Cushion cut diamonds are normally rectangular but can also be square, the slightly domed shape of this cut is supposed to make the stone resemble a cushion, hence the name. Even though they are becoming more popular it is still not common to see an engagement ring with this cut of diamond in regular jewelry stores. You may have to search around to find one or try some online stores.

One jeweler that does stock cushion cut engagement rings is the famous DeBeers. They have a fabulous simple shank, cushion cut diamond solitaire ring in their bridal collection. The statement on their website “price on application” is probably enough to strike fear into the heart of any but the most determined, and wealthy, fiancé. Two other possible sources Horowitz & Atlass who apparently have renamed the cushion cut as the regent cut (described as “12-sided hearts and arrows fancy shape with the curved pillow-like outline normally associated with a cushion cut”), and TMW Diamonds of New York are too grand to even have an online store.

In all, probably the only chance we mere mortals with regular budgets have of owning a cushion cut engagement ring is if an extremely popular celebrity decides to have one in the near future. Then all the more affordable jewelry stores will be falling over themselves to produce copies for the general public. Other than that the only option of owning one of these rare rings is to find a vintage or antique one.

This 300 year old diamond cut is so little known nowadays that even people selling a cushion cut antique ring may not recognize the cut for what it is. So if you are searching for one on eBay for instance, it will be worthwhile to try looking at all the antique diamond solitaires, or if this is too many, try searching for oval cut which may be confused with cushion cut. In other online stores empirediamond.com has some stunning oval cut diamond engagement rings that would more or less pass for cushion cut at a pinch and wouldn’t require refinancing your home to buy one.

The most important thing when you are looking to buy an engagement ring is not whether it is cushion cut, oval cut, emerald or marquise cut; it is that the purchasing of this ring is a symbol of your love for each other and your intention to marry and be together for always.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

Two tone rings are so called as they feature two different color metals combined to give a striking effect. With the continuous introduction of creative and artistic ring styles, the conventional standards used when selecting engagement rings has now been overshadowed by innovative new designs. In fact, the ring’s central stone is no longer its only focal feature. Depending on the style and ring construction, the band, the metal or the stone can be the ring’s highlight. Today, young men who want to impress their fiancées with unique looking, but not hugely expensive, engagement rings do not pay as much attention to the size of the stone as they would have formerly. Instead, they look into the overall quality of the ring, which include the ring setting, the shank, the band, and the included accents.

One of the outstanding assets of two-tone rings is their ability to showcase not only the sparkling beauty of the ring’s gem but also the astounding appeal of its metal. In fact the setting and the band of the ring, rather than fading into the background and being just a showcase for the gemstone, can be a work of art in its own right.

When choosing two-tone rings, it is critical that you take note of the following considerations:

• Type of metal used – The truth is two tone engagement rings can be produced with a variety of metals. However, the effect created will depend on the metals that the jeweler has used. For instance, white gold would be the perfect contrast to other colored metals such as yellow gold or rose gold. If you want a dramatic effect, choose two metals with very different contrast to produce the desired result. Alternatively a more subtle result can be achieved by combining metals that are not so diverse, such as different karat values of yellow gold.

• The ring design – A two tone ring will not be so striking if the color variations aren’t blended with creative patterns and designs. Some of the popular ring designs that you should look into include the Celtic, filigree, and split shank styles.

Overall, two tone engagement rings offer an excellent way of showcasing the beauty of the ring as a whole. An eye-catching ring can result from setting a diamond in a wide engraved or filigree setting of 18k yellow or rose gold on a white gold or platinum band. The contrast between the deep rich color of the gold set against the silver tones of the white gold and the glacier beauty of the diamond makes the stone jump out at you. It virtually shouts “look at me, I’m engaged!”

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.

The specific details that define the wedding ring traditon in different countries varies substantially, and so in many countries – especially in the West – the ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand (on the ring finger). Until fairly recently, people in parts of Asia preferred to wear it on the right hand, as the left was considered inauspicious. These days though, it is becoming more common to see the left hand adorn the wedding ring, breaking with tradition.

Wedding Rings

The reason for wearing wedding bands on the ring finger of the left hand dates back to Roman times when people thought the vein in that finger was connected directly to the heart. And the left hand was chosen because the heart is on the left side of the body, so the reasons all fall within the rich symbology of love, but that symbolism was flavored by religious beliefs also. It is noteworthy that in a traditional Jewish ceremony the wedding ring is put on the bride’s index finger, not the fourth finger. This is because Jewish beliefs asserted that it was the index finger that was connected with the heart, whereas Christians believed it was the ring finger.

Whereas these days the giving of wedding rings is a sign of love, in the past it was seen as linked with the exchange of wealth – a promise that the groom will provide for his bride. In fact, an earlier version of the wedding vows specifically added the phrase, “This gold and silver I give thee” at which point in the ceremony the groom was expected to hand a small purse containing gold and silver coins to the bride! No such luck these days, eh, girls?!

In the West – particularly the UK- it is the job of the best man to safeguard the rings, and to produce them at the correct time during the marriage ceremony. Sometimes a younger male member of the bride or groom’s family will bring the rings into the place of the wedding on a special cushion.

Although it is common for engagement rings to be given to brides-to-be, different countries have various customs – sometimes left to the individual bride herself – about what to do with the engagement ring on the day of the wedding. Some keep it on the left ring finger and the wedding ring is placed on top; others move the engagement ring to the right hand ring finger; and sometimes the engagement ring is removed for the wedding ceremony, and then replaced afterwards.

But wedding rings are, of course, the most important – and romantic – of rings because of the symbolism of love and lifelong devotion they are imbued with.

No related posts.

Related posts brought to you by Yet Another Related Posts Plugin.