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What is it that fascinates us about diamond rings and these beautiful gems? Is it the sparkle and allure of the glittering surface that some jewellers refer to as ‘fire’? Or is it the mystery and magic of diamonds that is encapsulated in the beauty of a shining diamond engagement ring? Or is it simply impressive marketing?
As the centrepiece of diamond engagement rings, a diamond is all of the above. Diamonds have been revered for their rarity and hardness for hundreds of years but they were not always presented in the breathtaking cuts that we associate with diamonds today. The art and skill of jewellers has developed over the centuries to create some of the most exotic and beguiling cuts that we can see today.
Is a diamond really just a piece of coal? The diamond’s history began many millions of years ago hidden deep beneath the depths of the earth. The remains of animals and plants formed into coal and petroleum over millions of years ago. This organic matter was subjected to geologic forces and the diamonds were created over time.
It is just one single degree that removes the diamond from a lump of coal. The forces of heat and pressure are responsible for transforming organic matter into these precious stones that now adorn us as jewellery.
Diamond jewellery has been in our history for years but it was in the Victorian era that diamond rings really became popular. However, the custom of giving diamond engagement rings developed much later until now in the Western world it is a huge trend and an iconic symbol of love and marriage.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we have a stunning collection of diamond engagement rings for you to browse.
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Posted on: November 24th, 2009
Choosing a diamond engagement ring should be a careful and considered process. After all, your future wife will wear the ring for many years to come. However, not all diamond rings are engagement rings so it pays to know the difference.
Diamond engagement rings often have one diamond that is larger than the rest of the stones or the ring has a single diamond setting. The latter type of diamond engagement ring is known as a diamond solitaire ring.
Traditionally, women wore diamond rings known as cocktail rings. These rings were worn for evening wear rather than everyday use. In contrast, diamond engagement rings are worn continually and most women don’t remove them at all. You can also get diamond engagement rings that are combined with a wedding band.
When selecting diamond engagement rings, make sure that the body of the ring is set in a hard, precious metal. Platinum or gold are good choices as the metals are strong enough to hold the diamond. 18 or 14 carat gold or platinum is best whereas the softer 24 carat is too soft to hold a diamond.
Next choose the setting and ensure the quality of the diamond is good. A standard diamond for engagement rings is one carat. You can also select a multiple gem engagement ring. Sapphires are often coupled with diamonds.
You can check the quality of the diamond by ensuring you buy certified diamonds. Select a trusted jeweller when buying an engagement ring. You want one with a good reputation that has been in operation for a long time. At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we offer a wide selection of diamond engagement rings and certified diamonds.
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Posted on: November 23rd, 2009
One of the most memorable purchases you will ever make is that of diamond engagement rings. This ring is a symbol of your relationship and the love that binds you together, and will be worn for many years to come. To ensure you have peace of mind when buying a diamond, you need to ensure the quality is of a high-standard. Buying certified diamonds is a means to guarantee that the diamond quality is outstanding and that your investment is a good one.
There are two components to the engagement rings. The first is the body of the ring which will be made out of a precious metal such as gold or titanium, for example. The second part is the diamond. There are certain reassurances when buying the body of the ring. The precious metal should have a hallmark or stamp to show what the metal is and, in some cases, who made it and when. A hallmark states that the metal has been independently assessed so you know you have bought a high-quality material. It is the combination of a hallmark and certified diamond that will confirm the true quality of the engagement rings.
A certified diamond guarantees the overall quality of the ring. The diamond has been tested by an independent party who then issues a certificate. This will detail the dimensions and size of the diamond and also show the cut and include details of any flaws. It is the equivalent of a passport providing vital information about your diamond.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds, our diamonds are second to none and there is a wide range of fully certified diamond engagement rings for you to choose from.
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Posted on: November 20th, 2009
To all those men out there who are having trepidations about buying their loved one the diamond engagement rings she’s always dreamed of, take a deep breath and relax. There are some simple guidelines that, when followed, will ensure that you pick the right diamond and are rewarded by showers of kisses and shrieks of joy.
Women have a casual interest in the quality grades of a diamond such as its clarity or colour, whereas checking for certified diamonds and evaluating the investment value is likely to have little or no meaning. For a woman, a diamond engagement ring is a token from the heart and is attached to the highest of emotions and long cherished childhood dreams.
The emphasis on size is not a reflection of hidden greed or materialism. The size symbolises the enormity of your love for her, so for some women, the bigger the diamond the better. This is particularly important in the post engagement female ritual of ‘diamond comparing’.
It’s a tough challenge to keep the engagement rings a surprise whilst also ensuring you get the diamond of her dreams. Your partner may even drop hints, but they will be subtle so start taking note. This ring will be worn by her for years to come and you want to get it right so a friend or family member may be able to help.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds we can help you to find the diamond engagement rings to match her dreams, but also provide you with the certificate and quality standards so you know your money is well spent.
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Posted on: November 19th, 2009
If you’re not into flash, centre of attention announcements but still want to get your beautiful diamond engagement rings noticed, you’re going to have to employ some subtle hand movements to get people to spot the new addition to your left hand themselves. Obviously, the only way you’re going to attract attention is by using your left hand more than usual.
The most obvious way, and yet quite unobtrusive way, is to simply hand something to the other person with your left hand. A wily-eyed female, friend or colleague will be attracted like a magpie to the sparkle of your breathtaking diamond and it won’t be long before the coos of appreciation attract more females within hearing range.
There are also simple gestures that can be used to draw attention to the glittering diamond. You could try casually running your hand through your hair or scratching your cheek. If you wear glasses you can nonchalantly adjust your glasses using your ring finger making sure the diamonds are facing outwards at all times.
Gestures around the face will work best as this is where people are most likely to be looking when interacting with you. The coy gestures will make your intention to be noticed known, but it is far less obvious than excitedly crying ‘Look at my ring!’
If you have friends and family abroad, take a high quality digital picture and email it across.
The ritual of showing off the ring is as important as the official announcement of the forthcoming marriage, so enjoy it. This is your chance to enjoy the limelight and bask in the glow of your relationship.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds we have a breathtaking range of diamond engagement rings on offer.
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Posted on: November 18th, 2009
Unfortunately, men generally pay little attention to your likes and dislikes when it comes to jewellery. This can pose a problem when you get to that all important stage of your engagement. After all, you may have been dreaming of your perfect diamond engagement rings all your life and you want to make sure that you get it or as close as possible. However, if you don’t take action to guide your partner in the right direction, you may be left disappointed.
Some men approach buying your beloved engagement rings in the same way they might go about buying some stock market shares. They will be looking for a good investment! They may view all those gorgeous twinkling diamond engagement rings not as the symbol of your love and devotion to each other, but as a valuable investment.
You need to point him in the right direction to ensure you get the diamonds you always dreamed of. Your man may want to keep the purchase a secret to ensure you have a surprise so you have to resort to subtle tactics and subliminal messages to get your point across.
Firstly, be clear in yourself what size and shape diamond you want. What type of setting would dazzle you and what type of metal do you want?
Next, drop those hints to ensure your man is fully equipped with all the information he needs to get it right. After all surprises are all well and good, but this is your dream diamond we’re talking about – you can’t leave it to chance.
To ensure your man selects your diamond from a quality range of rings, direct him to Marlows Certified Diamonds for an excellent choice.
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Posted on: November 17th, 2009
There are many couples that opt for an engraving on their diamond engagement rings, lured by the idea of personalising the ring with their own unique style and wording. However, sometimes it may be hard to find a reputable jeweller or you may not have time to arrange it. There are some who fear that an engraving will damage the sacred bond between the couple, making it less powerful. Other couples prefer the type of personalisation that can be appreciated by all without having to take the ring off.
There are a variety of alternatives to engraving your engagement rings that provide a bespoke look to the ring. One such option is to have a filigree ring that has a hidden message or symbol built into the ring. Another alternative is to choose a Celtic or figural ring where symbolism is intrinsic to its birthstone ring as this can also add that unique touch. For the height of personal expression, design your own diamond engagement rings.
In terms of cost, a simple engraving will be relatively inexpensive. However this all depends on the type of message and the metal to be engraved. If you choose long phrases, elaborate, ornate fonts or use a stronger metal you can expect the fee to go up. Other expenses are created for rush orders or the addition of bespoke symbols such as hearts that do not come as a standard typeface.
If you opt for an engraving it can be a sweet, romantic embellishment. A wide selection of beautiful diamond engagement rings are available from us at Marlows Certified Diamonds.
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Posted on: November 16th, 2009
You’ve heard the saying men are from Mars and women are from Venus. We all recognise that there are some serious differences between men and women in all walks of life, and this does not differ when purchasing diamond engagement rings.
For all you ladies out there wanting to understand what makes their man tick and how he is likely to approach the buying of the all important engagement rings, here are some interesting findings.
Martians will have a different perspective on buying diamond engagement rings to you lovely Venetians. When looking at a diamond men think about three main things:
• Will their choice of diamond make you happy?
• Will the diamond be a good investment?
• Will you be disappointed in their choice of diamond or at worst, will you completely reject it?
These three points can send your martian into a complete panic as they are usually entering completely unknown territory and have no idea where to start. You need to bear in mind that a man is driven by a fear of making mistakes. They have a deep pride and desire to please and surprise you that may stop them from asking you for advice on the style and size of diamond you would like to see glittering away on your left hand for the rest of your life. They would rather apply martian logic to this emotional decision.
So, venetians, you need to let you man know in subtle terms what you want on your finger.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds we can offer expert advice on helping you to make the best choice of engagement ring.
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Posted on: November 13th, 2009
Once you have announced your engagement, everyone will want to see your new, shiny diamond engagement ring. This is the moment most women cherish. If you want to ensure you get the engagement etiquette right there is a certain order to who should see the ring first.
It goes without saying that family and close friends should see the engagement rings first. If you were to show the ring to casual acquaintances and colleagues at work first, you may run the risk of family members hearing about your exciting news second hand. This could be very hurtful for them as they will expect to be the first to know.
You should also be sensitive to people around you. For example a woman going through a divorce will not appreciate having your brand new engagement rings thrust under her nose. Some people due to their own personal circumstance may not be pleased for you and may appear negative. Be respectful of their situations if you are aware of the circumstances. Don’t feel like you need to cover up your news though.
When you show off your diamond engagement rings, try to resist the temptation to be overly enthusiastic. Some people are protective of their own personal space so hold you hand up, palm facing inwards towards your chest. This allows you to show off the ring but gives the other person the option of reaching out for a closer look if they want to.
For a wide selection of engagement rings you can count on quality at Marlow Diamonds.
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Posted on: November 12th, 2009
These days, many couples prefer to step away from tradition when buying engagement rings and want to create their own unique design. There are many ways of doing this and you can commission jewellers to create your own diamond engagement rings using your own design. Another effective way to personalise the design is to add some wording or significant dates by engraving the ring.
However diamond engagement rings are something delicate, expensive and beautiful so you want to ensure that only a professional should engrave it. When deciding on the engraving itself, there are some guidelines to ensure you get it right:
• The wording should be simple and concise as you are working with a relatively small space. Long phraseswill appear far too cramped on a ring’s circumference
• Think about the wording you select. It should be timeless and classic. Using nicknames or jokes can be a bad move as they can go out of style. However if you do have a unique idea that means a great deal to you it can still be appropriate if engraved properly
• Always check the engraving wording before it is carried out for spelling and any errors
• Keep a record of the engraving, its style and font and keep the information securely with the ring certificate.
• Keep engravings clean by using a soft bristled brush. This will ensure they remain visible.
At Marlows Certified Diamonds, we can help you select your diamond engagement ring from a wide selection of rings.
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