Your Custom Engagement Ring – Part 1

Posted on:  March 8th, 2010

When it comes to choosing an engagement ring; be it for yourself or your partner, nothing makes it more special than that extra bit of customisation on your part. Engraving the ring with significant dates, e.g. the date you got engaged, makes that ring truly significant to you and your partner alone and can even provide as a beautiful heirloom for future family generations. However, even the smallest of touches to your engagement ring can really make a difference; simple things such as choosing the perfect stone or stone cut can make engagement rings more unique.

To get you along your way, we at Marlows Certified Diamonds want to present you with just a few of the little things you should think about when it comes to your engagement ring, because we understand just how daunting all of technicalities of engagement rings can be.

The cut of your diamonds

Diamonds can be cut and placed on the ring in various different ways, and each way can look entirely different to another. It is therefore important to familiarize yourself with the various cuts before deciding which one you like best.

o    Round brilliant – a cone profile diamond; adding a smooth simple sparkle to any engagement ring.

o    Princess cut – situated on a pyramid base, the diamond extends to a square top.

o    Emerald cut – this cut takes the sophisticated edge with its hexagonal shape, adding to its overall clarity.

o    Marquise cut – a slender cut of diamond that extends to two points at the top and point adding to the overall length of the diamond.

o    Oval cut – the oval shaped diamond that gives off just as much sparkle as a round brilliant cut diamond if set into a four-claw setting.

o    Pear cut – a round diamond that extends to a point, giving the diamond an evident gracefulness.

o    Heart cut – shaped in the symbol of love, this diamond provides all of the imagery an engagement ring should symbolise.

The cut of the diamond essentially distinguishes from one unique engagement ring to another. Custom engagement rings are much more treasured than those that are mass-produced, as they provide more significance.

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The Art of Dropping Subtle Hints for Engagement Rings

Posted on:  March 2nd, 2010

Many girls dream of the day their beloved asks for their hand in marriage, and if you’re waiting for your man to pop the question it’s time to make sure you get the perfect ring! Nothing would ruin your fairytale more than receiving an engagement ring that you just don’t like. We at Marlows Certified Diamonds want to make sure your fiance buys the ideal custom engagement rings for you, so here’s a few hints to help you along your way.

If you like the thought of engagement rings being a surprise, but would still like a particular style then why not leave “accidental” hints. Leave a magazine open on the page of rings you particularly like, or your laptop open on the website page of the ring you like. At least this way your hints will perhaps not be entirely subtle, but they will create an unspoken understanding between the two of you as to what different types of engagement rings you prefer.

If you are very determined in your ring choice, you could go shopping with your partner to show him the type of ring you’d like; possibly even larger diamond engagement rings. You can always show him the rings you like and then leave the buying and timing all up to him so you are still surprised.

Your friends and family will probably know you just as well as anyone and your fiance-to-be may go to them for advice on the style of engagement ring so be sure they know exactly what you want so if he does ask them they can tell him!

Or, if you trust your partners taste 100% you could leave it all up to him…

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The Versatility Of Platinum

Posted on:  January 29th, 2010

Platinum is fast overtaking the popularity of gold in wedding ring design. This desirable metal is durable and does not easily tarnish making it ideal for those who want low maintenance wedding rings.

Versatility

In addition to its durability this metal has a beautiful silver-white lustre and will match anyone’s personality as well as complementing most wardrobes.  It is a sleek and sophisticated metal and will complement other pieces of jewellery including diamond engagement rings, diamond earrings, watches, bracelets and necklaces.  As it has a neutral colour it will complement any gemstone you choose, whether diamonds or semi precious gem stones.  It can offer a greater flexibility to couples who want to look for a unique and individual design as a means of expressing their personalities and special relationship.

At Marlows we stock a stunning range of platinum wedding rings for you to choose from.  From elaborate designs to those with simple designs with single diamonds as the focal point you will find wedding rings to suit every personality.

As people start to discover the merits of this stunning metal there are more pieces of jewellery available in it.  Engagement rings tend to use platinum in the settings whether the whole band is platinum or not as the durability of platinum helps to create a strong hold.  You will also find platinum anniversary rings with matching earrings and necklaces.  Eternity rings are also popular in this metal as the circle of gems can be held securely with platinum ensuring the ring stays stunning and intact forever.

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Who Choose Platinum Wedding Rings?

Posted on:  January 28th, 2010

Platinum wedding rings are growing in popularity and are taking over from the more traditional gold wedding band for many reasons. This stunning choice of metal is durable, distinctive and elegant and you will find an excellent choice of wedding rings for both men and women.

Why choose platinum?

If gold wedding rings have been the main choice for so many generations why should you change to platinum now?  This metal is a rarer choice than gold being mined mainly in South Africa and Russia; gold on the other hand is found in many areas.  The rarity of platinum makes it a desirable choice for many and it can symbolise to many that rare relationship of two people who are deeply bonded and in love.  If you like to have unique and distinct things then again platinum is a good choice.

Durability

Platinum is not only exclusive, it also has a great durability that gold does not possess.  This is true of both white and yellow gold as well as many other metals available.  However platinum can still scratch and it is essential to care for platinum wedding rings carefully and to remove them whenever there is an opportunity for damage to occur – for example if you are cleaning the house, working in the garden or doing sport.  When it comes to tarnishing, however, platinum is superior and is therefore well suited to men’s wedding rings as there is less need to carry out excessive maintenance and care.

At Marlows we have a great selection of wedding rings in a range of metals and designs.

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The Beauty Of The Princess Cut

Posted on:  January 27th, 2010

The princess cut diamond, otherwise known as the quadrillon cut, was invented by a Robert J Wueste. He designed the cut to make use of rough diamonds whilst also aiming to give a sparkle that resembles the brilliance of diamonds cut into radiant.

The features of a princess cut

The princess cut has a square shape with sharp edges that are uncut.  There appears to be an ‘X’ or four pointed star at the centre of the diamond which is created by the light reflection and facets of the diamonds.  This is made by a stark contrast of light and dark or linear life.  It also have vertically cut crown and pavilion facets.  This cut is usually less expensive than the radiant cut as a rough loose diamond can make two princess cut diamonds usually.

Choosing a radiant or princess cut

When choosing a diamond due to its princess or radiant cut you have to make a personal choice.  If you are a fan of clean and straight lines then the princess cut will provide you with sharp corners.  If you like a more individual look then the extra facets and cut corners of a radiant cut diamond will appeal.

Take time to examine the diamonds carefully so that you make the right choice for you.  You need to take time before you make your decision to educate yourself about both cuts and what makes a high quality diamond.

At Marlows we can help you make the right selection of diamond cut for your engagement rings.

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Radiant Cut Diamonds

Posted on:  January 26th, 2010

When looking at diamond engagement rings you often need to make a choice between the radiant cut diamonds versus the princess cut diamonds when choosing your diamonds. This can be a difficult decision to make as both provide great sparkle due to their excellent light reflection.  If, however, you want engagement rings with the most sparkle then the radiant cut is the one to go for.

Radiant Cut Diamonds – History

This patented cut was introduced by Henry Grossbard in 1977 and was a revolutionary addition to the diamond cutting industry.  It was created in an attempt to capture the best from the emerald cuts and the round cuts.

Within the emerald cuts, Grossbard saw that its outer lines and cut corners at the crown of a diamond cut this way were stunning.  Within the round cut, Grossbard wanted to capture its triangular faceting.

Taking the best qualities of both he created greater sparkle in the radiant cut.

Although people often choose between the radiant and princess cut both are very different except at the crown.  Radiant cut diamonds does not have sharp edges and the crown comes up a little higher than in the princess cut.  It also has a smaller table and its depth may be a little less than the princess cut. Unlike the princess cut there are no vulnerable corners and it includes step cuts and brilliant cuts.  If you look down at the loose diamond from above you will see that light moves in a pattern that is circular.  This allows more light in and therefore more ways for it to be reflected back out.

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The Perfect Diamond – Part 2

Posted on:  January 25th, 2010

Finding the perfect diamond without flaws or inclusions is extremely rare and expensive to buy. Most diamonds you will come across will have some form of inclusions, and depending on the type of flaw and its severity, it will affect the clarity and therefore the price. Here are more flaws to be aware of:

Laser lines – these are inclusions that have been man-made.  They are the remaining markings from a laser that has been used on the diamond to cut away dark and prominent inclusions in diamonds.

Feathers – this type of flaw has earned its name as the inclusions do indeed look like small feathers within the diamonds.  These small inclusions are usually harmless but if they reach the surface of a diamond they can cause the diamond to break.

Pinpoints – these are crystals that form within the loose diamond.  If these crystals are big enough or they form into clusters the diamond can look cloudy which will reduce its clarity.

Most serious inclusions are below the surface of a loose diamond but there are also flaws to be seen on the surface.  They can occur when the diamond forms but normally they are caused when cut or via day-to-day wear and tear.  If they are prominent it will reduce the diamond’s value.

Pit – this is one of the worst surface blemishes if prominent.  Pits are holes within the diamonds facets.  A shallow pit can sometimes be removed by polishing.

Scratches – again, unless these are deep they can be removed by polishing.

Nicks – finally these are chips and again polishing usually helps.

At Marlows we have a wonderful selection of high quality diamonds.

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The Perfect Diamond – Part 1

Posted on:  January 22nd, 2010

Finding the perfect diamond is a rare occurrence and diamonds without some flaws or blemishes are extremely expensive. In most diamonds you will some inclusions and flaws and it is these imperfections, both size and amount, that determine a diamond’s clarity.

Types of Inclusions and Flaws in Diamonds

Inclusions

In natural diamonds there are two main types of inclusion.  The first is syngenetic inclusions which develop as a diamond forms.  The second type is epigenetic inclusions which form once the diamond is made.

Flaws

Cleavage – this is a serious flaw and can actually affect the stability of a loose diamond.  In short a cleavage inclusion is a straight crack.  If they are bad enough they will actually cause a diamond to split in two, particularly if they meet with high pressure or are banged in a certain area.

Bearding – this is hair-like stress lines.  The lines can occur when the diamond is cut and are most commonly seen around the girdle of diamonds.  This is the part of the diamond that is grasped by prongs.  Another term for this type of flaw is girdle fringes.

Growth lines – otherwise known as grain lines, these occur when a diamond is forming.  It can happen when irregular crystalisation happens.  If the lines have no colour they will normally not affect the clarity of the diamond, however, when these lines are white or coloured they become visible and affect the diamond’s value.

Here at Marlows we can help you choose high quality certified diamonds.

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The Perfect Setting For Your Diamonds – Part 2

Posted on:  January 21st, 2010

Setting out to find the perfect diamond engagement rings for your sweetheart can be a daunting task. There is so much to know about the quality of diamonds, the type of metal to set the diamonds in to and the actual shape and setting of those diamonds.

When it comes to the settings there is a dizzying amount of choice available to you and it’s best to start out with some sort of idea about what your fiancé really likes so that you can focus on those types of settings.  However there are more settings becoming popular due to fashions and trends so try to keep an open mind.

The traditional styles of setting include solitaire settings and accent stone settings.  Here are some more to consider when choosing that all important ring:

Three stone settings

Engagement rings with three stones are felt to be nostalgic rings.  Each of the diamonds set there represents the past, the present and the future.  The setting is in a straight line with no extra accent stones.  To make the ring more personal people choose to select the three diamonds themselves.

Bridal sets

It is also an option to buy engagement rings with matching wedding rings.  The wedding rings can be bought in solid gold along with a solitaire engagement ring to complement it.  Alternatively you may find both the wedding rings and engagement rings with a side stone setting instead.

At Marlows we have an extensive range of diamonds and diamond engagement rings to choose from.

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The Perfect Setting For Your Diamonds – Part 1

Posted on:  January 20th, 2010

Choosing the perfect setting for diamond engagement rings can be a hard and long-winded task. There are so many settings to choose from and an ever-increasing number of designs are becoming popular. Here is a quick overview of the most popular settings available:

Solitaires

Solitaire diamond engagement rings are the archetypal engagement rings.  They have one single, elegant diamond at the centre.  The diamonds can come in many shapes including marquise, heart, oval, pear, emerald and round for example.  There is a wide choice of settings including channel, flush, bezel, prong and tiffany to name but a few.  If you are unsure as to what your fiancé would prefer then its best to go window shopping so you can get an overall idea of what she would like.  If you want to keep everything secret for the perfect surprise then it’s wise to enlist the help of her close friends and family.

Settings for accent stones

Side stones or accent stones are settings where there is a large centre stone and this is then flanked by many smaller stones which add further sparkle and design to the engagement ring band.  Often accent stones are set into a channel setting which reduces the possibility of loss or damage through wear and tear.  Other engagement rings come with settings of round stones and rectangles or baguettes, trilliums or round stones only.

At Marlows we have a breathtaking range of both engagement rings and wedding rings.  Our selection of diamonds is second to none.

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