Weddings For Lovers

Diamond engagement rings are a dime a dozen and too often they are incredibly expensive. A sapphire engagement ring can make a beautiful token of your love and loyalty to your fiancé. Sapphires are a symbol of faithfulness and what better stone to present to the woman you want to marry?

These also make beautiful engagement rings for the woman who wishes to be different and likes to do her own thing. Sapphires are also next to diamonds in terms of hardness, they will last a lifetime if they are properly purchased and cared for.

Color

You probably think that all sapphires are blue when instead they come in a variety of colors. The perfect sapphire engagement ring can be the traditional royal blue expected of sapphires or it can be a pink-orange, or even a pink. Just like diamonds different colored sapphires have different values. If color is the only determining factor then you don’t have to worry about the value so much.

In case you do want to think about value when selecting your sapphire engagement ring then you should know that green is the least valuable type of sapphire. Pink and orange sapphires are extremely rare and expensive and this alone may attract you to buying this type of sapphire engagement ring. The color of the sapphire should not change; you should look for a consistent color in all lights.

Flaws

One of the flaws to look out for in a sapphire engagement ring is a feather. This is a crack that runs from the base or center to the outside of the stone. The presence of a feather means that it may very possibly crack in the future. You want your stone to have a good color and clarity. The color should also be transparent in nature.

Cuts

Generally sapphire engagement rings are cut into round and oval shapes. Ovals are cheaper than round cuts so consider the shape when you are buying your sapphires. Your sapphire will be priced based on color and carat. The prices of sapphires vary and can be much cheaper or as expensive as a diamond.

Buy loose sapphires so that you can examine them properly rather than buying them already set. You should also choose flush or channel settings for sapphire engagement rings in case of any flaws. These settings will disguise flaws nicely and give you a beautiful engagement ring that stands out above the rest.

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The ruby in engagement rings is a pink- to blood-colored gemstone that is a variety of the mineral corundum, (aluminum oxide). This common red color is caused mainly by the element chromium.

History of the Ruby

The name ruby originates from the Latin word "rubber," which means red. Ruby is the most commonly named precious gem in the English translation of the Bible. Other varieties of gem-quality corundum are called sapphires. The ruby is considered one of the four precious stones, together with the sapphire, the emerald, and the diamond.

The price of a ruby engagement ring is primarily determined by the ruby's color. The brightest and best "red," called Pigeon Blood Red," commands a huge premium over other rubies of similar quality.

After color, clarity follows as the next most sought-after attribute. Similar to diamonds, a clear stone will command a premium, but a ruby without any needle-like retile inclusions will indicate the stone has been treated one way or another. Cut and carat size of the ruby in an engagement ring will also have a big influence on its price.

The Ruby's Makeup

Rubies have a hardness of 9 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, making them #2, directly under diamonds which have a hardness of 10. Almost all rubies today are treated with heat, although rubies that are untreated are still of excellent quality and command a large premium. Almost all rubies at the lower end of the market are heat treated to improve color at around 3300 F.

Synthetic Rubies

In 1837 Gaudin made the first synthetic rubies by fusing aluminum at a high temperature with a little chromium as a pigment. Most synthetic rubies in engagement rings originate from flame fusion, due to the low cost involved.

Burma

Of all of the world's rubies, 90% come from Burma. These rubies, prized for their purity and hue, are cut and polished outside Burma in third-world countries like Thailand and Vietnam. Gemstones are Burma's third-biggest export, right behind timber and natural gas.

Precious Metals

What precious metal to use in designing your ruby engagement ring is a very personal decision. Many outgoing and flashy women choose gold for its bright, sparkling yellow color. The earliest of civilizations recognized the beauty and value of gold and used it as money and in fine jewelry.

If you choose silver, you are choosing a luscious, white shining precious metal that goes beautifully with your ruby engagement ring. The silver in today's silver is an alloy of 92.5% silver with 7.5% copper. Platinum works really well in highlighting the rubies in an engagement ring. King Louis XV declared platinum the only metal fit for a king.

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You are getting ready to propose to your significant other. The only problem is that you have not gotten the ring yet. You like doing things differently, so you are not thinking about purchasing a new, expensive diamond engagement ring. Rather, you are thinking of purchasing a ruby antique engagement ring.

About Ruby Antique Engagement Rings

If you are really thinking about purchasing a ruby antique engagement ring, the first place you might think of is a local antique store. However, be aware that many antique stores nowadays prefer to sell things like paintings and furniture.

Jewelry stores actually might sometimes have ruby antique engagement rings in their inventory as well. This is usually the case when the jewelry store has more eclectic selections. However, this is not to say that there is not the possibility that the antique store might just have what you are looking for.

However, before you go looking for a ruby antique engagement ring, the first thing that you need to do is find out what ring size your fiancé is. This is as simple as taking one of her rings from her jewelry box and having it sized by a jeweler.

Of course, there is another way that you can get a ruby antique engagement ring, and that is by going to an estate sale. You can find out about estate sales through advertisements placed in local newspapers.

Some people might ask you what it is about ruby antique engagement ring that makes you want to propose with it. Do you really know the reason? Perhaps a ruby is a favorite gemstone of your girlfriend’s. Or, perhaps you want to get a ring that has quite a bit of color to it.

One thing that you probably should not do is purchase a ruby antique engagement ring online. There are too many different websites out there to really figure out which ones are authentic. However, if you do choose to get the engagement ring online, you should first make sure that the place is reputable and offers a certificate of authenticity.

For more information on finding the right ruby antique engagement ring, you can also inquire at a local auction house. The price of this kind of ring will vary in accordance with how much you are willing to spend, as well as how old the ring is. You are sure to find the right engagement ring with the proper research.

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So you have already found the “right one”, the girl of your dreams, and you feel like it is already time to pop the big question. Besides all the jitters that you feel when thinking about it, you still have not yet found the right ring to seal the engagement. Sure, there are a lot of jewelry stores out there that sells engagement rings; some of them even sell rings that have different kinds of diamonds in all shapes, colors, and sizes. But still, you find them all boring and what you want to give is a whole lot different – something that would make your girl stand out among others who are also engaged.

What you need is a jewelry store that sells quality antique engagement rings to add an extra flare and uniqueness to the ring. But the thing is, it is really hard to look for jewelry stores that sell quality antique engagement rings and it is a good thing that there are many online stores you could look at and see if you could find what you are looking for.

On The Net

It is true that it’s hard to look for stores that could give you a wide range of choices for quality engagement rings, but an online store like Circa1930s could help you with what you are looking for. With Circa1930s, you will find quality antique engagement rings that are designed especially for those people who love the style of the vintage look that has intricate carvings, lacelike filigree, and delicate details that is the epitome of quality antique engagement rings. Also, you can be sure that all of their quality antique engagement rings are hand-finished and are set with fine diamonds with line of style like Victorian, Edwardian, or even Art Deco.

You could visit their website at www.circa1930s.com and you could immediately place your order online or call their toll free number. Your order will be shipped via the UPS and you will have peace of mind since all their items are insured. With Circa1930s, you can be sure to be satisfied and have the best engagement ring.

If you are looking for an older design like from the circa of 1700’s to 1935, the one-stop website for you to visit is www.georgianjewellry.com which is named as the best antique jewelry website in 2006. Its company name though is, The Three Graces and it is no wonder that they are the best antique jewelry store online since they offer a wide range of styles and selections of quality antique engagement rings. They have styles from the Georgian era, Victorian, Edwardian, Art Deco, Art Nouveau, and even earlier jewelry designs.

All items in the collection of The Three Graces store are guaranteed to have no reproduction therefore it only means that everything they sell is one of a kind. With The Three Graces, you are guaranteed satisfaction in finding the right, unique quality antique engagement ring.

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When it comes time for you to pick out an engagement ring, one of the most important things that you have to consider is what sort of stone is going to be set in the ring. This decision includes not only what sort of stone you put in there, but the size and shape of the stone. One of your options in this is princess cut engagement rings, which has a square, faceted stone set in the ring.

Princess cut engagement rings are a relatively new thing, since the cut was only invented in the 1970s, but it is a popular cut for many reasons. If you don’t know much about princess cut engagement rings, let’s take a look at why these are so popular.

The Sparkle

The sparkle of princess cut engagement rings tends to be more than with traditional square-cut stones. Traditionally, square stones were cut like emeralds, with few facets to catch light. However, princess cut engagement rings have stones cut more like the modern brilliant cut, which is used for round stones, with many facets to catch the light, creating extra sparkle. This means you’ll have a ring that catches the light well.

Another advantage to this extra sparkle is that it helps to hide any discolorations in diamonds, which are the traditional stone for engagement rings. Depending on the quality of the diamond, many have a slight yellow or brown tint to the stone. However, the extra sparkle does help to fool the eye into seeing less of those discolorations.

The Price

Compared to those with round brilliant cut diamonds, princess cut engagement rings often cost less per carat than the round cuts. This is partly because the diamond cutter doesn’t need to shave off as much of the diamond itself to make the shape, unlike with the round brilliant cut diamonds. This tends to retain carat weight better than the round cuts, which means you can either get the same carat as a round stone in a lower price, or you have a little bit more money with which to purchase a higher carat stone.

Disadvantages

To be fair, though, there are some limitations for the princess cut engagement rings. Because of the square shape, the stones are vulnerable at the corners, which are more prone to wear. Most of the time, the jeweler will be sure to create a setting that helps to protect these corners. However, these stones are often vulnerable when set, and damage can occur at that time. If this does happen, your stone might lose a little of its carat weight as a result of the repair process. Still, quality jewelers are careful and factor this into the cost of the stone up front. So, if you’re looking for a less expensive stone with some of the best sparkle around, princess cut engagement rings are the way to go.

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A princess cut diamond engagement ring is just one of many different cuts that have been developed in order to best utilize a diamond gemstone's superlative material properties. A diamond cut constitutes a more or less symmetrical arrangement of facets which together modify the shape and appearance of a diamond crystal. Diamond cutters must consider several factors, such as the shape and size of the crystal, when choosing a cut.

History of Princess Cut Engagement Rings

The practical history of cutting diamonds goes at least as far back as the Middle Ages, before which time diamonds were enjoyed in their natural octahedral state. Long before a princess cut engagement ring had ever been produced, improvements on nature's pure design of the diamond involved a simple polishing of the octahedral crystal faces to create even and unblemished facets.

In 1370, the first diamond polishers' guild was founded in Nuremberg, Germany. During this time diamonds were chiefly valued for their adamantine luster and superlative hardness. A table-cut diamond would be black to the human eye, so rubies and sapphires made up the majority of jewelry during this period of time.

The development of diamond saws and quality jewelry lathes boosted the development of modern diamond cutting and produced the first cut diamond; the "round brilliant" cut. In 1919, Marcel Tolkowsky analyzed this cut by taking both brilliance and fire into consideration, creating a delicate balance between the two. Tolowsky's calculations still serve as the basis for brilliant cut modifications and standards around the world.

Today we know that a diamond's appearance is composed of many light paths that reflect considerably more than two times within the diamond, something Tolowsky did not know. Today's new technology, that includes laser cutting and computer-aided design, has enabled the development of cuts whose complexity, optical performance, and waste reduction have completely changed the industry.

Princess Cut

Princess cut engagement rings are the second most popular in sales because they accentuate a diamond's fire rather than its luster. The top of the diamond is cut in a square shape and the overall shape is similar to a pyramid. Princess cut engagement rings are relatively new, the first one being produced in 1970. This cut has been gaining in popularity ever since then, currently right behind the round brilliant cut where the top of the diamond is cut in a round circle and the bottom forms a point like a cone.

Chances are, if you are wearing a princess cut engagement ring today, the diameter of your diamond is smaller but the length is usually longer than a round cut. The princess cut is sometimes referred to as a "square modified brilliant," as it combines the brilliance of a round cut with an overall square or rectangular appearance. A princess cut engagement ring does sacrifice some brilliance in order to have its unique square shape.

Read more on Secrets of the Princess Cut Engagement Ring…

When it comes time to shop around for an engagement ring, there are plenty of choices to be made, and one of the most important is that of the metal you use for your ring. Whether it’s gold or platinum engagement rings that catch your eye, you need to be sure that your ring is what fits your loved one and is one that will hold up over the years. You may find that your jeweler recommends platinum engagement rings, and you might assume that it’s just because of the high price these rings command. And while it’s true that platinum engagement rings tend to cost more than gold ones, there are some good reasons why. Let’s look at the benefits that platinum engagement rings have:

Strength

One of the main advantages to platinum engagement rings is that they are made of a stronger metal than gold engagement rings. In fact, platinum is considered to be the strongest of the precious metals. Although gold certainly does hold up well over the years, people change and rings do sometimes need to be resized. If you want to prepare for this, platinum engagement rings are less likely to be brittle or to crack during resizing.

Color

Platinum engagement rings are a sort of cold gray-white in color, which makes it a great compliment to precious stones of any color, helping to highlight the beauty of the stones without detracting from it at all. This color is a natural property of platinum, and so it lasts as long as the jewelry does.

In contrast, white gold rings, which have similar coloration, often still have a yellowish tint if the gold is not pure enough. Also, white gold rings are often coated with rhodium to improve coloration, and this coating will have to be reapplied every so often in the ring’s lifetime, adding to the overall cost. So, though the initial cost of platinum engagement rings are greater, you will have less maintenance to do to keep the ring’s natural color.

Rarity

Since the introduction of this metal for jewelry by Cartier in the 1890s, platinum jewelry has been considered the ultimate in jewelry since the metal is so much more rare than gold, which also accounts for the higher costs. So, for those who are looking to get a ring that is both elegant and will allow your future spouse to be the envy of all her friends and family, platinum engagement rings are the best option you can go for. Even if you don’t worry about the prestige involved in owning such a ring, the strength and beautiful color of platinum engagement rings make them a great buy.

Read more on What Make Platinum Engagement Rings Desirable?…

If you are star struck about your lady love and wish to really make an emphatic statement about your love for your partner. And, provided you can back your intentions with solid greenbacks, you won’t be able to do anything more romantic or better than consider giving her a platinum antique engagement ring.

Of course, the platinum antique engagement ring is going to set you back a lot of money but in the end it will be well worth the price. This is especially when you consider that it helps to show how deep is your commitment to the other and also because it is a one-off expenditure that is also going to have a lifelong appeal.

Matchless Beauty and Excellent Durability

In addition, there is perhaps no other engagement ring that can quite match the beauty as well as durability of a platinum antique engagement ring. Although platinum is quite a recent discovery, if you can find a platinum antique engagement ring from about the end of the eighteenth century, you would certainly be able to find some excellent pieces.

One thing you can be sure of when you opt to buy a platinum antique engagement ring for your love is that is that it will be truly unique as well as exude a lot of class. What’s more, today’s brides-to-be appreciate being given something that expresses their individuality and so a platinum antique engagement ring would make for a wonderful engagement ring.

Of course, the only constraining aspect to buying a suitable platinum antique engagement ring would be your own budget as well as personal choice and in fact, it would also mean having to hunt high and low before you can hope to find a suitable piece. Even so, with many online stores to check out, you may not actually need to move out of the comfort of your home in order to find a suitable platinum antique engagement ring.

As you will also soon come to find out, the platinum antique engagement ring was actually popularized during the period known as the Edwardian era because it was a time when platinum was being used quite a bit – mainly because it allowed for creating very intricate types of details. The bottom line is that, if you have upwards of two thousand dollars, you will not find it too difficult to purchase a useful platinum antique engagement ring.

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Pink Diamond engagement rings are extremely rare. The reason is that pink diamonds are extremely rare. This means that these rings are highly sought after and very expensive. Pink diamond engagement rings show not only the commitment that will be made, but also are a status symbol. Only those with the money can afford to buy pink diamonds. For those people who cannot afford natural pink diamonds, there are other options available.

Choosing From Pink Diamond Engagement Rings

There are several options available when it comes to choosing pink diamond engagement rings. Mostly, it is choosing the diamond that matters. This is because natural pink diamonds are rare, but there are enhanced pink diamonds as well as manufactured pink diamonds to consider as well.

Pink diamonds can be created using white diamonds and enhancing the color. This is a process that is done by jewelers and so should only be entrusted to jewelers to be done correctly. While these pink diamonds are not completely natural, at least they are real diamonds. The price of these pink diamond engagement rings is less than those made with natural pink diamonds, but still come with a hefty price tag.

The least expensive choice is choosing manufactured pink diamond engagement rings. In this case, they are not real but may look real to the untrained eye. This is not likely a ring that a woman would like to receive. She would probably prefer a genuine diamond, but the choice is completely up to the couple.

When choosing pink diamond engagement rings, it is important to consider the setting that will be most flattering to the diamond. The diamond is the star after all and the setting should not upstage it. Pink diamond engagement rings are often set in white gold or platinum settings. This is because the silver color enhances the color of the pink diamond. While yellow gold can be used, it must be done carefully or the ring could look tacky. These pink diamond engagement rings usually have little detail to the setting and are often solitaire. If other stones are present, they are there to complement the pink diamond.

Pink diamond engagement rings are a commodity that is rare and highly sought after. Only those with extreme wealth are able to afford these precious diamonds. When money is no concern, there are limitless options when it comes to pink diamond engagement rings!

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If you were to ask people to say the first word that popped into their mind in response to the word diamond, you would get a variety of answers. Some of those answers could include pretty, expensive, jewelry, hard, girl's best friend, etc.

Also, if you would ask about the color of the diamond more often than not you would get the answer of white or clear. However, to be more accurate, most diamonds are colorless with the exception of those quality diamonds that have colors. Some of those colors could include orange, red, brown, green and yellow.

In addition, there is one diamond that is extremely popular and, like most diamonds of color, is mined in the country of Australia. The popularity of this colored diamond is due to the fact that the many individuals seek this colored diamond to be part of a pink diamond engagement ring.

If in the market for a pink diamond engagement ring it is important to keep in mind a number of attributes that should be looked for in the diamond. Those attributes include the four C’s and the cost of the diamond itself.

The Four C’s

When shopping for a pink diamond engagement ring it is important to remember the four C’s in your selection of the diamond. The four C’s are clarity, color, carat and cut. The clarity of the diamond is a critical factor to be considered. The clarity of a diamond speaks of its purity and freedom from what is known as flaws. These flaws could be described as feathers, cracks, spots, or other impurities. In addition, any clarity flaws will be more pronounced because of the pink color.

The second C to observe when looking for a pink diamond engagement ring is the color. This is because quality diamonds are rated on the deepness of the diamond’s color. Therefore, a light pink diamond engagement ring is not as expensive or is a higher quality product as is a salmon colored diamond.

The third C stands for carat. Carat speaks to the weight of the diamond. Generally, the more carats, the heavier the weight of the diamond and therefore, the more expensive the stone is. However, the larger the pink diamond is the more the color is diminished. Therefore, more carats in a pink diamond engagement ring does not necessarily equate to a more expensive ring.

Finally, the 4th C is cut. The cut is the precision-like action taken by the jeweler to enhance the appeal of the diamond. However, unlike other diamonds, the pink diamond is in itself already an appealing diamond without any cuts needed by the jeweler. Often when purchasing a pink diamond engagement ring, the stone itself draws the attention of those around.

Cost

Due to the uniqueness, quality, beauty and popularity of the pink diamond engagement ring one can imagine that there is an associated cost. Therefore, it is important to realize that a pink diamond engagement ring is an expensive symbol of one’s love and devotion.

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