The diamond engagement rings – a timeless expression of love and commitment.

The classic styles available – solitaire and pave, for example – still are popular today, but there are emerging trends of which you, the potential buyer should be aware.

Note: One thing that never changes is what grooms tend to pay for engagement rings – quite a bit! Latest statistics show the average amount spent is ,000, according to these sources:

” ,044 (Bride’s Millenium Report)

” ,982 (Bride’s Magazine)

” ,909 (Modern Bride, as cited in Weddings for Dummies)

” ,576 (Conde Nast Bridal Group)

” ,165 (Modern Bride Magazine)

” ,807 (National Bride Service)

Hot ring trends – classic, antique and modern lead the way

For example, classic solitaires are very popular. Many women are choosing a classic-cut diamond solitaire. These are assured of never going out of style and make good heirloom pieces.

However, a traditional solitaire setting is upswept and raises the diamond high. Some people today select settings where the center stone sits low, creating a look that is elegant and ergonomic. Another popular setting is one that is intricately raised, as well as twisted band.

And while the round cut continues to be popular, it is becoming more common to see the oval cut, as well as the emerald.

The pave setting, where the band is studded with diamonds seamlessly, is elegant and is becoming more popular. The idea is that smaller stones are set so close together that no metal can be seen between them. This maximizes the wattage of the ring without pushing the cost too high.

Antique, vintage rings that your grandmother might have worn also are trendy, which combines an historical, period look with current fashion. Look for gold filigree settings, floral accents and gemstone baguettes. The cuts typically are cushion, round, pillow and Asscher , and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light.

Also becoming more popular are modern styles. This type features clean, streamlined designs for a cosmopolitan, chic look. The most contemporary styles feature a bezel-set and designs where the diamond seems to “float,” which is a type of tension setting.

engagement rings with colored stones also are an emerging trend, with colored diamonds being quite the rage. Many celebrities, such as Jennifer Lopez, have chosen colored diamond engagement rings and this has cemented their popularity.

For something different, consider new diamond cuts on the market. The Zales diamond cut has more facets than traditional cuts and can increase the stone’s fire. Also consider the princess cut – a modified square.

Platinum – hands down the choice today

Regarding the ring itself, platinum is definitely the hot trend. Platinum is popular because its rich luster sets off the brilliance of a diamond like no other metal. This metal is naturally white and will always keep its shine, unlike yellow gold, which may tarnish. Platinum is the strongest precious metal, and is twice as heavy as most gold alloy rings.

Some women want their platinum ring carved with designs or inlaid with gemstones.

As rings are used at different occasion like at time of engagement, wedding, anniversary and also Valentines Day, thus it is important to choose a ring that suits well at the occasion. It has been seen that most of the men obsessed while buying an engagement ring because an engagement ring is considered as symbol of timeless expression of love and expression.

There are lots of popular trends in engagement ring and diamond engagement ring running in the market. In diamond engagement rings, a gorgeous diamond gets lots of character from its surroundings. And these current styles drizzled with diamonds are definitely a hit among brides and designers alike. Not only do the extra diamonds add tons of sparkle, but they can enhance the size or at least give the illusion of a larger center stone. In addition, there are lots different trends in diamond setting available that you and your partner definitely love.

Among different diamond setting, a traditional solitaire setting is popular that raises the diamond high which makes it more shining. Some people today select settings where the center stone sits low, creating a look that is elegant and ergonomic. Another popular setting is one that is intricately raised, as well as twisted band. And while the round cut continues to be popular, it is becoming more common to see the oval cut, as well as the emerald.

The pave setting, where the band is studded with diamonds seamlessly, is elegant and is becoming more popular. The idea is that smaller stones are set so close together that no metal can be seen between them. This maximizes the wattage of the ring without pushing the cost too high.

Furthermore, antique, vintage engagement rings also are trendy, which combines an historical, period look with current fashion. Look for gold filigree settings, floral accents and gemstone baguettes. The cuts typically are cushion; round, pillow and Asscher, and their larger facets radiate more fire under less light.

Now different types of clean, streamlined and chic look designs in engagement rings are greatly adored by people. The most contemporary styles feature a bezel-set and designs where the diamond seems to “float,” which is a type of tension setting. Among the emerging trends in engagement rings, one thing which is same what you tend to pay your engagement rings. In simple words, quality, style and uniqueness in engagement ring depends on its price. And, it is up to you how much you want to spend on your perfect ring.

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The Tacori collection of jewelry is so stunningly beautiful it has had several airings on the popular TV show ‘Desperate Housewives’. The stunning settings and hand engraving make for eye catching pieces that are just perfect for us all to admire on our plasma screens.

’Desperate Housewives’ have recently had two pieces of Tacori jewelry on display. The huge engagement ring that Nicolette Sheridan’s character, Edie Britt, purchases for herself on behalf of Carlos was a great example of a Tacori ring. That particular engagement ring was a spectacular platinum setting with the famous Tacori half-moon crescent silhouette. This style of carving on the Tacori band is so well known and unique that Tacori have actually had the design patented.

In the latest season Teri Hatcher’s alter ego Susan Meyer wears an exquisitely fine Tacori necklace, seemingly through the whole series. Teri loved her necklace so much she has been seen wearing hers off set as much as on set. Rumor has it, that the necklace is hers to keep. The lucky lady was snapped recently on the red carpet proudly wearing her pendant which complemented her cleavage beautifully. The pendant in question is a platinum circle with very delicate filigree working involving milgrain settings and very subtle diamonds. This is a necklace that any woman would want to wear around her neck both day and night.

Not only has Teri Hatcher had the privilege of showcasing a Tacori necklace, but in one of the very early series she also has a Tacori wedding band. This was when she was contemplating remarrying her ex-husband who was also seeing Edie at the same time. Havoc ensued when Edie discovered the wedding ring in Carl’s possession and thought it was for her. There has been no mention of whether or not Teri kept that particular souvenir.

The Tacori collection is famous for its extremely delicately worked settings and surrounds. The pieces are all hand tooled, not only producing unique and truly one of a kind items, but true objects of beauty. Tacori jewelry is available in the extremely popular and hard wearing platinum, or alternatively in 18 or 22K gold. Platinum is a more precious and costly metal than gold, but the extra investment is extremely worthwhile because platinum will never lose its shine, and does not wear. The other great advantage to platinum is that it can often make your diamonds appear bigger than they really are, depending on the style of setting that you select for your piece.

Of course, no girl has to be a ‘desperate housewife’ to own one of these fabulous pieces. One of the great advantages of the Tacori system is that you are able to select a setting that you love, and then you can choose a diamond from your price range for the setting. For those already in possession of a diamond, or diamonds, the system works in reverse. Select a setting and have your own stones mounted.

With this sort of system you are able to spend as much or as little as your budget allows, and yet you still have a totally hand made and unique piece of jewelry. Tacori jewelry incorporates vintage inspired settings that are timeless in their appeal, along with hand crafting, to produce contemporary elegance to please any woman. From housewives to Hollywood, Tacori has something to suit everyone.

Platinum or gold? No, we are not talking about the color of your AmEx card here, but the color of the metal you are planning for your engagement ring. The very first decision when designing your own engagement ring will be what metal you will be wanting your ring to be crafted from. Your basic choices are platinum or gold. Gold is available in a variety of colors including white, yellow or rose.

While platinum is certainly a more costly metal it does have a few long term advantages over gold. Firstly, platinum is a harder metal and will not wear down. Secondly, it will not lose its shine or tarnish, whereas white gold that has been rhodium plated needs to be re-plated periodically to maintain its shine. Thirdly, platinum is hypoallergenic.

Platinum can also be used to advantage in settings to help showcase your diamond. The ring setting will be less obtrusive, and the white metal setting can actually make your diamond look a little larger. The high shine of the platinum will enhance the fire and sparkle of your diamond engagement ring.

A platinum engagement ring will certainly last you a lifetime. This ring will be just as shiny in 20 or 50 years as the day he slips it on your finger. Have you ever noticed how worn your grandparent’s gold engagement and wedding rings have become over time? Well, with platinum your engagement ring will never fade away.

Platinum is certainly becoming more and more popular with the celebrities. The extremely high shine of the metal does exude a luxurious glamor.

Platinum rings can also look superb with stainless steel wrist watches. As we all know, stainless steel watches are another hard wearing jewelry item, and range in styles from athletic to formal.

Gold may be less expensive initially, but in terms of wear and tear, and repairs over a lifetime, it may well be a case of false economy. However, many girls do like the color that gold is available in. Ultimately it comes down to personal choice. If you prefer yellow or rose gold, then go for it. Perhaps you could have the claws or the setting made from platinum or white gold to highlight the diamond and have the actual band made from the metal of your choice. Or alternatively, have a platinum band that will not wear, and then have colored gold of your choice engraved or filigreed to give you a highly decorative and unique ring.

Yet another alternative is to incorporate both yellow and white metals for more complex designs. This can be a great way to get the best of both worlds or to perhaps keep the price of your engagement ring down. By incorporating both a yellow gold with platinum or white gold in your engagement ring, you will be always able to continue wearing both your yellow and white gold jewelry.

Custom made engagement rings are a fantastic way of ensuring that your engagement ring is absolutely made to your finest requirements. Contemporary designs of engagement rings can allow you a great selection of metals from which to craft your ring. Platinum, gold, or a mix of both, when designing your own engagement ring, the choice is totally yours.

Minoan costume was one of the four styles that led to the development of Greek attire. It also influenced clothing in the coastal regions of the Black Sea, the eastern Mediterranean and in some areas of inland Asia. It is accepted that the concept of cut emerged here; Minoans were the first to wear fitted clothes. The hat also originated in Crete. Unfortunately, no clothing specimens have survived Crete’s temperate, damper climate. What we know of Minoan has come from art. The evolution of Cretan costume during the different periods of the Cretan and Aegean civilizations is well documented, but can never reveal exactly what was worn.

Women’s clothing

In the early stages of civilization in Crete, women wore the loincloth, common to both sexes, but arranged in a form of skirt. By the eighteenth century BC, women’s clothing included a decorated skirt, a bodice, an outer garment, either a long cloak or a short cape, and a head-dress.

As the skirt evolved, it became more elaborate and ornate. Supported at the waist and reaching to the ground, it was tightly belted and fitted closely over the hips. The oldest model, Early Minoan III (2400 to 2100 BC), was bell shaped, made in broadly striped cloth. Its fullness was supported on horizontal hoops which helped to stiffen the garment. Flounces, narrow strips of patterned material, fell over each other to form a checkerboard pattern of light blue, brown, and beige cloth. A fresco at Hagia Triada depicts a woman wearing a skirt in which two tiers of flounced fabric with white, red and brown rectangles and a red-and-white binding were sewn on to a skirt with a white-and-red cross pattern.

Figurines from Palaikastro show that this fashion for stiff skirts persisted in provincial towns until early sixteenth century BC.

The bodice evolved from a way of wrapping a stiff shawl around the body and then girdling it at the waist, leaving the breasts completely or almost completely exposed. At the end of Middle Minoan (1580 BC) the bodice, which was open down the front to the waist, rose behind the neck in a Medici collar. From the eighteenth century onwards, the collar disappeared. The décolletage, however remained, for the bodice was laced only below the breasts.

Forearms were universally bare. Sleeves were tightly fitted, puffed or ‘leg-of-mutton’ styled. They were held in place by ribbons tied at the neck or by crossed shoulder straps over the back.

The corset was one of the most surprising garments. It was formed of a framework of metal plates, which presupposes the use of copper.  The technology was new and unknown to Neolithic people. The corset made the skirt lie flat on the hips and accentuated the slimness of the waist and the prominence of the bare breasts.

The slim waist was sought after mostly by women, but also by and men. It was often accentuated by a belt. Cretan women of Middle Minoan I wound the girdle twice round the waist, letting the ends fall in front to the foot of the skirt. Another type of belt, with two rolls but without tabs, remained in vogue over a long period and has been found in faience votive objects. A simpler style consisted in only one roll.

The apron worn on top of the skirt originated in the primitive loincloth common to all prehistoric Palaeolithic and Neolithic peoples, which might have been ritually preserved in religious costume.

Minoan costume became most elaborate between 1700 and 1500 BC; it was a superb example of  luxury and elegance. Vivid colors and rich textiles characterized the Cretan’s wardrobe, which included the gown, the apron, bodices, culottes-type skirts, and numerous styles of hats. After the Mycenaean invasion in 1450, Mycenaean women took Minoan colors and costume shape, and these eventually made their way Into Greek styles.

Men’s clothing

All men, workmen, as well as warriors and princes, wore the loincloth, which varied in shape according to the material used – linen, thick wool, or leather. The loincloth could be arranged like a short skirt or a double apron. It generally finished at the back in a point that was sometimes lengthened and upturned resembling an animal’s tail. Or another loincloth could be worn over the first, but back to front, forming a flounce that extended to mid-thigh with two points, one each at the back and front. The torso was not covered.

The male thin waist were accentuated by cloth belts heavily decorated with metal; the most expensive ones displayed rosettes and spirals made of silver and gold, or copper.

After the Mycenaean invasion, men wore tight-fitting shorts with decorative tassels. This style prevailed until the Dorians invaded Crete in about 1100 BC.

The ceremonial attire consisted in a long, one-piece gown made in bright colours with rich embroidery. It was reserved for princes, the nobility, and priests. Tunic-shaped, it fell from the neck to the calf or ankle. A short cape or a cloak made from animal skin or wool was worn over the loincloth or gown for warmth.

Male nudity was widely accepted. Men of any rank or status roamed freely in the nude.

 Footwear

Cretans went barefoot indoors, but wore shoes outside. Especially the high class never showed themselves in public without shoes or sandals. The latter were finely worked and attached above the ankles with thick thongs. These thongs were sometimes decorated with beads, but this was the height of luxury. Minoans’ shoe-types included slipper shoes, moccasin-style socks, sandals, and high, closed boots for journeys. Men wore white half-boots, reaching to the calf. They were probably made of the same some white leather or pale chamois skin, still used by Cretans shoemakers today. They could also be red with thongs tied seven times round the leg.

Women wore high boots, slippers, sandals, and sometimes shoes with heels.

Textiles

Early Minoans wore animal skins, but by 3000 BC they had mastered the art of weaving flax and, later, wool. Proof that spinning and weaving were already known in Neolithic communities is furnished by the discovery of numerous spindle-weights.

Everything connected with clothing, from sheep-shearing to cutting the cloth, was a domestic occupation, but dyeing was made by skilled professionals.  The industry used vegetable pigments as well as the purple extracted from shellfish. This purple industry had a long history under the middle Minoan period, and made it possible to dye fine materials with three or four colors in varied patterns.

Jewelry

Many of the jewelry items that survived from the Minoan period were found in tombs, buried with their owners.

The average Minoan wore necklaces of stones, while the wealthy proudly displayed beads of blue steatite, of blue paste imitating lapis lazuli, agate, amethyst, cornelian or rock crystal, or metal plates. Mixed with these beads were pendants bearing animal, bird or human motifs. Minoan women have been depicted wearing thin necklaces with long strands that could be wrapped up to three times around the neck.

Pendants and ear-rings were very popular. They were crafted out of wire, metal strips, rolled into spirals, or metal plaques decorated with rosettes.

Head ornaments were usually worn only by women who decorated their hair with gold bands or diadems. Hairpins were made of copper or gold. The simplest kind had spiral heads, while examples with flower heads were found at Mochlos.

Bracelets were worn on both arms.

Hats and head-dresses

Hats are believed to have originated in Minoan Crete. They included high caps, pointed hats, berets, turbans and even tricorns, perhaps with ritual significance, decorated with rosettes and crowned with a curled plume or ribbon. Certain hats have white trimmings, while others black.

Hair was styled intricately. Women wore their hair in a variety of ways: in a ponytail hanging at the back of the neck, in long waves and plaits, or with a single or double lock curling above the ear and hanging down by the neck. Women of high rank wore ornamental gold pins in their hair. Gold or copper hairpins were also used to hold the hair in place. Hairstyles could feature lavish ornamentation such as pearls and gems held together by gold filigree fillets – narrow hair bands – or a small gold crown. Alternatively, the hair could be braided with strings of pearls. Late Minoan men wore their hair in a long wavy style.

Knossos: the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and probably the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture.

Hagia Triada: the archaeological site of an ancient Minoan settlement.

One of the most important questions you will ask in your lifetime is “will you marry me?” While it may sound easy to do, the results of a badly planned proposal can be disappointment, tears and even a “no” as an answer to your big question!  A huge part of a proposal is the ring – when you drop to one knee and open that little box, it can literally make or break the success of this big moment.  Here we discover the dos of buying an engagement ring.

Do: Decide on a Budget

Aside from a house or car, an engagement ring could be one of the biggest purchases you make in your life.  But unlike a house or a car, which provides shelter or transportation, an engagement ring offers a promise and is often mistakenly purchased based on emotion, not logic.  By setting a budget, you will be able to focus only on what you can afford, instead of pining away for a ring for your loved one that you cannot afford.  So, set a price limit on your engagement ring and stick to it – decide on this before you start looking at anything!  There will be nothing enjoyable about giving a ring to the love of your life, only knowing in the back of your mind that you will both be eating baked beans for the next 12 months!

Do: Learn About the Four “C’s”

You may not have ever heard of this term before, but you’ll be an expert by the time you have purchased a diamond – the four “C’s” stand for Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.  The cut options are wide and varied.  More often than not, your loved one will always have a preference.  Some of the more popular cuts are Pear, Round Brilliant, Princess, Emerald and Marquise.  Colour is another important aspect to consider when purchasing a diamond.  The commercial grading for the colour of a diamond is based on an alphabetical scale. The scale begins at D and is considered a colourless white diamond.  On the opposite end of the scale, which is Z, the diamond is considered light yellow in colour.  Next on the list is clarity – this classification is based around how many inclusions (cracks or fractures) are visible under magnification or to the naked eye.  A carat is the measurement that the industry uses to determine the weight of a diamond.

Do: Discover the Perfect Setting

More often than not, the setting that you select will reflect the personality of your partner.  There is wide range of settings to choose from including modern, sleek bands with minimal detail, or classic designs with intricate filigree additions.  Bands and settings are often created with precious metals such as yellow, white or rose gold, platinum or titanium.

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One of the most important questions you will ask in your lifetime is “will you marry me?” While it may sound easy to do, the results of a badly planned proposal can be disappointment, tears and even a “no” as an answer to your big question!  A huge part of a proposal is the ring – when you drop to one knee and open that little box, it can literally make or break the success of this big moment.  Here we discover the dos of buying an engagement ring.

Do: Decide on a Budget

Aside from a house or car, an engagement ring could be one of the biggest purchases you make in your life.  But unlike a house or a car, which provides shelter or transportation, an engagement ring offers a promise and is often mistakenly purchased based on emotion, not logic.  By setting a budget, you will be able to focus only on what you can afford, instead of pining away for a ring for your loved one that you cannot afford.  So, set a price limit on your engagement ring and stick to it – decide on this before you start looking at anything!  There will be nothing enjoyable about giving a ring to the love of your life, only knowing in the back of your mind that you will both be eating baked beans for the next 12 months!

Do: Learn About the Four “C’s”

You may not have ever heard of this term before, but you’ll be an expert by the time you have purchased a diamond – the four “C’s” stand for Cut, Colour, Clarity and Carat.  The cut options are wide and varied.  More often than not, your loved one will always have a preference.  Some of the more popular cuts are Pear, Round Brilliant, Princess, Emerald and Marquise.  Colour is another important aspect to consider when purchasing a diamond.  The commercial grading for the colour of a diamond is based on an alphabetical scale. The scale begins at D and is considered a colourless white diamond.  On the opposite end of the scale, which is Z, the diamond is considered light yellow in colour.  Next on the list is clarity – this classification is based around how many inclusions (cracks or fractures) are visible under magnification or to the naked eye.  A carat is the measurement that the industry uses to determine the weight of a diamond.

Do: Discover the Perfect Setting

More often than not, the setting that you select will reflect the personality of your partner.  There is wide range of settings to choose from including modern, sleek bands with minimal detail, or classic designs with intricate filigree additions.  Bands and settings are often created with precious metals such as yellow, white or rose gold, platinum or titanium.

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A vintage ring is the one that looks to be historical or antique, but the term ‘vintage’ does not require jewelry item to be really old. If one is hunting for vintage rings, he will have to take good care looking at quality of piece. For several individuals, vintage wedding ring is eternal, matchless piece with more character than contemporary rings, and these pieces usually turn into heirlooms passed from one generation to another.

Famous styles of Vintage Rings

Some of the most famous designs for silver vintage ringsdate back to the era of 1800 and 1900. Several of these earlier pieces have slight filigree design and characterize small diamonds gracefully captured in gold setting. Further, not all stones may be diamonds, but they can also be sapphires, emeralds and rubies.

Vintage cuts and metals

As jewelers of past did not have any access to technology available now, they had to learn art of stone cuts. On account of cruder innovation, several truly antique and vintage stones have flaws, scratches and chips along the surface of facets. Whilst all these scratches may undervalue the wedding bands slightly, that reduction is usually countered by age and intricacy of band.

Platinum was not utilized comprehensively in rings until starting of 1900s. Until that time, ‘yellow gold’ was the most famous metal. In early 20th century, platinum-made rings became famous. However, as wars started, especially Second World War demanded metal for the purpose of military manufacturing, ‘yellow gold’ once again recovered its popularity. Nowadays, one can select from platinum, yellow gold and white gold, as well as different combinations.

Selecting a vintage ring

A vintage ring is subtle, with little accent stones and elaborate patterns. One should be certain he has ring tested methodically and comprehend what repair work might be required, along with additional maintenance cost. Antique rings usually have collected oils and dirt in setting, prongs and other parts of rings and so may not look as dazzling as they should after thorough cleaning. The jeweler should clean the ring on request, though the service is not available at estate sales, auctions and pawn shops.

If one is buying gemstones other than diamond, one should remember that such stones are more vulnerable and bit softer to everyday wear. Minor flaws can be ignored in the favor of age of ring. However, it does not reduce the importance of having the ring evaluated by honest jewelers to confirm its value and ‘insure’ the ring if required.

Silver vintage ringsare not designed to be put on everyday. So, one should remove ring before sports activities, yard work or cleaning and always keep it in some safe location. In order to check for damages like bent prongs or loose settings, it will be good to get the ring examined by professional jeweler.

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In today’s world, nothing speaks of marriage the way a diamond ring cries out. Traditionally worn on the third finger of the left hand, the diamond engagement ring runs from the finger and straight to the heart.

The tradition was first introduced in 1477, when Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy. The tradition of wearing it on the third finger of the left hand actually dates back to early Egyptians, who labeled the vein following that path the Vena Amors – or the vein of love.
How much today’s groom wants to spend on a ring varies with his salary. The most important part of the tradition is finding a ring that shows the bride the thought and love involved in the selection.

Settings

Today’s rings are set in a variety of materials. Some brides shy away from gold in favor of silver. Other brides are the opposite and prefer gold. But even with gold, there are varying purities to consider.

Sterling silver has been used for everything from medical instruments to musical instruments. For a less expensive ring, consider a diamond ring set in sterling silver. Sterling silver is actually 99.9 percent pure and is often too soft to make functional objects. But when combined with copper, which gives it strength, silver can be a smart choice for a relatively inexpensive ring. The setting – or band – can be made into a fine filigree design or a solid band. When well polished, silver can mimic platinum and set off a beautiful diamond.

24 karat gold is considered pure gold, but few rings are actually 24 karat gold. The karat weight of gold depends on how much alloy is mixed with the gold. For example, 10 karat gold has 10 parts gold to 14 parts alloy. And 14 karat gold is 14 parts gold to 10 parts alloy. Therefore, 18 karat gold is 18 parts gold to 6 parts alloy. It all must add up to 24 karats of material.

When it comes to picking a setting for your engagement ring, you will find settings in 10K, 14K and 18K gold. However, a setting that is 24 karat gold is rare indeed.

Diamonds

Colored diamonds are relatively new to the market. You will find black, brown, yellow and even pink diamonds. Most brides will likely opt for a white diamond for their engagement ring, but the color selections are there for those who want something different.

When selecting a colored diamond, you will want to consider its hue. If you are a flashy person, then by all means go with something bright like yellow or pink. But if you prefer the understated, a chocolate diamond or a soft blue diamond will do.

There are standards and levels of quality to consider when purchasing a colored diamond. For example, what is the color saturation of the stone? Is it even throughout? Is it rich? Is it clear or smoky? The more the stone meets those considerations, the pricier it will be. One point to consider, however, is that the brighter hues will hide the flaws of the stone.

White diamonds remain the most popular choice for engagement rings. When selecting a diamond ring, you need consider the stone’s shape, cut, color, clarity and carats.

If it is a solitary stone, the “shape” may be labeled round, emerald, princess, heart, square or marquis shaped. Brides tend to have a preference toward shapes. If you are surprising your intended with an engagement ring, check out her other rings to see what shape she favors.

The term “cut” does not refer to the stone’s shape, but instead to the symmetry, proportion and polish of the diamond. A good cut will ensure the diamond shines to the best of its ability. A poor cut will mean it is less luminous. A good cut can make or break a diamond.

“Color” refers to the actual color of the stone – ranging from clear being the best to yellow being the worst.

“Clarity” is judged by how clear the stone is and the presence of any inclusions – or flaws. The presence of inclusions will lessen the value of a diamond, because they interfere with the light passing through the stone. A clear stone with no flaws is the best.

“Carat” is the way to measure the actual stone. It should not be confused with gold karat – or the quality of the gold. Carat is the way to measure the weight of a diamond. One carat equals 200 milligrams. But just as you cannot judge a person by their weight, you cannot judge a diamond solely on its weight. You must also take into account the distance across the top of the diamond (as measured in millimeters) and the diamond’s cut grade.

Take this helpful guide’s hints and suggestions into account before you go shopping for a breathtaking diamond.

Traditionally, the left hand is reserved for an engagement or wedding ring set leaving our right hand available for a choice of beautiful right-hand ring designs. From cluster styles to solitaires and even multi-gem colorations, cubic zirconia is a beautiful choice for adorning your hand in elegance.

Incase you may be wondering exactly what a right-hand ring is, the definition is actually quite simple. A right-hand ring is any ring that does not belong in the category of an engagement or wedding ring. With that being said, it’s important to note that certain types of band rings are acceptable as a right-hand ring, providing they have a distinct style that will not be mistaken for a wedding band. For instance, a multi-row cubic zirconia ring or one featuring a rainbow of gemstones, either simulated or genuine, will be the perfect ring for wearing on your right hand. Because of their low profile and comfort, many women enjoy wearing band rings because they are not always getting in the way of everyday activities.

If you prefer a more dramatic presence, you may want to consider the elegance of a cubic zirconia cocktail or cluster ring. This style, which was first made popular decades ago, is now back in fashion in a very big way. Whether you’re looking for an understated design or you want a knuckle-to-knuckle style, there is almost certainly a cubic zirconia creation to fit your taste. If what you’re after is something in between, you will find a variety of accent rings that remind you of a cluster, but offer a filigree inspiration.

One of the most important characteristics of a right-hand ring jewelry collection is versatility. As mentioned earlier, the left hand is traditionally reserved for a wedding set, which is to be worn every day. This means that, as women, we can use our right hands to showcase a variety of ring styles and enjoy the beauty found in the many designs of cubic zirconia. If you are like most, perhaps you have varying moods in terms of your jewelry. One day, you may find yourself feeling especially bold and you may reach for that stunning cocktail ring, while the next day may find you in a more subtle state of mind that would call for an understated ring that adds the perfect finishing touch to your wardrobe.

As a final thought to right-hand ring designs, your jewelry wardrobe is what you make of it. You can choose from a variety of styles, designs and price tags in order to find the perfect accessories for your jewelry collection. One of the best things about cubic zirconia is the affordable price tag, which means you can expand your collection to include designs for both everyday and special occasion pieces. Instead of owning one or two very expensive pieces of jewelry that you never truly feel comfortable wearing, you can create an entire jewelry wardrobe with cubic zirconia at a reasonable price. And when it comes to looking great, you won’t have to worry because a smart shopper always looks fantastic. Intelligence is a beautiful thing.

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