Posts Tagged ‘diamond engagement rings’

Pointing The Conventional Finger

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

To German or Spanish couples, the traditional wedding finger is fourth on the right hand. The Japanese rarely choose to wear a wedding ring at all. So what makes western culture desire so fervently to adorn the fourth finger on the left hand with nuptial jewellery?

A glittering diamond cluster ring or sparkling trilogy ring is a wonderful symbol of engagement. The way diamond engagement rings of any style rests on that significant fourth finger on the left hand is truly an emblem of love. But how has so much meaning become attached to that particular finger?

To think about love and marriage symbolically is imperative. Think about love and one of the first symbols encountered is… the heart. An ancient western-based belief developed that the fourth finger was directly linked to the heart, thus making it the most meaningful finger in matters of the heart.

18ct white gold brilliant cut diamond ring 0.33ctsAn ancient Chinese explanation for the fourth finger rule is this – when you place your palms together and fold in your two middle fingers (keep all of your other fingers touching their counterpart), try to separate the two ring fingers… it can’t be done! This is symbolic of husband and wife being bound together, inseparable through life.

Hand preference seems to be just that – personal preference, be it religious, cultural or practical. Furthermore, and in the spirit of bending tradition, why not indulge the recent fashion for “mengagement” rings (diamond engagement rings for men) – there’s no tradition yet so be as creative as you like!

Rules Of Engagement

Monday, July 19th, 2010

The modern man and woman have blurred the boundaries between genders in certain areas – everybody holds the door for…everybody! Equal rights in society, at work and in a relationship are a given. So is there still a place for male chivalry when it comes to that most precious, symbolic of gestures – the engagement?

Choosing the Ring

For a start, the right diamond engagement rings don’t have to be a total surprise. This is something a woman will wear for her lifetime – slipping it on and off to take a shower, retelling the story of how you became engaged while she gently spins the sentimental jewellery on her finger.

Many couples find choosing diamond engagement rings together to be an affirmation of why they’re choosing to marry one another.

Platinum brilliant certified diamond ring 1.07cts The Price of True Love

The question of who pays for this epic diamond jewellery is, in this day and age, one for discussion. The common opinion seems to be that a real gentleman would (at least offer to) foot the bill.

Father Knows Best

The notion of asking parental “permission” is nowadays one of respect rather than authorisation. This tradition finds its historical roots in an accord being reached between father and suitor, but the more modern approach is simply about a future son-in-law displaying good manners. Remember, these people will be family soon so do everything you can to make the right impression!

5 Reasons Why We Love Diamond Jewellery

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

1. The unmatchable twinkle! The ancient Greeks loved diamonds and interpreted them rather poetically – they enjoyed the notion that each diamond was a speck of shattered starlight. How beautiful and magnificent does that sound! We have more to thank them for too – the word “diamond” evolved from the Greek word “adamas” meaning “invincible”. Remember you’re wearing invincible starlight next time you catch the glint of diamond rings in your eye!

2. The symbiosis between the meaning of love and the meaning of diamonds is a well documented one. There can’t be any greater show of love than imparting a ring made using the hardest, most coveted substance on earth as a token of indomitable, indestructible, unending love.

18ct yellow gold diamond set trilogy ring 0.75cts3. Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Investment, be it financial or emotional, doesn’t usually come cheap. There are always stakes to consider, circumstances to asses, and any number of other potentials to speculate on. Diamonds can be considered somewhat of a bought investment. Be it diamond engagement rings, diamond bracelet, diamond-set designer watch, or any other items of diamond jewellery, the diamond itself will only depreciate in value if damaged.

4. The phrase “timeless” is uttered in soft, breathy tones to describe such fashion idols as the Channel suit, Holly Go-Lightly’s black Dior dress and… diamonds! Never out of fashion, always chic, always desired.

5.  They’re inspirational, with ownership holding formidable esteem and status. Diamonds are rare, desirable, treasured, and rife with meaning and symbology. Everyone aspires to own a diamond!

Choosing A Diamond Engagement Ring

Tuesday, June 15th, 2010

So, you are sure that your girl is ‘the one’ and you know where and when you are going to pop the question. All that you need to do now is purchase the perfect engagement ring. Naturally, diamond engagement rings are the preferred choice for blushing brides-to-be, but choosing suitable diamond rings from the wealth of jewellery available can be a somewhat daunting affair.

First of all, make sure you remember that the size of the diamond is not the most important thing. Your beloved will not think less of you because you cannot afford an absolute rock, so work out just how much you can genuinely afford and stick to it. Commission hungry jewellery sales assistants sometimes try and persuade guilty feeling bachelors into buying diamond engagement rings that are far beyond what they can afford, so make sure that you stay within your limit.

9ct white gold brilliant diamond ring 0.15ctsWhen you have made your mind up and chosen a ring which doesn’t require a mortgage, take the time to ensure that it comes with insurance and a warranty. If you have pushed the boat out and purchased more expensive diamond rings then make sure that certification is also included. All diamonds that are equal to or greater than 0.3 carats need to be certified in order to determine the authenticity of the diamond and to state all of its relevant characteristics such as colour, cutting and cloudiness grades.

True Love Beats The Recession

Friday, June 11th, 2010

You don’t need telling that times have been tough over the last couple of years due to the economic situation. But the recession can’t be allowed to stand in the way of true love, so how do you choose from the many diamond engagement rings available one which your fiance will wear with joy, love and pride every day, and breaking the bank? After all, you are probably saving for a deposit for your home together, so you will want to be able to look at diamond engagement rings that won’t put your finances under pressure. On this note, etiquette experts suggest that two month’s salary is a reasonable amount to spend on diamond engagement rings. Of course, if you can afford to spend more, most women won’t argue with you about that.

18ct white gold emerald cut diamond ring 0.15ctsSome couples regard jewellery as an investment, which is why they go for top-quality diamond jewellery which will appreciate in value over the years. Others are less concerned with the value and choose diamond engagement rings which will simply prove that they are in love. This is one of the reasons why eternity rings are so popular, as they are the perfect symbol of a relationship.

If you are looking for diamond jewellery of any kind, then ROX will be able to help you find the perfect gift. They can supply everything from diamond rings to gents watches, so whether you are buying online, or from their stores, make sure you look at the great range of jewellery available there.

Buying Jewellery Online Is Incredibly Easy

Monday, June 7th, 2010

If you want to buy jewellery or watches online, you will need to have 100 per cent peace of mind about the company you are buying from. This is why more and more people are choosing ROX when they want to buy their jewellery online. ROX have built an enviable reputation for supplying the very best in jewellery, from eternity rings to ladies watches and just about everything in between.

If you are in the area, you can also visit their boutique stores in Glasgow’s famous jewellery treasure trove, the Argyll Arcade. They also have stores in the leading shopping destinations of Braehead, Silverburn and Aberdeen’s Union Square. There you will see for yourself contemporary classics, fashions straight from the catwalk, and individual pieces with an elegance and character all of their own.

Gucci Marina Chain black dial bangle watchYA121501The ROX reputation for diamond engagement rings is certainly impressive. Every ROX diamond in their Signature Collection is handpicked for its superior cut, presence and beauty, which means that when you wear it, you know it will stand out.

Choosing diamond jewellery is a subjective thing, but whether you buy online or at one of the retail outlets, you can ask the staff to help you when choosing jewellery. This can come in handy if you are buying, for example, diamond earrings for your wife or girlfriend as a surprise. The helpful staff at ROX will point you in the right direction if you’re not sure exactly what you want. So whatever you are looking for in diamond jewellery, have a look at the fantastic range on the ROX website.

What Is A Carat?

Tuesday, May 25th, 2010

The weight (and therefore the size) of stones used in diamond jewellery is measured in carats. They are a very old measure, and these days carat weights are the standard for precious stones. For precious metals like gold, carat is a purity measure rather than an outright weight, so that is slightly different. In diamond rings, the carat value stated may be the weight of the centrepiece stone or the combined weight of all stones including small chips- fell free to ask if in any doubt about any of our diamond jewellery.

Back in the early days of diamond trading for jewellery, the stones were measured against the weight of carob seeds, which are remarkably uniform in size and weight. One carob seed came to be one carat. There is a finer measurement called ‘point’. One point is one hundredth of a carat, so a half carat diamond is a fifty point diamond.

9ct white gold pave diamond heart ring 0.18ctsWhile size certainly does matter, diamond quality is also important. Clarity and colour will also affect the price and desirability of a given stone. So will the type of cut.

One carat is 0.2g. That doesn’t sound like much, but one carat diamond engagement rings are actually quite good and the central stone in question will probably look quite impressive. Most of the stones used in diamond jewellery are smaller than that. A 2 carat diamond is on the decidedly large side, and a 3 carat diamond is truly outstanding in size. Good quality loose stones of that weight are usually sold for tens of thousands of pounds when cut, or more.

Diamond Cut

Wednesday, May 19th, 2010

In diamonds and other precious gems, the ‘cut’ refers to the shape of the finished stone. There are a huge variety of cuts available from the classic to the fancy, and there are different pros and cons to each. It’s not just the shape that counts for aesthetic purposes or to suit a particular kind of jewellery fitting. It is the cut of a diamond set in diamond jewellery that draws light into the centre of the stone and makes it sparkle. The number of facets (the individual flat planes) and their angle to one another impacts the way light is reflected and refracted around inside the stone.

18ct white gold brilliant cut diamond ring 0.25ctsFor diamonds, where that internal fire is the main drawcard, cut is obviously of paramount importance. Since the advent of laser cutting equipment, cuts have grown more and more sophisticated. The understanding of the optical physics involved has also grown. New cuts can now be designed and analysed with computer programs. All these factors combined mean that the diamonds used in jewellery are now more spectacular than ever. The jewellers of a hundred years ago would be amazed by today’s diamond engagement rings.

Cuts are divided into families. The most common is the round brilliant style, which is designed to make efficient use of a perfect, flawless diamond crystal. The symmetry and carefully calculated angles of a classic round brilliant do perhaps the best job of bringing out a diamond’s sparkle. It’s the most popular choice for the large, high quality centrepiece diamonds found in jewellery, although there are many more.

A Note On The Colours Of Diamonds

Monday, May 17th, 2010

The most common diamond found in watches and jewellery is the perfectly colourless or ‘white’ diamond, but that is certainly not the only colour available. More than 20 officially approved colours are known to experts. Pink, blue, and champagne are three of the most popular in jewellery.

Colour is distinct from clarity. While clarity scrutinises a diamond for flaws and interruptions, colour refers to the tint. Any colour of diamond can have a high or a low clarity and a correspondingly high or a low quality. Some of the largest and most valuable diamonds found either loose or in diamond jewellery settings in the world are coloured.

Of the ten greatest diamonds ever valued, most are either blue or white. The exception is the Golden Jubilee Diamond, which is the largest cut diamond in the world at more than 540 carat. That’s more than 100g, or the weight of a generous chocolate bar. The clear golden colour is called ‘fancy yellow brown’. It is worth millions of pounds.

9ct white gold diamond pendant and chain 0.05ctsFor those considering a jewellery piece or a watch with diamonds, choosing coloured stones may or may not drive the price up. Because they are rarer, large diamonds with high clarity and a particular tint are usually more expensive than their white equivalents, but there is no denying that they can also be truly beautiful stones.

Selecting a diamond colour to suit your loved one not only shows that you care enough to buy diamonds, but also that you’ve put extra thought in to the choice. For example, nothing beats pink diamond engagement rings for a woman who loves that colour.

Shopping For Diamond Engagement Rings Online

Friday, May 7th, 2010

The internet is a wonderful marketplace. You have the power to view a far greater range of diamond engagement rings online than you would in any city, all from the comfort of your own home and incredibly quickly. Going to half a dozen jewellery shops in town would take all day, assuming there were retailers of the right quality in the area. You can do that online in an hour or two, in the evening after work or whenever you like. There is much greater choice available to those who shop online. That’s important when a gift has to be absolutely perfect.

18ct white gold diamond cluster ring 0.41ctsIt’s easy to compare online retailers and their prices – diamond engagement rings are a significant investment and of course you should always shop around before making the final choice. Because competition between internet jewellery shops is so high, prices are kept fairly reasonable across the board. Naturally we think ours are very reasonable indeed.

At ROX, we understand that you may have to return the diamond ring that you finally settle on. We are happy to resize rings if necessary, and the first resize is always free. Subsequent resizes attract a small charge, but we can still handle the process for you. Of course, not all diamond engagement rings will be kept – not all proposals are successful (although we think a beautiful ring increases your chances!). You are welcome to return any product bought online within 14 days of receipt for either a refund or exchange for a different item.