Posts Tagged ‘Diamond Jewellery’

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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!

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Time To Invest?

Thursday, July 15th, 2010

For women, investment in jewellery presents an eclectic treasure hunt through bracelets, necklaces, broaches, diamond earrings and so on. But for a gentleman the variety can seem a little scarce (unless you favour the B.A.Baracus-in-the -A-Team look) and perhaps you’ve written-off the notion of a jewellery investment. Well stop the clock because it could be time for you to invest in a quality designer watch.

A stylish gent’s watch is a good investment and statement of style, whilst essentially being a practical item of jewellery. So how do you choose? Think of the wristwatch as being akin to a brand new car – potentially highly expensive and instantly depreciative in market value. However, buy the right car (this is the key!), care for it, maintain it, invest in it and reap the reward in the future. Similarly, a well-chosen, high quality watch can (with appropriate care and preservation) bring you a tidy return on your investment.

Hugo Boss automatic silver dial strap watch 151233Watches are not commonly bought for their immediate return on market value. A good men’s watch from one of our partners, Armani jewellery for example, will commonly be passed on down the family line or worn for a lifetime before a sale is considered.

A universal issue of reduction in value is supplying a watch without its original box and papers, so take care to store them carefully.

Be patient. Where investment is concerned, timing is key, so above all enjoy a lifetime of wear out of your classic timepiece.

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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!

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Where Does The Sparkle Come From?

Friday, July 9th, 2010

The UK is not exactly known as the epicentre of diamond-mine country. So where do the diamonds for our fabulous ROX jewellery come from and how are they mined? The short answer is far away and ethically.

Pure carbon + colossal pressure + millions of years = rough diamonds (which can lose 50% of their weight once cut) for export. Sounds simple doesn’t it? In reality this equation is exceptionally rare. Once a potential site is identified there are three factors to consider when judging the merits of moving forward – how stable is the land around the site? How environmentally damaging would it be to mine the area? And finally, what type of terrain must actually be mined?

Platinum emerald certified diamond ring 0.50ctsIn 1867 diamonds were unearthed in the Cape Colony of South Africa, drastically altering the global diamond market forever. South Africa is, to this day, the largest exporter of diamonds in the world. Prolific diamond mining nations are Angola, Australia, Borneo, Botswana, Canada, Congo, India (where diamonds have been mined for over 2,800 years), Lesotho, Namibia, Russia, Siberia, Sierra Leone, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.

An industry concern amongst diamond jewellery producers is the ever-present issue of conflict diamonds. Here at ROX we’ve included a special webpage to help explain a) the nature and origins of conflict diamonds, and b) a written promise to you that all our diamonds are sourced ethically. You can also be sure that diamonds from our partners like Pandora jewellery, Links jewellery and Stephen Webster jewellery carry the same promise.

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Diamonds And Colour

Tuesday, June 29th, 2010

Although most diamonds appear to be colourless (or white), they may actually have subtle yellow or brown tones that can only be seen when they are compared side by side to other diamonds. These variations in colour are caused by traces of other elements entering into the diamond’s atomic make up as they are formed in the intense conditions of the Earth’s crust. Colourless diamonds allow more light to pass through them and so emit a more radiant sparkle than coloured diamonds. This is what makes “sparklers” so valuable as jewellery.

9ct white gold diamond cluster earrings 0.36ctTo grade ‘whiteness’ (or colourlessness), a jewellery colour scale is used that starts at D (colourless) and continues down through the alphabet to stones with traces of light yellow or brown colouring. The first three grades of D, E and F are often called the collection colour and are of course the most valuable. Truly colourless diamonds are an absolute treat for the eyes and make the most beautiful diamond jewellery imaginable. Diamonds graded from G to I are graded as slightly less than colourless but will appear virtually colourless to anyone with an untrained eye.

Normally, colour being present in a diamond makes it less valuable, but some diamonds come out of the ground in incredibly vivid colours. The diamond industry’s term for these diamonds are “fancy” colours and they can be any colour from pink to green or even bright yellow. These diamonds are incredibly rare and valuable, and are a true prize of diamond jewellery.

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Diamonds And Carats

Tuesday, June 22nd, 2010

The value of a diamond is not determined by its size but by its weight, which is measured in carats. The word ‘carat’ originally comes from keration, the ancient Greek word for carob seeds, which were used to weigh and compare many goods in the ancient world. The weight of smaller diamonds is not expressed in carats, but in ‘points’.

A carat is made up of 100 points, so a half-carat diamond is also known as a 50 point diamond. Although used most famously for diamond jewellery, carat is also used as a standard measure for other gemstones. However, some gemstones are denser than others so different gems of the same weight are not necessarily the same size.

18ct white gold illusion-set diamond ring 0.53ctsLarger diamonds normally have a higher value as they are rare and therefore in more demand for diamond jewellery than smaller diamonds of the same quality. Of course, a diamond being large does not automatically qualify it as valuable, as the quality of the cut, clarity and colour all need to be taken into consideration.

A large stone with poor cut, clarity and colour will not be worth any more simply because of its size. However, a large stone with excellent cut, clarity and colour will be worth more than smaller diamonds of equally good quality. For example, diamond rings consisting of one large two carat diamond will nearly always be more expensive than diamond rings made up of several smaller diamonds which may total two carats between them.

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Diamond Clarity

Thursday, June 17th, 2010

All diamonds are unique, and most have tiny flaws or imperfections which are known in the jewellery trade as blemishes or ‘inclusions’. These imperfections can be cavities, scratches or even delicate crystals that have been created within the diamond as it was forming in the earth. The term used to describe the presence of inclusions in diamonds is clarity.

18ct yellow/Platinum brilliant diamond ring 0.28ctA diamond that has fewer inclusions has a higher clarity, and is therefore of more value. The internal characteristics that are present in diamond jewellery can only be seen by looking through a special jeweller’s magnifying glass, known as a loupe. With a loupe, diamond jewellery can be divided into six main categories:

FL
Diamonds with no inclusions are referred to as ‘Flawless’ and are incredibly rare. Brilliant, flawless diamonds are the most beautiful jewellery of all.

IF
IF means that the diamond is Internally Flawless and that no flaws are visible under magnification, only small blemishes on the diamond’s surface.

VVS
The VVS grade means that the diamond is ‘Very, Very Slightly Included’.

VS
VS stands for ‘Very Slightly Included’ and means that minor imperfections are visible under magnification.

SI
SI means that the diamond is ‘Slightly Included’ and imperfections are visible under magnification and possibly with the naked eye.

I
I stands for ‘Included’ and means that imperfections are visible with the naked eye.

Numbers are used after some categories to grade the diamonds further. For example, a VS2 will have more or larger inclusions than a VS1.

At ROX, all of our diamonds are carefully selected for their quality. Available loose or in settings for rings, diamond bracelets, necklaces or earrings, we supply a wide range of diamond jewellery.

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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.

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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.

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The Origins Of The Wristwatch

Wednesday, June 9th, 2010

Wearing a wristwatch is something we men take for granted, but it hasn’t always been the case. Less than 100 years ago, men carried pocket watches, whilewristlets, as they were called at the time, were regarded as Ladies Watches.  Watches of this kind were considered nothing more than a passing fad than a serious timepiece, and it is thought that watchmakers dismissed them as well, believing that, because of their size, they could not be accurate, nor withstand the everyday knocks and bumps they would receive. Because of this, very few companies produced watches in quantity, but this started to change in the nineteenth century, and it was down to the military for this reassessment of Mens Watches.

Hugo Boss black dial black strap watch 1512335Pocket watches were clumsy to carry and thus difficult to operate while in combat situations, so soldiers fitted them into primitive leather straps so they could be worn on the wrist, thereby freeing up their hands during battle. It is believed that the German Imperial Naval used wristwatches as early as the 1880s, which they wore on their wrists while synchronising naval attacks and firing artillery.

Mens watches have come along way since those days, and there is a fantastic range of gents watches available today, from the ordinary functional watches through to Designer watches. If you are thinking of buying Mens watches online, take a look at the great selection here at ROX. You will also find a superb range of Diamond Jewellery, from Diamond Rings to Trilogy Rings and much, much more.

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