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The best gifts always come as a complete surprise. That is as true with engagement rings as it is with a bunch of flowers or any other present. Spontaneity adds a whole new dimension to a gift and it can be a lot of fun dreaming up the perfect scenario in which to give a diamond eternity ring or propose marriage with a set of gorgeous custom engagement rings designed to your exact specifications.
If you’ve been married for years you probably know your wife’s ring size, but if she isn’t your wife yet, you may not. Giving engagement rings that fit perfectly is wonderful if you can do it, but you shouldn’t allow the process of finding out what ring size the lucky lady takes to compromise a surprise proposal. If you ask directly she will suspect you’re up to something!
There are plenty of less obvious ways to find out her ring size. If she already has a precious metal ring that fits, you can simply take it to a jeweller and they will be glad to tell you the size. Tell her you are taking your mum’s ring to be cleaned (or getting a watch battery replaced if you prefer) and casually offer to get hers done at the same time.
Another good method is to bring her sister, mum or best friend into the conspiracy. At least one of them will probably know her size or will be willing to help get it for you – a friend can easily get her to try on a ring of known size without arousing suspicion.
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Posted on: July 2nd, 2010
Most people’s first encounter with diamonds is when they want to buy diamond engagement rings. Here, at Marlows, we offer a few facts to give you the knowledge and confidence to choose the best available.
Diamonds are the hardest mineral on earth, named ‘adamas’ by the Greeks, meaning ‘unbreakable.’ As well as being used in beautiful jewellery, they are used by industry as cutting materials because of their hardness. Loose cut diamonds are judged by carat, colour, clarity and cut, commonly known as the Four Cs. They retain these features when set into diamond engagement rings and this is stated on the accompanying certificate.
Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, one carat being 2 grams. This weight derives from ancient times when carob seeds were used as weights because their weight was constant, at 2 grams.
Colour is a good test of a diamond, with white being the purest, ranging down to yellow.
Clarity measures any imperfections in the stone and whether the imperfection is visible to the naked eye.
The cut of the stone is designed to catch the light and reflect it in all its fire and brilliance. Cutting styles have developed over the centuries with many shapes to the round brilliant cut so popular in engagement rings today.
A good tip to remember is that single stone engagement rings offered at the same price as multi-stone engagement rings will be more valuable, due to the quality of the diamond.
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Posted on: June 24th, 2010
They may look similar, but there are distinct differences between platinum and white gold engagement rings, and you should understand these before making your decision, whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a white gold diamond eternity ring.
White gold engagement rings combine gold with white metals, such as silver or palladium, before being coated with rhodium, which gives the distinctive white colouring.
Platinum rings are made almost entirely from pure platinum, and are stronger, more hardwearing and heavier than their white gold counterparts. While platinum needs no special care, the rhodium plating can wear off over time. However platinum jewellery tends to be more expensive than white gold products.
White Gold Engagement Rings from Marlows Certified Diamonds
Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring or a white gold diamond eternity ring, see what we at Marlows have to offer before you do anything else. Our products cater for different styles and tastes, with a range of settings, cuts and designs. If you don’t see the ring of your dreams, ask about our ‘design your own ring’ facility.
We’ve been trading for generations, so no-one knows the engagement ring business quite like us! We offer many benefits when you buy through us, from validation certificates to secure payment, from money-back guarantees to very prompt dispatch of your order once your payment has cleared.
Equally, we provide outstanding customer support, and a huge selection of quality jewellery at affordable prices. Visit our website today.
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Posted on: June 2nd, 2010
If you’re planning on proposing, then I’m sure you understand how important it is for everything to be perfect. Women have been dreaming of this moment since they were little girls so it’s essential you choose the right setting, atmosphere and ring, and one of the best ways to impress is to go for a custom engagement ring.
Custom engagement rings show you’ve truly put some thought into the proposal, and that extra effort is sure to be appreciated. The thought that’s gone into it shows you really care about her and are willing to go the extra mile, and you’ll able to create something you’ll think she’ll adore, making it even more heartfelt than usual.
It also means that she’ll get something totally unique, and that has to be an advantage for any girl. No-one likes running into someone else wearing the same dress, and the same certainly applies for an engagement ring. Luckily, going for custom-made and unique engagement rings ensures she’ll have something she can treasure for a lifetime.
So, custom engagement rings really could be the way to go if you really want to impress your bride to be. But, if you really want to hit the right note, you’re going to need the right diamond and indeed the right jewellers to turn it into something truly special, and that’s why you need to come to us. Here at Marlows we pride ourselves on the quality and craftsmanship of all our pieces, and once we’ve created your perfect ring we’re sure you’ll be blown away by it.
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Posted on: March 1st, 2010
Regardless of what type of engagement ring you are saving for, be it a multi-stone ring or a larger diamond wedding ring, they can take a considerable wad out of your pay packet. In spite of this, many men want their fiancee-to-be to have engagement rings of complete perfection. Here at Marlows Certified Diamonds we understand this need and we want to help you guarantee the best engagement ring for the best fiancée, which is why we have a few tips on how to save up for the ultimate one.
Firstly, you need to be sure that you know precisely what ring your fiancee-to-be desires; you could simply ask her, ask her friends or family, or she may have given you a clear indication of what ring she’d like. When you’re spending a considerable amount on this engagement ring there is a significant difference between princess cut loose diamonds and multi-gemstone rings; so you need to be confident you are going to be buying a ring your fiancée will be happy with.
You should know the C’s of engagement rings; cut, clarity, carat and colour as these will all play an integral role in your choice. Have a look into each of these before you begin your search so you know what you should be looking for in a high quality engagement ring, and also which ones should be more important for the type of engagement ring your partner would like. Here at Marlows Certified Diamonds we pride ourselves on assuring the highest quality in all of these sections, so why not have a look at our information dedicated to helping you understand the importance of each of these C’s?
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Posted on: February 18th, 2010
You’ve just got engaged and have engagement rings with diamonds to die for. The next stage is arranging your engagement party. You have agreed your budget and the type of party and you know who will be hosting the evening. Now is the time to write down all the finer detail in a plan so that you can keep on track with everything.
It can be a great idea to come up with the list in a collaborative fashion. Sharing the list with friends or family can be easily achieved using email.
When writing a plan there are certain areas that should be covered:
• Guest list – who will you invite to the party? This can take some time as you may be limited on numbers if you are keeping to strict budget and it is easy to forget key people.
• The venue – you need to decide which venue will be ideal for your type of event. This may involve visiting several before you make a decision. Once you have decided, book it and secure your place with a deposit.
• The invitations – selecting the invitations can be fun and you can even design your own to make it extra special, just as you did with your engagment rings.
• Catering – choose the food, make plans for the bar and plan seating arrangements.
• Dress code – agree whether it will be formal, informal or fancy dress and then let everyone know in advance.
At Marlows we have a wide selection of diamond rings and engagement rings to choose from.
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Posted on: February 16th, 2010
If you are organising your engagement party, you want to ensure that you plan the evening so that it is a special event and a great setting for showing off engagement rings. The engagement party should be a lovely occasion and may well be the first event that a couple has arranged together.
If you have been to other engagement parties, don’t get competitive. It is a chance to create a special party that celebrates your relationship. Planning can help to take away possible stress. You should be focused on enjoying the company of your friends.
When planning a party there are several elements to consider. Here are some points to remember:
Type of party
Do you want to hold an informal or formal party? Will it follow traditional etiquette or do you want a more contemporary twist? The type of party is the first decision to make. It will affect your choice of venue and how you hold the party. It may influence the food and drink which will be consumed.
Budget
It is imperative that you set a budget. It is so easy to run away with ideas and end up with some nasty bills at the end of it. By setting a budget it can help you make decisions and assist you to focus your attention throughout the planning process. At the end of the day, engagement rings can be expensive and you want to buy things which will last longer than the party.
At Marlows we have a great range of engagement rings to ensure you find the ring of your dreams.
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Posted on: February 9th, 2010
The shape of diamonds is one of the most important factors when buying diamond engagement rings. It can have a considerable impact on the design of the ring. There are many shapes to choose from, so if you are choosing an engagement ring on behalf of your bride-to-be you may wish to know what her preference is. You should possibly consider that the shape of diamond can complement the type of ring.
The diversity of diamond shapes
There is a wide range of diamond shapes for a bride-to-be to choose from. Starting on the search for beautiful diamond engagement rings can be an exciting experience. The plethora of shapes available includes marquise, pear, princess, oval, emerald, round princess, heart and radiant.
Many people have a preference for a particular diamond shape. This may be a leaning towards the classically elegant round gem or the stunningly sophisticated emerald shape, for instance. Even the whimsically romantic heart shape has its fans. Although personal taste is a considerable factor in choosing a diamond engagement ring there are other considerations to take into account to ensure you find a lovely ring.
Diamond geometry
The geometry of a diamond is pivotal as a stone can be affected adversely by being poorly proportioned. Internal shadows can also prove problematic.
Accent stones
The accent stones can also have a bearing on the shape of the central stone. For example, an elongated central diamond will look more impressive with accent stones.
At Marlows we can guide you to find the perfect diamonds for your engagement rings.
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Posted on: November 27th, 2009
When the special day arrives and it’s your wedding day, you still want to ensure that your engagement ring looks stunning. It’s easy to overlook the ring in the rush of preparations, but take time to give your engagement ring some tender, loving care as it will no doubt feature in the wedding photos. A couple of weeks before the big day, get a jeweller to inspect the ring and check the setting of the diamond and other stones to highlight any damage or weakness. This is also an opportunity to get the ring insured or appraised. This again can be good preparation prior to the honeymoon and will avoid upset should it be lost on holiday.
If you are having a bridal set ring you need to arrange to have the engagement rings and wedding band soldered together. A bridal set ring is designed so that the wedding band fits securely to the engagement ring, providing additional accent stones to the diamond at the centre. This will prevent any wiggling on the day.
A few days before the wedding get your diamond engagement rings cleaned. You will have many pictures taken on the day and possibly close ups of your left hand so you want to ensure that the diamond is sparkling and glittering on the day.
During the ceremony you can remove your diamond engagement rings to the right hand until the ceremony is over or leave on the left and switch the rings around after the ceremony is finished.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds we have a beautiful selection of engagement rings and jewellery to choose from.
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Posted on: November 26th, 2009
Have you ever wondered where the tradition of giving engagement rings came from? This custom is so deeply entwined in our society that sometimes we can forget that the practise of giving a ring in this way has developed over time.
The earliest records of rings being exchanged can be found within the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian cultures. A betrothal ring was given to symbolize that a woman was connected to a man who would soon become her husband. At this stage, it was a more pragmatic custom representing a business transaction rather than a romantic gesture.
In the 9th Century, the idea of engagement rings was endorsed by Pope Nicolas I and a gold band was made to represent the groom’s material wealth and his ability to support a wife. In 1215 this was changed so that rings were made from iron and silver and were worn for longer periods of engagement.
The first reference to diamond engagement rings was found dating back to 1477 when Mary of Burgundy was betrothed to Archduke Maximillian of Austria. At the time diamonds were reputed to have mystical powers towards fidelity, love and purity. This reflects the characteristics associated with the diamond in symbolism today.
Extensive diamond mining began in the 19th Century in Africa. This made diamonds more readily available and designs became more intricate. At this time, diamond engagement rings began to be given to brides-to-be.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we have a stunning collection of diamond engagement rings to appeal to all tastes.
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