Many couples are now choosing to forego tradition and shop for diamond engagement rings together. Many men admit they’re secretly glad they can shop together and get some help determining which ring style is right for their bride. However, if you want your proposal to be a complete surprise, read on. We’ll go over some of the latest trends in diamond rings to help you choose an engagement ring you’ll both love looking at again and again.
Choosing A Special Style
Diamond rings come in a variety of styles, meaning there’s something to fit everyone’s personal style and taste. Luckily for shoppers, Brilliance.com has some of the most popular styles of diamond rings, including comfort fit solitaires, three diamond rings, halos, and vintage style diamond engagement rings.
The comfort fit solitaire diamond engagement ring is one of Brilliance.com’s most popular styles. These diamond rings have a single diamond set on a wide or thin band. The stone can be cut into a variety of shapes, but the most popular are the round brilliant and princess cut. Other popular diamond shapes include the heart, asscher, pear, cushion, marquise, oval, radiant, or trilliant.
Diamond rings with three stones have gained popularity in the past few years. The three stones are said to represent a relationship’s past, present, and future and are an ideal visual reminder of your love and devotion. These diamond engagement rings can have stones that are all the same size and shape or a large center stone with smaller outer stones. Some styles have stones all cut into the same shape or a princess or round cut center stone and triangle or baguette shaped outside stones.
Halo diamond engagement rings have gained popularity in recent years. These diamond rings have one large center stone surrounded by a set of smaller diamonds. The center stone in these diamond rings can be round, oval, heart shaped, marquise, princess, cushion, pear, or asscher cut. The outer stones can be set in a bevel or prong setting.
Vintage or antique diamond rings are ones that have been worn by someone else. They can be purchased from estate sales, antique jewelry shops, from an antique dealer, or can even be passed down through families. Because some couples are uncomfortable with the thought of using a previously worn ring as an engagement ring, it’s possible to find an antique looking ring that’s actually brand new.
Alternative Metals For Your Diamond Rings
At Brilliance.com, one of the most popular metals for diamond engagement rings is platinum. Platinum is an extremely durable metal and is a good choice for diamond rings because it is tarnish resistant. Platinum is a rarer metal though, which can make it a more expensive choice.
More people are turning to engagement rings made out of palladium and 18K white or yellow gold. Palladium is a relatively new metal on the jewelry market and looks a lot like platinum. The difference is that palladium is typically cheaper and lighter than platinum.
Brilliance.com has a large variety of diamond engagement rings in both 18K white and yellow gold. Both are good choices, but white gold can require a little more regular maintenance and upkeep than yellow gold. This is because white gold isn’t a naturally occurring substance and therefore shows wear a little quicker than yellow gold.
White gold maintenance is easy to do and should not be a deterrent if you love the look of white gold. You’ll need to simply take your jewelry in for redipping every once in a while. Redipping restores the pure, white look of the metal and any reputable jewelry store should be able to perform this service. Some stores will need to send your jewelry out for service, while others may be able to do this while you wait. No matter where you take it, make sure to ask how long you’ll be without your ring so you can leave plenty of time to get it back before your wedding.
Custom Diamond Rings
If you’re having problems choosing from the large selection at Brilliance.com, consider asking one of our personal shoppers to help you with a custom designed diamond ring. The buyer can choose from a variety of center stones and settings. Doing this means you can choose the exact diamond you want for your ring.
Choose A Center Stone First
Brilliance.com has a variety of ready to fill settings and loose center stones to choose from. If you choose a loose stone with a ready to fill setting, you definitely want a certified stone. Certified stones have already gone through a strict grading process and will come with paperwork outlining the stone’s cut, color, clarity, and carat grade. The most common diamond grading certification comes from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) but Brilliance.com also works with the American Gem Society, Hoge Raad voor Diamant, the European Gemological Laboratory, and the International Gemological Institute.
Certified diamonds are also easier to insure because a trained gemologist has already graded it. This means that you likely won’t have to have it appraised before insuring your jewelry – it’s already been done for you.
Diamond engagement rings are a symbol of your love that your bride will wear for the rest of her life and is often one of the first major purchases a couple makes. Before parting with your money, take a little time to research the different options and latest trends in jewelry design. No matter what you’re looking for, Brilliance.com’s personal shoppers can help you find something you’ll love.
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Education, Engagement, Jewelry
The beginning of June marks the beginning of summer – hot days at the beach, cold ice cream sundaes, and breezy nights relaxing. It also marks the start of wedding season – the months of June, July, and August when most of this year’s marriages will be celebrated. Brilliance offers a wide selection of loose diamonds, engagement rings, and wedding bands for brides and grooms looking to save on bridal jewelry by shopping online. If you are planning on attending a wedding as a guest, we offer diamond earrings, diamond bracelets, and gold jewelry to help you create a striking look.
There are many reasons to shop online for jewelry, whether it’s bridal jewelry, jewelry for yourself, or jewelry to give as a gift to a friend or loved one. Shopping online is convenient; it can be done from the comfort of your home with the click of a button. Online jewelry retailers offer lower prices than traditional retail stores, saving consumers money and allowing them to get higher quality products at a great value. Further, the internet jewelry market offers many choices of styles and qualities for consumers searching for diamond engagement rings, diamond rings, diamond earrings, gold earrings, and other jewelry.
The Brilliance Team of diamond and jewelry experts and service representatives works hard to provide the best online shopping experience available. Our goal is to offer high quality products at the lowest prices, so our customers don’t have to wait for a sale or negotiate to make their purchase. Our entire selection of jewelry and loose diamonds are backed by a lowest price guarantee, ensuring that we give the absolute best deal for our products. Our inventory is currently being offered at the lowest prices of the year, so now is a great time to purchase bridal jewelry, fashion jewelry, or even shop early for the holiday season. In addition to our low prices, we are currently offering Brilliance coupon codes for order-level savings.
$25 off any order! Use coupon code BC25BR.
$50 off any order $5,000 or over! Use coupon code BC50BR.
$75 off any order $7,500 or over! Use coupon code BC75BR.
$100 off any order $10,000 or over! Use coupon code BC100BR.
$150 off any order $15,000 or over! Use coupon code BC150BR.
Brilliance offers an array of services to ensure that we become your jewelry retailer of choice. To help you save even more, we offer a 2% discount for orders paid via wire transfer. Every product comes with a 30 day return or exchange policy so that you feel completely satisfied with your purchase. In addition, every order comes with free express shipping and shipping insurance. You also receive a gemological appraisal conducted by our GIA trained gemologists. Our Personal Shoppers and diamond experts will work with you every step of the way to help you find the perfect certified diamond, engagement ring, or diamond jewelry product. Speak to a Brilliance representative at 866-737-0754 or visit us at Brilliance.com to start saving on your jewelry purchase.
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Engagement, Jewelry
Congratulations—you’re engaged! And even though the last thing you want to think about is something bad happening to your diamond engagement ring, the possibility is always there. To protect your precious investment, it’s strongly recommended that you open a comprehensive insurance policy that covers your loose diamond.
There are many options when it comes to insuring your engagement ring. Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies are usually the first sources of coverage considered by consumers, since most people already have one of these in place and assume it will be easy to add their diamond ring to the existing policy with only a negligible increase in their premiums. However, it’s important to note that homeowner’s and renter’s policies have certain limitations. While these types of policies will cover your diamond engagement ring if your house sustains damage as a result of a natural disaster, they are not likely to cover incidental damage to the ring from everyday accidents.
Another option for covering your diamond ring is taking out an actual value policy. This type of policy first considers the purchase price of the ring and then subtracts a depreciation factor for each year that you own it. One potential drawback is that a claim received for your ring today most likely won’t be enough to purchase another ring of equal cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.
A third and fourth option are a replacement policy, which replaces your original engagement ring with a ring of the exact same specifications, and a “valued at” policy, in which you select the appropriate monetary value of the ring and the insurance company honors the resulting figure regardless of its actual appraisal value. Since these types of policies offer the most benefit for a ring’s worth, these are typically the most expensive coverage plans.
It is important to note that most insurance companies will require that you provide a gemological appraisal to verify the replacement value of your certified diamond. Each Brilliance product comes with a free gemological appraisal issued by a master gemologist. We also provide complimentary re-appraisals to adjust your item’s value as it appreciates over time.
Whatever type of jewelry insurance policy you choose, be sure that you understand the terms and conditions before finalizing the contract. Ask your agent specific questions, such as:
Is my ring covered in the instance of accidental loss, damage, or theft?
Am I limited to a specific network of gemologists when replacing my engagement ring?
Are there any circumstances under which my policy would not honor a claim?
Must I have had the policy in place for a certain period of time or have paid a certain amount in premiums before any claims can be made against it?
Remember, even a basic policy is better than nothing. You can always choose to upgrade later. With an insurance policy in place, you won’t be able to prevent mishaps, but you’ll be able to recoup some of your initial investment.
For more information about purchasing an engagement ring and getting it insured, contact a Brilliance diamond and jewelry expert at 1-866-737-0754.
Categories: Brilliance, Education, Engagement
Originally rooted in Roman mythology and early Christian rituals, St. Valentine’s Day has evolved a great deal over the centuries. Today, February 14th is a commemoration of affection and romance between loved ones, typically marked by the exchange of flowers, candies, and gifts.
Jewelry continues to be a popular choice for expressing adoration, with diamonds and precious metals comprising more than 10% of all Valentine’s gifts. This year, put your devotion on grand display by presenting her with a can’t-miss gift that’s sure to add some sparkle to her life. Whether it’s a stunning diamond engagement ring, a pair of diamond stud earrings, or a breathtaking pendant, your carefully chosen gift will symbolize your love and loyalty for a lifetime.
Online jewelry sales continue to rise steadily each year, with a growing number of consumers preferring to shop online than at their local jewelry store. In addition to the convenience of round-the-clock home shopping and doorstep delivery, the perks of purchasing fine jewelry from sites like Brilliance.com include significant savings, expanded product assortments, and ease of product comparison.
Online shoppers are smart shoppers, always in search of the best possible deals. At Brilliance, we don’t think you should have to dig for discounts when investing in gold jewelry, engagement rings, platinum jewelry, or loose diamonds. We make your shopping process even easier by providing you with promotional codes to enter during checkout for instant savings:
$25 off any order! Use coupon code BC25BR.
$50 off any order $5,000 or over! Use coupon code BC50BR.
$75 off any order $7,500 or over! Use coupon code BC75BR.
$100 off any order $10,000 or over! Use coupon code BC100BR.
These codes are valid through February 28, 2009. Check back each month for a new set of codes.
Deep discounts are just one of the many Brilliance Advantages. We also offer a no-strings 30-day return policy, no sales tax outside of Florida, and free shipping on every order. Our lifetime warranty and upgrade availability demonstrate our commitment to every fine diamond and gemstone in our inventory. To make your decision even easier, we do everything possible to minimize our impact on the environment through reforestation efforts and carbon-reducing programs.
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Engagement, Jewelry
Although a diamond’s cut, clarity, color, and carat weight are the most important factors determining its appearance, the chosen setting can also have a significant impact on the presentation of the stone. Choosing the band and setting of a diamond engagement ring allows the wearer to create a custom look to complement their tastes, activity level, and hand size, as well as the shape of the loose diamond.
Although there are virtually unlimited options for diamond engagement ring settings, several styles have emerged as the most popular:
Prong Setting: This classic style is the most common option among today’s brides. The diamond is nestled in a metal basket and secured by three or more prongs. Because the diamond is exposed between the prongs, plenty of light is allowed to enter the stone, reflecting maximum sparkle and fire. Another advantage of prong settings is that the diamond can be easily accessed for cleaning. Most commonly used to mount solitaire loose diamonds, the prong setting is most effective for larger diamonds. It’s important to have a jeweler periodically inspect the prongs and tighten them as necessary.
Bezel Setting: A popular choice for brides who prefer a sleek, contemporary look for their diamond engagement rings, the bezel setting secures the loose diamond with a metal “collar” that surrounds the stone. A full bezel wraps completely around the diamond, while a partial bezel leaves some sides of the stone open. While this style of setting runs the risk of overshadowing a smaller diamond, it’s renowned for its durability and smooth, upscale look.
Bar Setting: Offering more durability than prongs but less metal than bezels, this type of diamond ring setting uses a combination of prongs and bars to secure the loose diamond. The bar setting is a popular choice among active brides who like the look of prongs but need something more resilient.
Channel Setting: A popular choice for wedding bands and everyday accent rings, channel settings mount smaller diamonds into a band, keeping the stones flush with the metal. The sides of the band hold the diamonds in place without the use of bars or prongs. The smooth, polished style of channel settings makes them ideal for those with active lifestyles. One drawback is that the diamonds aren’t displayed as prominently. The channel setting is sometimes combined with prong settings in the same ring.
Flush Setting: A smooth, secure option for mounting a loose diamond, the flush setting offers extra protection and doesn’t interfere with active lifestyles. A small hole is created for the diamond within a metal band; the stone is nestled within and does not rise above the band. This contemporary setting offers the smoothness of channel settings, but highlights the diamond a bit more.
Pave Settings: For a truly elegant and brilliant diamond engagement ring, the increasingly popular pave setting covers the entire surface of the mount with diamonds. Each stone is discreetly secured with very thin prongs, minimizing the appearance of the underlying metal band and creating the illusion of freestanding, encrusted diamonds. This type of setting can potentially be very costly, although some money can be saved by using lesser-quality stones to coat the setting.
Tension Setting: In this contemporary diamond engagement ring setting, only the band is used to secure the diamond. The stone is nestled into small grooves carved into the metal, creating a “floating” effect. This costly setting requires custom sizing, as the band cannot be resized without loosening the band’s “grip” on the diamond.
Cluster Setting: Many of today’s engagement rings and diamond jewelry settings combine multiple stones, such as a diamond solitaire flanked by sapphires or emeralds. A cluster setting handsomely presents a group of gems in a custom design. A popular choice for those shopping on a budget, this style arranges several smaller stones together to convey the illusion of a larger diamond without the cost.
Invisible Setting: This contemporary style secures the loose diamond to the band with a discreet mounting style, so the stone appears to be suspended in mid-air. Offering the look of a tension setting, the invisible setting is more durable and can be resized without worries of loosening the stone.
For brides who can’t settle on just one setting choice for their diamond engagement ring, many custom jewelers offer varied settings that combine two or more different mounting styles in one ring.
At Brilliance, we offer a wide selection of diamond rings with a range of settings to complement different cuts, hand types, activity levels, and style preferences. For those who prefer to craft their own unique showcase for their diamond, we also offer custom jewelry design.
Categories: Brilliance, Diamonds, Engagement, Jewelry
With 83% of American and Canadian brides receiving engagement rings from their fiancées, the jewelry market continues to enjoy a steady demand for certified diamonds. A timeless heirloom to be passed down from one generation to the next, a certified diamond is a perfect choice for symbolizing a couple’s eternal love and devotion.
When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, one of the most important considerations is how much to spend. According to the standard rule of thumb, a buyer of a diamond engagement ring can expect to spend an amount equivalent to 2-3 months of their salary, a guideline that originated with De Beers, the world’s largest diamond producer. However, many modern couples choose to spend significantly more than this benchmark, saving up to invest in a high-quality center diamond.
Although economical diamond engagement rings can be found, they’ll likely require a sacrifice in the areas of cut, color, clarity, or carat weight. Celebrities are on the other end of the spectrum: Scarlett Johanssen’s engagement ring was rumored to cost $30,000, while Mariah Carey’s fiancée purchased hers for a staggering $2.5 million.
Before beginning the diamond ring shopping process, there are several factors the couple should consider to determine a specific price range that accommodates their lifestyle and jewelry tastes.
1. The couple should make a list of the preferred characteristics for the diamond engagement ring, such as shape, size, and setting. One bride might prefer a pear-cut diamond, while another may be less concerned about the diamond’s shape and more interested in its color.
2. Financially, the couple should take stock of their current salary, debt amount, and credit rating. If they plan to finance the cost of the ring, they’ll need to determine the amount they can afford for the monthly payment. If a major purchase has recently been made, such as a house or car, this can sometimes impact the available funds for the diamond.
3. Opting for a simpler setting is a great way to get more diamond quality for the dollar. Many couples choose to focus on investing in high-quality loose diamonds initially, and then upgrade to a more elaborate setting later.
4. If a couple is planning an extravagant wedding and reception, they may not have as much to invest in the ring. On the other hand, opting for a small, understated ceremony may allow the couple to indulge in their dream certified diamond.
In addition to signifying a lifetime of love and loyalty, a diamond is a financially sound investment that will continue to hold its value for years to come.
Categories: Diamonds, Engagement
Perhaps the most important purchase a bride and groom will ever make, an engagement ring serves as a lifelong symbol of the couple’s loyalty and affection for one another. For centuries, diamonds have been the stone of choice for a vast majority of engagement and bridal rings. Traditionally, the groom-to-be is responsible for purchasing the ring for his fiancée, but many of today’s modern couples shop together to ensure that the bride receives a ring that suits her preferences.
When shopping for the perfect engagement ring, keep these key considerations in mind:
Determine your budget. Although an engagement ring isn’t something you should skimp on, it shouldn’t drive you into debt. The general industry standard calls for spending two to three months’ salary on a diamond, but this can vary based on the amount you’ve saved, your monthly cash flow, and your standards of quality. Before starting the shopping process, set a maximum threshold and do your best not to exceed it.
Put the loose diamond first. You can always swap out the setting of a stone, but the diamond itself will be on your finger forever. If necessary, be prepared to compromise on the setting if it will allow you to purchase higher-grade loose diamonds. For those on a limited budget, a classic diamond solitaire set in a simple gold band can be a great option—you can always upgrade for a future anniversary. When choosing a shape, be sure to select one that complements your personal style and will retain its appeal through changing trends.
Make sure it’s certified. When selecting a diamond, make sure it’s a GIA certified diamond, the most respected and rigorous gem laboratory in the world. Other reputable agencies include the European Gemological Laboratory (EGL) and the American Gem Society (AGS). These organizations carefully examine and appraise each stone to ensure its authenticity and value. You should receive an appraisal certificate with your diamond detailing all of its characteristics.
Know the 4 C’s. When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, the most important elements to consider are cut, clarity, color, and carat weight. It’s important to educate yourself on the standards of a high-quality diamond before you begin shopping.
Brilliance offers diamonds that are certified by GIA, AGS, EGL, HRD, and IGI and that can suit any bride’s style preference and budget. Our assortment includes only premium diamonds that have been assessed by GIA-trained diamond and jewelry experts, so you can rest assured your stone will beautifully blend quality and value. Shop our collection of engagement rings that includes tiffany-style solitaire settings and designer settings with side stones.
Categories: Brilliance, Engagement
When I got engaged I looked at hundreds of stones and finally told my fiancé to choose the one that most reminded him of me. I am happy to say that he chose a princess. The princess cut diamond can be described as brilliant, effervescent, bright, and detailed with the finest scintillation. The diamond expert said that this was a great cut for a girl who was outgoing and lively…it was perfect!
Designed in 1979 by Ygal Perlman, Betzalel Ambar, and Israel Itzkowitz, the princess cut diamond earned its name for its unique beauty and simplicity in design. It took nearly three years to develop the notably square shaped diamond and has remained one of the most desired diamond shapes ever since. While it is recognized in the open market as a “Princess Cut” diamond, the shape is commonly referred to as a “Square Modified Brilliant” on most lab reports like those issued by the GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS (American Gem Society), or EGL (European Gemological Laboratory). The difference in terminology can be a bit confusing to consumers shopping for the shape by name.
However, the confusion has not deterred consumers from buying the princess shape diamond, as it is known to exhibit incredible fire and sparkle. Princess cut diamonds are a great choice of cut since they pick up light and shine brightly like a round diamond but are not as costly since there is less diamond weight lost during the cutting process. Round stones are shaved down at the edges while the princess cut maintains its corners and its overall weight; therefore a favorite of diamond cutters.
When shopping for a princess cut diamond there are a few things to keep an eye out for. Firstly, look for large length and width measurements in your carat weight range to give the appearance of a bigger diamond. The ideal length to width ratio is 1:1, a perfect square. Generally the best princess cut diamonds have a table of 62%-76%, crown height of 10%-15%, and a total depth of 64%-76%. I suggest not going below an H-I color and SI1 clarity to ensure your diamond will be completely eye clean. Polish and symmetry are two important factors to inquire about when shopping for the Princess cut. The finer the polish and the higher the quality of the symmetry, the more it will reflect the light and result in the “bling” you are seeking.
The Princess cut is considered a timeless classic though it is only a few years older than most couples getting engaged these days. It can be playful, elegant, or downright gorgeous once it is set in any of a multitude of engagement ring settings. Once you have chosen your loose diamond, try it in several settings to be certain that you will be as in love with it as you are with the fellow who has given it to you. Whether you choose a tiffany style setting with nothing on the sides, or lined with baguettes, trillions, or imbedded rounds, you are not going to be able to keep your eyes off of your hand…once you put on your engagement ring.
Go to Brilliance for more information on the Princess Cut Diamond or to choose the diamond shape that is right for you.
Categories: Diamonds, Education, Engagement
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