May 24, 2008

Tips for Choosing a Diamond Engagement Ring


Choosing the right diamond engagement ring is a decision you make once, but that will be with the two of you forever. The diamond engagement ring you purchase today can be passed down to your future children and grandchildren for generations to come. How do you wish your symbol of love to be remembered?

The solitaire diamond engagement ring is the classic engagement ring. A three stone diamond engagement ring adds special significance with each diamond representing the past, present and future of your life together. For a complete look, choose a diamond engagement ring – bridal set that can be paired with her wedding band for a seamlessly stunning look.

A diamond engagement ring is a symbol of everlasting love. The ring itself is significant in that it is a circle with no beginning or end like the love you share for each other. The diamonds in a diamond engagement ring represent something precious and rare. And like your love, diamonds are among the strongest natural substances on earth.

Creative Ways to Present Her with a Diamond Engagement Ring

The special moment when you present her with her diamond engagement ring is one that she will never forget. Each and every time she gazes upon the gorgeous diamond engagement ring on her finger, she’ll recall the moment of your proposal. Ensuring that this moment is special will be just as important as the diamond engagement ring itself.

The story of your proposal is one that will be told by both of you for years to come! Here are some things to think about before creating your perfect proposal when you present her with her dazzling diamond engagement ring:

  • What is her personality type? Does she have a sense of humor? A sense of adventure? Or is she more sentimental and romantic? Does she love to be the center of attention? The scene you set to slide that beautiful diamond engagement ring on her finger should be one that is both romantic and takes her personality into consideration.
  • Where did you meet? Oftentimes there is nothing more romantic that presenting her with a diamond engagement ring in the place where you met or fell in love. For example, if you met at college, think about taking her for a weekend stroll on your old college campus and proposing in your favorite hang out spot.
  • Where did you have your first date or fall in love? The first date or the special day that you both realized you were in love is just as memorable as the day that you will present her with her diamond engagement ring. Add even more significance to that memory by recreating the date or the day for your proposal.

May 21, 2008

Diamond Bracelets –Tips on choosing and gifting one

Diamonds are eternal and when a woman wears them on her wrist they reflect a bond with the special person who gifted the diamond bracelet to her. Diamond bracelets are not as common as diamond rings or earrings but there is a huge variety out there and if you can afford one, a diamond bracelet is an overwhelming present for anyone.

Diamond rings are synonymous with special occasions like engagements, weddings and anniversaries but throwing in a diamond bracelet on these occasions is like adding cherry to the icing. Where the ring is essential, the diamond bracelet is special. It is this that makes the diamond bracelet a possession of a lifetime.

Diamond bracelets are usually quite expensive and hence they are out of reach for many of us. But, if you have a solid stash of dimes tucked away, you can make the occasion very special for that special someone. Although, diamond bracelets come in many designs, the patterns and styles are fewer than that of rings. Usually, you will be able to find a bracelet that compliments a ring design but this may not be a certainty.

Nonetheless, the popularity of diamond jewelry has made room for a good selection of diamond bracelets as well, and you can take your pick. Bracelets are available in light as well as flashy settings. In fact, the bracelet offers more space to experiment with the stone size and setting. Despite the variety, bracelets are far more expensive due to the sheer quantity of stone ad metal that goes into making it.

Depending on the occasion, you can pick the bracelet design. If you are gifting the diamond bracelet to your wife on an anniversary, picking out a style that compliments a ring or earring she already has can be a very smart decision. On the other hand, if it’s a just-because kind of present, you can pick any pattern you like. You can also gift a diamond bracelet to your mother as a sign of love, respect and gratefulness on occasions like Mother’s Day. For such a purchase make sure you buy something that is in tune with what your mother is likely to wear depending on her wardrobe and age. Light design diamond bracelets are also a good gift for parents to give their daughters on birthdays and graduation days. A classy modern design that can be worn with a variety of clothes is a perfect memorabilia for your daughter’s special day.

May 14, 2008

RarityOf the 4 C's, Carat Weight is probably one of the most important considerations with respect to rarity, value, and consumer preference. In fact, Carat Weight, or how much the diamond weighs is the most significant value factor in a diamond. Because diamonds by nature are rare, a 2 carat diamond is actually about 3 times more valuable than a comparable quality 1 carat size. Statistically a 1 carat is one in a million diamonds mined, and a 2 carat is one in five million diamonds mined. Therefore, all things considered a 2 carat diamond is really "value priced" based on the rarity factor.
Definitions/ConceptsTo assist in you in selecting the right size diamond here is a review of some key Carat Weight concepts. The term "Carat" is derived from the "Carob Seed", which is today used as a food flavoring. In ancient times this fairly consistent seed was used in "pan-balance" scales to determine the weight of precious items traded like gold, silver, and yes gemstones and diamonds! In the early 1900's the "Carat" was standardized to equals 1/5 of a gram or .20 gm. Therefore, 5 carats = 1.00 gram. The Carat is further broken down into "points". There are 100 points to a Carat, just like 100 pennies to a dollar. Common diamond Carat Weights sold typically range from 1/5 Carat (20 points) to 1 Carat (100 points) and larger! Diamonds smaller than 1/5 Carat are referred to as "melee" diamonds, and are quite often used to accent a center or feature diamond.
PricingLarger diamonds are much more rare, thus commanding a higher price/per/carat. Carat weight affects the value of a diamond by about 10-20% for each step in size difference. Also, "magic sizes" refer to major carat weight categories, for example exactly 1.00 carat, or larger, and can prompt "price premiums". To calculate the price of a diamond you multiply the carat weight by the price/per/carat. For example: if a 1.25 carat diamond was priced at $10,000 per/carat the diamond would be sold for $12,500.
Choosing The Right SizeIn the selection process, most women today aspire to owning an engagement diamond of at least 1 carat. Statistically, the average size sold for engagement is between a half and three-quarter carat. The carat weight however, doesn't necessarily reflect how the diamond appears. The most popular diamond shapes sold are the Round and Princess Cuts. The outer diameter of a 1 carat round diamond is about 6.5mm, however if the diamond is cut too "deep" it will be smaller in diameter, or if it's too "shallow" it will appear larger in diameter. When you review the section on "Cut Quality", bigger doesn't necessarily mean better. The final decision is always up to YOU, the consumer.
Back to selecting the right size.view and observe the examples of different carat weights for round diamonds and their corresponding sizes to determine what is right for you. Also, please note that the appearance of these sizes may be affected by your computer monitor screen. For an easy comparison of price and size, see the table below. Prices are approximate and based upon D Color, internally flawless clarity, and excellent cut quality.