Monthly Archives: November 2011

In the Name of Love: How to Finance an Engagement Ring

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When you’re looking for the perfect ring for the love of your life, the price tags may seem overwhelming. But with the many financing options available to customers, you can land the perfect ring to express your love without breaking the bank.

Here are some options for financing engagement rings:

Cash savings. If you have a savings net to dip into, try paying as much as you can for the diamond up front. This will lower your monthly payments and interest rates and shorten the amount of time you’ll be paying for the bauble. Then you can enjoy newlywed bliss without the stress of large ring payments looming over your head.

Credit cards. Turn to your plastic for paying for your ring. If you have good credit, you may be able to swing the whole ring on one or two credit cards. The advantage of using existing cards is you already know – or can find out – your interest rates and terms and can make monthly payments on your card to pay for your gem.

In-store financing. Jewelers have a wide range of payment plans, options and interest fees, depending on where you go and how many karats you choose for your loved one. Many offer private-label credit cards just for buyers like you. Be sure to ask about any deals or incentives packages they offer, such as 0 percent financing for the first three months. Take advantage of these specials by paying off as much of the ring as you can in the first few months after you purchase the treasure.

Online jewelers also offer special pricing deals, for the less than 5 percent of diamond buyers who buy their baubles online. Sites such as Blue Nile offer a Bank of America credit line of up to $25,000, whereas Ice.com allows customers to pay in monthly installments by charging your credit card monthly.

How to Choose the Perfect Men’s Wedding Band

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When it comes to picking out the perfect wedding ring for men, there are several considerations to keep in mind. Your choice is going to become a lot simpler if you keep some factors in mind:

-Considering your lifestyle- this is a very important criterion. For example, if you work in an environment where your ring is exposed to a lot of “tear and wear”, you definitely need to choose something very durable (such as tungsten, 18k gold or platinum). If you are a mechanic who needs to operate machinery for instance, you will either have to take off your ring every day while working, or choose an extremely strong and durable wedding band. However, if you are a person working mostly in an office, you can surely choose even a more delicate ring, such as a braided style white/yellow/pink gold combination which is extremely fashionable nowadays.

-Considering your personality- men should wear unique wedding rings that reflect their personality and lifestyle. The biggest mistake men usually make is to not pay attention to the style of wedding band that they wear. They simply choose one at random, and consider that only the woman’s ring is important. If you are a very daring and bold personality, that should reflect through your imposing jewelry. There are many men’s rings which are set with diamonds, or which feature extremely complex and beautiful patterns.  Or, if you are more of a tradition loving person with an affinity for classic things, you could choose either antique wedding rings, or the simple yellow gold satin finish ring.

- considering the comfort zone- Wedding rings definitely need to be extremely comfortable to wear, since you will most probably wear it for your entire life. Therefore, you should avoid rings that have extreme sharp edges. Instead, choose the comfort fit bands which have some rounded ridges on the interior that will make you feel very comfy while wearing the ring.

Must Know Tips About Buying A Diamond Bracelet

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Diamonds can make more than rings and necklaces sparkle, they infuse brilliance and class in bracelets as well. If you want to buy a bedazzling diamond bracelet, take note of a few basic elements to look for, so you can find a fashionable match:

 

Diamond Quality

Diamond quality is important for any piece of diamond jewelry you purchase. The four Cs of diamonds include color, clarity, carat and cut. Colorless diamonds are valued the most, as they offer the most sparkle and brilliance. Off-white diamonds appear more dull compared to clear ones, which reflect more light. Color diamonds are very rare and high in value, with color options ranging from blue to bright yellow. Ultimately your choice in diamond color depends on your preference and the style of bracelet you want. Clarity is the amount of inherent flaws in your diamond. The more clarity your diamond has, the more it will sparkle. Carat is the unit of weight used to measure diamonds. Sinc larger diamonds are more rare, the greater the carat weight, the more valuable the diamond. The cut of your diamond is how it has been shaped and processed. The cut influences how your diamond reflects light. The best cuts reflect the most light, making your diamond shine.

Setting

A diamond bracelet has a prong setting or channel setting. In a prong bracelet, each diamond is set in a prong and linked by chain links or a metal bar. In a channel setting bracelet, diamonds are encased in a common material, next to each other. White gold and sterling silver are common elements used in diamond channel bracelets. Channel bracelets have a higher sparkle, allowing the diamonds to reflect more light.

Length

A diamond bracelet is an important investment, so you want to make sure it fits properly. Choose a length that suits your wrist and consider if you want a tighter fit that won’t move on your wrist much or if you want a looser fitting bracelet that slides up and down your arm. Keep in mind that your bracelet should not be so loose that it can fit over your hand and fall off. Talk to your jeweler about adjusting the size of a bracelet to suit your needs.

Clasp

A strong clasp is important to prevent losing your bracelet. Spring clasps and lobster claws are the most secure diamond bracelet clasps. Make sure you test out your clasp a few times before buying to ensure it is easy to use and feels secure.

The 3 Most Famous Diamonds in the World

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Diamonds in the Rough: The 3 Most Famous Diamonds in the World

All diamonds symbolize elegant beauty, but some go above and beyond to adorn royalty, inspire conspiracy and make a lasting impression on the world. From the world’s largest diamond to the crowning jewels of royalty, here are three of the most memorable diamonds the world has ever seen:

The Centenary Diamond

The Centenary Diamond, weighing in at 273.85 carats – or 54.77 grams – is renowned not only for its size but also its flawless coloring. The Gemological Institute of America gave the Century Diamond a D in color, which is the highest grade of colorless diamond, meaning it is internally and externally flawless. The gem was discovered in the Premier Mine in South Africa on July 17, 1986, and was given its name after it was presented in the rough for the Centennial Celebration of De Beers Consolidated Mines on May 11, 1988. The Centenary Diamond was unveiled in its final form in May 1991, with 247 facets: 164 on the pavilion and crown, and 83 on the girdle. The gem was never publicly appraised for value but it was insured for more than $100 million at the time of its unveiling in 1991.

The Golden Jubilee Diamond

The Golden Jubilee Diamond is the largest faceted diamond in the world, weighing in at 545.67 carats or 109.13 grams. The royal gem is known for its goldish, brown hue and was called Unnamed Brown until it was presented to the King of Thailand in 1997 for his Golden Jubilee, the 50th anniversary of his coronation. As with the Centenary Diamond, this gem was found in the Premier Mine in South Africa. Gabriel Tolkowsky designed the diamond, which has been blessed by Pope John Paul II in the Vatican, the Supreme Buddhist Patriarch and the Supreme Imam in Thailand. The golden gem now resides in the Royal Thai Palace as part of the crown jewels.

The Great Star of Africa

The Great Star of Africa, weighing in at 530.4 carats or 106.1 grams, was the reigning largest diamond in the world until the Golden Jubilee was found. The Great Star of Africa, also called Cullinan I, also hails from the Premier Mine. The gem is named after Sir Thomas Cullinan, the owner of the diamond mine where it was found in 1905. The gem is the largest in a series of nine diamonds from the same rock, named Cullinan I through IX. The Great Star of Africa is mounted, along with Cullinan II or the Lesser Star of Africa, in the Crown Jewels of the United Kingdom.

 

Rings to Die For: Reality Star Engagements

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Love it or loathe it, reality television is a cultural phenomenon and national obsession. From the “Real Housewives” and “Keeping up with the Kardashians,” to the escapades of “Bethenny Ever After,” there is an endless mix of savvy stars that are milking every second of their 15 minutes of fame.

Bethenny Frankel - Engagement Ring

One of the pluses of reality television is its celebration of luxuries, which translates into eye-popping displays of engagement rings for diamond lovers everywhere.

In 2009, Bethenny Frankel, star of the “Bethenny Ever After” series, set the standard with a sparkling 8-carat engagement ring. The $150,000 ring features a pear-shaped, 6.5-cart center stone that is flanked by two side stones. Frankel’s pricey and stylish ring set the standard on the popular “Real Housewives” franchise.

“Keeping up with the Kardashian’s,” and its multiple spin-offs, chronicle the lives of America’s most famous reality television family. The show follows the exploits of the popular Los Angeles socialites, chronicling their affinity for all things glamorous and seemingly endless supply of rich suitors.

Khloe Kardashian, wife of current Los Angeles Laker star Lamar Odom, set the gossip blogs afire back in 2009 when she showed off her $850,000 engagement ring. The not-so-subtle 12.5-carat ring features a radiant-cut diamond with a sparkler-paved band.

Khloe’s engagement ring supremacy was short-lived. She was upstage in early 2011, when her sister Kim got engaged to New Jersey Nets star, Kris Humphries.

Kim Kardashian’s whopping 20.5-carat engagement ring was presented to the starlet

during a made-for-television proposal scene. The bauble-shaped ring features a 16.5 carat, emerald center-cut stone that is flanked by 2-carat diamonds, while the inner band is inscribed with secret Bible passages. With a reported price-tag of $2.5 million, Kim Kardashian’s engagement ring ranks among the priciest in the celebrity world.

Choosing the Symbol of Your Love: Engagement Ring Shopping

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The easiest way to pick out the perfect engagement ring is to take your girlfriend to the jeweler. However, if you want to maintain the element of surprise, you will have to be creative with your search. In order to find an engagement ring that signifies your undying devotion, pay close attention to your significant other’s tastes to ensure that she loves the ring almost as much as she loves you.

Listen to your girlfriend’s opinions on engagement rings and jewelry. Note the type of jewelry she wears: is it bold and over-the-top or refined and understated? Observe closely when she browses through magazines, entertainment blogs, or during visits to jewelry stores and listen to her comments to get an idea of what she finds appealing.

Determine the type of band by finding out if your lover prefers platinum or white gold.  Also note if she likes contemporary rings, timeless classics or a vintage ring with some historical significance.

Consider the diamond cut that will look best on her hand. If she has short fingers, elongated diamonds such as oval cuts make her hand look sleek and long. Conversely, bold, eye-catching diamonds like oversized emerald cuts will look better if she has long fingers. Steer your girlfriend towards a jewelry store to get her to try on rings. While there, note what she finds most appealing, as well as what looks best on her hand.

The trip to the jewelry store will also help you figure out her ring size. However, if you do not want to take her to a jewelry store, get one of her family members or friends to find out her ring size for you. But remember to swear them to secrecy. Another option is to get a hold of a ring she wears on her ring finger and get the size of it.

White Gold Engagement Ring

Buy a ring that compliments her lifestyle. If she works in a conservative profession, avoid tacky displays that would look out of place in the office. If your significant other likes all things glamorous, pick a ring that will compliment her Hollywood sense of style.

After considering these factors, set a price point for the ring which also factors in the price of insurance. Remember, there are a myriad of affordable options for you to choose from and many jewelers offer finance plans.