Sep 15

Antique wedding rings are rings with over 50-year history. Rings that are less than 50 years old are classified as estate and, consequently, cost less. Another possible choice for antiquity lovers are vintage bands which are stylized antique wedding rings with a touch of designer work. Vintage rings can be as costly as antique, although their price is determined by the designer’s reputation rather than by their age.

Featuring a great variety of styles, antique bands represent different cultural epochs; thus, there are Victorian antique wedding rings, Georgian antique wedding rings, Art Deco and Art Nouveau antique wedding rings. As a symbol of history antique wedding rings are of interest of gemologists, historians and other experts, while ordinary people just enjoy their luxurious design and rare gemstones, as well as the awareness itself of having such a unique piece.

Purchasing antique wedding rings is a serious investment. To make it successful you should take into account some important antique wedding ring buying tips.

First make sure the ring you are going to buy is authentic. Ask the seller to show you a signed interpretation or photo with a hallmark which prove the ring’s genuineness. Buying antique wedding rings from reputable jewelry stores minimizes the risk of paying for a counterfeit.

Jun 22

White gold is an alloy of pure gold and such metals as silver, nickel or palladium. White gold engagement rings are sometimes plated with rhodium which gives a pale luminescence. However, rhodium coating wears away soon and should be replaced each five years which requires about $50.

White gold is measured in karats. The quality stamp – 9K, 14K or 18K – is placed inside the ring band. While engagement rings with 9K gold is less expensive for the low content of gold (in the ratio 3:5 with alloy metal such as silver), 18K rings contain about 75% pure gold and are considered more elite.

In the USA white gold engagement rings gained their popularity after World War II, due to the lack of platinum which had been the favorite setting before. Women prefer white gold to yellow, as it matches nearly any other piece of jewelry. Though white gold engagement rings aren’t so durable as platinum ones, they have their incontestable benefits. Thus, white gold engagement rings are rather cheap (if compared with platinum), which allows to spend more money on a more refined diamond and choose some sophisticated vintage setting. On average white gold is four times cheaper than platinum. In addition, white gold engagement rings are stronger than yellow gold rings, as well as lighter in weight than platinum ones.

However, white gold engagement rings also have some disadvantages that should be taken into account beforehand. For example, if the alloy contains nickel, the ring can cause allergic reaction which includes skin itching, discoloration and swelling while contacting the metal. According to the statistics, around 20% of population is allergic to nickel. Palladium alloy is a good alternative, but such engagement rings cost more.

White gold engagement rings are usually protected against harsh household cleaner and bleach. They should also be removed in swimming pools or hot tubs because of negative impact of chlorine.

Jun 8

Diamond engagement rings have considerably grown in popularity among those loving couples who can afford them. Due to its versatility, diamond can be cut in a great variety of ways, forming different splendid shapes and varying the design of engagement rings.

One of the most famous styles of engagement rings is the Princess cut. Combining the sparkle of the brilliant cut polished sides with the step cut unique design, Princess cut engagement rings belong to the mixed cut which is one of the latest innovation in diamond jewelry. With perfectly formed ridges along the edges of the diamond, the Princess cut engagement rings feature about 50 facets that is less than in engagement rings with classic round cut, but more than the brilliant cut like Baguette or Emerald.

Princess cut diamonds are commonly set with pronged corners, for they are too vulnerable to damage due to their square shape. The stones are either placed parallel to the band of the ring or angled in order to emphasize the shape of the diamond. Another type of the mixed cut – the Radiant cut – is similar to the Princess cut, except its rounded corners, which make engagement rings of this design more resistible to chips. One more version of the princess cut engagement rings is setting the stones in the band instead of holding them with prongs.

Very often Princess cut engagement rings are set with additional stones serving to accentuate the brilliance of the center diamond. The most widespread versions are a square central stone with symmetrical trillium cut side stones and additional smaller diamonds of emerald, baguette or princess cut.

Princess cut style of engagement rings let jewelers use imperfect stones with flaws or inclusions, as this design contributes to hiding all possible defects of the stone. That is why princess cut engagement rings frequently have reasonable prices and are mostly affordable. The square shape of diamond in such engagement rings requires less hours to cut and polish the stone, because it is very similar to the natural crystal structure of the stone. Therefor princess cut engagement rings can be considered the cheapest diamond engagement rings.

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Jun 1

White gold is an alloy of pure gold and such metals as silver, nickel or palladium. White gold engagement rings are sometimes plated with rhodium which gives a pale luminescence. However, rhodium coating wears away soon and should be replaced each five years which requires about $50.

White gold is measured in karats. The quality stamp – 9K, 14K or 18K – is placed inside the ring band. While engagement rings with 9K gold is less expensive for the low content of gold (in the ratio 3:5 with alloy metal such as silver), 18K rings contain about 75% pure gold and are considered more elite.

In the USA white gold engagement rings gained their popularity after World War II, due to the lack of platinum which had been the favorite setting before. Women prefer white gold to yellow, as it matches nearly any other piece of jewelry. Though white gold engagement rings aren’t so durable as platinum ones, they have their incontestable benefits. Thus, white gold engagement rings are rather cheap (if compared with platinum), which allows to spend more money on a more refined diamond and choose some sophisticated vintage setting. On average white gold is four times cheaper than platinum. In addition, white gold engagement rings are stronger than yellow gold rings, as well as lighter in weight than platinum ones.

However, white gold engagement rings also have some disadvantages that should be taken into account beforehand. For example, if the alloy contains nickel, the ring can cause allergic reaction which includes skin itching, discoloration and swelling while contacting the metal. According to the statistics, around 20% of population is allergic to nickel. Palladium alloy is a good alternative, but such engagement rings cost more.

White gold engagement rings are usually protected against harsh household cleaner and bleach. They should also be removed in swimming pools or hot tubs because of negative impact of chlorine.