Diamond Engagement Ring

For men, it’s always a stressful time to propose to a woman and find that perfect diamond engagement ring. There are lots of choices including a variety of engagement band metals, such as gold, platinum titanium, silver and more.

Searching for the perfect engagement ring is a challenge. February is a popular month for diamonds as millions of couples becoming engaged on Valentine’s Day, alone. But when love is n the air, proposing is a beautiful thing anytime of the year.

So if you are looking for some help and planning to pop the question, here are five Top Tips to Buying an Engagement Ring. Learn these important shopping tips to help you make a smart purchase.

1) Ignore the 3-Month Salary Rule
Spending the traditional two to three month’s salary is no longer the case, says Salim Shamy of LaViano Jewelers in New Jersey, a popular destination for engagement rings and wedding bands. In fact, in 2010, consumers spent an average of $5,392 on an engagement ring—or roughly, 10 percent of the average U.S. household income. These days, the purchase depends largely on one’s financial situation, disposable income and savings. “Don’t go beyond your ability,” says Shamy. “If you prepare to spend $10,000, just make sure you’re getting the best product at $10,000.”

2) Learn About Diamonds
Before walking into a jewelry store, have some idea of what you want. Learn what makes a diamond special and what kind of diamond your special someone might prefer. A diamond’s rarity—and therefore its price—is determined by four unique characteristics: the Four C’s: carat (the weight), clarity (the degree of flaws or blemishes), color (from colorless to yellow) and cut (the shape). This is the universal grading system used to objectively compare diamonds.

3) Pay Special Attention to the Cut
A diamond of a smaller carat, but with an exquisite cut, could take on the appearance of a much pricier gem. So much so that Shamy of LaViano Jewelers rates a diamond’s cut or shape—ranging from excellent to poor—as the most important purchasing criteria, because it helps to determine its brilliance or “sparkle.” The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) agrees, saying that the “allure of a particular diamond depends more on cut than anything else.” Some of the key factors in a diamond’s cut include its proportions, symmetry and polish.

4) Choose the Stone First, Setting Second
Gem experts advocate buying a loose diamond first, then deciding on its setting. The diamond, after all, is the most important and expensive aspect of the ring. You want to be able to pick the best stone that fits your budget, and when the diamond is loose, you’re better able to evaluate its 4 C’s. Preset diamond rings tend to be slightly more expensive, as well.

5) Request Certification
All diamonds should come with a stone certificate, a document from an independent third-party authority, such as the GIA or the American Gem Society (AGS), which verifies its authenticity and description. Reputable jewelers should provide this without hesitation. If not, take that as the ultimate red flag that the diamond is not all its hyped up to be. The GIA Diamond Grading Report, for example, provides technical information, such as the dimensions, quality and characteristics of a loose diamond. For added piece of mind—and for insurance reasons—you may also want to have the diamond valued by an independent appraisal specialist.

Cerulean Pendant – Elyria Jewels

For that special woman in your life, the gift of fine jewelry is a timeless show of love. Women have long had a fetish for everything that is shiny and glittering.

If you are looking for a stunning piece of luxurious jewelry, than look no further. Elyria Jewels has a wide variety of beautiful collections that any fashion lover will adore.

These one of a kind items from Elyria Jewels will surely dazzle and the wearer will definitely shine with sophistication and elegance.

Below are six gorgeously luxe gifts for her:

Cerulean Pendant – $6,200: Wear the ocean around your neck with this vibrant 12x15mm New Zealand abalone mabe pearl pendant. A 14mm white baroque Australian South Sea pearl is suspended from a single 1ct pear-shaped diamond like a drop of water.

Chiaroscuro Ring – $5,600: A colossal 15.3mm Tahitian black pearl brings drama to this fabulous cocktail ring. 18K white gold and 0.60tcw in white diamonds makes it sparkle.

Galatea Ring – $4,900: In a stroke of surrealism, a natural color lavender baroque freshwater pearl is studded with purple Ceylon sapphires and set in 18K yellow gold.

Dragon Earrings – $3,600: At once fierce and ethereal, the Dragon Earrings are set with Tahitian pearls, 0.30ctw in white diamonds, and lavender fresh pearls.

Opium Earrings – $2,500: Natural color blue Australian keshi pearls are suspended on elegant 18K yellow gold arcs.

Satori Pendant – $1,850: The Satori Pendant features a unique, peacock color 11mm Tahitian pearl, and a 0.25ct pear-shaped diamond. An enhancer back studded with 0.10ctw in tiny white diamonds make this exotic 18K white gold pendant versatile.

For additional information, please visit: Elyria Jewels

Photo: Savoir-Faire.com

If you are looking for a fashion knock-out punch, then the Repossi ERE Sapphire Ring should be your choice.

This stunningly beautiful ring is named the Ere Ring by Repossi, and comes in black gold with brilliant pink sapphires.

Capturing the baroque of the Russian Tsars in a blend of religious and secular references the Ere collection offers a confident and eclectic style.

The black gold of this piece gives it an almost granite look.

This amazing ring can be purchased at Savoir-Faire.com and is also one of Princess Kasia’s “Kasia’s Picks“

Tiffany and Co. Jewelers was founded upon the idea of providing high end goods to people of discerning taste who demanded luxury and quality in the products that they purchased.

Tiffany’s products, which include things like beautiful diamonds, silver jewelry, handcrafted silver gifts, tableware and other fine goods continues to attract modern customers, just as they have done since the days Tiffany and Co opened its doors.

Charles Lewis Tiffany – The King of Diamonds

Charles Lewis Tiffany, nicknamed “The King of Diamonds” and business partner John B. Young set up shop in the first Tiffany & Young store in 1837. The famous store, located in New York City on Broadway, the store was original created to be stationary store. Tiffany took over the store, renaming it Tiffany and Co and moved the business towards the high end products with which it is associated today.

Silver Goods and Jewelry

The beautiful silver jewelry pieces from the early days of Tiffany are so classic in their craftmanship and design that many of the original pieces are still sold in some form today. Antique Tiffany pieces that are still in that famous, original light blue boxes can fetch huge money at estate sales and online auctions. The light blue color packaging continues to be the calling card symbol of jewelry from Tiffany & Co.

Some of the goods and products that could be purchased at Tiffany & Co. early in the company’s career include many different silver jewelry pieces, monogrammed sets for dressers, presentation bowls, silver cups and saucers designed for children, silver trays for business cards, men’s dressing sets and silver game pieces. One especially popular item from the late 1800s was the souvenir spoons made Tiffany & Co. and copied by many other manufacturers.

Tiffany Jewelry And Tiffany Lampshades

In 1902, the Tiffany Art Jewelry portion of the store was opened as a means for displaying the jewelry and enamel craftwork of Louis Comfort Tiffany, heir to the Tiffany throne. Louis Tiffany was also the brains behind some of the most famous Tiffany styles, including Tiffany stained glass lampshades. In 1940, Tiffany and Co moved from Broadway to its world famous modern location at Fifth Avenue and 57th Street in Manhattan.

The name Tiffany & Co. is associated with timeless and classic luxury items. Today, much of Tiffany’s business comes through catalog and Internet based sales, which have helped spread the Tiffany brand name around the world and made the dream of owning a piece of Tiffany jewelry realizable no matter where you live.

Author: Ernst Ralborg