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