her a regular ring in place of an engagement ring. Find a simple ring you know she will like. It could be a birthstone ring or even one with her favourite colour stone. Even a simple band of precious metal with decorative engravings would work. If you want to add a special touch to the ring, have it engraved with something meaningful, such as the date you’re proposing, the date you met, or even something along the lines of “I hope you say yes”.

Not to be outdone by Southeby’s Geneva auction, Christie’s of New York is gearing up for an impressive jewellery auction of their own. One of the centrepiece items that will be placed up for auction is the Emperor Maximilian Diamond Ring. Weighing in at just under 40 carats, the massive stone was once owned Archduke Maximilian in the mid 1800’s. Once considered the ‘Emperor of Mexico’, Maximilian lost power shortly after acquiring the ring. When he was executed, rumours state that he had the diamond ring in a small pouch which was tied around his neck.

Centuries later, the ring once again returned to a highly political party. Owned by Imelda Marcos, wife of the late Ferdinand Marcos. She had purchased the diamond ring just a few years before her dictator husband was removed form power during a massive uprising. Imelda had the stone reset into another ring which was done by world renowned jewellers at Cartier. After her husband’s death, Imelda herself became known for her extravagant lifestyle in particular her shoe collection. She parted with the ring in the mid 1990’s, most likely in an attempt to raise money to pay off the debts her extravagance had accumulated over the years.

Other items that will be available include an emerald brooch once owned by Catherine the Great of Russia. According to the historian’s at Christie’s the brooch remained in Catherine’s family for many generations, passed down over the years until it was acquired by a private collector in the United States in 1972.

Despite the strenuous global economy, Christie’s sales figures have remained strong, totalling nearly $300 million in sales for 2009. Sales records were also set for several milestones. The most impressive was the total price paid for a single diamond. A 5 carat pink diamond sold for $10.8 million last year, raising the bar significantly. The record for the per carat price of any white diamond sold was also broken when a magnificent 32 carat stone labelled the Annenberg Diamond sold for $7.7 million. Auctioneers at Christie’s agree that if a gem is rare enough, someone will always be able to come up with the money to be able to own it. While the wealthier buyers of these rare gems are less likely to be influenced by a struggling economy than most people, jewellery sales across the globe still remain strong.

Would you spend over £80 on a diamond solitaire ring? Probably not, but this week in London, somebody did.

London’s Bonham jewellers finished up their very first large scale auction of fine jewellery this year. Despite the global economy still recovering, the auction managed to bring in a sizeable £2.2m. Bonham’s was more impressed than anyone at the final sales numbers as they were concerned that would not be able to match the success they saw in jewellery sales in 2009. So far, they seem to be off to a very good start with the results they achieve with their first auction of the year.

The high final number is said to be due largely to the four extremely valuable items that were part of the 135 lot auction. The first of the four was a solitaire diamond ring that was estimated to sell for between £55k and £65k. The 5 carat stone in the diamond ring was graded as internally flawless, a rare classification to find in larger stones. The diamond ring surprised auctioneers when it sold for just over £80k.

The next impressive piece up for bid was another 5 carat solitaire diamond ring estimated to sell for between £80k and £100k. With a higher overall grading on the Four C scale than the first ring and a more elaborate setting, this beauty managed to sell for an impressive £222,000. Also selling for the same amount was a 4.74 carat diamond solitaire ring, nearly identical in diamond grading to the previous lot. With an estimated selling price of £100k to £150,000k, the ring once again surpassed Bonham’s expectations fetching the same £222k as the previous lot. Experts attribute the high sale price of these two rings to the immense interest displayed on both items during the bidding process. Ultimately, one lucky person willing to spend over £440k was able to walk away with both rings in hand.

The crown jewel of the auction however, was not in the form of a ring. In fact, it was a diamond necklace. Weighing in at over 14 carats, a pear shaped pendant was saved for the final lot of the auction. Estimated to sell for a steep £200k to £300k, the diamond pendant was said to be one of the most stunning that Bonham’s has ever had to offer. Just as with the other auction pieces, this pendant exceeded all expectations, selling for a final price of £468k.

Dating in today’s world can be challenging to say the least. There are so many notions and ideas pre-marketed towards diamond rings, mostly created by the largest diamond distributors, that it is harder than ever to present a girlfriend with a diamond ring without risking her getting the wrong idea. After all, there is nothing wrong with being in a committed relationship and just not being ready to be engaged or married. Since the notion of promise rings has become somewhat outdated, choosing a diamond ring to show simple affection instead of some other meaning can be difficult. Instead, why not get her a pair of diamond earrings?

With such a wide variety of diamond earrings on the market to choose from, there is bound to be a pair to perfectly suit her personality and the occasion, if there happens to be one. Diamond earrings allow you the chance to give her the beauty and dazzle of diamonds without the risk of giving her the wrong message or signal if you’re not at a point where you wish to change the status of your relationship or take it to the next step.

From diamond hoops to chandelier earrings, the selections are seemingly endless. You can choose from white or yellow gold, the ideal way to best complement her skin tone or personal preference. You can also choose to have the diamond earrings set with coloured stones as accents, perfect for representing her birthstone or favourite coloured gemstone. If she prefers the luxury of simplicity, a beautiful pair of diamond solitaire earrings may be just the perfect gift. The added benefit of solitaire earrings is that the stones can be removed from their settings later on to be incorporated into an engagement ring or promise ring. This not only adds a sentimental touch to the ring, it also takes an item from earlier in your relationship and helps carry it through to the next step with you.

In days gone by, an engagement ring was a token of love as well as a guarantee that the man proposing marriage had enough financial stability to successfully support the woman he wished to marry. In essence, the diamond ring was intended just as much for her family as it was for her. The larger and more expensive the diamond ring was, the more comfortable of a lifestyle the woman could look forward to living during her married years.

Not too long ago, one of the leading diamond ring distributors began a campaign to explain exactly how much a man should be spending on a diamond ring intended for engagement purposes. Their formula encouraged the man to seek out a diamond ring that was equivalent to two months of his salary in price. The formula seemed logical enough and, for many people, it is still very much relied on today as a gauge to determine the correct price range the diamond ring should be in.

What you need to keep in mind, however, is that the formula was created by one of the major player’s in the diamond industry. The most important factor in the equation when selecting a diamond ring shouldn’t be limited to your take home pay. Instead, it should be about what type of diamond ring best expresses the personality and visual preferences of your potential bride to be. There are many times when the ‘perfect’ diamond ring may only cost the equivalent of two weeks pay as opposed to two months. For some, the ring could cost four months salary if the perfect style and design happens to be a pricier piece. The cost of diamond rings is also greatly influenced by the price of gold, still the most common precious metal used for engagement rings. In essence, a ring that costs two months salary one minute may cost three months salary the next.

While the formula may be a great way to give you a general ballpark price range for your ring, there is no reason you shouldn’t be able to look above or even below that price point. You may not necessarily want to look for the cheapest ring on the market, but keep in mind that breaking the bank for the largest ring you can find is not the best idea either. While personal financial situations will contribute a great deal to the amount of money you are able to spend, the ‘perfect’ ring is ultimately determined by the look on her face when she says ‘yes’, not the price tag.

If you are in the process of shopping for diamond rings, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the general styles of rings on the market. Since there have been so many recommended occasions tied to certain types of diamond rings, it helps to know if you are buying the correct ring for the correct milestone.

The most basic diamond ring of them all is the diamond solitaire. Consisting of a single stone in a precious metal setting, the solitaire ring was long considered the standard for engagement ring purposes. Over the years, however, styles of acceptable engagement rings have broadened, creating a much larger design pool to choose from. The solitaire ring, while not the only style of engagement ring, still remains highly symbolic with regards to marriage proposals.

A diamond eternity ring is designed for two primary purposes. They are intended to be used as gifts to celebrate a wedding anniversary, sometimes replacing the wedding band itself, or they can be given to commemorate the birth of a couple’s first child, sometimes including the child’s birthstone as well as diamonds. Both the full eternity rings and the half eternity rings can be used to represent these two milestones in a relationship.

The three stone ring, like the eternity ring, is also used as an anniversary gift. The stones are symbolic of the couple’s past, present, and future. While some brides to be are choosing a three stone ring in place of an engagement ring, they are typically reserved for anniversary purposes.

The right hand ring, or dress diamond ring, was intended to be marketed towards single women who didn’t feel the need to be in a relationship in order to be able to wear a diamond ring. Because there is no specific style associated with the right hand ring, any of the above designs can be used to represent a woman’s independence.

While there are several other styles and types of diamond rings on the market, these are the primary categories. Keep in mind, however, that just because a ring is traditionally used for one purpose that doesn’t mean you can’t choose your own tradition to create.

If you suddenly find yourself in the position to buy several ‘more than affordable’ diamond rings, you may want to think twice about the purchase. A man in Hertfordshire was attacked by several men this week and, in the process, was robbed of nearly five hundred gold and diamond rings that he had in his possession. Authorities have not released the nature of the man’s work, but the quantity of jewellery he was carrying on his person is said to be related. According to the police, the man was struck in the face as he was getting out of his vehicle on the corner of Gidian Court and Park Street lane in St Albans.

The men were reportedly seen driving in a Toyota Avensis with a blue T registration and were reportedly following the victim for some time, waiting for him to reach his destination and exit his vehicle. The primary attacker is described as being “Eastern European appearance, 5ft 8in (1.72m) tall and aged between 30 and 35” according to Det Sgt Nina Winfield. His three accomplices are also described as Eastern European, in their late twenties, and wearing jackets and jean.

Authorities are interested in speaking to anyone who may have witnessed the events and may be able to provide any leads as to the description of the attackers. They are also asking that anyone that comes upon the chance to buy some very well priced diamond rings contact them as soon as possible with details on the seller. The chances of the attackers trying to sell the diamond rings quickly is anticipated.

While the hot diamond ring may be a ’steal’ as far as price goes, as soon as it is traced back to the crime, it will be seized for evidence and you will most likely not be reimbursed for any amount you did pay for it. This incident is yet another of the many examples of why you should always choose a reputable merchant from which to purchase your diamond jewellery. Not only are you guaranteed authentic and legitimate merchandise, you also know you are getting the best quality for your money as well as a product warranty.

If you are on the market for a diamond ring for your beloved, regardless of whether it is an engagement ring, an eternity ring, or just an ‘I Love You’ ring, there are several tricks to keep in mind when selecting the perfect piece of jewellery.

One of the trickiest parts for some people is figuring out what size ring to buy. If you have been married for years, this may be an easy task. For new couples, however, the deed gets slightly trickier. Your best bet is to take her jewellery shopping, not necessarily for a diamond ring though. Tell her you want to get her a birthstone ring or some other similar piece of jewellery for an upcoming birthday, holiday, or special occasion. Take her to the jewellery store under the guide of wanting to see what styles of rings or choices of gemstones she likes best. As she tries on gemstone rings from the case, you will be able to determine what size ring she wears. Even is she isn’t trying jewellery on the right finger, a well trained jeweller will be able to determine the correct size depending on where you plan the diamond ring to be worn.

Another option is to ask her family or friends. While her brother-in-law may not know her ring size off the top of his head, there’s a good chance her sister or best friend may know. Even if they don’t, I’m sure they can find a reason to conveniently borrow one of her rings for a day in order to determine what size she wears.

The final choice is to do the deed yourself. If you have access to her jewellery box, and aren’t at risk for being caught ‘borrowing’ any of her jewellery, it should be easy enough for you to get one of her favorite rings to determine what size it is. Make sure to choose a ring that you know she wears on a semi-regular basis. It won’t do much good to have a ring sized that she wore as a teenager that only fits on her pinky now.

Even if all of these methods fails, take heart in the fact that any precious metal ring can be sized to fit perfectly at your local jewellery shop, usually in a matter of hours.

Should you go it alone when shopping for diamond engagement rings? More and more men are deciding that my not be in their best interest do do so and are increasingly involving their future brides in the diamond ring buying process. While the tradition of a surprise wedding proposal, down on one knee, ring box in hand, still remains strong, the idea of that surprise including the actual diamond engagement ring may be beginning to fade somewhat.

More and more jewellers are carrying a wide array of bridal jewellery sets. These sets include the diamond engagement ring as well as the his and hers wedding band sets. Buying all three rings in a set not only saves money, it also ensures that all three pieces are coordinated with each other. This eliminates the issues sometimes caused when the engagement ring that was chosen before the proposal doesn’t quite sit right with the wedding band that was chosen before the wedding. Buying the set ensures the engagement ring and wedding band are a perfect fit.

Unless you know your bride to be’s exact ring size, precious metal preference, favourite diamond shape, and numerous other preferences that go into purchasing a diamond ring, you may want to hold off on buying one until you can actually get her input as well. Remember, the engagement ring is something she will, hopefully, wear every day for the rest of her life. For that reason alone it should be a ring that not only represents your love for her, but also her personal tastes in jewellery. Shopping for a bridal jewellery set together can also be be of the first major purchases you make as a couple. It is not only a perfect way to guarantee she will be as happy with her bridal set as she can be, it can also be a great bonding experience to signify the beginning of your shared life together. While this trend may make the surprise wedding proposal a bit more challenging, there are a few creative ways around that potential obstacle.

In various regions of the world, acts of war are being financed by the blood diamond trade. Also known as a conflict or war diamond, a blood diamond is one that is mined, usually by forceful means, and used to finance war, insurgency, and terrorist activities. In order to decrease the ability for groups to use blood diamonds to finance their activities, a joint effort between various parties involved in the diamond industry produced the Kimberley Process. This certification program was the collaborative effort of diamond miners, government agencies, and diamond distributors. It created a chain of custody for all diamonds entering the retail market. For a diamond to be certified under the Kimberley Process, the distributor had to be able to trace the exact origins of the diamond, from its discovery in the mine up to its arrival at the retailer, ensuring that no part of the money produced by the mining or sale of the diamond was used to finance any controversial military activities. While there are still groups able to get uncertified diamonds onto the market, the number of conflict diamonds has decreased significantly since the Kimberley Process was enacted in 2002. One of the best ways to ensure you are doing your part to further reduce the ability for unsanctioned groups to profit off the sale of blood diamonds is to verify you are purchasing your new diamond from a reputable dealer, such as Purely Diamonds, known for their wide selection of exclusively conflict free diamonds.

Now that you know exactly what features you are looking for in a ring, take your list and find a jeweller who can make your dream ring a reality. Make sure you have your list that details exactly which metals, settings, stone shapes, and styles you prefer. Also, feel free to take pictures of the diamond rings that may be ‘almost perfect’ to give the jeweller a better idea of what you are looking for in a finished product. If you are more of a visual person, there are numerous jewellery sites on-line that allow you to virtually create your diamond ring. By selecting your metal, stone shape and carat weight, and band style, you can get a better idea of what particular styles of rings will look like. Keep in mind, however, that many of these sites are somewhat limited in the styles they offer for their custom virtual diamond ring options. They are geared primarily towards the woman who still wants a rather simple and traditional ring and just wants to be able to choose the basic qualities of the ring itself. If you are interested in a more detailed design, or a more intricate setting, the click and buy ring design may not be your best choice.

There are, however, many reputable jewellers online, and in person, that will let you choose the details of your rings from start to finish. Skilled jewellers can often take a photo or sketch or a ring and recreate it perfectly. They can also work directly with you to take multiple designs, discuss the particular features of each ring you are most attracted to, and find the best way to combine all of your favorite aspects of each piece into one dazzling diamond ring. Some online jewellers will simply let you email them a list of your preferences, photographs or rings you like, or even custom sketched of the ring you want. They can then work with you one on one to create the exact ring to suit your personality, taste, and budget. Eve virtual storefronts can use the wonders of technology to help you visualize your creation before it is made, ensuring that every aspect of the rings itself is to your liking.

So, ladies, you perfect dream diamond ring can still be a reality…….

Admit it ladies, ever since you were a little girl you have had the exact details of the perfect wedding swirling around in your head, including the perfect marriage proposal, and, most importantly, the perfect diamond ring. When it actually comes time to get that engagement ring, more and more couples are choosing to make the purchase together in order for the bride to be to make sure she is, in fact, getting her dream ring. The groom to be will often find a clever way of proposing without a ring or using a stand in ring for the proposal and then they can shop for the actual ring, once she has hopefully said yes of course. The dilemma comes into play once you start shopping for the perfect diamond ring. You’ve found the perfect stone, but it’s set in the wrong type of metal. You’ve found the ideal design, but the stones aren’t the right cut. You’ve found the absolute perfect ring, well the almost absolute ring, but the stones within it are too highly rated, taking the ring too far out of your price range. The solution? Design your own diamond ring.

Designing your own diamond ring is the perfect choice for the picky bride to be or even the woman who just knows what she wants but can’ seem to find it on the retail market. Even if you’re not sure what type of ring you want, shopping for one may start to give you a better idea of what you might consider the perfect ring. Your best bet is to take notes as you go, if you don’t already have the exact specifications in mind. Make sure to take down what precious metals you like best, whether it be white or yellow gold, platinum, or something else. Decide while browsing which particular shaped diamonds tend to catch your eye the quickest, or even the most frequently. Use the rings you tend to like best to get an idea of what styles and settings you tend to prefer.

One of the easiest ways to help cut costs when shopping for diamond rings is by carefully selecting your precious metal. Platinum diamond rings are, of course, all the rage nowadays, but they do come with a fairly steep price tag attached to them. If you are shopping on a budget, or have limited resources with which to purchase a diamond ring, consider some other alternatives.

Before platinum began to rise in popularity, white gold was the metal of choice when a silver luster metal was desired. White gold diamond rings are not only significantly more affordable than platinum rings, most people won’t be able to tell the difference. Besides, when most people look at your diamond ring they will be focused more on the diamond itself and the colour of the metal, not necessarily what kind of metal it actually is.

Palladium is also another hot new trend on the jewellery market. With the UK recently passing regulations requiring palladium to be hallmarked to ensure its quality, it is quickly becoming one of the preferred precious metals for diamond rings. It has the same appearance as platinum, but comes at a fraction of the cost. Palladium is still slightly higher in cost than white gold, but tends to have a much stronger level of wear and scratch resistance. While palladium diamond rings may be a bit hard to find at the moment, they should be fairly abundant soon enough as the demand for the new trend in precious metals increases.

Above all, when you are looking for the best deal on a diamond ring, keep an eye on the precious metals market. While white gold may be the most affordable precious metal on the market right now for diamond rings, if the demand for platinum begins to waver, it could very well affect the price of the metal. Likewise, as the gold market continues to grow in price, palladium and platinum may become the cheaper options over time. The price of precious metals is driven by the supply and demand for them in the marketplace. If you do have your heart set on a particular metal that may be slightly out of your price range, by keeping an eye on these prices, you may be able to get a bargain by catching the market at just the right time.

One of the most important factors that can affect the price of a diamond ring is the carat weight of the stone or stones contained within it. If you are looking to save a little money when purchasing a new diamond ring, or you just happen to have a limited budget to work with, there are ways to find a beautiful diamond ring that wont necessarily break the bank.

Bigger Isn’t Always Better

While women used to think that the larger the diamond was on her finger, the more beautiful it was, the case isn’t always so today. More and more women are opting for more classic and sophisticated diamond rings, emphasizing ornate settings and details in the bands as opposed to larger stones. These rings get noticed because of their overall beauty, not just the size of the stone set within them.

If you are looking to cut costs, consider a diamond ring that possesses a more intricate setting and band with a smaller centre stone. This will give an additional focal point, other than the stone itself, and not draw as much attention to the size of the stone as it will the the actual ring. With the continued rise in popularity of vintage and vintage inspired rings, these types of designs are plentiful on the market today, as well as being extremely trendy as well as timeless.

Another way to de-emphasize the size of the centre stone is by selecting a ring that also possesses shoulder stones, or side stones. The larger the carat weight of a single stone, the higher the per carat price is going to be, mainly because the larger a stone is the more difficult it can be to obtain. Smaller stones, on the other hand, are rather plentiful in comparison, pulling a lower per carat price. Essentially, a two carat solitaire ring will run significantly higher in price than a ring bearing a one carat centre stone with two half carat side stones. Even though the overall carat weight is the same, the prices are vastly different.

Over the years, many wedding traditions have changed, evolved, and eventually returned to their roots, only to change again. One of the two most recognized traditions today, however, are also two of the traditions that have seemed to change the most over the years, the bridal diamond ring and the wedding dress.

According to historical records, the very first engagement ring, that also happened to be a diamond ring, was presented to Mary of Burgundy by her betrothed, Archduke Maximilian of Austria. This diamond ring was given in 1477 and, since Mary wed the Archduke within 24 hours of receiving the ring, it officially began the tradition of presenting an item of jewellery, specifically a ring, to symbolize one’s intention to marry. The fact that Mary’s ring held a diamond, however, was not a tradition that remained constant. As diamonds were extremely scarce and costly, they were typically only owned by royalty and upper class. Over the years, various gems passed in and out of popularity for use in engagement rings, including rubies, emeralds, and sapphires. It is only because of a clever marketing campaign, conducted by a major jewellery company, that diamonds became associate so closely with romance and love. Once this connecting had been made, the tradition of presenting a diamond ring upon proposal once again became the custom.

The wedding dress, on the other hand, has a fairly consistent history, although the styles and colour preferences have changed over the years. The most traditional form of bridal apparel is the pure white wedding dress. Often made from lace, satin, chiffon, silks, or other delicate fabrics, wedding dresses can be elegant, classy, whimsical, flirty, and everything in between.

The tradition of the white wedding dress began in 1840 when Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg. Her white wedding gown began the traditional that is still held onto tightly today. In 1849, Godey’s Lady’s Book was published and helped to cement the tradition of the white gown even further by defining white as “the most fitting hue” and going on to describe it as an ‘emblem of purity”. Today’s wedding dresses can be short and sexy, long and elegant, simple and chic, or even finely tailored and sophisticated. While there are several exceptions to the white dress rule, most commonly seen in off white gowns originally designed for second marriages or bolder coloured gowns designed for brides wanting to make a very unique statement, the majority of wedding dresses sold today are still in the traditional white tone.

The wedding dress and the diamond engagement ring are the two most common items associated with the the idea of a traditional wedding ceremony and will most likely remain as so for years to come.

Whether you are buying a diamond ring for your mother, your girlfriend, your wife, or your daughter, there is no reason the giving of such a gift should be tied to any specific occasion or event. In fact, some of the most thoughtful gifts are the ones that are given ‘just because’. While some women in your closest circle may expect diamonds on particular dates, such as Valentine’s Day or an anniversary, surprising them with a diamond ring outside of the normal gift giving periods can be even more magical.

If you’re buying a diamond ring for your daughter, her sixteenth birthday or graduation is the typical time associated with the gift. What if you used the fact that she obtained her driver’s license as a non-traditional time to present her with a diamond ring. Have it hanging from a ribbon on the rear view mirror when she gets in the car to drive for the first time. You may want to hold off on the first drive though until she has had time to compose herself.

If you’re buying a ring for your wife and have kids, give her the ring on Father’s Day. This may not make a while lot of sense but you can tell her that having her in your life helps to make you a better father and husband so you feel the day should be just as important to her as it is to you.

For a girlfriend, take a visit to the first restaurant you ate out, the first park you met at, or any other special place you both share. While the specific date need not be important, pick a location that is meaningful. This will not only show her that you remember how special the place is to you, but also that presenting her a diamond ring at that place will make it all the more treasures later on in life.

Every lady has them……one or more pairs of diamond earrings that have either gone out of style or simply worn out their charm. Because they are diamonds, however, we keep them tucked away in the corner of the jewellery box, too expensive to get rid of yet not interesting enough to wear any more. What many women don’t realize though is there can be a use for those old diamond earrings after all.

One of the simplest things to do with old earrings is have them reset. If your diamonds are set in yellow gold and you have developed a taste for white gold over the years, a new white gold setting may be just the thing to bring your earrings back into fashion.

If you are particularly fond of the stones in the diamond earrings, but not necessarily the fact that they are set in earrings, use them to create a new custom diamond ring. As popular as cluster rings and diamond rings with should stones are these days, the loose diamonds pulled from your old earrings can make a new diamond ring more affordable than you might have imagined.

If the earrings are outdated or have a particular style to them that just isn’t in fashion any more, hold onto them. While this may seem contradictory to finding something useful to do with them, we all know that everything comes back into style eventually. Usually when it does, it comes back in at twice the price. Once your trendy diamond earrings circulate back into style, you won’t need to pay double the cost to be on the cutting edge again.

You can always consider passing them down to a daughter or niece if you want them to become an heirloom piece. While the diamond earrings may no longer be attractive to you, they may be a wonderful and unexpected treat for someone else.

If all else fails, trade them up or trade them in. Many jewellers will take your old jewellery and put a significant portion of its retail value towards a new piece. If your earrings are high value items, you may be able to trade them in for something that will better suit your current tastes, such as a new diamond ring or necklace. If you still like diamond earrings, use the value of your current pair towards a nicer pair in a more elaborate setting or with a larger total carat weight.

Of all the various types of engagement rings on the market, the solitaire engagement ring is possibly the most versatile.  It can not only hold nearly any size or shape of diamond, it is also the easiest style of ring to customize with a variety of individual details.  If you are on the market for a solitaire engagement ring, you should look carefully at the variety of different setting types available for this particular diamond ring style.

The prong setting is probably the most popular and common choice for a solitaire engagement ring.  Typically consisting of four or more prongs, each extends upwards from the ring band and folds slightly over the top surface of the stone to hold it in place.  The prong set solitaire engagement ring became the most common setting style because it allows the stone to be raised above the ring, increasing the amount of light that can pass into the stone from underneath and further magnifying it’s brilliance.

The bezel set solitaire engagement ring is preferred by active women who don’t like how often a prong set stone can potentially snag on things and interfere with their daily routines.  A bezel set stone is set into the precious metal band, making the ring slightly thicker on top and wider across, but also creating a flush surface, eliminating the potential for snagging.  This ease of maintenance is essential for women on the go who want to look beautiful without the hassle often associated with certain types of jewellery.

The tension set solitaire engagement ring is one of the more modern designs that is quickly taking over the bridal jewellery market.  The band itself is split at one point and then slightly stretched apart.  The diamond is then set in between the splits and the tension on the band is released, holding the diamond in a firm grip.  This setting style for solitaire engagement rings not only allows light to pass through the underside of the stone, as in a prong set solitaire engagement ring, it also allows the top side of the ring to be flush, as in a bezel set engagement ring, offering the best of both worlds.  A tension set solitaire engagement ring also offers a unique visual appeal with a very well defined modern edge.

We’ve already discussed what you can do to bring your old diamond earrings back into favour, but there are more than their fair share of diamond rings sitting untouched in jewellery boxes everywhere as well. Just like the diamond earrings, the rings are either too costly or too sentimental to get rid of but not in style or in condition to be worn. Aside from the obvious solution of selling the ring and taking the cash, there are a number of other ways to make use of the diamond ring.

If the ring is an antique that has been in the family for a while, that doesn’t necessarily means it has to sit and gather dust. Many people tend not to wear heirloom pieces due to the fact that some jewellery items made back in the day were more fragile than pieces being produced today. If that is the case, there are a number of jewellers who would be able to either reinforce the setting on the ring to ensure the diamond is secure or recreate the setting using modern techniques. Both options not only make use of the diamond in the ring, they also retain the sentiment behind the piece as well. If you plan to continue to pass the piece down to future generations, either option also ensures it will remain in good shape for years to come.

Even if a diamond ring is not an heirloom piece, it may still have a significant amount of sentiment attached to it. If your budget was limited when you first wed and resulted in a smaller stone for your engagement ring, now may be the time to up-scale. The smaller stone can be used as a should stone and a larger centre diamond can be chosen.

If you are not interested in trading the ring in completely in exchange for a new piece, consider using the stone from the old ring to set into a new one. If the ring is a diamond solitaire, setting it into a new band surrounded by shoulder stones could give the diamond a completely new life. For smaller stones, consider having them set into an eternity ring. Any reputable jeweller will be able to properly match newer diamonds to your older ones to ensure a coherent visual appearance.

For all you May babies out there or those of you whose beloved way born in May, consider the beauty of the May birthstone combined with the luxury of a diamond ring. Emeralds, the official birthstone of May, are not only rich in their dark green hues, they are also rich in history and tradition as well.

Dating back to early Egyptian times, emeralds were not necessarily rare at the time, but they were extremely dangerous to mine. Often surrounded by vast deserts plagued by deadly scorpions and other creatures, the natives of the land braved the heat to bring home this rich and royal jewel. Known to be one of the most beloved gemstones of Cleopatra herself, the emerald has carried with it it’s royal heritage even through modern times.

When Spain conquered the lands in the early sixteenth century, one of the first treasures they fought to acquire were the large and luxurious emeralds commonly worn among the people. The largest emerald mine in the world is the Muzo mine of Colombia. Beautiful specimens of emeralds can also be found in various other regions, including Russia, Brazil, Madagascar, and Pakistan.

Contrary to certain other gemstones, most emeralds tend to have a slightly milky quality to them. While clearer stones are more expensive, they are also very rare. Because of this, most emeralds on the retail market tend to have a light cloudy appearance. This often provides a unique contrast when set against a clearer gemstone, such as a diamond. The emerald and diamond ring combination also works well in either colour of gold. Yellow gold provides a rich contrast to the green hue of the emerald, while white gold further illuminates the diamonds.

Emeralds are believed to signify patience and wisdom, two very important qualities in a relationship. Diamonds signify eternal love, another key to a long and happy life together. When paired together in an emerald and diamond ring, these two stones combine to offer the perfect harmony and balance in love. Because of this, emeralds are also common gifts for anniversaries.

While most consumers focus on details such as the cut and carat weight of the stone in a diamond ring as part of their decision making process, there is more than just the basic Four C’s to consider these days before making a purchase. If you are not familiar with the concept of a blood diamond, it is a key factor to understand before your next diamond purchase.

While most countries finance their military activities through various taxes, others areas have chosen to go another route, relying on the suffering of others to provide funds for their ongoing bloodshed. In various regions of the world, acts of war are being financed by the blood diamond trade. Also known as a conflict diamond or war diamond, a blood diamond is, in essence, any diamond used to finance war, insurgency and terrorist activities. These stones are typically mined by forceful means by the poorer residents of the areas being forced into slavery to produce the supply of diamonds from the mines. While Africa has long been the most abundant source of blood diamonds, they can come form anywhere in the world. In order to decrease the ability for warlord ruled areas to use forcibly mined diamonds to finance their activities, a joint effort between various parties involved in the diamond industry produced the Kimberley Process. This certification program, in force since 2002, was the collaborative effort of diamond miners, government agencies, and diamond distributors. It created what was essentially a chain of custody for all diamonds entering the retail market. For a diamond to be certified under the Kimberley Process, the distributor had to be able to trace the exact origins of the diamond, from its discovery in the mine up to its arrival at the retailer, ensuring that no part of the money produced by the mining or sale of the diamond was used to finance any controversial military activities. While there are still groups able to get uncertified diamonds onto the market, the number of conflict diamonds has decreased significantly since the Kimberley Process was put in place. One of the best ways to ensure you are doing your part to further reduce the ability for unsanctioned groups to profit off the sale of blood diamonds is to verify you are purchasing your diamond from a reputable dealer, such as Purely Diamonds, known for their wide selection of exclusively conflict free diamonds.

When most people think of three stone diamond rings, they think of the ‘past, present, and future’ marketing campaign the De Beer’s company conducted several years ago. Aside from just being a representation of the three stages in a couple’s relationship, a three stone diamond ring can be used for a variety of other reasons and occasions.

While the traditional engagement ring has typically been a solitaire diamond, the tradition has given way to a variety of other trends over the years, including three stone engagement rings. The stones can still represent the three stages of the relationship, but it can also serve a very practical purpose. While larger diamonds are more expensive per carat than smaller ones, a three stone diamond ring can potentially allow you to significantly increase the total carat weight of an engagement ring, without as large a price jump as the one you would have from buying the same carat size in a solitaire stone. The three stone option also contributes a significantly larger amount of sparkle and fire to a diamond ring, extending the beauty beyond just the centre stone.

A three stone ring is also the ideal way to buy a diamond ring that makes more of a statement than a solitaire ring, without necessarily being too over the top. While past trends have leaned towards massive diamonds and extravagant settings, the tides are turning back to more sophisticated pieces, conveying a sense of class and style. The three stone ring is the perfect way to wear multiple diamonds in a single ring without giving the appearance of the ring being too bold. Three stone rings are also perfectly acceptable for the workplace, simple enough to remain professional, but with just enough sparkle to get noticed.

The three stone rings, however, still remain very popular for their original intention as an anniversary gift. While couples are now being encouraged to use a three stone ring to celebrate their first year of marriage, the simplicity and beauty of a three stone ring is perfect for any milestone.

Almost everyone enjoys and appreciates the beauty of a diamond ring, especially when it is on their finger and not someone else’s. What most consumers don’t realize, however, is the intensive process behind creating that diamond ring. From their creation deep below the earth’s surface, to the mining process and the workers involved, into the hand of the skilled jewellers who turn the rough stones into masterpieces, and onto the retail market, the journey from the earth to your finger that a diamond takes is truly an astonishing one.

Carbon is a basic element found in pencil lead, batteries, cloth fiber, and types of steel, just to name a few things. While these items may not seem elegant and luxurious, they are all created with the same basic element that, under the right circumstances, produces of the most respected gemstones known to man, the diamond. As carbon deposits sit deep within the earth’s crust, they are subjected to extreme amounts of pressure and heat.

Over a hundred feet below where some of use are standing, there are deposits of carbon. The weight and amount of pressure that this hundred feet of ground creates is immense. The temperature around these carbon deposits can reach up to 1400 degrees Celsius. As the carbon element is subjected to these conditions, the carbon is heated and compressed a number of times until it becomes a rough diamond. While white diamonds are the most common, when other elements such as nitrogen and sulfur are present, the diamonds can take on a variety of colours, making them even more valuable and rare. Some of the rarest colours are true red and true blue diamonds, but other colours such as green, champagne, yellow, and orange can be found as well. In general, the larger the deposit of carbon is, the more likely a larger rough stone will be formed. Because of the unique circumstances required to form coloured diamonds, larger rough coloured diamonds are exceedingly rarer that their sister colourless stones.

Once these rough stones have formed, they sit and wait to be found when they will continue onto the next step of their wonderful journey.

Next time you glance down at the diamond ring on your finger, take a moment to appreciate all the labour that went into making it the beautiful piece of jewellery that you treasure so much. After all, once a diamond is created within the earth, they don’t just magically float up to the surface. Diamonds have to be mined and the mining process is anything but simple.

For the most part, there are two basic types of diamond mining, alluvial diamond mining and pipe diamond mining. Alluvial mining is the least used method of the two since there are very few places it can be done successfully. It relies on nature to do most of the work for us by focusing on areas where natural erosion has worn away most of the earth’s surface that existed above where the diamonds were created. Alluvial mining takes place on the coastlines of beaches and in riverbeds where water and sand abrasion have gradually worn down the surface of the land to make the diamonds more easily attainable. The water is dammed up and heavy machinery is used to clear the remaining surface area above the stones. Once this level has been reached, the material, rocks, dirt, diamonds, and all, is taken away in large trucks to be sorted elsewhere.

Pipe mining is much more common. It relies on naturally occurring volcanic pipes within the ground that lead deep into the surface. The pipes are reinforced with a series of shanks and massive drills are used to tunnel into the area surrounding the base of the pipelines to access the diamonds below. As the tunnels are created, the enormous rocks being removed to create them are removed and taken off site to be broken down in search of the diamonds contained within them. Pipe mining, although it is more common, is also more dangerous due to the general nature of the process. It is, however, still heavily relied upon despite the risks because of the significant size of the stones that can be obtained as opposed to the ones garnered from alluvial mining.

Not only should consumes appreciate the mining process itself when admiring their beloved diamond ring, they should also give thanks to the men and women who spend their days working in and around the mines in order to retrieve those precious diamonds from beneath the ground. Within the mining process, several key roles exist that help to ensure the operation runs as smoothly and effectively as possible.

One of the most important roles is played by the miners actually working underground. Not only is this one of the most dangerous jobs to perform, it also tends to exist in some of the harshest working conditions. The underground miners are responsible for breaking the larger rocks within the diamond mine free so that they can be removed and transported to the surface. This is a highly skilled job that does pay well, primarily due to the risks involved, but requires years of training and skill to perform.

The mining technician also plays a key roles in a successful mining operation. This person is the one responsible for determining the best places to drill and tunnel to retrieve the highest possible concentration of diamonds. They work hand in hand with a trained geologist to examine the various mining sites, taking samples of the ground to check for possible diamond deposits, and mapping the best potential areas to drill.

The mining engineer is essentially responsible for overseeing the operation of all the mining equipment at the drilling site. Again, this is another highly skilled role requiring intensive education and training. The engineer is not only accountable for the proper operation of all the equipment, they are also responsible for educating the miners on the safe operation of all the machinery being used.

The underground miners, the mining technician, and the mining engineer are overseen by a mining superintendent. This person is responsible for the day to day operations of the mine, the overall costs associated with the mining process at a specific site, and final approval over mapping and mining locations. Mining superintendents are typically well skilled and have been in the mining business for an extensive period of time. They have also, almost always, worked in the lower ranks in some capacity for a significant amount of time, allowing them a complete understanding of exactly how the mining process works from beginning to end.

Once the rough stone that will eventually become your diamond ring is mined from below the ground, it still has a long way to go before it can become the polished gem you see before you. Several skilled jewellers are each responsible for various phases in a diamond’s transition from a rough stone to a polished one. The steps below typically take place at various finishing warehouse operated by the distributor that owns the mine the diamonds were harvested from or who has bought the gems directly from the mine owner.

The first step that is taken when a rough stone is received for cutting is called marking. This process involves carefully examining the larger rough stone to determine the best way to cut the various pieces from it in order to obtain the largest cuts with the best quality. Because of the rarity of larger finished stones, the larger rough stones they are cut from can sometimes take several months to mark in order to ensure the best course of action is being made.

Once a stone has been marked, it is then cleaved. Cleaving is essentially the process by which a jeweller uses the reference points created during the marking process to break the rough stone into smaller rough pieces. This step is crucial due to the fact that if the stone is chiselled or cleaved incorrectly, the entire rough gem could be damaged.

Once the smaller stones have been broken free, each stone is sawed and girding. These steps in the process involve making the cuts in the stone and grinding down the surfaces to create the preliminary shape that the stone will eventually be cut to. In essence, these steps create the rough draft of the final stone.

Once the rough cuts have been made, the stone then undergoes the process of blocking. This is possible the most precise step in the entire process since it involves directly creating the individual facets or surfaces that the finished stone will posses. A standard round brilliant cut diamond, for example, contains a total of 57 facets that must each be blocked by hand. Once all the facets have been cut, the stone is polished and is ready to be set.

For one of the most refined examples of how a gemstone travels from the mine into the setting of your diamond ring, its best to take a look at the distribution practice of the world’s leading supplier of diamonds, DeBeers. Currently owning the largest percentages of the world’s diamond mines, as well as being the leading diamond distributor around the world, DeBeers has the diamond distribution process worked down to a science, precise, controlled, and extremely effective.

Since they own all of their own mines and processing facilities, DeBeers essentially has complete control over their diamonds from start to finish. For the most part, their process of limited distribution practices is believed to be one of the reasons the price and value of diamonds has remained consistently high over the years. By controlling the majority of the global distribution, they are also able to effectively control supply and demand, ensuring that the market never becomes either too flooded with diamonds or that the diamond market never becomes too sparse. This not only makes good business sense, it also keeps the value of diamonds consistent, a great benefit for investors.

Once DeBeers has inspected all of their finished diamonds that have been perfected over a period of time, they offer a hand picked selection of the supply to an exclusive list of buyers. DeBeers hold distribution events for approximately 20 clients on ten preselected days of every year. On each of these days, clients from around the globe gather in London at the DeBeers showcase on the famous Number Two Charterhouse Street. At these events, clients are allowed to view and purchase the portion of diamonds that DeBeers has allowed to be released onto the market. While some of the diamonds are completely cut, polished, and ready to be set, others are sold to cutting houses for further cutting and finishing touches. It is said that the diamonds sold each year by DeBeers to their clients will eventually fetch nearly four times their purchase price by the time they arrive at the marketplace. DeBeers gauges their distribution quantities according to the current diamond supply on the market already.

Thanks to the latest Sex and the City instalment to hit the big screens, consumers are once again turning to Hollywood for their jewellery inspirations. The stunning 5 carat white gold diamond ring featured in the movie has rocketed itself to the top of many women’s most wanted lists. Designed by Itay Malkin, the ring also features 80 white diamonds encrusted in the band. In response to consumer demand, Malkin will be creating a limited number of replica rings for those wiling to pay the price.

This isn’t the first time, however, that a diamond ring on the silver screen has sparked a trend in real life. The first Legally Blonde film, starring Hollywood sweetheart Reese Witherspoon, a diamond heirloom ring was featured that soon sparked a revival for vintage diamond rings. Ironically enough, she never actually received the ring in the film. The sequel went in a completely different direction, featuring a more unique diamond ring, better suited to her character’s unique personality. The bright pink diamond ring she proudly wore quickly fired up the coloured diamond ring craze in the retail market. Bright colours and fun designs, in particular, became all the rage.

Both 1998’s hit Armageddon and 2001’s The Wedding Planner helped to bring things back down to earth. they both featured very simply and elegant diamond engagement rings being placed on their leading lady’s fingers. Naturally, after the release of each film, the market spiked for the classic diamond rings, often set with solitaire stones in plain gold bands. This was also proof positive that the traditional diamond solitaire engagement ring was truly timeless and would never go out of style.

Just to prove that not everything we see on the big screen is an illusion, Anne Hathaway stunned audiences with her character’s cushion cut Chopard engagement ring. Far from merely a prop, the 3 carat diamond ring was on loan from the jewellery house itself. The Chopard ring, a beautiful example of the unique designs offered by the jewellery house, helped raise consumer demand for custom pieces and non-traditional designs.

Women preparing for marriage have diamond engagement rings. Those already wed have diamond wedding rings. Single women have right hand rings, also known as dress diamond rings. Now, for the ladies not listed above, we bring you the divorce diamond ring.

Possibly the next hot trend on the jewellery market, the divorce diamond ring is quickly gaining in popularity. One of the issues many women have after they divorce is what to do with their rings. If the marriage was fairly short lived, the rings are often returned to the ex-husband. In longer marriages, however, the woman typically keeps her rings. Many women with children prefer to set them aside for use as an heirloom piece further down the road. Those without children, on the other hand, are often faced with the issue of not really knowing what to do with the constant reminders of their past marriage.

The perfect solution is being discovered in the form of a divorce diamond ring. The original weddings rings themselves may not always hold the best memories, particularly when the marriage ended in divorce. The stones themselves, however, tend be remain fairly neutral in sentiment. Never wanting to waste a perfectly good diamond, many women are beginning to choose to have the stone removed from their bridal jewellery and reset. Even though they are retaining the diamonds from their bridal jewellery, the process of being able to choose a new setting and style of ring tends to be rather cathartic for many women. The divorce diamond ring they create from the old stones doesn’t necessarily symbolize the end of their marriage, as much as it represents the start of a new chapter in their life. Reusing the diamonds also symbolizes the fact that, regardless of how the marriage ended, she will always carry the memories form the happier times with her.

While the concept of the divorce diamond ring may still be a fairly new one, many retailers are quickly catching on to this potentially untapped market. This also proves, yet again, that there really is a suitable diamond ring for just about every occasion.

Wedding season is now in full swing and that means so are diamond ring sales. With the Summer months being the most popular for exchanging vows, the sales of diamond rings and bridal jewellery also tend to hit their peaks sales during these months. This Summer, the weather isn’t the only thing that’s hot, as some interesting new trends in diamond rings seem to be popping up everywhere.

Split Shanks

While many current trends have been seen before and come and go on a regular basis, the split shank design is fairly new this season. The split shank ring not only offer a unique band design for the ring itself, ti also provides a chance to take advantage of some of the more unique stone settings the design is suited to. Starting as a single band at the base of the ring, the design splits in half as it approaches the upper portion. The diamond is typically between the split band design in either a bezel setting or a tension setting. Split shank rings can be bold and designed to accommodate fairly sizable stones, or they can be more modest, leaving room between the bands for a more subdued setting.

Stacking Rings

Another hot trend in the diamond industry right now is stacking rings. Why have one diamond ring when you can have several, right? With eternity like rings becoming popular for use as wedding bands, engagement rings and anything in between, the practice of having multiple diamond eternity rings stacked together on one finger is growing in popularity. For a more unique statement, it is also becoming common to mix and match rings with regards to metals, diamond colours, and stone shapes.

Vintage Diamond Rings

While this may not be a new trend, it remains on the list of hot trends because it has proved to have a staying power that many people never anticipated. Even though the actual vintage jewellery market is limited, the large number of designers focusing on vintage inspired diamond rings continues to grow. The market is also greatly driven by women wishing to recreate heirloom diamond rings that have been passed down in their families for generations using modern design and craftsmanship in order to add a new level of quality to the recreation.

Regardless of which trend you choose to explore, or even if you prefer to be the one making your own trends, the diamond ring market is hotter than ever with a range of beautiful and dazzling creations bound to catch your eye.

Aside from their influence on engagement rings and wedding bands, diamond rings are also a common representation of wedding anniversaries and other marital or relationship milestones a couple can share together.
Eternity Rings

While the concept of diamond eternity ringsmay not be a new one, their emergence as an integral part of bridal jewellery seems to be fairly recent. The eternity ring itself was designed to represent eternal love and was often given as an anniversary gift or to celebrate the birth of the couple’s first child. Still biding by tradition, the eternity ring is a common anniversary present. Similar to diamond ring enhancers, when an eternity ring is given as an anniversary present, some women choose to wear their eternity ring in place of their wedding band. It is perfectly acceptable, however, to wear your engagement ring, wedding band, and eternity ring together.

When given to celebrate a milestone, such as the birth of the couple’s first child, the diamond eternity ring can also be set with a combination of diamonds and both the mother’s and the child’s birthstone gem. In families with multiple children, a diamond eternity ring can be custom made that includes the mother’s birthstone as well as those of each child.

The Three Stone Diamond Ring

What better way to celebrate your love for your spouse than with a diamond ring symbolizing the past that brought your together, the present that it has led you to, and the future you look forward to sharing together. Of course, when it comes to jewellery, is there any better way to symbolize love than with a diamond? The three stone diamond ring has been a solid trend for some time now. While most three stone engagement rings that contain shoulder stones have a large centre stone and two significantly smaller side stones, the side stones on a three stone rings are only slightly smaller than the centre stone. Three stone diamond rings are typically given as a token of love to celebrate a wedding anniversary. There are some couples, however, who choose a three stone ring to either use as an engagement ring, or to serve as both their engagement ring and wedding band. This is often preferred by women who prefer to only wear a single ring, as opposed to a two or three piece set.

Diamond rings, in their various forms, have not only impacted bridal jewellery tremendously over the years, they have become an integral part of nearly every form of bridal and anniversary jewellery on the market.

We all enjoy the beauty and sparkle of diamond rings and other diamond jewellery. Because of our fascination for this amazing gemstone, diamond jewellery remains one of the most popular categories on the market. It is more important than ever to take the steps necessary to insure your investment, both financially and sentimentally, in any diamond jewellery you own, particularly when venturing out in public.

Aside from the tips and tricks already mentioned, another extremely important piece of advice is to have your diamond rings ’serviced’ on a regular basis. If you purchased your ring from a brick and mortar store, they will typically offer the service for free. If not, most jewelers will perform the check up for a minimal charge. Servicing a diamond ring is somewhat like the equivalent of taking your car in for a check up. The jeweler will clean your ring thoroughly, inspect the finish on the surface of the precious metal to make sure a touch up is not needed, but most importantly, they will check the setting or settings of any stones in the ring to make sure they are all secure. Loosing a stone from a ring is much easier to do than losing the ring itself. Unfortunately, this happens most often when a setting has begun to loosen. By having your ring checked on a regular basis, you can ensure your settings are secure and take piece of mind that your stones are safely held in place.

Regarding other forms of diamond jewellery, such as diamond earrings, necklaces, or even bracelets, proper maintenance is just as vital. Like diamond rings, all of your valuable jewellery should be taken in to a professional jeweler on a regular basis for cleaning and inspection. There are a few things you should check for at home as well before wearing any of your jewellery. Earrings should be checked to ensure the backs fit snugly and there is no chance of one slipping off. For latch earrings, typically present in the hoop style, always check that the latch fits securely in place. Even with proper care, fittings and latches can become loose over time. For necklaces and bracelets, always check that the clasps are working properly. It can sometimes be very difficult to notice if a bracelet or necklace has slipped off, so checking the clasps and fittings ahead of time is always a good idea.

One of the best things about having a beautiful diamond ring or other diamond jewellery is being able to show it off. The downside to wearing your beloved pieces out in public, however, is the risk you may be taking of losing them, damaging them, or having them stolen. By following just a few simple steps, you can help ensure the safety of your diamond rings and other precious jewellery every time you want to display it for all the world to see.

The first rule of thumb, especially with rings, is to always make sure the item fits properly. While we all know that wearing a ring that is too small can become painful, or even downright frustrating when you are trying to remove it, it is far more dangerous to take your chances wearing a diamond ring that is too big on you. The most obvious flaw with this practice would be having the ring fall off. If the ring is too big, you may not even notice as it slips off your finger. This can happen in a washroom, in a taxi, or anywhere else you may never be able to recover it from. If you have a ring that is too big, have it re-sized to fit properly as soon as you can. In the meantime, if you need to wear the ring, make sure to have it fitted with a ring guard that wraps around the back side of the ring, preventing it from slipping off your finger.

Another rule of thumb you may want to consider is the quantity of valuable jewellery you choose to wear out in public. If you are attending a gala event in the heart of the city, donning your finest diamonds rings is perfectly acceptable. If you are going into town to run errands, however, you should probably consider keeping the high value items at home, especially if you are venturing out by yourself. While we may not like the fact of the matter, women traveling alone, particularly at night, can make prime targets for would be purse snatchers. The more jewellery you are wearing with obvious value, the more susceptible you may be for a snatch and grab.

Anticipating Paris Hilton’s Next Diamond Engagement Ring

Just one day after the most romantic day of the year, the rumor mill was churning at full force regarding whether or not Paris Hilton, celebrity bad girl and hotel heiress, was secretly engaged to boyfriend Doug Reinhardt. It is said that Mr. Reinhardt popped the question in the early morning hours while the two were together in Rio de Janeiro celebrating Carnival. While some people are intrigued by whether or not the heiress has finally found true love, most of the world is more concerned over how her potential latest addition to her impressive engagement ring collection will add up.

Ms. Hilton became notorious in 2005 for her complaints that her massive 24-carat canary yellow diamond engagement ring, presented to her by Paris Latsis, heir to a massive Greek shipping fortune, was simply too heavy for her finger. Apparently, her second engagement ring from Mr. Latsis, a 15-carat white diamond was a bit too weighty as well. In order to save his beloved from the burden of wearing either of the two rings that were valued at $2.1 million and $4.2 million respectively, her betrothed bought her a simple platinum Cartier band for daily use.

Needless to say, if Mr. Reinhardt, former baseball player and reality TV star, is looking to impress Ms. Hilton with his tastes in jewelry, he’s got a tough act to follow. The couple got together in February of 2009 and have been on again, off again ever since. The rumors of the recent engagement have yet to be verified by the sight of a new diamond ring on Ms. Hilton’s finger.

Even if the unthinkable does occur, you still have options to help compensate for your loss. While money may not be able to replace the sentimental value of certain diamond rings or other pieces of jewellery, it can at least give you the chance to begin replacing the pieces that were taken.

If your items are stolen, even after your attempts to keep them hidden, you should be able to take comfort in being reimbursed for them through your insurance company. Always make sure you have a clause in your homeowner’s or renter;s insurance policy that covers items such as jewellery. This step alone, however, is not enough. For more expensive pieces, always keep an appraisal from a jeweller on file that states the retail value of the ring as well as a brief description of the piece. It also helps to keep a photograph of the piece the appraisal is written for with the document itself. Even for lower value items, taking photos of groups of items will help expedite a potential insurance claim later on. If taking photos of groups of items, make sure to keep a detailed list describing each piece, including an estimated retail value for the item.

Another option is having some type of serial number or symbol engraved on your diamond ring or other diamond jewelry. Most thieves don’t steal jewellery to wear for themselves. The first stop after their acquisitions have been sorted is typically a pawn shop. When a break in occurs, the pawn shops in the local area are often altered by either the owner of the jewelry that was taken or the police authorities. By having some type of distinguishing mark on the item, a pawn shop employee may be able to spot the stolen merchandise and possibly identify the person trying to pawn it. In these cases, there is also a chance you will be able to recover the lost items.

And finally, while this tip may seem rather trivial, it can be very important. If you have children in your home, particularly curious little girls who like to play dress up, always make sure your valuable jewellery is out of reach from their tiny fingers. Mom’s diamond ring can look very tempting when pretending to be a pretty princess, however, not all pretty princesses are as careful

While it can be challenging enough to protect your diamond rings when wearing them out in public, it is just as important to take the time to ensure the safety of any other diamond rings or other valuable jewellery you keep within your home. While none of us ever want to think about the tragedy that can occur during a burglary, it is a very real threat. The best way to ensure your valuables are as safe as possible if a break in were to occur is to make sure your diamond rings and other jewellery is as safe as possible.

The first thing to do, especially for high value items, is to avoid keeping them in a jewellery box. While you may enjoy looking at your most precious pieces on a daily basis when you choose a daily wear item to take off or put on, having all of your pieces in a single place, particularly a jewellery box, makes it very easy for a thief to grab all of your precious items at once. While it may not be feasible or practical to keep every piece of jewellery you own in a separate location within your home, if you do have items worth a particularly large amount of money that you only wear on an occasional basis, it may be wise to store them elsewhere.

In order to make it slightly more difficult for a potential burglar to locate your valuables, there are numerous types of products on the market made to resemble common household items, such as soda cans, fake lights switches or wall outlets, or even a box of frozen vegetables. These decoy boxes are ideal for keeping valuables in places that a thief would never think to look. Frozen peas aren’t exactly a top priority for burglars these days. If you have a large quantity of high value jewelry, you can also consider installing a fireproof safe in the house. While a portable safe is ideal for protecting valuable documents, they can be grabbed just as easily as a jewelry box and broken into off site. There are much heavier duty safes on the market that can be bolted into your floor or wall, making them much more time consuming to remove and, therefore, less appealing to burglars.

Diamond Rings Return To Classic Style

Retailers around the globe are noticing a new trend in diamond ring sales. More and more consumers are opting for a more classic design when selecting their sparkling accessories. While the trend to create the most unique piece of jewelry in order to best express your individual personality is still very strong, experts believe it will soon be replaced by an increased demand for simple and elegant diamond rings that focus more on pure beauty than the currently popular ‘wow’ factor.

One theory behind this trend is the state of the global economy. While unique diamond rings are truly beautiful and can be extremely eye catching, they also tend to come with a much higher price tag than traditional styles. A classic ring tends to be more affordable with a lower per carat price. Traditional precious metals such as gold and platinum are also returning to their top selling spots over alternative metals. While the price of gold may still be a bit higher than usual, the past demand for the alternative metals has recently increased their prices as well.

Another related idea is tied to the fact that diamond rings are once again becoming heirloom pieces, designed to be passed down through generations. While trendy rings with unusual designs may be all the rage at the moment, when the time comes for a mother to pass her diamond ring down to her daughter, the style may have long faded. A classic design, on the other hand, is always timeless. The most traditional design, consisting of a diamond solitaire stone set in either white or yellow gold, is a design that has stood the test of time with regards to style and beauty. By investing in one of these more traditional designs, consumers can rest assured that when the time comes to hand the heirloom down to the next generation, the style of the ring will still be one that is recognized and valued.

Finally, designers believe that the woman of today simply wants a more understated and classic design when it comes to her diamond ring. While flashy and trendy will always be the preference of some women, the majority of consumers seem to prefer the simple beauty of a diamond solitaire ring as opposed to the flash and glitz of the whatever current style is being donned by celebrities or pushed by more couture jewelry designers.

Diamond Rings-Which Non Traditional Metals Are Hot On The Market?

If you’ve already considered white and yellow gold for your new diamond ring and just aren’t interested in either, there’s always platinum. If you have ruled out platinum as well, however, there are still a bevy of other precious and semi-precious metals to choose from to create your diamond ring. Many of the metals on the market today also make the perfect setting for mens diamond rings as well, offering a slightly more industrial edge that bumps up the masculinity factor of any diamond ring.

Along the lines of the precious metal trend, palladium is the newest craze to hit the market. A member of the platinum family, it is mixed with white gold to create what some consumers believe to be the perfect blend of precious metals. While it retains the beautiful silver luster of white gold and platinum, the surface of the metal is believed to be as close to permanent as possible. With both white gold and platinum, refinishing the surface of the rings every few years is often required to help keep the metals polished. The combination of the metals in palladium, however, seems to eliminate that resurfacing need, creating a long lasting and durable finish. Even though palladium has been around since the early 1800’s, it is just recently emerging on the jewelry market.

For the more industrial inclined jewelry enthusiasts, particularly those of the male persuasion, both steel and tungsten are becoming more and more popular in the jewelry trade. Both metals provide an exceptional level of durability and strength, ideal for consumers who prefer to wear their rings on a daily basis that may subject them to unusual wear and tear. They are both also extremely affordable, making them a popular choice among budget conscious consumers. More importantly, both metals offer a viable alternative to consumers seeking something other than precious metal and prefer a more modern approach to their jewelry. Because of the strength of both metals, they are frequently seen utilizing the tension setting for diamonds and other gemstones. They are also immune to tarnishing and well suited for anyone with allergies or sensitivities to certain precious metals. The steel, in fact, is the same material typically used in creating surgical implements and extremely popular in the medical field.

Diamond Rings-Which Traditional Metals Suit You Best?

For a long time, yellow gold was the metal of choice for diamond rings. Over the years, however, the trends have moved gradually to a whole new selection of precious metals to chose from. Taking a close look at each metal can help you determine which is your best bet when buying your next diamond ring.

Yellow gold, of course, is the most traditional precious metal. Many consumers feel that its rich contrasting colour better helps display a diamonds natural beauty. The other benefit of a yellow gold setting is the fact that, as far as the colour of the diamond goes, stones that are slightly yellower, and therefore slightly less expensive, can work well with yellow gold settings. Many people feel that a slight yellow colour in a diamond is actually preferred in a yellow gold setting as it offers a certain warmth to the ring itself.

White gold, on the other hand, is another popular choice. Along with platinum, these two metals offer a beautiful silvery luster that tends to complement the diamond in the ring, as opposed to providing contrast. The downside of this is, of course, that yellower stones tend to stand out a bit more, therefore, stones as close to colourless as possible are recommended. Both white gold and platinum are preferred by consumers who also want to enhance the beauty of their diamonds, creating a very uniform appearance to the ring itself. Some even believe that white gold or platinum diamond rings helps increase the reflective properties of the stone, creating a stronger appearance of fire and sparkle within the stone. While the two metals are very similar in appearance, they tend o vary a bit in price. White gold tends to be cheaper than platinum, ideal for consumers on a tighter budget. Platinum, on the other hand, can often carry a higher price tag. Many consumers are willing to pay the higher price because of the fact that platinum is a much rarer precious metal and can, in fact, stand up to a greater amount of wear and tear than white gold. Regardless of your choice between platinum or white gold, both metals offer a beautiful surrounding and setting for any diamond ring you may buy.

Top Ten Diamond Rings And Eternity Rings (continued)

And now for the two most popular items on our top ten diamond ring and eternity ring list. Both of these rings are not only dazzling, they are also two of the finest examples of both an eternity ring and a diamond ring on the market today.

#2-Platinum Princess and Brilliant Cut Diamond Ring

One of the most exquisite diamond rings being offered for sale, the beautiful princess cut center stone diamond ring, surrounded on either side by brilliant cut accents is the type of diamond ring every woman dreams of. While this ring is not for the meek, the fire and brilliance it produces is second to none. Similar to some of the other rings on the top ten list, this diamond laden ring is perfect for use as both an engagement ring and wedding band combo. The combination of stone shapes creates a unique contrast, while the platinum setting simply makes the diamonds shine. This diamond ring is not only one your bride will cherish, but also one that is destined to be passed down through the generations because of its timeless beauty and heirloom quality design. With all of these factors combined, its no wonder that this piece of art is the top diamond ring on our top ten list.

diamond engagement ring

#1-White Gold Double Channel Eternity Ring

Just as the #2 ring was the most popular example of a diamond ring on the list, the number #1 ring is the ideal example of an eternity ring to be found. This beautiful double channel diamond eternity ring features two rows of perfectly symmetrical princess cut diamonds. This beautiful half eternity ring contains a total of 30 diamonds, each set flush against one another within the white gold band. The double channel helps to further increase the dazzle of the ring, making it the ideal eternity ring for any woman’s finger. As with the other eternity rings on the list, this piece is perfect for nearly any occasion. Whether it be an anniversary gift or a token of love upon the birth of a child, it is guaranteed to be cherished forever. It also makes the perfect diamond studded wedding band or even an elegant dress diamond ring for the independent ladies. The multitude of uses this ring can be used for, as well as the sheer beauty of the diamonds set within it, give this ring top honors on our list of the most popular diamond rings and eternity rings.

channel set eternity ring

Top Ten Diamond Rings And Eternity Rings (continued)

Our countdown continues with the ten most popular styles of diamond rings and eternity rings available today.

#5-White Gold Diamond Dress Ring

Here’s one for all you ladies looking to buy yourself a diamond. By the sheer nature of this beautiful diamond encrusted dress ring, it is ideal for the independent woman who is proud to display her relationship status. It is the perfect ring for a woman who doesn’t feel the need to wait for someone else to put a diamond ring on her finger and doesn’t believe that one should have to be engaged or married to earn the right to wear a diamond ring. This particular piece takes full advantage of the beauty of the pave diamond setting and creates a stunning white gold ring seemingly drenched in fiery diamonds.

diamond dress ring

#4-White Gold Mens Diamond Wedding Ring

Not every ring in the top ten list is for the ladies. More and more, mens diamond rings are becoming much more in demand than ever. Men’s diamond wedding rings, especially, are being seen on a regular basis. While the woman’s bridal jewellery does tend to display much larger diamonds, often in greater quantities, mens diamond rings opt for a ore subtle approach. This particular ring features a single small diamond set into a sleek white gold band. The ultimate in class and sophistication, this wedding band allows the groom to take advantage of the beauty of diamonds as well as the bride.

mens wedding ring

#3-White Gold 7 Stone Eternity Ring

Ideal for an anniversary gift, use as a wedding band, or a commemoration of the birth of a child, this stunning white gold half eternity ring is the perfect choice, combining the beauty of round cut diamonds in a channel set eternity ring. Unlike most eternity rings that feature either princess cut or emerald cut stones, this unique design further enhances the natural beauty of the diamonds by allowing them to stand somewhat apart from one another within the setting. The open spaces in the channel created by the round stones also let more light in, further igniting the fire within the diamonds themselves.

eternity ring

Top Ten Diamond Rings And Eternity Rings

If you are on the market for the perfect diamond ring, here is a countdown of the most popular styles at the moment, along with the best type of personalities to pair them with and the best occasions they are suited for.

#10-White Gold Single Channel Set Full Eternity Ring

This beautiful eternity ring features a single channel of petite diamonds. The ring is a full eternity ring with stones spanning the entire surface, displayed in a sleek channel setting. This particular eternity ring is best for the woman who prefers classic beauty and a simple, yet elegant style. The ring provides just the right amount of sparkle while not being too overbearing. This ring would also be ideal for use as a wedding band due to its smooth outer edges, perfect for pairing with an engagement ring. The diamonds also make it ideal for a woman who prefers to wear a single piece of bridal jewellery instead of a wedding band and an engagement ring.

diamond eternity ring

#9-Brilliant Cut Platinum Diamond Ring With Shoulder Stones

If you are looking for something a little more intricate, this stunning brilliant cut centre stone diamond ring should definitely catch your eye. The fire and sparkle of the centre stone is also enhanced by the beautiful shoulder stones set into the ring to provide a visual impact similar to that of an eternity ring. Once again, this would be the ideal ring to use as both a wedding band as well as an engagement ring. This is yet another example of a ring for a woman who prefers the less cumbersome nature of a single ring, but also wants as much fire and brilliance in that single piece as possible.

diamond ring with shoulder stones

#8-Platinum Solitaire Diamond Ring

If simplicity is the key to the perfect diamond ring, a modest platinum set diamond solitaire ring is the answer. This ring the perfect choice for the woman who prefers her jewellery to catch her own eye, and not necessarily everyone elses. It is also the ideal option for couples on a limited budget who either prefer to choose a simpler piece of bridal jewellery, or those who plan to upgrade to a larger stone in later years.

diamond solitaire ring

The Twilight Diamond Ring Stirs Up Controversy

Who would have thought one of the hottest jewellery crazes to hit the market this year would center around a diamond ring replica of a movie prop? We’ve all seen replica rings from blockbusters such as The Lord Of The Rings, Titanic, and other Hollywood masterpieces on the market before. Celebrity ring replicas are commonplace once the original has gained a certain level of notoriety. However, retailers believe that this will be the first piece of movie based jewellery that will be in such high demand. Unfortunately, it will also be one of the only ones to come with such a wave of controversy attached to it.

While I will admit that reading Stephenie Meyer’s was a guilty of mine that I kept well hidden from friend’s an co-workers in the beginning before Twilight mania hit full force, it’s very easy to see that the vast majority of the Twilight fan base is comprised of young girls in the pre-teen category. Given this age group’s natural propensity to follow hot trends, paired with the not so unattractive appearances of the movie’s leading men, this growing army Twilight didn’t surprise anyone. This fan base, however, is the main reason the new replica ring is causing such a stir.

The ring itself, a beautiful pave diamond design, is designed to be an engagement ring, just as it is in the latest Twilight movie Eclipse. Aside from the price tag of £1,300 for the genuine gold and diamond version, critics are wondering why an engagement ring would be marketed to such a young fan base. Granted, there are less expensive models that go for £330 and £400, with the lower price design better intended as novelty jewellery than an actual engagement piece, but this hasn’t stopped the controversy. Parents and other groups are concerned that this latest piece of merchandise to come from the Twilight phenomenon will do nothing but encourage younger kids that teen engagements are perfectly acceptable. While other celebrities with fan bases the same age has encouraged items such as purity rings, or abstinence rings, an engagement ring marketed towards kids of the age group seems preposterous. Critics claim the Twilight ring, on the other hand, is doing little to encourage abstinence and, instead, makes the idea of high school girl engagements seem like a great idea (even if the guy proposing is more than a few centuries older than his bride to be).

Why Does a Diamond Ring Pull In Such a High Price At Auction?

The news, as well as this blog, is constantly reporting on the high price figures being brought in by major jewellery house auction sales around the globe. Christie’s, Southeby’s, and Bonham’s are just a few of the major players that host these multi million pound events on a regular basis. As an average consumer, most likely anticipating spending a few thousand on a diamond ring, it is natural to wonder form time to time how some pieces can see at auction for hundreds of thousand.

The most important aspect of these six digit pieces is based on the actual size of the stone. While an everyday consumer may be shopping for a diamond solitaire ring weighing between one and two carats, a bidder at one of the major auctions is ready to invest in double digit carat weights. Because of the nature of diamonds themselves, the larger the carat weight of a single finished stone is, the higher number the stone will sell for on a per carat basis. This is due primarily to the fact that larger diamonds are much harder to find and to cut with successful results. Smaller stones, on the other hand, are very simple to cut from the average sized rough stones pulled form a diamond mine.

Quality can also play a key role in the final selling price. While it may be easy to find a high graded diamond on the open market, even average consumers know that the closer to perfect a stone is rated, the higher the per carat price will be. As the stone becomes larger in carat weight, the chances of a near perfect grading become extremely rare. The majority of the larger stones up for auction by the major houses are, in fact, frequently closer to perfect on the grading scale than not.

One of the least tangible qualities for the final selling price of a diamond has nothing to do with the stone’s size or quality and everything to do with it’s history. A five carat diamond ring will still sell for six digits at auction. A five carat diamond ring with a story behind it and a rich, or even infamous, history can sometimes sell for twice as much. A diamond’s selling price can, in fact, be influenced significantly by the age of the diamond and the owners it has had over the years.

How To Select The Perfect Diamond Ring – Style Says it All

Even if you know your girlfriend or wife’s ring size, choosing the perfect style of diamond ring can be one of the most difficult tasks you will be faced with in your relationship. Okay, so that may be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is still a difficult thing to do none the less. The key to selecting the perfect diamond ring is to take your time and pay attention. Don’t ever try and rush into buying a diamond ring unless you know absolutely what type of ring would suit her best. Take the time to study the jewelry she does wear on a regular basis in order to get clues as to which diamond ring will melt her heart the fastest. Pay close attention to all her jewelry as well, not just her choices in rings.

If all of her jewelry that she wears on a daily basis is silver or white gold, chances are she may not be a fan of yellow gold. On the other hand, if all she wears is yellow gold, a platinum or white gold diamond ring may not be the ideal choice to surprise her with. If she does wear a mix of both, you may want to consider a two or three tone gold ring. With a combination of yellow and white gold in the band, this would allow her to accessorize the ring with both her white gold and yellow gold jewellery.

If all of her earrings are solitaire studs and every ring she owns bears a single stone, there’s a good chance a cluster ring may not be to her liking. All the same, if all of her jewellery is set with multiple stones, a solitaire ring may be too simple for her tastes. If she prefers a combination of both, consider a solitaire ring with side stones. This style offers a central focal point stone along with two or more smaller stones to accent it.

Finally, pay attention to what type of statement she tends to make with her jewellery. Classic pieces that convey a sense of style and sophistication would end one to think a more traditional diamond ring would be your best bet. On the other hand, if she prefers more non-traditional pieces that tend to make a fairly bold statement, choose a ring with an unusual setting, a uniquely cut stone, or other quality that helps set it apart from other diamond rings on the market.

Diamond Rings Settings – Now You See Them, Now You Don’t

Settings in diamond rings have stayed fairly consistent over the years with claw or prong settings and bezel settings being the most common. A prong setting is essentially a metal claw that sits flush against the sides of the stone and wraps slightly over it on top to secure the stone in place. In a bezel setting, the metal is wrapped slightly over the entire outer surface of the stone. Today’s trend, however, is the advent of the invisible diamond ring setting.

In standard invisible set diamond rings, the stone is secured from the underside. The setting styles is primarily used for princess cut stones that are able to sit completely flush against one another. Most often, the stones are found in eternity ring like bands, set within a channel or groove in the band itself. The stones are held in place by a special setting within the band that grips the girdle of the stone, as opposed to wrapping over the top of it. When the stones are set flush against one another, the setting on the girdle is not visible. The diamonds themselves, if chosen and set properly, actually appear to blend into each other.

The invisible set diamond ring is one of the most difficult to create and, therefore, are not as widely available on the market as traditional set diamond rings. They are, however, a thing of beauty. If you are in the market for an invisible set diamond ring, make sure to do your research and choose a reputable jeweler who will be able to create a diamond ring that takes full advantage of the beauty an invisible setting can offer.

The $58k Diamond Ring Swindle

There are several ways to steal a diamond ring these days. You can choose to rob a bank and then use the stolen money to buy yourself a ring. You could go directly to the source and rob the jewellery store. You could even break into someone’s home and steal their diamond ring. Roger Adler’s fiance, on the other hand, came up with a much more creative way to swindle a diamond ring from his pocket onto her finger.

Rena Hope Friedman is the supposed con artist in question and is currently being sued by Adler who is seeking reimbursement for the cost of the ring. According to authorities, after dating for only a short period of time, Adler said he was pushed into proposing to Friedman sooner than he had planned. Under pressure to commit, he did whatever it took to make her happy, including placing a stunning $58k platinum and diamond ring on her finger when he proposed. Just a few days later, he began to realize just how much she had manipulated him into proposing when she coldly and abruptly broke off the engagement. He asked for his ring back, as would be customary in this case, but she refused to return it to him.

While tradition states that the ring should be returned to the one who purchased it when the other party is the one to call of the engagement, Friedman was, apparently, not a very traditional person. Instead of chalking the ring up as a loss, Adler did some background checking and found that he wasn’t the first person to fall for the rush proposal followed by a refusal to return the ring. It is said that he is still trying to determine just how many potential victims, and diamond rings, Friedman has been able to rack up over the years.

Bay Hill Jewellers Has Problems Holding Onto Their Diamond Rings

Bay Hill Jewellers, a specialty jewellery store in Orlando, Florida, seems to have quite a problem holding onto their inventory of diamond rings. For the third time in five years, the store was robbed and yet another costly diamond ring was the target of the theft.

Authorities in Orange County are currently searching for the suspect who showed up at the store last Thursday dressed in hospital scrubs and began to chat up one of the clerks. He explained to her that he was employed by golf legend, Arnold Palmer, and was the celebrity’s personal radiologist. Excited about his upcoming engagement plans, he began looking at a selection of diamond rings, wanting to find the perfect one to pop the question to his future bride to be.

Believing his claim to fame as a doctor to the stars, the girl behind the counter decided to forego the usual identification check before allowing him to view the rings outside of the case. As a supposed radiologist with a formidable salary, he asked to look at a stunning 3.5 carat diamond ring in an incredible yellow color. Valued at over $50,000, the yellow diamond rings was truly and eye catcher and would most likely guarantee his beloved would say yes to his proposal of marriage. Not sure if this truly was the ‘perfect’ ring, the doctor in disguise went to point at another ring to look at. As the clerk turned to see which one he was pointing towards, he took off running with the yellow diamond ring in tow.

This robbery marks the third time in the past five years the store had been a victim of a jewellery robbery. This time, unfortunately, the owner has no hopes of being reimbursed by her insurance company for the loss. Since the sales girl failed to ask to see some form of identification from the man, any insurance claim the store’s owner would have had is voided.

The Simplicity of the Solitaire Diamond Ring

While headlines are always focused on which celebrity engagement involved the most lavish diamond rings, including details on how many carats were in them, how many stones they were comprised of, and who designed the ring, nothing will ever replace the elegance and simplicity of a solitaire diamond ring. Even for the woman who has it all, a classic solitaire diamond ring is a symbol of class and style, timeless and treasured throughout the years.

The beauty of a solitaire diamond ring is due, in part, to its ability to draw the focus of the ring onto the single diamond. This allows the individual stone’s beauty to shine through without the risk of being lost amidst a sea of stones. The sparkle and shine of the single diamond is not diminished, but is, instead, allowed to be seen at its peak of beauty, catching the light from all sides without interference from any metal or stone around it. The solitaire stone is allowed to stand on its own and be seen for the dazzling fire it carries within it.

Aside from the benefit a solitaire diamond ring design has for the stone, it is also very versatile for the person buying it. A diamond solitaire ring can be found in any precious metal, whether it be white or yellow gold, platinum, or even the latest trend of palladium. The band of the ring can be simple and plain, keeping the focus entirely on the stone itself, or somewhat decorative, accenting the beauty of the center diamond. A solitaire diamond ring can accommodate nearly any size stone and is suited for any shape of stone as well. Whether you are a fan of two carat heart shaped diamonds or quarter carat princess cut stones, the solitaire diamond ring is a classic design suited for the widest possible range of stone options.

Get Ready To Spoil Your April Babies

While every month has its own beautiful gemstone associated with it, many women feel that those born in the month of April are the luckiest of them all. April babies, you see, are blessed with the most beautiful birthstone of them all, the dazzling diamond. What better way is there to show your beloved April birthday girl that with a gift of a diamond ring or earrings? The joy of having an April birthday is the sheer range of birthstone jewelry you have to pick from. Even with the rise in popularity of the right hand ring, giving unmarried women a new reason to wear diamond rings, those lucky enough to be born in April never need an excuse.

Surprise your wife or girlfriend with a stunning diamond ring. Whether it’s a solitaire ring, a cluster design, or even an eternity ring, no woman can resist the fire and beauty contained within diamond rings, especially when it is being placed on her finger by the one she loves.

Was your mother or grandmother born in April? Why wait until Mother’s Day in May to show her exactly how important she is to you. A delicate diamond necklace should convey your love and admiration nicely. Skip the flower arrangement and the card this April, and treat your mother or grandmother to something a little more lasting.

Was your daughter born in April? If she is a young girl, a pair of diamond solitaire earrings may be just the thing to surprise her with this birthday. Regardless of how old she will be this April, there are an assortment of sizes and shapes of diamond earrings perfectly suited to her age level. If she is all grown up, surprise her with a pair of diamond drop earrings. If she can appreciate them coming from her husband or boyfriend, imagine how much more cherished they will be coming from her parents.

You don’t ever need a reason to buy a woman diamonds. If she is born in April, however, why not take full advantage of her gorgeous birthstone to present her with a birthday gift she will never forget.

Diamond Ring For April Engagements

With its warm weather and newly blooming flowers, the month of April is becoming increasingly popular as the perfect time to pop the question with a diamond ring. Not only does the month hold even more significance than others, being the birthstone month for diamonds themselves, it is also one of the most representative of beginning a new life together as husband and wife or life partners. If you’re looking for a little help choosing just the right diamond ring to ask the question with, here are a few quick tips to help you out.

If your significant other is best described as modest and traditional in nature and prefers the simpler things in life, a diamond solitaire ring set in yellow gold may be the ideal choice. Using a traditional claw or prong setting, the size of the stone can be determined by budget or personal preference. The shape of the stone should most likely be one of the more classic cuts, such as a brilliant round cut stone. Overall, the ring should be a reflection of the fact that, no matter how simple the stone or setting, a diamond ring will remain timeless.

If she tends to be more attracted to classic pieces such as vintage or antique diamond rings, there are a wide variety of vintage and estate pieces on the market to choose from. While your choices may be limited due to the nature of the limited availability, a new ring is also an option. Many designers are offering an increasing number of vintage and antique inspired pieces that offer the look of years gone by with the quality and durability of modern craftsmanship.

On the other hand, if your beloved is known for making a statement, choosing bold items over bland, and prefers to stand out from the crowd instead of blending in, a slightly different approach should be considered when ring shopping. The first thing to consider would be one of the many alternative metals on the market that are replacing the standard gold settings. These include platinum, titanium, and even palladium. The diamond itself should be as unique as possible as well. Consider a more unusual cut, such as the Asscher cut, or even a coloured diamond to help the ring reflect her unique style and personality.

Diamond Rings Are Not Just For Fools In April (continued)

I will once again remind you that this is by no means your typical diamond ring engagement story. Keep in mind we are talking about the person that everyone knew as the perpetual bachelor (everyone has at least one of these in their circle of friends) who is out for a drive on April Fool’s Day and decides to propose marriage to his girlfriend. I am fairly certain it was the absolute last thing his girlfriend of two years had ever expected him to do on that day, or any other day for that mater. In his best attempt to show he was serious about his proposal, he went to retrieve the loose diamond stone to show her that he was, in fact, genuine with his offer. Unfortunately, as he pulled his hand out of his pocket, he lost his grip on the stone and it fell to the floor of the car. Here I must state for the record that my friend’s car was never the model car for cleanliness. While it was never dirty per se, it was also never free from a wealth of clutter. Frantic over loosing the quite pricey stone, he immediately ordered his girlfriend out of the car so he could try and retrieve the stone. She remained outside of the car, still stunned and speechless, not quite sure what to think of the entire situation. She sat and watched for nearly fifteen minutes as he tossed every bit of clutter out of the car and onto the ground, followed by a frantic search within the pile of objects he had tossed out to make sure the stone had not been caught up in one of them.

Broken and defeated, he told her to get back in the car as they drove home in complete silence. When they got home, he silently went into the house, his girlfriend following close behind him, grabbed the brightest flashlight he could find, and then proceeded to spend the next hour and a half in the dark if night, nothing but a flashlight and the dim interior car lights to guide him. I would continue the story, but it is too tempting to finish it tomorrow instead……..

April 1st…. Equality Bill May Ban Diamond Rings From The Workplace

A last minute amendment that was added to the UK Equality Bill on April 1st included a provision to protect non-married individuals or individuals in the process of petitioning for a divorce from any type of discrimination related to their relationship status. In order to make it easier for employers to practice fair treatment of all employees, regardless of whether they are married, not married, or in the process of divorce, the amendment would prohibit all employees from wearing their wedding bands or diamond rings they received as engagement gifts or anniversary gifts. The amendment would also most likely ban the newly popular dress diamond ring or right hand ring, popular with independent women who aren’t afraid to show that they are happily single. Reports say the amendment was back by Ministers from three primary parties in the House of Commons.

If the amendment stays as it was written, employers will be required to have any married employees remove their wedding rings and other bridal related jewelry. The amendment will also forbid celebrations or discussions as related to recent engagements or nuptials among employees for fear that these topics could upset non-married employees or employees in the midst of a divorce.

While this may seem like it could potentially be a blow to the diamond ring market, the diamond market itself may necessarily suffer. Similar to certain piercings on women or even standard ear piercings on men, there still remains a variety of jewelry items that are considered inappropriate for the workplace. It may just become routine to take off your weddings rings on your way into the office each morning and subsequently place them back on your finger on your way out the door in the evening. There is also a surefire chance that a recently engaged woman will find some other way of letting her co-workers know of her pending nuptials without having to show off a diamond ring on her finger.

Diamond Rings Are Not Just For Fools In April

While I normally don’t write in first person, I am making an exception for this occasion and the most memorable diamond ring story I have to share. I have a very close friend of the male persuasion that I have known for many years now. He was always known by myself and our other friends as the one who would never settle down. He was more than capable of long term relationships, however, he made it very clear to us as well as anyone he dated that he had no intentions of ever marrying. Six years ago, on April 1st, he took his then girlfriend of two years out on one of their routine sight seeing drives. They both viewed these as a way to just get out of the house for a bit, possibly find a new out of the way place to eat, discover a new quaint little park to walk in, or a number of other things you can find sometimes when driving somewhat aimlessly. On that day he did, in fact, find a very quaint little park, complete with the perfect place to park and watch the sun go down over the horizon. They sat in the car together, taking pleasure in the beauty of the fading daylight, somewhat oblivious of the music playing on the car’s radio.

At some point in the conversation, my friend decided it was time to pop the question to his beloved. Since it can be rather uncomfortable and slightly awkward to get down one knee while sitting in a car, he did his best, turning towards her, taking her hand in his, and asking her to marry him. As she sat, stunned, baffled, and utterly speechless, he reached into his pocket to retrieve the diamond he had picked up earlier that day. Since he knew she had a very particular taste for vintage diamond rings, he had purchased a loose diamond with the intention of shopping for the perfect vintage or vintage inspired setting together. While this may seem like either the cruelest joke or the most ironic proposal, it quickly became much more complicated……….(to be continued)

Diamond Ring – The Key To Buying An Affordable One: Colour

If you are looking to buy a diamond ring but want to try and cut costs as much as possible, you can use the four c’s of diamond rating to help find a more affordable option. One of the easiest of the four c’s to compromise on in exchange for a better price is the colour rating.

A Little Colour Never Hurt Anyone

While celebrities will likely never be seen with anything but a truly colourless diamond on their fingers, the average consumer may not be so lucky. A truly colourless diamond can fetch the highest price tag on the market, but many people have a hard time even being able to tell the difference between a colourless diamond and a near colourless diamond. Even the colourless diamond category has six subcategories, ranging from D to I, with D being true colourless. Without an expert eye to determine the correct grading, the difference between a D rated diamond and an I rated diamond aren’t that obvious. The price tag associated with each rating, however, is significantly different.

The next step down from colourless is near colourless, again possessing it’s own set of three subcategories ranging from J to L, with J being the whitest. Diamonds in this range are the most common ratings found in most retail jewellery stores. Again, the differences between the J, K, and L ratings are typically only seen in the price tag unless you are looking at the stones with a well trained eye.

The next two categories down is classified as having a slight yellow tint and are either faint yellow or very light yellow. While these may not seem like stones that most people would consider, some consumers actually favour them due primarily to the fact that they tend to have a warmer appearance to them. When set in yellow gold, faint yellow or very light yellow diamonds can sometimes look better than their more colourless counterparts. If you are selecting a white gold or platinum setting, however, yellow tinted diamonds are not usually recommended.

Diamond Ring – The Key To Buying An Affordable One: Clarity

While every woman would love a diamond ring to wear on her finger, many tend to think they can’t necessarily afford one. While every man would love to be able to put a diamond ring on his beloved’s finger, the economy is much less forgiving than it has been in the past, significantly reducing the amount of expendable income people have today. What men and women may not realize is that there is a way to find an affordable diamond ring without having to settle for an imitation.

Focus On Clarity

While the ideal diamond possesses a flawless clarity level, they also possess an enormous price tag to match. A flawless diamond may be an option if money is not an issue, but for the majority of consumers, it tends to fall outside of their price range. What shoppers need to realize is that even lower clarity rated diamonds can still be beautiful on top of the fact that they come at a fraction of the cost of a flawless diamond.

The next step down from flawless diamonds are rated IF (internally flawless) and VVS (very, very small inclusions). While both of these tend to still be rather pricey, they are still much more affordable than a flawless stone. Even at these ratings, the diamond will only possess minor inclusions that can barely be seen at 10x magnification.

VS (very slightly included) and SI (slightly included) are the two most popular clarity grades for people looking for an affordable diamond that will still be beautiful. While the stones in both of these rating categories may posses some small inclusions, they are very difficult to locate with the naked eye. Unless you are a diamond expert, the differences between a IF stone and a VS stone will most likely not even be noticeable.

By sacrificing a few levels of clarity grading, you can significantly reduce the cost of a diamond ring, giving her the ring she so desires to wear on her finger, while also giving yourself the opportunity to place it there.

The Impact Of Diamond Rings On Bridal Jewellery – Part 1 (Engagement Rings)

One of the most common types of rings that comes to mind when you think of diamonds are engagement rings. No proposal would be complete without a diamond solitaire ring to present to your prospective bride to be. On your wedding day, the solitaire diamond ring was then joined by a solid band of precious metal, symbolizing your eternal bond in matrimony. Over the years, however, the role that diamonds play in bridal jewellery selections has expanded greatly.

Engagement Ring Trends

While solitaire diamond rings are still very common styles of engagement rings, the single stone design set within a plain band is no longer the only option. Even in modern rings that remain true to the solitaire stone tradition, the settings and bands themselves has reached a new level of detail, often incorporating unique shapes into the setting themselves or intricate and unique patterns or scroll work on the surface of the bands. Diamond rings with side stones, also called shoulder stones, are popular as well. This simple design includes one or more smaller stones set on each side of the larger center stone.

Coloured diamonds are another hot bridal trend, making its impact on engagement rings across the globe. These richly colored diamonds break the tradition of clear stones, adding mesmerizing colour tones to the ring fingers of brides to be.

Vintage inspired rings, or actual antique pieces, are also frequently being used as engagement rings. These styles of rings rarely feature solitaires stones unless they are set in extremely intricate settings. Usually, vintage or vintage inspired rings are distinguished by the unusual stone shapes and the arrangement of multiple stones together in unique patterns and designs.

Engagement ring trends, however, are just the beginning in a large number of diamond ring styles that have been inspired by, or become a part of, the bridal jewellery market.

Diamond Rings – The Asscher Cut Rises From Obscurity

Up until a few years ago, few people had heard of or remembered an asscher cut diamond. The unique shape appeared as a cross between a princess cut with it’s somewhat square shape, and an emerald cut, with its angled edges. It was invented by Joseph Asscher.  Mr. Asscher was most noted for the fact that he was responsible for cutting the Cullinan diamond, the largest diamond in history at 3,106 carats. The process he used to cut this magnificent stone for the Royal Family is where the now famous Asscher cut originated.

Vintage jewellery collectors, especially those fond of art deco pieces, tend to be familiar with the cut. Up until the late 1920’s, it was actually very popular in diamond rings and diamond necklaces because of its unusual angles and unique appearance. In more recent years, as the demand for vintage and antique jewelry grew, examples of asscher cut diamond rings became very rare. In 2001 however, partly in thank to a ring worn by Sex in the City Star Sarah Jessica Parker, the Asscher cut diamond ring once again took the spotlight. The ring was presented to Jennifer’s character on the show and jewellers worldwide began receiving phone calls inquiring about the unusual shape of the stone. Soon after, Hollywood starlet Kate Hudson was seen donning an Asscher cut ring and the demand continued to rise.

Today, Asscher cut diamond rings have once again risen in the ranks to becoming one of the most popular choices on the market today. Believe it or not, we have Hollywood to thank for it.

Diamond Rings Aren’t The Only Suggested Anniversary Gifts That Sparkle-Part 2

Even if you follow the modern anniversary gift guide, there are several other milestones that a diamond ring can be incorporated into. These include the fourteenth and fiftieth anniversary gifts of gold, the twentieth anniversary gift of platinum, and even the twenty-fifth anniversary gift of silver. There are, however, several other milestones that can be celebrated with the gift of jewellery.

The recommended gift to commemorate the twelfth anniversary is pearls, beautiful when hung in simple strands, classic when set in earrings, and sophisticated when incorporated into rings. In fact, diamond accents on a pearl ring are a common occurrence.

The thirty-fifth anniversary calls for a gift of jade. Exotic and beautiful, with a unique Asian feel, jade is perfect for nearly any form of jewellery, especially when contrasted with yellow gold in bracelets or necklaces. Jade is typically found on its own in jewellery since the pieces themselves are typically carved with an array of intricate and exotic patterns that other gems may distract attention from.

The fortieth, forty-fifth, and fifty-fifth anniversaries call for gifts of rubies, sapphires, and emeralds, respectively. All three of these gemstones have very regal appearances and can look stunning regardless of what form of jewellery they are set into. All three also work well when incorporated into diamond rings, yet another reason to add another potential diamond ring occasion to the list of anniversary gifts.

In essence, if you decide a gift of diamond jewellery is to be given, that’s really all that matters. While the suggested list of anniversary gifts, traditional or modern, may be a novel idea, a husband shouldn’t need a list to tell him when he can or can’t present his wife with a dazzling diamond ring, diamond bracelet, or any other piece of jewellery that incorporates the eternal beauty of a diamond.

Diamond Rings Aren’t The Only Suggested Anniversary Gifts That Sparkle-Part 1

If you go by the original ‘traditional’ list of gifts recommended for each milestone wedding anniversary, you may have to get pretty creative with your gift giving techniques. A diamond ring, for example, isn’t an acceptable gift until you’ve spent sixty years together. Good luck not having your wife file for divorce when you give her fruit and flowers to celebrate four wonderful years together. Besides, you need to find a way to keep her around for at least twenty five years before you actually start getting into precious metal territory. Even at twenty five years, it’s only silver. You have to wait until your fiftieth anniversary to merit anything made with gold. As you can see, while these gifts may have made perfect sense ages ago, any husband who relies on this list for anniversary gift ideas is most likely doing nothing but contributing to the increased divorce rates.

Thankfully, someone saw fit to create a ‘modern’ list of appropriate anniversary gifts geared more towards todays marketplace, gifting trends, and the growing emphasis on the importance of wedding anniversaries in general. With the modern list, a bride only has to wait until her tenth anniversary before meriting a gift of diamonds. As a double bonus, she gets diamonds on her thirtieth and sixtieth anniversaries as well. This, of course, is assuming she hasn’t bought into the ‘tradition’ created by a De Beers marketing campaign that recommends a diamond eternity ring to celebrate year one of marriage. On the other hand, if you want to show your bride just how special she is to you, there is no reason why you can’t buy her a diamond ring whenever you see fit.

Diamonds aren’t the only items on the modern anniversary gift giving guide that can sparkle. What many people don’t realize is there are numerous other suggested gifts for other wedding milestones that can be satisfied with a dazzling array of jewellery items.

2010 Celebrity Diamond Rings – Place Your Bets

Ever wonder what the actual odds are that your favorite, or not so favorite, celebrity couple will get engaged or married in 2010 and be shopping for diamond rings to seal the deal? Well, wonder no more, famous odd makers www.BetUS.com just released their votes in favor of who will be getting hitched this year.

Where royalty is concerned, the odds are 5 to 2 that Prince William will be placing a diamond ring on the finger of Kate Middleton by the end of the year. Similarly, his brother, Prince Harry, has a 10 to 1 shot at proposing to girlfriend Chelsey Davy.

Even though they are heavily denying any secret engagement, the odds are still 3 to 1 that American Idol star Simon Cowell has, or will, do right by his girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy’s and ‘officially’ give her the diamond ring on her finger.

Since betting truly is a sportsman’s games, Christine Bleakely has a 7 to 1 shot of getting a diamond ring on her finger from footballer boyfriend Frank Lampard. Vanessa Perroncel has been given 15 to 1 odds of getting engaged to……basically any famous footballer, the odds don’t even specify which one.

Everybody’s favorite bad boy, Jude Law, actually stands an 8 to 1 chance of rekindling the flame with Sienna Miller. Rumor has it that it will take one impressive diamond ring to hep win her back.

These are just a few of the hot odds for 2010, so get ready to place your bets. They are even considering a separate set of odds to determine who gets the largest diamond ring out of the deal.

The Evolution of the Mens Diamond Ring

The idea of mens diamond rings once triggered images of bulky gold nuggets encompassing a quarter of a man’s finger. Often set with large stones, they were bold and made a very strong statement. Even the popular men’s pinky ring made a woman’s ring pale in size by comparison. Modern men however, seem to be creating their own trends and opting for a more classic and sophisticated look in their diamond rings.

The diamond in the men’s diamond ring is no longer the focal point, instead, it is typically a smaller stone set within the band of the ring itself. Instead of being the primary feature of the ring, it becomes a simple embellishment to add a bit of sparkle. The rings themselves are very similar to wedding band designs and can be used as such on occasion. Mens diamond rings are available in a variety of metals including yellow, white, and rose gold, platinum, and the newest must-have metal, palladium. With the gold rings, it is also common to find two or three colours of gold combined in the same rings design. The bands often feature one primary metal that is bordered or rimmed by a second colour, or they may appear evenly striped in design with two or three gold tones.

One of the greatest features of mens diamond rings is that their growing popularity gives women a wider selection of tasteful designs and styles to choose from when buying a gift for her loved one to show her thanks and appreciation for all the jewellery he has most likely presented to her over the years.

Simon Cowell Idolizes His Girlfriend With A £250,000 Diamond Ring

Ever wonder what kind of diamond engagement ring buys when he’s been quoted as saying he’ll never marry? A rather expensive one in fact. Bold, often brash, and NEVER outspoken, American Idol judge and Britain’s Got Talent personality, Simon Cowell, has apparently popped the question to his girlfriend Mezghan Hussainy. Hussainy is the long time head of the America Idol make-up department and met Cowell for the first time back in 2003. News recently broke that the couple has been dating for just over six months. The Valentine’s proposal did take many by surprise given Cowell’s past comments that he would never consider marriage to anyone.

Witnesses say that Cowell presented his bride to be the stunning Graff diamond ring during dinner on Valentine’s day. Reportedly valued at $450k, the diamond ring was only glimpsed briefly as they exited the restaurant and hopped in their limo. While the details of the diamond ring design may not be clear, the fact that she was wearing it on her ring finger were quite obvious. Cowell was recently quoted talking about Hussainy and announcing to the world that ‘She’s the one’. Apparently, judging from the size and cost of the diamond ring on her finger and engagement news, he wasn’t exaggerating.

Given Cowell’s substantial net worth, it was no surprise that he turned to Graff for the diamond ring. Known for their preference by celebrity clientele, Graff diamonds are renowned for their beautiful design as well as their substantial price tags.

Diamond Ring – The Importance Of a Diamond Certificate

The purchase of a diamond ring is not an investment to be taken lightly. Even though you may have educated yourself on the Four C’s of diamond buying, how can you be sure the diamond ring you’re buying actually conforms to the ratings the merchant claims it possesses. In order to ensure you truly are getting the highest quality diamond for your investment, always make sure your new ring is accompanied by a certified diamond certificate.

A diamond certificate is essentially a document created by a third party, independent gemologist that states the quality if the individual diamond based on the four ratings of cut, clarity, color and carat weight. Since the gemologist is licensed and is not affiliated with the merchant, you can rest assured that the ratings being assigned to the stone are accurate. The specific ratings in each category are detailed within the diamond certificate along with its estimated market value. This number is important because the certificate is also commonly used for insurance purposes. If you do choose to ad your diamond ring to your homeowner’s policy or other personal property coverage, the certificate will allow the insurance company to verify the value of the diamond ring in a case of loss or theft.

Knowing how diamonds are rated is important, but having a valid certification of the ratings for your diamond ring are crucial. If a merchant is not in the habit of providing a diamond certificate for rings containing stones over a certain size, you may want to shop elsewhere.

Diamond Earrings – Can’t Decide? Why Pick Just One?

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, plenty of men are still trying to decide on the perfect gift for their loved one. Diamond rings are always a hit with the ladies, but what if she has a soft spot for earrings too? Perhaps she already has too many rings and a lovely diamond necklace may be just the thing, but what would she wear it with? Take the guesswork out of gift giving for Valentine’s Day, or any day for that matter, and consider the convenience of diamond jewellery sets.

The beauty of a diamond jewellery set, aside from the diamonds themselves, is the fact that each piece within the set is designed to match perfectly. Whether the set includes a combination of a diamond ring, a pair of diamond earrings, or a diamond necklace, you can rest assured that the cut, colour, and style of each piece is expertly selected and crafted to complement each other perfectly.

Not only do diamond jewellery sets make the shopping experience easier for you, it makes her jewellery selection a breeze when it comes to deciding which pieces in her collection look best together. They are available in a wide variety of precious metals as well as diamond shapes, which means there literally is a set to suit everyone’s tastes.

Even once Valentine’s Day has passed, don’t underestimate the power of a diamond jewellery set. There are 364 more days in the year you can use the gift of diamonds to melt her heart.