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While the media is full of stories about which celebrities are tying the knot and how they spent a small fortune on engagement rings, it is possible to stick to a budget when selecting such pieces of jewellery.
While no one wants to skimp on what is after all one of the most important gestures of a couples’ lives together, there are savings to be made if you are shrewd.
Crucially, you should never spend more than you feel comfortable with as you do not want to become resentful of the object that is supposed to symbolise your love for each other.
Don’t let people convince you that there is a direct link between how much you shell out for the engagement ring and how much you love your partner. Rather, it is the thought and care you put into the whole process that matters and your other half will realise this.
There are often special deals available and smaller, more understated pieces suit many people more than larger options anyway.
If you have to overstretch yourself to get the piece of jewellery, you will have to make compromises over other aspects of your wedding preparations.
Reputable retailers will be able to take your individual circumstances into account and help you select a ring that is on budget and meets the other criteria you have in mind.
You will be able to peruse unique engagement rings made from a variety of metals and containing gems of a range of shapes and sizes, making sure you get the ideal offering for your spouse-to-be.
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Posted on: August 26th, 2010
The ring is a never-ending circle with no beginning or end. Over the centuries much has been written about this and the mystical significance of the circle. The Roman wedding band was in the shape of a snake that eats itself, supposedly symbolising eternal life. A common Celtic design is the three interlocking rings of the Trinity, symbolising God, the Three in One. On a more practical note, it could be said that engagement rings and wedding rings are round because that’s the best, safest shape to slip on a finger.
Wedding rings have also been used for other purposes. In the Shetland Isles, wedding ring shawls were produced in the 1830s. These are six foot square and so finely knitted with gossamer thread, that they weigh only 2 grams and can be passed through wedding rings. They were a traditional wedding dress item and the test showed how skilled a knitter the prospective wife was. In recent years, wedding ring shawls have come back into fashion.
In a less scientific, but fun way, testing for the sex of unborn children by dangling the mothers’ wedding rings over the stomach has been a long tradition. If the ring sets into a circular movement it’s a girl; if it swings to and fro it’s a boy. It must be emphasised that this is regarded as an old wives’ tale.
Choosing engagement rings and wedding rings is always an enjoyable event, which we at Marlows encourage. Knowing a little about the symbolism and myths attached to gold engagement rings and gold wedding rings enriches the experience.
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Posted on: August 18th, 2010
After all the careful thought and effort that goes into choosing diamond engagement rings; it is sensible to look after them so that they will last a life-time.
Depending upon the value of your jewellery, check your existing household insurance policy to make sure you are covered in the event of you losing your diamonds. It might be tempting to wear your diamond engagement rings all the time; however, it is not a good idea to wear them when you are doing housework. Nor is it safe to wear them during exercise, when you risk injury to yourself and/or others. If you are holidaying in less developed countries then it is wise not to wear diamonds which will draw attention to you and put you at risk of theft. A beach holiday with the damaging effects of sand, salt spray and the residue from sunscreen lotions, can also all take their toll on your precious diamond rings.
However, bearing all the above in mind, it is very easy to care for your diamonds as they are the hardest substance in existence. Make sure you clean your diamond engagement rings gently in liquid detergent at regular intervals and polish them dry with a soft, lint-free cloth – this does not mean doing the washing up without wearing protective gloves! When not in use, keep them in separate compartments in your jewellery box or store them separately in the original boxes. At Marlows we take great care with our diamonds and want you to enjoy them at their best.
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Posted on: August 8th, 2010
It seems odd to mix love and trade, but it is important to understand how beautiful diamond engagement rings find their way onto lovely fingers. All the careful thought that is given to the choice of engagement rings deserves to be reassured that the manufacture and business is honest and above board. So much has been said and written about “conflict” or “blood” diamonds that the careful buyer cannot fail to be unaware of this aspect. The Kimberley Process was established in South Africa during the early Twenty-First Century, to ensure that rough diamonds bought by world traders have no connection with conflicts and are not traded for weapons.
We at Marlows ensure that all our diamonds, whether they are loose cut diamonds or diamonds set in custom engagement rings, are from reputable sources and are certified as such.
Interestingly, conflicts over diamonds are not a new thing and, in Medieval times, the trade was deep in controversy with the Jewish people. After the Crusades of the Twelfth and Thirteenth Centuries, Jews became scattered throughout the known world. There were strict rules as to what they could and could not do; this applied particularly to business and trade. Most trades were regulated by the powerful Guilds of northern Europe and Jewish people were not allowed to participate. However, the trade in diamonds were not regulated; therefore many Jewish families became involved as traders and cutters. They settled in places like Amsterdam, Antwerp and Bruges, thus contributing to the importance of these cities in global diamonds trading.
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Posted on: July 23rd, 2010
There is no surer guarantee of the value of diamonds than the certificates issued with them by the GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) or the IGI (International Gemmological Institute). These two internationally recognized institutes are independent and are not involved in the buying, selling or valuation of diamonds. They are grading laboratories whose certificates guarantee the quality measurements of the diamonds they have tested. They are so solid that any reputable jeweller could value the diamonds from the certificate alone.
Diamond scams are rife, particularly targeting holiday-makers abroad. Who hasn’t been approached when abroad and presented with a too good to be true offer? Most scams are along the lines of “I can’t afford to go to your country to sell these diamonds, but if you do you will make a big profit and the money you give me will help educate my children.” Some people fall for this and end up with a bag of tumbled glass and a forged certificate. Even worse, other people fall for the old trick of paying way over the odds for beautiful diamond engagement rings with inferior diamonds in the settings. Either the certificates are forged, or they are accurate but the buyer does not know what the measurements mean. Remember if something seems too good to be true, it probably is.
If you are not an expert beware of buying diamonds outside the UK. When you buy diamond engagement rings from Marlows the purchase includes a certificate stating that the diamonds are natural and grading their colour, clarity, carat and cut.
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Posted on: July 16th, 2010
When you buy engagement rings, the last thing on your mind is whether they are a good investment. Obviously, you take care to choose the best that you can afford, but this is out of love, not any mercenary considerations. However, it is worth thinking about. In many families, an engagement ring is passed down the generations and becomes a lovely tradition. There is nothing to stop you starting your own traditions now; after all, traditions have to have a starting point. Custom engagement rings are ideal for now and the future. Multi-stone engagement rings would be perfect for this, as three stone engagement rings traditionally represent the past, the present and the future.
Looking into the future, you may like to consider investing in loose cut diamonds to have set into jewellery for your children. Giving loose diamonds as a gift will be a pleasure twice-over; the first pleasure is in receiving them, the second is in the recipient deciding how to use them.
In Asia, it is normal for the women in the family to display their wealth in jewellery, especially gold. Gold earrings, gold engagement rings and gold wedding rings are numerous. The preferred stone is the diamond because of its beauty and high value as shown by the sparkling diamond pendant earrings, bracelets and necklaces adorning most new brides.
Diamonds will never lose their brilliance, their appeal or their value as the market is very carefully controlled. At Marlows we appreciate all cultures and are very happy that our diamonds will become a part of your traditions.
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Posted on: July 6th, 2010
Choosing engagement rings can be a daunting business, there seems to be so much choice amongst diamond engagement rings, but nothing is quite right. You like the cut of one stone, but not the setting or the shank. Gold engagement rings are beautiful, but how do you choose between 18 or 24 carats? Also, you have to choose whether you prefer platinum or white gold?
The solution is to design unique engagement rings. Following these simple steps will ensure a ring that is perfect for you, reflecting the care you put into your relationship; both will last a lifetime.
Start by choosing from an array of loose cut diamonds to find the perfect shape. Round brilliants are very popular but you may want to wear your heart on your finger in the form of a heart-shaped stone. The elegant Marquise cut, dating from Eighteenth Century France may also take your fancy.
Next decide upon the setting, which will display your choice of diamonds to best advantage. Four and six claw Tiffany white gold settings are usual but there are also modern rubover designs, giving a unique twist to gold engagement rings.
The choice of shank should start with your preferred metal, yellow gold, white gold or platinum. This is an important decision because you may like to think ahead to your wedding bands and choose a shank that will match. Flat or round, twisted or parallel, consider the wear that gold engagement rings will get over a lifetime.
We at Marlows are here to help you with all these possibilities to design unique engagement rings you will be proud to wear.
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Posted on: June 21st, 2010
Multi stone engagement rings are becoming increasingly popular – and it’s easy to see why.
With multi gemstone rings, you have more flexibility and choice as you create a unique piece which stands out from the crowd. And if you have emeralds as well as diamonds, for example, you may be able to afford more gems of a larger size than if you stick to just having diamonds.
It’s possible to have these kinds of engagement rings in a wide variety of settings, and made from white or yellow gold or platinum. The choice really is yours. And the good news is that multi stone engagement rings may well be less expensive than you thought, especially if you consider going to an online retailer.
Multi Gemstone Rings from Marlows Certified Diamonds
At Marlows, we’re a well-established family jeweller, and we’ve been trading in Birmingham’s historic Jewellery Quarter for generations.
We offer multi stone items with up to seven stones in them which can serve as eternity or engagement rings, from timeless classics to modern designs. We have an especially lovely selection of limited edition rings. Search our collection online by product type or by price.
Visit our website to see our full range of products, and to find out about how you can customise our items to make them uniquely yours.
We only supply genuinely authenticated diamonds, and shopping with us is totally secure. Log on now and find out more.
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Posted on: June 4th, 2010
Engagement rings signify the love between two people, and if you’re the lucky owner of one then you’ll want to keep it looking pristine for a lifetime. Although gold is often passed down between generations you still need to take care of it if you want it to retain its lustre and beauty, and if you do you can be sure your gold engagement rings will look as good in 50 years time as they do right now.
The first thing you need to remember is storage. You’ll probably be wearing your ring most of the time but when you’re not it’s a good idea to keep it in a box lined with velvet, satin or other soft materials. Keeping it in the box it was given to you in would be ideal, and don’t let it live in pouches with other pieces of jewellery – this can cause it to become damaged or scratched.
There could also come a time when you need to clean it, and this shouldn’t be too much of a problem either. There are plenty of gold cleaning solutions out there, or you can use a home-made remedy of warm water and a few drops of washing up liquid or club soda. Simply let your ring soak for a few minutes before gently cleaning it and using a soft cloth to buff it up afterwards, and if it’s become tarnished use a very soft toothbrush for slightly more abrasive cleaning.
So, looking after your gold engagement rings shouldn’t be difficult, and if you store it safely and clean it gently you can enjoy your precious jewellery for years to come.
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Posted on: May 20th, 2010
Choosing diamond engagement rings should be one of the most exciting times of your life, but as anyone who has ever bought wedding rings or engagement rings will know, it can be fraught with difficulties. You’ve made the decision that you are going to propose to the woman you love and want to spend the rest of your life with, but the first dilemma is do you surprise her with a ring, or should you ask her to choose one?
If you are planning a romantic gesture – down on one knee, and producing a ring without her having any knowledge of what you are about to do – you’ll probably have to take a chance that the engagement ring you have chosen will be the one that she would want. Most women love the idea of being surprised, but as she will be wearing the ring for the rest of her life you will have to be absolutely certain that you have made the right choice.
If you want to surprise her, you could always try the old ruse of casually looking in the window of a jewellers shop and asking her if, she was ever to become engaged, what kind of ring she would like. Of course, the chances are she will see right through this and your surprise plan will be thwarted, but it’s worth a try. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you look at the selection on offer at Marlows Certified Diamonds. They have beautiful diamond engagement rings and gold wedding rings as well as loose cut diamonds and larger diamond wedding rings, and at prices that will surprise you!
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