My Least Favorite Diamond Shapes for Engagement Rings

Marquis engagement rings are oval shaped diamonds which have both ends pointed. Marquis diamonds have 56 facets and are twice as long in length as their width. The 2 to 1, length to width ratio is considered ideal and something to think about when shopping for a marquis, as it will effect the sparkliness of the diamond. A good cut is important cut is also important in that it helps prevent the dreaded "bow tie" effect, whereby the center of the diamond is darker and has reduced brilliance. While the Marquis diamond is by no means my favorite shape, it boasts a number of cool properties:
1) It has a cool story behind it: The shape of the stone was said to be designed for Louis XIV of France who wanted a diamond fashioned after the Marquise de Pompadour's smile.
2) The marquis diamond is considered one of the most flattering for the hand as it makes the finger look more slender
3) The stone may look bigger than it actually is. The marquis diamond not only has a large surface area but the elongated lines can make the carat size look larger than what you plunked down money for.
Yes, I'm a pear-hater. Perhaps I've been influenced by some of my friends who also don't like the pear. I remember one time when an acquaintance of mine got engaged. My friend, who was closer to this person, forwarded me a picture of her pear diamond with a disparaging caption about the ring shape. All cattiness aside, everyone has different views on what looks good, so don't let my taste unduly influence you.
The pear shaped diamond is considered to be a round brilliant diamond at one end and a marquise shape at the other. It is sometimes referred to as a tear drop due to its rounded side and pointed edge. A length-to-width ratio between 1.45 and 1.75 is typically considered most desirable for the pear. Just so you know, the pear-shaped diamond is less sparkly than the round brilliant, and loses more brilliance, if poorly proportioned. One thing in particular to avoid when shopping for a pear shape is the dreaded bow tie effect: a dark area in the middle of the diamond which looks just like a black bow tie. It is hard to avoid the bow tie effect completely with the pear. One nice thing about the pear is that it tends to make one's fingers look slimmer.
I hope I'm not offending anyone by saying that I think heart shaped engagement rings are ugly. I used to wear rings with hearts on them in middle school, thus I connect heart shaped rings to a typically horrifying period in most anyone's life. Plus, the symbolism of a heart shaped engagement ring lacks creativity. We already know you're in love, if your wearing an engagement ring. At this point, your woman's not only got your heart, but your savings account, freedom, and body, mind, and soul. You're whipped. No need to let the world know this with a big, cheesy heart. Don't get me wrong...there are plenty of heart-shaped diamond admirers. Some would say that the heart shape is the most romantic of all the diamonds. In fact, Joan Collins received a heart shaped engagement ring from her husband.
Hearts can either be wide or long. They are most similar to the pear shaped diamond but have a cleft at the top. When looking to purchase a heart, make sure the top arches are symmetrical in appearance. Assymmetrical hearts will look more like pears. When looking at other women's ring fingers, you won't see too many hearts. Hearts are less typically found in an engagement ring setting and more commonly seen in earrings or pendants. I will say one good thing about heart shapes: that they cost around 20%-25% less than round diamonds.
The author recently got married and sports a beautiful ascher cut diamond ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect engagement ring.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Want to Know What the Average Engagement Ring and Wedding Costs?

The average engagement ring costs about $3,000-$4,000. The equals roughly 2-3 months salary for the regular Joe who is going to spend that much. Better start putting those pennies in your piggy bank. Joel spent a little bit more than this on my ring.
The average diamond carat size ranges from a .5 to a 1.0. Regardless, most jewelers will tell you that women prefer a full one carat diamond. My diamond is about a 1.25 carat size. I wanted the look of a full diamond but not one that was so big that it looked gawdy on my finger.
The average woman has a ring finger size of a 7, with the typical ring size spanning from a 5 to a 10. Not everyone falls into this range...I have extremely tiny hands and a size 3 ring finger....I won't go into it, but it was quite an ordeal to get my ring resized
The average engagement lasts for over a year, so you have plenty of time to plan and look through bridal magazines. Joel and I opted for a six months long engagement. We had already dated for 3 years and felt like we were ready to move forward without waiting for a full year. That meant I started planning the wedding about a week after the proposal.
The average wedding costs $26,000-$30,000! Yikes! Expect to spend in more expensive areas of the county such as New York or New Jersey. Joel and I spent quite a bit less and still had a very elegant wedding...so it can be done.
The average age of the bride and groom ranges from 27-29. That described us perfectly...we were 27 and 28.
The average wedding has close to 200 guests. We had about 80... it was a nice sized, intimate affair.
The average couple spends at least $3,000 more than they had anticipated on the wedding. We were good and only went about $500 over our budget. We are both very practical individuals and really preferred to direct our savings towards a downpayment on a house.
An average of 53% of weddings make it until "death do us part." I know this will be us :)
The author just celebrated her one year anniversary and sports a beautiful ascher cut ring. She and her husband put together the website: http://www.ultimate-engagement-ring-guide.com to help you find the perfect ring.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julie_Shields

Why The Three Stone Diamond Ring Is So Popular And Desirable

All women would like a three stone ring from her partner. The three stone ring was designed by the De Beers Jewelry Company and became an instant classic, setting the jewelry industry on its ear. The three stones signify the message of love to the recipient. The first stone often smaller signifies past love. The middle and large stone represents present love and the smaller third stone is for future love.
Who would not want a beautiful classic ring? They can be altered to make them more personal using different stones instead of diamonds. You can use the birthstones of the couple with the smaller stones and leave the larger one a diamond. It can be as special and personal as the individual who will own it.
This ring can be changed to fit any occasion. It can be used as an engagement ring or for an anniversary present. Because it has a classic simple design it can be incorporated into a wedding set quite easily. Birthdays and Christmas are other occasions to give the three stone ring for those who can't wait until a special anniversary or romantic holiday.
When using the three stone ring as an engagement ring there are several options to turn it into a lovely wedding set. Because the center stone is set higher than the other two it is possible to use a plain band to accompany it. Another option is a wedding band with a channel set of stones the same size as the two smaller stones in the engagement ring. This type of band can really highlight the beauty of the engagement ring. The groom's ring can also be a band with three matching stones in the same pattern. Usually men don't like a large flashy ring with protruding stones that can be caught on things.
The cost of one of these rings can very well depend on the type of stones used and the setting. A plain silver band with small traditional round cut diamonds will cost less than one with a white gold or platinum band and large stones. The first thing before buying a ring is to determine the price range you are willing to spend. Many jewelers will try to get you to upgrade to more expensive settings and stones, but you have to stick to your guns or your gesture of love could be a real budget breaker.
Every couple has a past they want to celebrate because it has brought them to a wonderful present time and when celebrating the present, there is always a hope for the future. The three stone ring is a perfect symbol of these three periods in a relationship.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as why diamonds are forever at http://www.diamondringsplus.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gregg_Hall

How To Choose A Quality Diamond Ring and Diamond Jewelry

You are about to make a very important decision. You are going to buy a diamond. Whether it is an engagement ring to start a new life with someone special or a pair of earrings to signify twenty five years together, a diamond is something special. You want make sure you are getting the best quality diamond for the money you are spending. So, how do you know you are not wasting your money? Here are a few things to keep in mind while shopping for that diamond ring.
The very first thing you are going to want to look at is your budget. In years past, the rule of thumb was that you spend two months salary on a diamond ring. However, that rule generally no longer applies. Today, with people living together before the question is asked, it is much more a question of how much your budget will handle.
After you know the price range you are looking for and can afford, you can then move on to the four “Cs” of diamonds. Color, cut, clarity and carat weight. Let’s take a look at the first one.
Color is the overall color of the stone. Traditionally, diamonds will rage from colorless to yellow. The less color in the stone, the more desirable it is. This typically has a relationship to the purity of the gem, although some people prefer the yellowish tint to a diamond stone. I personally think the yellowish tint makes it look old and not as clean as it should be.
Cut is very important to how the diamond will shine. If it is well cut, it will capture all available light and reflect it back to the height of its potential. If the diamond is cut too shallow, it will not gather light. If it is cut too deep, it will take light and not reflect it back. There are various different kinds of cuts, and a knowledgeable jeweler should be able to explain this to you as well as show you the same piece in different cuts so you can see the difference for yourself.
Clarity refers to how flawless the stone is. Diamonds that are flawless are going to be very rare and, therefore, very expensive. Usually, you can get more bang for your buck if you go down a couple of points on this category and get either a near flawless stone or one that has no visible incursions to the naked eye. Of course, the more visible the flaws, the less expensive the diamond. When you exmaine the gem with the naked eye, you should not be able to see "scars" or blemishes within the stone. If you can see scars but only when wearing a jeweler's "loop" (the magnifying monacle microscope that any quality jeweler has on hand, which you can ask to borrow to examine a stone), then it is probably worthy of your consideration.
The last of the four Cs is carat. This is how big the diamond is. It is worth mentioning that the larger stones are more rare and are more expensive. Because of this, you can get the same amount of total carat weight for less money. As an example, two half-carat stones are less expensive than a single full carat ring.
When shopping for the perfect diamond ring, the setting will also come into play, as well as what type of metal the ring is made of. Gold is traditionally the metal of engagement and wedding rings, but silver; white gold and platinum have started to become more popular in recent years as well. This is more a matter of personal taste than anything else, although you want a quality setting.
One more thing to look for when shopping for a quality diamond ring - a quality jeweler. They will help you decide what your budget should be and show you a wide range of what you can afford. They will be able to tell you more on the four Cs, show you a variety of settings and help you through the buying process so you are comfortable with your purchase. Don't be afraid to ask the jeweler to borrow his "loop" for a minute so you can get a close view of the diamond you are considering.
Jon is a computer engineer and long-term world traveler who maintains many websites to pass along his knowledge and findings. You can read more about diamond rings and diamond jewelry at his web site at http://www.diamond-jewelry-ring.com/
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Affordable Rings Create Precious Memories

There's a profound truth to the saying, "It's not the cost of the gift, but the thought behind it." Gifts of jewelry create precious memories, yet all too often the person giving the gift feels as though he must spend more than he can afford in order to demonstrate his feelings to the woman he loves. Unfortunately, the jewelry industry often reinforces this belief, going so far as to offer guidelines about what a man should spend on an engagement ring, for example. (The "guideline" is two months' salary.) For most men, it's not realistic to go deeply into debt in order to buy jewelry. Indeed, extravagant jewelry often is locked in a vault or a safe, rather than being worn and enjoyed by the recipient. There are many affordable rings available that can express feelings of love and appreciation, and which will be worn with pride by the recipient. Discount rings can be unique and elegant, with a style that mimics the most costly designer jewelry. In contrast to guidelines provided by the jewelry industry, you can buy affordable rings that your recipient will treasure. When selecting a ring, think about the setting. A 10k gold ring is as beautiful as a 14k gold ring, but is a more affordable purchase. A 10k gold ring setting can be found in both yellow gold and white gold, and will set off the stones just as beautifully as a 14k setting. The next element to consider is the gem stone. A natural gem stone will come to life in a 10k gold ring setting. Peridot, blue topaz, citrine, amethyst, ruby, garnet, emerald, and sapphire would each make for the perfect natural gem stone to coordinate with a 10k gold ring setting. Finally, when considering buying affordable rings, think about the size and cut of the natural gem stone. Although the jewelry industry would lead you to believe that bigger is better, a number of small stones in an elegant and unique designer setting can be even more striking than a single large natural gem stone. For example, imagine ten small round cut diamonds on either side of five small rubies in a 10k gold ring setting. Or consider the glitter and sparkle of six marquise cut blue topaz stones set as flower petals surrounded by thirteen small round cut diamonds. Nine small round cut diamonds in a heart shaped setting with an elegant band can be breathtaking. Whether you're looking for a promise ring, an engagement ring, or a gift for that special anniversary, birthday, or Valentine's Day present, you don't have to spend a fortune. Affordable rings will convey your feelings and be worn with appreciation by the woman you love.
Chris Robertson is an author of Majon International, one of the worlds MOST popular internet marketing companies on the web. Visit this Jewelry Website and Majon's Jewelry directory.
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Do You Want To Build Your Own Engagement Ring?

If you answered "yes" to this question or are interested about diamond jewelry, then you might want to read on. It is very easy to build your own engagement ring online. Basically, what you do is choosing a ring and add a diamond to it. Then of course you will have to propose and show the unique gift you created for her.
Concerning the ring many styles are available, from a Solitaire ring to a Pave setting full of little diamonds around the center one, this will be your decision. Plus, some online stores give you the possibility to see how it will look like when the diamond will be mounted on the ring, and even how it looks on a finger.
The three metals you can choose from to design your own engagement ring are Platinum, Yellow Gold and White Gold. White metals became more popular as they reflect more light as Yellow Gold. This, of course, enhance the brilliance and sparkling of the diamond.
The diamond, let's talk about that, this is the most important piece of the engagement ring. Well Important here means the most expensive. But a beautiful diamonds is not necessarily perfect. A perfect diamond, would be ideally cut, colorless and flawless. These diamonds are very rare, so you need to find a compromise between these criteria.
Don't worry, the imperfections of a diamond are only visible by an experienced eye, and under magnification. Nobody could notice slight flaws if they are not experts. So are you ready to engage? Then why not design a unique jewel and build your own engagement ring.
If you want to build your own engagement ring online, learn to build your own ring at BuildEngagementRing.net You will also find more about diamonds and precious metals. The best stores are also listed so you can shop for certified diamonds with confidence.
You will also find more about diamonds and precious metals. The best stores are also listed so you can shop for certified diamonds with confidence.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tobias_Rieper