Abdul Quddoos asked:

A diamond ring is close to heart of any woman with all its 4 C cardinals including cut, clarity, carat and color. It all began way back in earlier Egyptian days, when the vow to marry a woman is made by placing a ring on lady’s finger. Diamonds took their place slowly with European culture spreading across representing faithfulness, strength and prosperity. Today, it is the most alluring fashion element.

Diamonds push the creativity of an individual, team or company to its excellence and hence designer jewelry studded with diamonds find its way to every corner of the world. It is the diamond rings that hold special significance with its extraordinary brilliance and suppleness when it comes to occasions like engagements, weddings or wedding anniversaries. As diamond rings are timeless, to create this stone that would reflect ultimate brilliance, so many people, starting from gemologists to craftsmen work together to deliver a stone with high levels of blended fire and beauty. And, when we speak of an engagement, diamond engagement rings could be of many varieties such as 1 carat diamond rings, pear diamond rings and eternity diamond rings.

It is; however, the pear diamond rings that just draw so much attention, as they refract light the most. Besides, they look awesome with beautiful combination of marquise and oval cut. Resembling a teardrop, it is the choicest collection of any jewelry box. The eternity diamond rings; however, symbolize eternal love conveying a message that love has no end, as if the ring binds and reminds it often. Again, there are different variants of 1 carat diamond rings depending on shape, size and brilliance that signify bonded love forever.

There are certain facts that you need to know before you set off to purchase the diamond engagement rings because as a layman it is tough to evaluate a diamond, so it’s better to be knowledgeable before purchasing one.

The cut of a diamond is very important, as its radiance is directly related to how perfect the cut is. Again, carat of diamond does not imply it’s the best, as its shine is dependent on cut and proportion. Just so you know it is not necessary that 1 carat diamond ring will have more brilliance than a 0.75 carat diamond ring.

Look for clarity and color that are again important. Diamonds are generally graded on a color scale of D to Z. It is believed that less tint in a diamond, superior it is in quality. Diamonds that are graded D, E and F are considered to be colorless. However, it is suggested that if you purchase diamond engagement ring, you can take anywhere from D through G. Additionally, being very expensive, ensure that your diamond engagement ring is accompanied by authentic certificate from jewelry houses where quality is hallmark.

To buy a uniquely designed diamond engagement ring, take time to go through the different varieties such as the pear diamond rings or eternity diamond rings available with the store. There are also in-house designers who can give a perfecto shape to your thought of men’s diamond rings. After all, you want to let him know he is loved to eternity.

Samuel

Melanie Stone asked:

A woman's eternal desire to feel special, gives rise to her desire for diamond rings. It is indeed strange, isn't it? How women throughout the globe, irrespective of their nationalities, religions, traditions, family and educational backgrounds, occupations and temperaments, crave for diamond rings? And, how strangely similar their smiles and expressions become when they have a diamond ring slid around their finger!

It is an age-old belief and pattern of thinking firmly entrenched in a woman's mind that a diamond ring is special. Since childhood she has seen a diamond ring around her mother's finger. She had loved to play with it. She has grown up listening to the story of how her father proposed to her mother and what that diamond ring meant. Thus are sown the first seeds of desire in the sub-conscious mind of a woman. Then she gradually sees the other engagements and weddings that happen around her as she grows up. Though she understands that an engagement ring need not necessarily be a diamond ring, and engagement only requires true love and commitment, she also notices the high value that the world tends to put on a man who gives a diamond ring to her fiancée. The man's love for his lady seems to get proclaimed loudly with the glitter of the diamond. And, thus, like a woman's eternal wish of making the world jealous with her choice of a fiancée or husband, increases her secret desire for a diamond ring.

This is strongly reinforced by romantic novels, movies, albums, greeting cards, posters etc., where a diamond ring is projected as the only emblem of intense love and adoration. The television commercials and other forms of advertisements created by the different diamond companies also attempt consciously to contribute to this belief and desire.

History tells that diamond rings started holding a special value back in the Roman Age. During those times, a man was required to barter for his bride. The idea was to offer the engagement as a security for his commitment to marry. If, later, the man failed on his betrothal, the engagement ring was kept by, the bride, as her financial security. Thus rose the need of offering diamond engagement rings as they had high financial value and their sale would provide good financial security to the scorned bride. Thus the concept, that diamond rings are the most special of all rings, originated from a cause that was only financial and far from anything emotional or romantic.

In the medieval age though, diamond rings began to have a romantic connotation, when the Italians associated diamonds with the flames of love.

The most modern reason happens to be that diamond is the hardest gemstone. This property and the fact that it can have the most versatile setting increases the worth of a diamond ring in the minds of today's women. The traditional value of it, for being recognized as a symbol of pure and true emotions, also refuses to go from their minds.

If women started to free themselves from their weaknesses towards things like diamond rings, flowers, soft toys and chocolates, women will not be women any more. So, it is better to leave them as they are and pamper them as and when the hour comes.

Lilian

Low Jeremy asked:

Perhaps it was the craze on peasant blouses and Victorian accessories or the fact that the bohemian look made a lot of Hollywood stars shine in the catwalk, perhaps it is just the economic hard times that prompted people to delve old clothes in thrift shops, but whatever or whoever started the Vintage craze is not important... just that it is here to stay for a couple more years.

Vintage influence cannot only be seen in the clothes that people wear today but also in the accessories that they choose. From lacy necklaces to Victorian bracelets, there seems to be a lot of old stuff being worn around the city. With the current craze still in its peak, it is no wonder that a lot of women are looking for diamond rings with a vintage feel in it.

Vintage diamond rings are all the rage in the country especially for young brides who have chosen a vintage styled wedding gown and a celebration to match. Finding vintage diamond rings however is not exactly easy as diamond rings are not exactly sold in thrift shops or even in garage sales all that often.

In fact, most vintage diamond rings are those that are passed on from one generation to the other. Rarely are they sold outside the family except in extraordinary cases. Before you embark on your ultimate search for the vintage diamond ring, better ask your mom first. She might have an old diamond ring sitting on her jewelry box. Ask her if she can pass it on to you for your wedding.

Another place where vintage rings may be bought is on Ebay where old vintage stuff are up for bids. Be prepared in terms of your budget as you may be paying more for something than what you should really pay for. This however can be pretty expensive especially to the average buyer who just wants to have a vintage diamond ring for a wedding and not really for a collection.

One can also buy faux vintage stuff in jewelry stores nowadays. Of course, this is not really vintage but if you can't find any place to buy the jewelry, you don't have any choice. Some jewelry stores, in response to the growing demand for the design, create styles that embrace the vintage feel. Settings are done in finishes that make the diamond ring look old. Designs of jewelry in olden times are also copied.

Allyson

Low Jeremy asked:

Because of the extreme demands for diamond rings, there are a lot of designs to choose from. In fact, when you go inside the jewelry store, about 80 percent of the rings that they are selling have diamonds in them.

With literally hundreds, thousands and perhaps even millions of designs on your plate, how do you find then a unique diamond ring that you can call your own?

Basically, there are no designs that are exactly alike. Unless a customer asked to copy one design, a design will remain unique. Differences however lie on the details and not on the general design or the overall look. In fact, people will not be able to tell the difference between some designs unless they look at them closely. In order to really own something that is really unique, you really have to make an effort to look. Here are some ways that will allow you to wear a diamond ring like no other.

1. Create your own.

Why not try to design your own ring? Most stores accept made to order so why not try to submit a sketch of that diamond ring that you have been wanting to own? Who knows, it might just be workable.

When you ask for the ring to be made to order, make sure that you are aware of the price. The sales personnel will surely ask you to choose from their loose diamonds so be aware of the budget that you have set. Also, ask first if there is an additional charge for made-to-order pieces. Although most stores do it for free, it is still good to ask just to make sure that there are no hidden charges.

2. Try it with other stones

Solitaire diamond rings may seem really nice but unfortunately most people already own a diamond solitaire ring and what is more, there is only a few ways to set the diamonds on the gold. Chances are, new designs are not that many. If you really want designs that are unique, try diamond rings that have other stones with it like emeralds, rubies or sapphires. Try to pair it with the color of your eyes and see if it fits you.

3. Be on the look out for new designs or unique pieces

Not everything that is sold in the stores are carbon copies of each other. In fact, there are pieces that are actually unique. Try to be on the look out for these kinds of pieces. If you do not have the patience, ask the store personnel.

Vance

Jonathan Blocker asked:

When it comes to wedding pieces, men's diamond rings represent a fairly recent innovation. Prior to the late 19th Century, most men did not even wear a wedding band; diamond rings for women existed, but were exceedingly rare. The jewelry industry, trying to create a market where non existed, managed to sell the public on the idea of double diamond ring wedding sets, but the wedding rings themselves were plain gold bands more often than not. It was only after 1950 that mens diamond rings became popular.

The Most Brilliant Marketing Campaign

"Diamonds are forever." That simple phrase practically transformed the diamond ring market overnight. It was a phrase that was invented by an unknown advertising executive for the DeBeers Corporation, which to this day controls well over half of the world diamond trade. The campaign was rolled out in 1950; within a few years, diamond jewelers could barely keep up with the demand for diamond rings - including mens diamond rings.

Choices

Today, double diamond ring wedding sets are quite common; some even include the engagement ring as well.

When it comes to mens diamond rings, there are many options out there in terms of style, cut, and type of metal. White gold diamond rings are the most popular choice, followed by yellow and red gold. Recently, platinum, palladium and even tungsten diamond rings are available. Not only are these precious metals more valuable than gold, but are far more durable, as gold is a fairly soft metal.

At least one prominent company specializes in these types of rings, from which the center stone is left unmounted, so as to allow the customer to choose the diamond or other gem s/he prefers.

In other cases, one may be able to actually design their own individual rings with the assistance of a diamond jeweler. Such services may cost extra, but the client is assured of getting a completely unique piece of jewelry.

How Much To Spend

Diamond wedding sets vary widely in terms of price, from a few hundred dollars to several thousands. The general rule of thumb is to figure on about six months' salary as the amount to spend on the wedding set, including the engagement ring. In addition, many couples now exchange "promise rings" at or near the beginning of a relationship, as well as "eternity rings," which are typically exchanged at a later wedding anniversary. Mens diamond rings are available for these occasions as well as the engagement and the actual wedding.

Maci

Low Jeremy asked:

Despite antique designs of diamond rings in the market that copy those that were created in the regency and Victorian period, the diamond ring did not really boom until a decade before the start of the 20th century. This is perhaps because only a few can actually afford to buy diamond rings for themselves. This rare gemstone is only reserved to the affluent especially to the members of the royal class.

But because of modern technology and the boom of diamond mining in India and in several parts of the world, supplies of diamond surged upwards, making this gem affordable to the middle class. Because of this, diamonds became very popular especially to women who still see it as a sign of wealth and class.

Discoveries of new mining fields in South America and South Africa, have also increased the world supply making it more accessible to the public. With such steady supply, jewelry makers are now able to make more designs that the masses can afford.

Although diamonds are placed in virtually every kind of jewelry, from necklaces to bracelets to earrings, it is the diamond ring that captures the imagination of most people. In fact, it has become through the years the symbol of eternal love between two people and has become one of the essentials in engagements and weddings.

Diamond rings are preferred during wedding ceremonies. People get excited more when seeing a diamond engagement ring compared to rings that use other gemstones. In fact, diamonds are even the favorites even after the wedding, bought as gifts for anniversaries and other special occasions.

Diamond rings can be made in different settings, gold, platinum, silver and titanium. Unlike other gemstones, whose color may clash for instance with some shades of gold, the diamond with its pure white color will look good with any setting. Perhaps one of the most engaging properties of the diamond is the fact that it symbolizes this innate purity in its color and brilliance.

Diamonds come in all sort of shapes and cuts. This is often one of the properties that people look for in their diamond rings. Diamonds are naturally found in oval or round shapes. Jewelers however cut them in different shapes and depending on the designs. Among the varieties of cuts that people have enjoyed through the years are the pear, the heart, the marquise, the emerald and the princess cut.

Vincenzo