Engagement rings and wedding bands are culturally important. They have thousands of years of tradition and are rich with symbolic meaning. Even the finger on which they’re worn has significance. On a personal level, diamond engagement rings and diamond wedding bands are a sign of deep and enduring love. In choosing a ring, you want something that’s compatible with your heart.
Rings
When choosing a diamond engagement ring, there’s a lot to keep in mind. It’s a ring meant to be worn daily, and should be of a style its wearer enjoys. At the same time, engagement rings are a symbol of the bond between a couple. Its design should reflect the love they have for each other. Diamond engagement rings are worn on a high traffic part of the body, leaving it vulnerable to bumps and other accidents. It’s important to select diamonds and other gemstones known for their durability. However, no jewel is invincible. Gemstones should be set in a way that protects them from harm.
Settings, also known as mounts, are what unite diamonds and engagement rings. They hold diamonds in place, securing the jewels to the band. Depending on the mount, they may serve decorative purposes, adding a touch of color or texture to diamond bands, or other visual flourishes. Certain settings also help to protect diamonds from accidental chips or other damage.
The custom of wearing engagement rings to mark an upcoming marriage is an ancient one, dating to the Roman empire and possibly earlier. As centuries passed and aesthetics tastes changed, so did the appearance of engagement rings. One of the most significant innovations to engagement rings was in 1477, when the first diamond engagement ring was introduced. Diamond bands then became popular with the upper crust. Diamond mine discoveries in Brazil, South Africa and elsewhere increased the availability of diamonds, making diamond engagement rings accessible to a broader range of people.
Rings are pieces of jewelry worn around the fingers. They range from miniscule bands to extravagant statement pieces. While specific rings serve practical or symbolic purposes, still more are enjoyed for pure aesthetic value. Popular ring materials include glass, silver, gold, platinum and diamonds.
A common way to wear rings is one or two on a hand, on separate digits. Stacking, or wearing multiple rings on the same finger, is getting more attention. While it may seem like a new trend, the practice has a long tradition.
A mixed cut diamond is one that combines brilliance and carat preservation. Of these, the princess cut is the most popular. On diamond engagement rings, it comes second only to the round brilliant cut. Its shape not only makes it suitable for side stones and central jewels, but also for flourishes like channel settings.
Diamonds are a popular element to engagement rings and wedding bands. They’re admired for their brilliance, durability and symbolism. While the rings themselves get recognition, they’re often overshadowed by jewels. There’s plenty of variety to be had with band designs, including the shapes they take on.
Diamond bands are the top choice for engagement rings, wedding bands and anniversary rings. Those who want something different might add colored stones to their rings. The stones may have special meaning to the wearer, or be used to offset the diamonds. No matter the reason, there are many options to choose from.
Engagement rings, wedding bands and other diamond rings are made to be as attractive as possible. This means careful attention to quality and design. Many of these bands carry extra significance, marking romantic milestones in a person’s life. Caring for your ring will keep it as beautiful later as it is now.
The term “finish” means a couple of things in regarding diamond bands. One refers to the diamond itself. Skilled polish and symmetry can make a jewel extraordinary. Finish as it applies to precious metal influences its surface appearance. This can be anything from a textured matte to a smooth gleam. Both types add to the ring’s beauty.
Engagement rings, wedding bands and anniversary rings have common elements. They’re made of precious metal, adorned with diamonds and come in many designs. People looking for diamond rings want something attractive, but may have trouble figuring out what that means. What connoisseurs find beautiful varies.
Diamond rings are often worn to commemorate life events such as engagements, weddings or years spent as a couple. These rings are often worn on a daily basis as a show of romance. Unfortunately, everyday factors such as dust, fingerprints and others may eventually make a ring less than pristine. With care and caution the wearer may keep their ring as beautiful as the day they received it.
Diamond engagement rings embody the love two people have for one another. Every relationship is different, and some couples want their rings to be as distinct as them. They want diamond rings which reflect what they find beautiful, or designs with special meanings. Jewelers aim to meet this demand, finding new ways to create unique engagement rings.
As perfect as a diamond may be for you, it’s difficult to wear until it’s mounted. Settings not only hold the diamond in place, it helps protect the jewel from damage, and can decorate the ring. Certain mounts are well suited to holding individual stones, while others are designed to hold several at once.
Weddings can feel like the ultimate expression of love. Many traditions arose to honor the occasion. Engagements, or agreeing to marry, are commemorated with diamond engagement rings. At the marriage ceremony, wedding bands are exchanged between the couple to mark the next step in their relationship.
Getting married is a landmark event in a person’s life, uniting them with a loved one with a bond recognized by one another, the state and society. For thousands of years, married couples have worn rings on the fourth finger of their left hands as a sign of their union. While the tradition of wearing wedding bands has endured, the styles, materials used and other matters have changed with time and place.
Diamonds are beautiful, but how they’re placed in the ring influences their appearance. An ideal setting keeps the jewel secure, preventing it from rubbing against and damaging other stones. A good mount also keeps diamonds safe from chipping, while allowing light into the jewel to showcase its cut and clarity.
Symmetry is where one half of a shape mirrors another. Some forms like squares have multiple lines of symmetry, while others such as hearts have just one. With diamonds, symmetry helps determine if a cut is well made, and influences the stone’s brilliance. Rings themselves don’t have to be as strict.
The Four Cs outline the major aspects of diamond quality. Out of carat, color, clarity and cut, the last is the most complex to evaluate. Cut doesn’t only determine the shape of diamonds. The level of brilliance and fire in the stone depends on the quality of the cut. This in turn influences how the final diamond engagement ring will look.
It’s not always easy finding the diamond engagement ring of your dreams. Some people know what they want, but have a hard time finding it. Others may want a greater say in their diamond band than simply choosing a ready-made piece. Some jewelers, such as Valentin Magro, offer design-your-own-ring services.
Most people looking for diamond bands don’t have the time to study diamonds in detail. Between shapes, cuts, settings and designs, searching for a ring can feel overwhelming. There are ways to make sure you’re getting the gemstone quality you want. Knowing some of the basics may make your shopping experience easier.
After a couple marries, one or both wear rings to commemorate the change in their relationship. Wedding bands are an ancient tradition said to be thousands of years old. Over time, what they look like and what they’re made from has changed. From simple materials to precious metals, puzzles to diamond studded confections, one thing remains the same.
As wedding bands mark a turning point in a couple’s life, anniversary rings commemorate the years together. While tradition names certain gifts to mark specific anniversaries, today’s couples give rings any year they choose. Diamond anniversary bands are popular, due to the jewel’s beauty and connection with love.
Pave settings use miniscule diamonds to cover portions of a ring. These stones are set close together to create the impression of jewelry paved with diamonds. A fraction of a carat gives diamond rings an air of luxury. Their brilliance makes pave diamond bands popular as wedding and anniversary bands.
The custom of wearing rings to mark an engagement is quite old, dating back thousands of years. Mounting diamonds onto engagement rings is another long tradition, with its roots in the early Renaissance. Today’s people still commemorate their weddings-to-be with bands, though the details are always changing.
While some styles of ring became timeless classics, others have come in and out of popularity over the centuries. Designs vary by trend, culture and symbolism. Bands can be worn purely for aesthetic reasons, showcasing pretty metalwork and gemstones. Others may denote allegiance, like class rings, or serve a utilitarian purpose, like container rings.
