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If you are thinking about buying diamond rings of any kind, you have probably heard about conflict diamonds, or as they are sometimes known, blood diamonds – and you will want to ensure that any jewellery you buy does not have this label attached to it. People choose a diamond as a symbol of love, so it is ironic that many diamonds on sale today have reached the market because of hatred. The sale of these diamonds – which find their way into everything from diamond rings, diamond wedding rings and diamond earrings – have helped to fund rebel forces across Africa wage war against innocent civilians.
The United Nations defines these stones as ‘Diamonds that originate from areas controlled by forces or factions opposed to legitimate and internationally recognised governments, and are used to fund military action in opposition to those governments, or in contravention of the decisions of the Security Council.’
If you have concerns about conflict diamonds, you can rest assured when you choose your diamond engagement rings or any form of jewellery from Marlows Certified Diamonds. They guarantee that all their diamonds are ‘conflict free’ because they only purchase stones from legitimate sources, with written guarantees of their provenance. Whatever you are looking for when it comes to high quality jewellery, Marlows Certified Diamonds will be able to supply it, and at prices you won’t find anywhere else. Whether you are looking for custom engagement rings or a white gold diamond eternity ring, they have a superb selection to choose from, and remember, you are guaranteed that every stone is conflict free.
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Posted on: May 17th, 2010
We all know that wedding rings are a symbol of love and a declaration of the commitment a couple have made to each other, but how many of us know about the history of this symbol of love and promise? Wedding rings go back thousands of years, and when it comes to the modern wedding which we all recognise today, there is no other aspect of the ceremony which go back as far as wedding rings.
The ancient Egyptians were the first known civilisation to use wedding rings, and an interpretation of hieroglyphics reveals that the circle represents eternity. When a woman accepted the ring, it was an acknowledgment that she was now the ‘property’ of the man who gave it to her. It’s thought that the first wedding rings were made of braided grass, and this evolved into using other materials such as ivory or leather.
If you have ever wondered why we wear wedding rings on the left hand, this can be traced back to ancient Egypt as well. It was believed at that time that a vein in the left hand was linked directly to the heart, and most cultures still follow this today. If you are looking for rings of any kind, Marlows Diamonds will be able to help you. You will find the very best in custom engagement rings, multi-gemstone rings and gold wedding rings on their website. When it comes to a combination of the best quality wedding ring sets and great prices, Marlows Certified Diamonds is the place to visit.
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Posted on: May 10th, 2010
Choosing engagement rings is no easy task at the best of times, and choosing custom engagement rings with all the thought and effort required is harder still, so kudos to you for making this decision.
Some men might say, why bother with custom engagement rings? It’s more effort, more money and more stress!
They are, of course, precisely right. This is why your bride-to-be (not to mention her mother, her sisters and her friends) will be overwhelmed by the ring and your decision to design it just for her.
In order to make the experience successful, here are some useful pointers when going through the process:
1. Stick to your budget. However thoughtful and wonderful diamond rings are, they won’t be welcomed if it transpires that you spent half of the money saved up for the honeymoon/flat deposit/children’s school fees in getting it
2. Keep your partner’s tastes in mind. If she wears discreet jewellery then creating larger diamond engagement rings is going to be a waste, as it will undoubtedly be considered too ‘flashy’
3. Get some feedback. Unless you are completely confident you’ll probably need to get a little advice from your partner’s sisters, friends or mother
4. Be creative! You don’t need to stick to the same formula of a trio of diamonds. The whole point of creating unique engagement rings is to personalise it. You could incorporate her favourite gemstone into multi stone engagement rings, her favourite colour or her birthstone.
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Posted on: May 7th, 2010
Men are becoming more au fait with the notion of choosing engagement rings, and women are becoming less discreet about how they show off their new diamond rings.
This has a serious implication for men. It means that now they have to work harder to impress their future spouse, bearing in mind that she will be (consciously or otherwise) comparing the ring you give her with every other ring she has seen her friends get – and that it is no longer such a big deal to have chosen a ring all by yourself.
One sure fire way to avoid this situation is to get custom engagement rings designed. In this day and age where absolutely everything from furniture to perfume can be customised to your exacting standards, it is possible to get a custom ring created.
Why is this solution you are looking for?
Well, because of the time, effort and expense involved custom engagement rings will instantly win you brownie points, almost irrespective of whether she actually likes the ring or not.
Additionally, custom engagement rings will therefore be seen as being in a league of their own so can’t, in all fairness, be compared to anyone else’s.
The general rules about shopping for unique diamond engagement rings still apply though. Work out what size ring your partner needs by pinching one of her other rings for measuring, try to design something in accordance with her personal style and taste and try to stick within your budget.
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Posted on: April 9th, 2010
Searching for the perfect engagement rings will take a lot of time and effort, and there’s always the chance that you won’t be able to find exactly what you’re looking for. That’s where custom engagement rings come in.
Going for custom-made options allows you to precisely specify what you want from your ring, allowing you to make it to your exact requirements. You’ll be able to choose the perfect loose cut diamonds in your ideal shape, and can have them arranged in any way you wish. You’ll be able to choose the setting, the band, the number of diamonds… in fact, you’ll have input at every step of the way to give you just what you’re looking for.
Then there’s the fact that custom engagement rings make it even more personal, and your fiance is bound to appreciate the extra effort that you went to. You’ll be able to think about what she likes and what she’d want from a ring and can base your design around that – what more could your fiance ask for?
Custom engagement rings can be the perfect choice for people who just can’t find what they’re looking for. It allows the more creative among us to really indulge, and if you’ve got an idea in your head you’ll be able to make your ring to your exact specifications. It’s incredibly personal and offers the perfect engagement ring, truly showing your love for your partner. So, to really make an impression, custom-made options should always be considered. What woman could say no?
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Posted on: March 22nd, 2010
Asking someone to marry you has got to be up there with one of life’s most emotionally charged moments. The last thing you need is worry that you’ve chosen the wrong ring, or at least not the right one.
To avoid this situation, it’s not uncommon for many couples to shop for their engagement rings together. For men who still want to surprise their partner, there are lots of online resources to plunder for help. Your fiancée’s family and friends would also be happy to suggest ideas and give advice on choosing a larger diamond engagement ring if that is what she would want.
Having a quite rifle through your bride-to-be’s jewellery box will give you ideas, and also a sure guide to sizing.
However, for the bravest amongst men, there is a certain way to get your loved one to realise just how lucky she is and that is by designing your own custom engagement ring.
It doesn’t have to involve countless tips to jewellers and lots of money. Choosing custom engagement rings is more popular and easier to do than ever before. It basically involves making the decision of the metal, the setting and the shape of the diamond – which you would have to do anyway if you were choosing a ring on your own – but also how it all gets put together. You can decide to incorporate more than one diamond, other precious stones, or even a family heirloom which is meaningful to both of you.
With the help and advice of a good jeweller, your own knowledge of your future wife and perhaps the help of a friend, you can use this opportunity to create a unique engagement ring that she will truly cherish.
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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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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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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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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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