Get The Best Setting For Diamond Solitaire Engagement Rings

Posted on:  February 25th, 2010

There is a massive choice when it comes to choosing a setting for diamond engagement rings.  Solitaire diamond engagement rings are by type removed from the category of multi-setting, but are by no means limited when it comes to setting choice.

The most popular setting for the solitaire diamond engagement ring is that of the prong setting.  This is the classic solitaire diamond look, but even here there are choices to be made.  The number of prongs and the size of setting can be varied to accentuate the stone.  Flush, tension, bezel and arch settings are also great choices for solitaire diamonds.  However, channel settings are not appropriate due to the one stone.  A channel setting can also hide some of the better qualities of the diamond.

More elaborate settings can be made to include engravings, words or filigree designs which can be placed along the band in the place where you find an arch on simpler designs.  In this way you can customise your engagement rings making them more detailed, but avoiding the use of extra accent stones.

As you are choosing engagement rings with only one diamond, you need to be able to judge the quality of the diamond.  If engagement rings are using several stones, it may be possible to get away with lower quality diamonds, but your solitaire diamond needs to be outstanding as there is much else to distract you from any imperfections.

At Marlows we can guide you through the selection process so that your engagement ring is perfect for you.

No Comments »

The Perfect Engagement Party Plan Continued

Posted on:  February 18th, 2010

You’ve just got engaged and have engagement rings with diamonds to die for.  The next stage is arranging your engagement party.  You have agreed your budget and the type of party and you know who will be hosting the evening.  Now is the time to write down all the finer detail in a plan so that you can keep on track with everything.

It can be a great idea to come up with the list in a collaborative fashion.  Sharing the list with friends or family can be easily achieved using email.

When writing a plan there are certain areas that should be covered:

•    Guest list – who will you invite to the party?  This can take some time as you may be limited on numbers if you are keeping to strict budget and it is easy to forget key people.
•    The venue – you need to decide which venue will be ideal for your type of event.  This may involve visiting several before you make a decision.  Once you have decided, book it and secure your place with a deposit.
•    The invitations – selecting the invitations can be fun and you can even design your own to make it extra special, just as you did with your engagment rings.
•    Catering – choose the food, make plans for the bar and plan seating arrangements.
•    Dress code – agree whether it will be formal, informal or fancy dress and then let everyone know in advance.

At Marlows we have a wide selection of diamond rings and engagement rings to choose from.

No Comments »

More About Perfect Engagement Party Planning

Posted on:  February 17th, 2010

To plan properly for an engagement party you need to work to a framework that will ensure the party runs seamlessly from start to finish.  A good list will remind you when to send out invitations and when to buy the decorations for the venue.  With a good plan you can forget fewer things and avoid any last minute headaches.  It will also allow you to focus on the important job of searching for beautiful engagement rings.

In the past, it was the bride’s parents who arranged the engagement party. However, this is not often the case these days.  Engagement parties tend to thrown by the couple to be engaged.  While this is becoming something of a convention, arrangements are still sometimes made by people who are close to the couple.  Making a decision on who will host the party and who will be paying a large percentage of the cost is the first step.

With a budget set and the hosts chosen you can start to put a plan in place.  Making some scribbled notes on the back of an envelope may not be quite as effective as a full scale plan on a spreadsheet on the home PC.  It can help enormously to share details of the plan amongst several family members who can help out with the arrangements.  This way you will have more people keeping track and making sure nothing is missed.

At Marlows you will find a stunning collection of diamond engagement rings and wedding rings.

No Comments »

The Striking Bezel Setting

Posted on:  February 12th, 2010

If you are looking for engagement rings with a contemporary design then rings with a bezel setting are a popular choice.  A bezel setting is a collar of metal that is slightly elevated above the gemstone.  It is a very distinctive setting and it is the perfect choice for individuals who lead an active lifestyle and want to avoid having to take their engagement ring off regularly.

This striking setting offers much more protection than other elevated designs, such as the prong setting. It is a bolder setting which makes diamond engagement rings more noticeable.

Some people mistakenly believe that the bezel setting can obstruct diamonds, which can cause the stone to seem less brilliant. Most of the light that hits a diamond enters via the top (otherwise known as the diamond’s table) so the glitter is not affected by this setting.

Most bezel settings provide great protection to the stone.  The setting not only protects against damage and chips, but also prevents oil and dirt building up in the diamonds.  It is the accumulations of dirt that can make a diamond seem cloudy.

As well as full bezel settings, there are partial bezel settings.  These fashionable designs have a setting that arcs across just part of the stone, differing in length according to the size of stone and the preference of the designer.  If you choose a partial bezel setting, it may not hold the stone quite as securely as the full bezel setting.

At Marlows we have a full range of diamond engagement rings with settings to suit all preferences.

No Comments »

Things To Consider When Picking Out A Special Diamond

Posted on:  February 10th, 2010

When choosing diamonds for engagement rings, there are a number of factors that can be considered.  It is not quite enough to focus purely on your personal taste for the cut of the stone.  Factors such as the geometry of the stone and whether or not you want to have accents stones will all influence your choice.  Here are some considerations:

Band width

The width of the band on engagement rings can affect which shape of stone will look best.  An extremely wide band will look better with stones that are elongated.  Stones that are longer may appear to be excessive for bands that are quite narrow and delicate.

Finger and hand size

It is essential that diamond engagement rings look stunning on the fingers of women.  Engagement rings are worn constantly so they need to be suited to the hand.  A ring should complement the hand and the finger.  Most fingers look gorgeous with a rounded stone, but slender, long fingers will look best with princess cut diamonds.  Women with short fingers will look superb with oval, pear or marquise shapes.

Trends

Although some women love to follow the fashions of Hollywood stars when choosing diamonds, it’s quite important to choose a diamond shape that will be effective when the short-lived trend is over.  For this reason, many prudent women select their jewellery based on the different criteria that have been elaborated.

At Marlows we have an exquisite range of diamonds to make your engagement ring unforgettable.

No Comments »

Your engagement ring on the big day

Posted on:  November 27th, 2009

When the special day arrives and it’s your wedding day, you still want to ensure that your engagement ring looks stunning. It’s easy to overlook the ring in the rush of preparations, but take time to give your engagement ring some tender, loving care as it will no doubt feature in the wedding photos. A couple of weeks before the big day, get a jeweller to inspect the ring and check the setting of the diamond and other stones to highlight any damage or weakness. This is also an opportunity to get the ring insured or appraised. This again can be good preparation prior to the honeymoon and will avoid upset should it be lost on holiday.

If you are having a bridal set ring you need to arrange to have the engagement rings and wedding band soldered together. A bridal set ring is designed so that the wedding band fits securely to the engagement ring, providing additional accent stones to the diamond at the centre. This will prevent any wiggling on the day.

A few days before the wedding get your diamond engagement rings cleaned. You will have many pictures taken on the day and possibly close ups of your left hand so you want to ensure that the diamond is sparkling and glittering on the day.

During the ceremony you can remove your diamond engagement rings to the right hand until the ceremony is over or leave on the left and switch the rings around after the ceremony is finished.

At Marlows Certified Diamonds we have a beautiful selection of engagement rings and jewellery to choose from.

No Comments »

The history of the diamond ring tradition

Posted on:  November 26th, 2009

Have you ever wondered where the tradition of giving engagement rings came from? This custom is so deeply entwined in our society that sometimes we can forget that the practise of giving a ring in this way has developed over time.

The earliest records of rings being exchanged can be found within the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures. A betrothal ring was given to symbolize that a woman was connected to a man who would soon become her husband. At this stage, it was a more pragmatic custom representing a business transaction rather than a romantic gesture.

In the 9th Century, the idea of engagement rings was endorsed by Pope Nicolas I and a gold band was made to represent the groom’s material wealth and his ability to support a wife. In 1215 this was changed so that rings were made from iron and silver and were worn for longer periods of engagement.

The first reference to diamond engagement rings was found dating back to 1477 when Mary of Burgundy was betrothed to Archduke Maximillian of Austria. At the time diamonds were reputed to have mystical powers towards fidelity, love and purity. This reflects the characteristics associated with the diamond in symbolism today.

Extensive diamond mining began in the 19th Century in Africa. This made diamonds more readily available and designs became more intricate. At this time, diamond engagement rings began to be given to brides-to-be.

At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we have a stunning collection of diamond engagement rings to appeal to all tastes.

No Comments »

The fascination of diamond rings

Posted on:  November 25th, 2009

What is it that fascinates us about diamond rings and these beautiful gems? Is it the sparkle and allure of the glittering surface that some jewellers refer to as ‘fire’? Or is it the mystery and magic of diamonds that is encapsulated in the beauty of a shining diamond engagement ring? Or is it simply impressive marketing?

As the centrepiece of diamond engagement rings, a diamond is all of the above. Diamonds have been revered for their rarity and hardness for hundreds of years but they were not always presented in the breathtaking cuts that we associate with diamonds today. The art and skill of jewellers has developed over the centuries to create some of the most exotic and beguiling cuts that we can see today.

Is a diamond really just a piece of coal? The diamond’s history began many millions of years ago hidden deep beneath the depths of the earth. The remains of animals and plants formed into coal and petroleum over millions of years ago. This organic matter was subjected to geologic forces and the diamonds were created over time.

It is just one single degree that removes the diamond from a lump of coal. The forces of heat and pressure are responsible for transforming organic matter into these precious stones that now adorn us as jewellery.

Diamond jewellery has been in our history for years but it was in the Victorian era that diamond rings really became popular. However, the custom of giving diamond engagement rings developed much later until now in the Western world it is a huge trend and an iconic symbol of love and marriage.

At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we have a stunning collection of diamond engagement rings for you to browse.

No Comments »

Selecting the perfect diamond engagement ring

Posted on:  November 24th, 2009

Choosing a diamond engagement ring should be a careful and considered process. After all, your future wife will wear the ring for many years to come. However, not all diamond rings are engagement rings so it pays to know the difference.

Diamond engagement rings often have one diamond that is larger than the rest of the stones or the ring has a single diamond setting. The latter type of diamond engagement ring is known as a diamond solitaire ring.

Traditionally, women wore diamond rings known as cocktail rings. These rings were worn for evening wear rather than everyday use. In contrast, diamond engagement rings are worn continually and most women don’t remove them at all. You can also get diamond engagement rings that are combined with a wedding band.

When selecting diamond engagement rings, make sure that the body of the ring is set in a hard, precious metal. Platinum or gold are good choices as the metals are strong enough to hold the diamond. 18 or 14 carat gold or platinum is best whereas the softer 24 carat is too soft to hold a diamond.

Next choose the setting and ensure the quality of the diamond is good. A standard diamond for engagement rings is one carat. You can also select a multiple gem engagement ring. Sapphires are often coupled with diamonds.

You can check the quality of the diamond by ensuring you buy certified diamonds. Select a trusted jeweller when buying an engagement ring. You want one with a good reputation that has been in operation for a long time. At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we offer a wide selection of diamond engagement rings and certified diamonds.

No Comments »

Why buy certified diamonds?

Posted on:  November 23rd, 2009

One of the most memorable purchases you will ever make is that of diamond engagement rings. This ring is a symbol of your relationship and the love that binds you together, and will be worn for many years to come. To ensure you have peace of mind when buying a diamond, you need to ensure the quality is of a high-standard. Buying certified diamonds is a means to guarantee that the diamond quality is outstanding and that your investment is a good one.

There are two components to the engagement rings. The first is the body of the ring which will be made out of a precious metal such as gold or titanium, for example. The second part is the diamond. There are certain reassurances when buying the body of the ring. The precious metal should have a hallmark or stamp to show what the metal is and, in some cases, who made it and when. A hallmark states that the metal has been independently assessed so you know you have bought a high-quality material. It is the combination of a hallmark and certified diamond that will confirm the true quality of the engagement rings.

A certified diamond guarantees the overall quality of the ring. The diamond has been tested by an independent party who then issues a certificate. This will detail the dimensions and size of the diamond and also show the cut and include details of any flaws. It is the equivalent of a passport providing vital information about your diamond.

At Marlows Certified Diamonds, our diamonds are second to none and there is a wide range of fully certified diamond engagement rings for you to choose from.

No Comments »

« Older Entries