Chocolate Diamonds – Beautiful and Unconventional

What is are Chocolate Diamonds?

The chocolate diamond, also commonly called a champagne diamond or simply brown diamond, is a relatively affordable colored natural diamond that is as beautiful as it is unconventional. Over the past several years, chocolate diamonds have seen an immense increase in popularity both for Hollywood celebrities and normal diamond jewelry customers alike. Colored diamonds in general and the chocolate diamond in particular, is just beginning to enter mainstream but still quite unique. Diamond buyers are always seeking new and different looks and designs for jewelry. Whether you are looking for a unique diamond ring, a chocolate diamond engagement ring, or other jewelry such as bracelets, earrings, necklaces, or even diamond cuff links, this beautiful unique brown diamond is an excellent choice.

Beautiful 2.26ct chocolate diamond solitaire engagement ring contrasted by white diamonds.

The Powerful and Unique Style of Champagne Diamonds

Chocolate champagne diamonds retain their unconventional beauty both as a diamond solitaire (set alone) as well as when used to accent or emphasize another diamond or gemstone. They can create a unique contrast that white diamonds could simply never achieve. The chocolate diamond can come in a wide range of brownish-red-orange-yellow hues including cinnamon (light brown), honey (orange/yellow brown), cognac (reddish-copper/orange brown), and deep clove (dark olive brown). This wide range of hues can fit perfectly with many skin tones, hair colors, styles, and other fashions where a white diamond would look either too plain, or else too exaggerated and simply out of place. Therefore, the brown diamond is an ideal gemstone for anyone with a strong sense of their own style and, depending on the piece and the rest of your style, a chocolate diamond can be either more subtle than a white diamond or infinitely more bold.

Chocolate Diamond Setting

Chocolate diamonds work in many varieties of jewelry and diamond ring settings. Unlike many gems such as the canary diamond that require a setting with maximal light exposure, these fancy brown diamonds will still look outstanding in darker settings with far less exposure to light. Likewise, depending on the desired effect, a brown diamond can work perfectly in almost any metal, from white and yellow gold to platinum. One of the most dynamic but effective features of a chocolate diamond is the ability to create incredible and powerful contrasts with other gemstones. It is common to find jewelry with both chocolate diamonds and white diamonds because of the way that they strikingly contrast one another. Aquamarine and turquoise colored gemstones also make an exquisite complement to the brown diamond.

Find These Beautiful Chocolate Diamonds Discounted from Amazon Jewelers

Or pick a beautiful champagne/brown diamond at James Allen

Buying Chocolate Diamonds

When buying a chocolate brown diamond or a rare gemstone in general, there are two other potentially important considerations: authenticity (certificate) and investment potential.

Authenticity – Diamond Certificates

Regardless of whether you order online or make the purchase in person, as with any valuable gemstone, try to purchase your chocolate diamonds from a trusted company that can provide either GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS (American Gem Society) certification for authenticity and proof of origin. There are many other diamond certification labs but these two are the most respected and trusted. Learn more about the GIA diamond grading report: Why a GIA Diamond Grading Report is so important

Chocolate Diamonds as an Investment

You may never intend to sell any diamond jewelry but you should never overlook the fact that it is incredibly valuable and this value could be increasing or decreasing. Therefore it’s always smart to consider a beautiful diamond as a significant investment and not just a stunning gemstone. Low grade brown diamonds are quite common and even used in industrial cutting but the high grade chocolate brown diamonds have good investment prospects. As more and more people are moving away from conventional ‘white’ diamonds, the demand for these brown diamonds is increasing. Since the current prices are still quite affordable, now is an ideal time to buy one. On the other hand, if you are planning to get a chocolate (or other ‘fancy’ diamond) the reason should be for the unique style and beauty, above all other considerations. After all, you probably intend to keep your diamond as a family heirloom so the distant investment futures will have little relevance.

Chocolate Diamond Solitaire Pendant

An Exceptional Diamond For An Exceptional Individual

You have probably gathered so far that chocolate diamonds are not for everyone. Then again, if you had wanted to be like ‘everyone else’, you would probably not have been considering a ‘fancy’ or colored diamond in the first place. In a world where everyone wanted to be like everyone else, we would all have white diamonds… Then again, that would be a boring place indeed. As the saying goes, a diamond is forever and in any case it is quite a large investment. Many people feel beauty should not be the only criterion for their diamond; it should also be unique or exceptional! The chocolate brown diamond fits this bill perfectly. If you or your special someone has a bit of a unique flare in their character or a bold edge in their style, a chocolate diamond is sure to be an excellent match.

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VVS Diamonds – The Smart Choice for a High End Diamond

What are VVS Diamonds?

VVS diamonds are one of the highest clarity grades for diamonds. Clarity is important for the brilliance, sparkle and ‘fire’ of a stone. However, there is an incredible intricacy involved throughout the whole process of creating a perfect piece of jewelry. From mining, cutting, and finally fitting into a ring or other jewelry piece, there are countless considerations, nuances, and choices to be made. VSS diamonds are guaranteed to be spectacular diamonds in their own right but clarity is just one of several factors that determine the quality of a diamond. This article will provide detailed information on VSS diamonds and other clarity grades. However, for the sake of perspective we will first briefly cover the other three important grades for diamonds. If you are already familiar with cut, color, and carat, skip down to the clarity section to learn about VVS and other diamond clarity grades.

VVS Diamonds Ring Set

Where to Buy VVS Diamonds Online

If you are in the market to buy a loose VVS diamond, definitely check out James Allen’s massive selection of loose diamonds with real high def 3-Dimensional rotatable photos of each actual stone (direct link):

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Diamond Grades: Overview of the Four Cs of Diamonds

Jewels and diamond distributors throughout the world grade diamonds based on four standard scales or criteria known as the 4-Cs of the diamonds. These 4 Cs are Cut, Color, Carat, and Clarity. It is nearly impossible to find (or afford) a diamond that is perfect for every respect. The points of compromise will always be up to the individual buyers. For example, would you want a clear and large diamond but with a slightly yellowish color or perhaps sacrifice on the carat weight? Whatever stone you end up choosing and however important the occasion, always keep your budget in mind. As mentioned above, VVS diamonds are a ‘nearly perfect’ grade on the clarity scale but in order to put the VVS diamond in perspective, this article will first briefly cover each of the four Cs of diamonds, ending with a more extensive evaluation of clarity.

Cut

Diamonds are not quite literally cut. It is more like they are cleaved and polished to achieve the desired shape, size, look, and most important, optical reflective qualities. Diamonds can be cut into many different shapes such as the most common round brilliant, princess cut, pear shaped, or marquise diamond cuts. In additional to overall shape, a diamond cutter attempts to reveal three hidden qualities of every diamond. These optical qualities are reflection, refraction, and scintillation. Diamond scintillation is the life and fire of the stone, the way it flashes in the light as the wearer or viewer move. To a lesser extent, these optical qualities are also assisted by a high clarity grade. Diamond cutting is an extremely precise and complicated art and usually the most important consideration when buying a loose diamond.

Color

Color is the second ‘C’ of diamonds. The color of the diamond is also important and, excluding fancy colored diamonds like a chocolate diamond or canary diamond, stones that are closer to colorless or ‘white’ are generally more desirable. The natural color of diamonds range from colorless (D-E-F) to near colorless (G-H-I-J), then faint yellow (K-L-M), very light yellow (N-O-P-Q-R) and light yellow (S-T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z).

Carat

The third ‘C’ of diamonds is carat. Carat is a unit of weight where 1 carat = 200 milligrams. Carat weight will loosely corresponds to the ‘size’ of the diamond but size (and shape) will also depend on the stone’s cut. As large rough diamond stones are very rare, as carat weight increases, the stone’s value increases even faster so for example, a 2 carat diamond will be well over twice the price of a 1 carat diamond. In general, The bigger it is and higher the quality, the more expensive the stone will be.

A detailed video on diamond clarity

VVS Diamonds and Diamond Clarity

The 4th ‘C’ of diamonds, clarity, is a measure of the amount, size, color and position of blemishes and ‘inclusions’ in the stone. Inclusions are small bits of other minerals or metals that are formed along with the diamond. Most diamonds have at least a few imperfections, even if only visible in extreme magnification. However, even if an imperfection is not visible to the naked eye, it will still have a slight impact on the brilliance and scintillation of the stone. The kinds of grade when it comes to the clarity of the diamonds are FL, IF, VVS 1-2, VS 1-2, SI 1-2, I1, I 2-3. These are all determined through a microscope with 10X magnification. The clarity grade abbreviations arranged from highest to lowest are as follows:

FL Diamonds – Flawless diamonds do not have any imperfection on the inside or outside. These extremely rare stones are perfect and the highest grade of clarity possible.

IF Diamonds – Internally Flawless diamonds do not have inclusions inside. The surface may have a minor blemish when viewed under high magnification but for all intents and purposes, IF diamonds are identical to FL diamonds so IF and FL are considered on the same grade of clarity (#1).

VVS Diamonds (VVS1, VVS2) – Very Very Slightly Imperfect diamonds have very small inclusions in them which invisible to the naked eye and even very difficult to see under 10X magnification. VVS1 diamonds are of slightly higher clarity grade than VVS2 diamonds but at 2rd place, VVS diamonds in general are very high clarity stones.

VS Diamonds (VS1, VS2) – Very Slightly Imperfect diamonds have small inclusions that are more numerous or larger than VVS diamonds. However, as with VVS diamonds, the inclusions or blemishes in VS diamonds are extremely minor and usually not visible to even the sharpest unaided eyes. VS1 diamonds are slightly higher clarity grade than VS2 diamonds. According to the AGS (American Gem Society), on a clarity scale of 0 through 10, 0 is a flawless diamond (FL/IF) while VVS1 is marked as 1 and VVS2 is marked as 2.

SI Diamonds (SI1, SI2) – Slightly Imperfect diamonds have inclusions that are easy to see with 10X magnification and under very close inspection are often visible to the naked eye (although just barely). SI diamonds remain brilliant and stunning but can be considerably less expensive than VS or VSS diamonds. In general, a very good choice for budget conscious buyers who still want a great looking stone.

Imperfect Diamonds (I1, I2, I3) – Although small, the inclusions in these stones will always be visible to the unaided eye under close inspection. Although still diamonds, and still brilliant and flashy, these are the lowest clarity grades and most high-end diamond and jewelry retailers do not even carry jewelry or loose stones of imperfect grade diamonds. As with the other grades, I1 diamonds are better than I2 diamonds, which in turn is above the I3 diamond.

VVS Diamonds – As Good As Perfect

VVS diamonds are the second best grade for diamond clarity but don’t let this fool you. To the naked eye and to anyone except a diamond expert with a powerful microscope, these are already perfect diamonds and indistinguishable from flawless. The imperfections of the VVS diamonds can only be spotted by an expert’s eye under a microscope. Possible characteristics of a VVS diamond could be a microscopic internal spot or spots outside the table, a small crystal below the facet edge, a slightly rough facet edge, or possibly one or two slightly larger cut facets. VVS diamonds are superior diamonds of high value and some of the most expensive diamonds available in the market.

For a momentous life-changing event like a wedding engagement or anniversary, some couples want an equally significant diamond to commemorate the occasion. For all practical intents and purposes, VVS diamonds are as perfect as a flawless diamond yet they are priced well under flawless. Although VVS diamonds are uncommon, they are considerably more common than actual flawless (FL and IF) diamonds. For a higher carat stone, the difference in cost between a flawless diamond and a VVS diamond can be several thousand dollars or more. This is why, whether for your engagement ring, an anniversary, or simply a splendid gift, VVS1 and VVS2 diamonds are the smart choice for anyone seeking a perfect high end diamond.

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Deep Green Brilliance of an Emerald

Emerald Engagement Rings

The Emerald engagement ring features the deep green emerald gemstone. They are a distinctive and beautiful engagement ring that many find far more intriguing than diamonds. The emerald is often seen as adding a classic antique sense to the ring and it works well with styles of art deco engagement rings. However, emerald engagement ring designs are by no means restricted to classic or antique styles. The gemstone is a perfect choice for anyone who simply loves the deep green brilliance of an emerald. Additionally, emeralds look just as splendid in other jewelry pieces such as an emerald pendant or emerald earrings.

Browse This Selection of Beautiful Loose Emeralds

Then Design your own Engagement ring!

Three Beautiful Settings for an Emerald Engagement Ring

There are more than three possible settings for an emerald engagement ring but the following three work particularly well with an emerald-cut emerald. The first is the solitaire emerald engagement ring. The emerald cut itself creates a beautiful and unique optical appearance that stands out prominently in a solitaire setting. The standard solitaire setting for emerald engagement rings feature four prongs holding each of the four corners of the stone.

Solitaire Emerald Engagement Rings

Emerald Engagement Rings Colombian Solitaire

A close cousin to the solitaire ring is a 3-stone emerald engagement ring with the emerald as the center stone and a smaller gem or diamond on each side. Three-stone rings often use the same 4-prong solitaire setting for each stone but this can vary based on the ring’s design.

3-Stone Emerald Engagement Rings

A Three Stone Diamond and Emerald Engagement Ring Made from a Loose Emerald

The third setting is an emerald engagement ring with the main emerald gemstone surrounded by pave diamonds. The clear white brilliance of the diamonds in this setting perfectly emphasize the deep green of the emerald, making this one of the most popular choices for emerald engagement rings. This classic effect is particularly prominent in styles art deco and antique engagement rings.

Emerald Engagement Rings with Pave Set Diamonds

Emerald Engagement Rings Pave Set with Diamonds Splendid 2.19 ct Emerald Engagement Ring Custom Design

What is the Emerald Cut for Rings?

The emerald cut features a wide flat open rectangular table on the top while on the bottom pavilion side, rectangular facets decreasing in size almost like a rectangular pyramid. The standard length to width ratio for this cut ranges between 1.3:1 and 1.4:1. However, this is not a hard restriction and can vary considerably. Just keep in mind that when the emerald cut reaches a length-to-width ratio of 1:1 through 1.05:1 (essentially a square), it is considered an asscher, rather than emerald cut.

Anyone seeking emerald engagement rings should be aware of the distinction between the emerald cut and the emerald gemstone itself. The emerald cut was originally designed and used for emerald gemstones exclusively. However, the cut has since become popular with diamonds and other gemstones as well. One should be careful not to confuse emerald engagement rings (featuring the emerald gemstone) with emerald cut engagement rings (which may feature diamonds or other gemstones simply cut with the emerald cut). To be clear, this page is about the former and although emeralds are usually cut with the emerald cut, they may also be found in round brilliant, oval, asscher, and other common gemstone cuts. Keep in mind that, as with diamonds, the round brilliant cut for emeralds is considerably less efficient with the raw stone so the price of this cut will be higher than the other cuts for any given carat weight.

Emerald Color for Emerald Engagement Rings

Emeralds can be graded by the same four Cs as diamonds: color, clarity, cut, and carat. Color is the most important ‘C’ of emeralds. The most desirable and valuable color for an emerald is a deep green or even blue-green with no brown or yellow hues in the stone. However, there is a balance for color and clarity because the very deep green emerald stones tend to be more opaque than translucent which means their clarity is lower. On the other hand, a deep blue-green emerald is usually more translucent which makes it one of the most desirable hues for an emerald.

Emerald Clarity

There is no standard scale for emerald clarity. There is sometimes an interesting trade-off between color and clarity. On the one hand, emeralds are one of the most heavily included gemstones but on the other, these inclusions can be a cause of the deep green color of the stone which can increase its value. Heavily included emeralds will often have a beautiful deep green hue but due to inclusions, they can be nearly opaque. For color, a deep green emerald is very desirable but for clarity, translucence is highly desirable over opaqueness. Therefore, a substantial portion of rough emerald stones are often discarded due to these heavy inclusions.

In the end, the beauty of an emerald is in the eye of the beholder. An ideal emerald will have a beautiful green hue that is also crystal-clear but such a stone will undoubtedly command a high market value as well. Either way, don’t expect an emerald to approach anywhere near a ‘flawless’ diamond’s clarity or brilliance. To be sure, emeralds can be quite brilliant gemstones but they are not diamonds. Then again, perhaps it is better stated that diamonds are not emeralds! In any case, clarity can be a big factor for emeralds and is generally considered the second most important grade for an emerald (color is the most important).

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Pave Diamond – Paved in Sparkles!

What are Pave Diamonds?

A Pave diamond is a a stunning yet still affordable alternative to plain the single-diamond setting. The perfect choice for those who want to go beyond the plain solitaire setting and add sparkle to the entire ring. Pave is pronounced as 'pah-vay' and also sometimes accented as pavé which takes its name from the French word for pavement. An appropriate name considering the small pave diamonds are set closely together without any partitions, thus resembling a dazzling cobblestone road paved around the frame of the ring or other jewelry piece. A ring may have pave diamonds exclusively but more often they are used to complement a much larger center stone in solitaire or bezel setting, particularly for pave diamond engagement rings. This gives the effect of a road of small sparkling diamonds leading up to a single stunning brilliant stone.

The metal used for the ring can differ, although the usual choice is platinum or white gold to further enhance the sparkle of white diamonds. The diamonds are installed by the jeweler by boring small, narrow, conical holes in the metal side-by-side and putting the pave diamonds at equal level. Some jewelers put ornamental designs on the metal to complement the stones and enhance the beauty of the jewelry.

Types of pave settings

There are different ways you can classify pave diamonds. These include:

Band

Single band. The diamonds are set on a single row. This design may or may not have a center stone.
Three-dimensional band. Two rows of diamonds are angled in order to support the middle row. This design usually has a center stone that is slightly elevated to make it more visible.

Span

Half-pave. A half-pave setting, as the name suggests, has the diamonds going halfway around the ring.
Full-pave. The full-pave setting has the diamonds going around the whole ring. The full-pave is usually the setting of choice for engagement rings.

Why choose pave diamonds?

There are several reasons why you should consider getting this type of diamond ring. These include:

More sparkle: Compared to solitaire rings, pave diamonds are more sparkly, considering that there are many more diamonds embedded on the ring that will constantly be catching light from all angles.
Affordability: A full array of pave diamonds can often be substantially less costly than even a single one-carat diamond. One reason for this is because pave diamonds are just a faction of a carat each and as single-stone diamond carat increases, the relative price goes up much more steeply. Another reason is that a pave diamond does not require as high a grade of clarity. Given the small size of the stones, it is quite difficult to see imperfections. That said, it is not hard to obtain very affordable pave diamonds with high clarity grades, simply due to their low carat weights.
More convenient: Solitaire rings, particularly those with raised stones, have a tendency to get caught on things. This is not a problem with pave diamonds since the stones are laid flat.

As with any diamond jewelry, when shopping for a pave diamond ring, be sure to purchase from an established source. Some shady establishments mix fake diamonds with real ones in this type of ring because due to the small sizes it can be difficult to detect the real stones from the fakes.

Cleaning Your Pave Diamond Jewelry

While pave diamond rings may not require as much care as many solitaire rings, they still should have regular maintenance and cleaning. Pave diamonds are not known as the most firm or secure ring settings because above all else, they are designed to maximize brilliance and glitter through light exposure. This requires minimal contact with the metal structure of the ring which results in a less secure setting. When maintaining and cleaning pave diamond jewelry, keep the following points in mind:

Do clean your pave diamond ring regularly by soaking in warm water and mild liquid detergent or soap for several minutes.
Do not use boiling water and avoid using harsh chemicals when soaking or cleaning a pave diamond ring as this can tarnish the metal of the ring.
Do not scrub the surface of the diamonds unless absolutely necessary. If the sponge catches, it can cause a setting to loosen and the stone to fall out.
Recommended: One in a while, bring your ring to a jeweler to check that the settings for each of the pave diamonds are still firm.

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Princess Cut Engagement Rings – Brilliance, Style, and Affordability

About Princess Cut Diamond Rings

Princess cut rings feature some of the most stylish gemstone cuts with sharp edged corners and nearly unrivaled brilliance. This square shaped diamond is matched in brilliance only by the 'round brilliant' cut. Developed in 1980 specifically for brilliance, the princess cut engagement ring is a rapidly rising star in the world of diamonds and represents a modern alternative to round cut engagement rings.

A informational video about the princess cut.

Princess Engagement Rings: Modern Alternative to the Round Brilliant

One of the most significant advantages of the cut is economy. A princess cut diamond retains between 60 and 80% of the rough diamond. By contrast, the round brilliant keeps only around half (50%) of the rough gem. This means for the same carat weight and quality diamond, princess diamond engagement rings will be considerably cheaper than their round brilliant cousins. Another way of putting it is, for the same budget, one can get a considerably heavier princess cut diamond than a round brilliant. Although they were considered avant garde in the 1980s and 90s, no one is surprised that princess cut engagement rings have lately become one of the most highly demanded engagement ring choices, and still rapidly rising in popularity.

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Princess Cut Diamond Rings – An Open-Ended Cut

The princess cut is a generous and dynamic cut that remains just as brilliant within a wide range of dimensions. Within the industry, there are no universal standards or consensus on an 'ideal' princess cut diamond. As a result, many reputable gemological laboratories in the United States and Europe such as GIA do not even offer a grading scale for this cut. For anyone considering this stone, if the cut is even graded, it should be among your lowest priorities.

Viewed from the top, the upward facing side (crown) of a princess cut diamond is typically square shaped and consists of 21 facets. The girdle will always be cut with 4 facets resulting in the signature square or rectangular shape. Length to width ratios of 1.05 or less will result in a square while above this will be more rectangular. Although square is more common, a wider rectangular cut can result in a larger stone that will look spectacular as the center stone in a three stone ring, for example. Viewed horizontally, the downward facing or bottom side of the gem (pavilion) consists of four beveled edges ending in a point to resemble an inverted pyramid consisting of either 25 or 33 facets (two variations). The two variations of diamonds for princess cut engagement rings are 50 and 58 facets but because they have no difference on the stone's brilliance, have little or no impact on its value. Due to the generous optical nature of this cut, the exact dimensions of the stone will have little or no impact and Princess cut engagement rings are guaranteed to be incredibly brilliant.

Settings for Princess Cut Diamond

Princess cut rings work well in a number of settings. Every good setting for a princess cut diamond must be able to protect the four sharp edges. Even so, there are a wide range of settings that are ideal for princess cut diamond rings. A solitaire princess cut diamond should always have a four pronged setting with a prong over each corner of the stone.

Princess Cut Engagement Rings in Four Prong Setting Solitaire Princess Cut Diamond, Yellow Gold Ring with 4-Prong Setting

Princess Cut Engagement Ring in Pave Setting

Princess cut diamonds also work well as accent stones to complement a different center stone. For this role a pave setting is popular where small princess cut diamonds individually 'paved' around a portion or the entire length of the ring, starting at the main solitaire stone or three stone ring.

princess cut engagement rings pave setting

Princess Cut Engagement Ring in Pave Setting

Princess Cut in Channel Setting

Princess cut engagement rings in channel settings are also quite popular. The channel setting is very similar to the pave setting except that in the channel, each stone is set entirely within the structure of the ring (in the channel).

princess cut engagement rings in channel setting

Princess Cut Engagement Rings in Channel Setting

Invisible Setting: Exclusive to the Princess Cut Diamond Rings

The incredible new and unique setting called the invisible setting exclusively uses slightly modified princess cut diamonds. The invisible setting features row after row of princess cut stones with no metal or structure in between. Because they are set as a “solid wall of diamond”, the invisible set requires unique grooves cut into the pavilion (base) of the diamond that will snap into place on the metal frame underneath. Therefore, the invisible setting requires diamonds specifically cut for this set and are generally not sold as loose stones. Invisible set princess cut diamonds are also prominently featured in art deco engagement rings as well as fancy mens diamond rings and mens engagement rings.

invisible setting princess cut engagement rings

Princess Cut Engagement Rings in Invisible Setting

Whether you are looking for princess cut engagement rings or diamonds for another occasion, rest assured that princess cut diamond rings are the most brilliant jewelry pieces on the market.

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The Striking and Authentic Art Deco Engagement Ring

Style of Art Deco Rings

Art deco engagement rings are a visually striking high contrast style that practically radiates confidence. The style, which ranges from art and fashion to architecture, is characterized by linear symmetry and bold or abrupt contrasts, colors, and patterns. The striking geometric designs and shapes embody both elegance and vintage glamour, as well as originality, modernity, and functionality. This style began in Paris in the mid 1920s and flourished worldwide until World War II when the world was forced to shift towards more pragmatic considerations.

Accordingly, art deco engagement rings can feature a range of stones with bright and colorful designs set in bold geometric shapes. Unlike other engagement rings, the art deco style does not always favor diamonds. Although diamonds are still the most the dominant gemstone in many art deco jewelry, other colorful gems such as emeralds, rubies, and sapphires are also featured promontory in many art deco engagement rings.

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Because of the history, art deco is considered a ‘retro’ or antique engagement ring style. This does not mean the rings themselves are genuine antiques. If you can afford one, it is quite possible to obtain a genuine antique engagement ring. However, most art deco engagement rings on the market today are either replicated from an original (and perhaps enhanced) or else brand new and unique designs that are directly based on the art deco style.

Art Deco Style Must Match the Woman

The ring must always match your woman’s (or man’s) unique personalty and style. This is the most essential point for buying engagement rings, if not jewelry in general. There are many different engagement ring styles and it is an unavoidable fact that art deco engagement rings are not ideal for every woman. On the other hand, for the right women, there is really no other style that can compare with the strong and bold style of an art deco engagement ring. Whether you are a woman looking for style tips to choose your own ring or a man looking to surprise your woman with an art deco engagement ring, the following tips should help you decide if this style is right for you.

Personality of Art Deco Engagement Rings

Confidence: Someone confident in her own personality and style is unconcerned about what others think or see in her because she already knows she’s a great person! More than anything else, the striking contrasts, shapes, and colors of an art deco ring exhibit an aura of confidence and unshakable personality.

Outgoing: An outgoing and talkative personality is the life or a party and not afraid to be the center of attention. This is the opposite of timidity and shyness. The bold designs and contrasts common to art deco engagement rings will perfectly complement an outgoing personality. The ring itself will no doubt bring many complements and be the source of numerous conversations.

Originality: As with confidence, a sense of originality and uniqueness matches perfectly with the art deco style. You are yourself. Authentic and unique. There is no one else in the world with your character, your personality, and your style. The art deco ring, a rare and unique style in itself, is simply an extension of this attitude.

Keep in mind that within this style there is a wide range of diversity and subtlety. A woman does not need to fit exactly into all the above categories to be a good match for many art deco ring styles. Perhaps these are one or more personality traits she would like to embrace or maybe an art deco engagement ring just fits in with the rest of her style.

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Pear Shaped Diamond – Alluring and Feminine

Pear Shaped Engagement Ring – The Stunning Teardrop Diamond

Pear shaped engagement rings use an elegant and sophisticated gemstone cut that forms a hybrid between the marquise and oval cuts. One side of the pear shaped diamond is rounded like a oval while the other side ends in a point like the edge of a marquise diamond. The result is an elegant sparkling teardrop that is at once sophisticated, alluring, and feminine. Not surprisingly, the pear shaped diamond cut is commonly known as a teardrop cut and sometimes also called a pendeloque cut.

Pear Shaped Engagement Rings comparison of cuts

Related diamond cuts from left to right: Oval, Teardrop (pear), and Marquise

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What is the Right Way to Wear Pear Shaped Engagement Rings?

This is one of the most common questions asked about the pear shaped ring. In short, there is no 'correct' direction for a pear shaped diamond to be pointed. It is slightly more common to wear it with the pointed edge facing outward towards the end of the fingers. This direction allows the shape of the gem to accentuates the beauty of small fingers, making them appear more slim, long, and elegant, like the diamond itself. On the other hand, when the wide end of the gem points out, the stone can appear larger. It is even possible to get a pear shaped ring with the stone set perpendicular to the fingers. It all depends on what will best match the style of the wearer.

Settings for a Pear Shaped Engagement Rings

The teardrop cut is not as flexible as a round cut and does not have as many options for ring settings. The two best options are the six-prong solitaire setting and the fancier pave setting. The six prong setting has two prongs on either of the wide ends, one at the point, and one at the rounded oval end. This setting is both simple, elegant, and beautiful. It is also the least costly. The fancy pave setting has the single large pear stone surrounded by numerous smaller round stones. Another beautiful setting for pear shaped engagement rings features the main teardrop diamond parallel to the fingers with smaller pear, round, or marquise stones facing out, perpendicular to the fingers (parallel to the ring band).

Two popular settings for Pear Shaped Engagement Rings.

On the left, the 6-Prong Setting and on the right, the main pendeloque stone surrounded by smaller diamonds in a Pave Setting.

Diamond Cut of Pear Shaped Rings

When searching for pear shaped engagement rings the cut of the diamond (or other gemstone) should be the most important consideration. Typical length-to-width ratio for tear drop diamonds should stay within the 1.45:1 up to 1.75:1 range (or by more conservative opinions, 1.50 through 1.70 respectively). The wide end of this range is closer to an oval cut while the more elongated cut is more like a marquise.

Teardrop diamond with a significant bow-tie effect.

Bow-Tie Effect

With the teardrop cut, there are two important sets of defects to avoid. First, the phenomenon known as the bow-tie effect where a butterfly or bow-tie shaped shadow is visible near the middle of the diamond. Be aware that most long diamond cuts (including Marquise cuts) will usually have some small degree of bow-tie shadows from certain angles and lighting conditions. However, if the effect is very strong, and visible in most or all lighting and angles, this is not a good quality cut.

High or Uneven Shoulders

The second potential set of defects for diamonds in pear shaped engagement rings are known as 'high' or 'uneven' shoulders. These are actually two separate but related defects. Uneven shoulders for a pear shaped diamond occur when the arch at the wide (oval) end of the teardrop is cut so that one side bulges more than the other. High shoulders is a similar defect where the same rounded end of the teardrop is cut more like a rounded edge of a square rather than oval. Both of these issues are rare but usually intentional and sloppy defects where the cutter has sacrificed symmetry and cut in order to maximize raw carat weight. However, uneven and high shoulders can be easily seen to the naked eye. To avoid them, the teardrop cut should always have a gentle rounded and perfectly symmetrical arch around the widest section of the gem.

If searching for pear shaped engagement rings online, be sure the merchant has either a good reputation or sufficient return policy (both usually go hand-in-hand). In any case, a reputable gem source (like Blue Nile) will never carry defective pear shaped diamonds with significant bow tie effects or high and uneven shoulders. Also, it should be a pleasant surprise that pear shaped engagement rings are less costly than the round brilliants because a quality teardrop cut is simpler to create.

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Two Carat Diamonds and Higher

Why a High Carat Diamond?

Show Her Just How Much She Means To You With a 2 Carat Diamond

A two carat diamond is a rare and high class gemstone that is far more breathtaking than its 1 or 1.5 carat equivalents. Let's be perfectly clear, a spectacular diamond of this magnitude may require a couple months of your salary if not more. These diamonds will always be a significant investment both literally and figuratively. A two carat diamond is nearly always purchased for only the most important occasions in life. A woman who receives a gem of this beauty and value will have no doubts about how much she means to her man.

Getting engaged to your true love will likely be the most important event in both of your lives. Considering the importance of the occasion, many men consider the monetary cost only a secondary factor. Nothing will convey your true feelings and prove beyond any doubt how important she is to you better than an incredible two carat diamond engagement ring.

At James Allen, Find the Best Two Carat Diamonds

At James Allen you can surprise her with your own custom designed diamond ring or let her build her own! With real 3 dimensional images in HD of the actual diamonds, James Allen is the best source to purchase diamonds online. Additionally, due to greatly reduced overhead, buying a diamond online is considerably cheaper than purchasing the equivalent stone in a brick and mortar business while the full 3D images and no-questions-asked return policy makes it simple and painless.

2 Carat Diamond Sizes

Due to its size, a two carat diamond will always be far more impressive than a single carat stone. However, diamonds and rare gemstones are hand cut so there is no single universal size or set of dimensions for a 2 ct diamond. The carat weight itself is the diamond's raw mass. The international standard for a 2 carat diamond is 400 milligrams (0.4g). The cut is what determines the stone's precise physical dimensions from any given angle. For example, viewed from the top, a brilliant round 2 ct diamond cut (by far the most popular cut) will be an impressive 8.1 to 8.2 mm in diameter when cut to ideal proportions. Other cuts like the more rare Marquise cut will appear even larger. An ideal Marquise cut 2 carat diamond viewed from the top will be a massive 13×6.5 mm. Refer to the following chart for the actual sizes of two ct diamond cuts:

2 Carat Diamond: Cut Size Chart (PDF)

Price of a Two Ct Diamond Ring

As with most rare gemstones, the value of a diamond rises much faster than its carat weight. This is because larger diamond gemstones are considerably more rare, particularly in good color and clarity grades. This means a 2 carat diamond will always be more than twice the value of an equivalent single carat diamond. A mid to high grade two carat diamond will run well into the 5 digit USD range ($10,000+). Given this price range, 2 carat diamonds are most commonly purchased for life-changing events such as wedding engagement rings or to commemorate important anniversaries. However, seen from another angle this hefty price-tag may also be a wise investment…

Two Carat Diamond as a Smart Investment

Although less often considered, a 2 carat diamond is an equally solid financial investment. This class of investment is known as a tangible asset and has a number of advantages. Tangible assets are protected from market collapse, inflation, currency changes, and bank bankruptcy. They hold their value internationally, are tax free, require no maintenance, and in the case of diamonds, are a prestigious luxury item.

Due to the possibility of unforeseeable future events, smart investment practices always require financial diversity. A two ct diamond is one of the best tangible assets you can get. Prices of rare diamonds will nearly always hold their value and more likely, rise steadily over time. This is even more significant now with increasing global affluence and a greater demand for luxury goods in many flourishing foreign economies. In unforeseen future circumstances, if you end up selling your beautiful 2 carat diamond, you will likely be surprised at how its value has grown.

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How To Pick Men’s Diamond Rings

Buy Men’s Diamond Rings for Countless Occasions

Diamond rings are certainly not exclusive to women and men’s diamond rings can be purchased or given as a gift for any number of occasions. Besides a man’s wedding ring, other common examples include an anniversary, birthday or Valentine’s Day gift, or important promotion at work. Men’s diamond rings are often purchased and worn just for fashion without commemorating any specific occasion. It is also common for a woman to buy her man a diamond ring for any of the above reasons or simply as a token of love. This page will go over styles for men’s wedding rings and diamond rings so whether you are a woman getting your man a ring, or a man getting yourself a ring, you can be sure to get a ring that matches perfectly.

Where to Buy Diamond Rings for Men?

We’ll address this question first because it is probably the most important. Some people just enjoy shopping in brick and mortar stores but if you know the ring ring size, buying online is actually the smartest way to go by far. Online prices are far more competitive and therefore cheaper than brick and mortar stores and the selections are far greater. The one caveat is, only buy from merchants that offer a 30-60 day no-questions-asked free return guarantee. There is always the small chance the ring you choose just isn’t what you (or your man) thought it would be. It may seem like a small detail but don’t overlook this type of guarantee.

We have worked with numerous major wedding and engagement ring industry leaders online including Blue Nile but really, our #1 recommendation is James Allan:

Direct link: www.JamesAllen.com/Wedding-Rings/Mens-Diamond/

If you check out their gallery of rings, you’ll immediately see why… There are real 3-dimensional images of the actual ring (we can’t show them here), their selection for men’s wedding rings, men’s anniversary rings, and just durable and great looking men’s rings is just as large as their selection for women’s wedding rings. And obviously as an industry leader, they offer all the great service and guarantees that you should expect buying online. Also, don’t overlook the obvious fact that a men’s ring listed as a wedding ring will be more than suitable for any other occasions like an anniversary.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for lower end men’s rings, there are some great deals on Amazon:

Browse Amazon’s Wide Selection of Affordable Mens Diamond Rings

You won’t likely get the same quality as buying from a high-end industry leader but there are certainly some great deals to be found if you do your research.

Styles for a Man’s Diamond Ring

Diamond rings for men have a range of styles for different occasions, fashions, and price ranges. There are a number of different style considerations between a woman’s and mans diamond ring. A man’s diamond ring is often less extravagant with smaller diamonds in more enclosed settings. The band style and type of metal can also be an important consideration. An ornate mans diamond ring can project a powerful aura of confidence and style if it fits with the rest of his fashion and personality. On the other hand, a simpler more minimalistic style will look great on almost any man and will usually cost less too.

Metal in Men’s Diamond Rings

For the band of men’s diamond rings, metal can be just as important as style. Tungsten, titanium, or stainless steel may not be quite as flashy as the more precious metals but they are stronger and much more resistant to scratching. Depending on a man’s lifestyle and line of work, these metals may be a smarter choice for some mens diamond rings than the more traditional gold, platinum, or sterling silver bands.

Tips for Choosing Men’s Rings

Selecting an ideal ring for a man can be just as difficult a process as a women’s ring but often for different reasons. When looking at different choices of men’s diamond rings, it is absolutely essential to consider the man who the ring is for even before looking at any of the rings. Here are some questions to consider when looking at different choices of men’s diamond rings.

1. What is the occasion and how much are you prepared to spend?

Men’s diamond rings are stylistically flexible than women’s rings but they should still match the occasion. Although certainly not a rule, significant occasions usually warrant a more extravagant ring style. On the other hand, high class men’s diamond rings purchased just as often without any special occasion, purely for the great sense of style they can add for a man.

2. What style will match with his usual wardrobe?

It is important to match a mans diamond ring with the styles and colors of suits or clothes he usually wears in public or at work. For instance, black diamonds are quite popular with mens diamond rings. On the other hand, strong contrasts done right can also project an aura of confidence and class.

3. What are the demands of his occupation, hobbies, and lifestyle?

For men who often do physical or manual labor, it is important to find a durable mans diamond ring. Generally this means a strong metal like tungsten or stainless steel that is strong and highly resistant to scratches. Also a more enclosed and protected setting will be less likely to get in the way while he is working. Consequently, these rings will usually have less and smaller carat diamonds.

On the other hand, a man who works in a business or other white-collar environment may prefer a more flashy diamond ring. An ornate gold or platinum band with a cluster-setting or larger diamond solitaire can match perfectly with a quality business suit.

Find Extravagant Avianne & Co Mens Diamond Rings

4. What style of ring will match his overall personality?

Men’s diamond rings are very dependent on the man who will wear them. Is he more introverted or extroverted? Is he conservative in style and convention or flamboyant and uninhibited by how others see him? Does he have unique flairs in his personality? Such considerations should directly relate to the overall style of the mans diamond ring. These will aide in deciding the color, carat, and number of diamonds on a ring, as well as the setting and type of metal. Besides white, black and brown diamonds are popular colors for mens diamond rings. However, other fancy colored diamonds are not uncommon either.

As always, if you can afford it then prioritize high grade diamonds whenever possible. This will also make your ring into a solid investment piece. However, diamond rings for men are usually considerably less costly than similar rings made for women. Men’s diamond rings usually have smaller diamonds which is why price is a less significant factor.

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Unearthly Beauty of the Paraiba Tourmaline

What is Paraiba Tourmaline?

Paraiba tourmaline is an incredible rare gemstone that is as breathtakingly beautiful as it is unique. The vivid almost unearthly colors of Paraiba tourmalines range from emerald through neon greens, turquoise to neon-blues, sapphire blue, sky blue, blue-violet, indigo, and purple. Some of these extraordinary hues are not found naturally in any other stone on earth. The Paraiba Tourmaline gets these unprecedented vivid colors through the presence of manganese and copper within the stone which is unique among tourmalines.

Video showing the deep blue/green of a loose Paraiba Tourmaline gemstone:

Buy Paraiba Tourmaline

There is really no fixed or standard price for the Paraiba tourmaline because it varies considerably based mostly on color and quality. Rare colors for the highest quality stones will reach far into the five digit USD ranges for per-carat costs. Multi-carat faceted cuts of fine quality Paraiba tourmalines are extremely rare with anything over five carats being practically non-existent. Because of this, we recommend prioritizing color, clarity, and cut over carat weight. On the other hand, lower quality varieties of more common colours can sell in the high two to low three digit USD ranges per carat and will still look quite beautiful. For many Paraiba Tourmaline buyers this is an ideal price range.

Purchase from Genuine Sources

Because of the unique and vivid hues of the Paraiba tourmaline, there is a persistent high demand for these rare gemstones. On the other hand, given that there is essentially no live supply, most gem dealers do not even carry these stones. Some dealers (particularly prevalent on eBay) have resorted to selling counterfeit Paraiba tourmalines that are actually a much more common tourmaline variety that have been artificially dyed. Because of this, it is important to purchase a Paraiba tourmaline only from trusted sources. If there is any reason for doubt, ensure the stone you purchase comes with an official verifiable certificate of authenticity. Otherwise, be sure the dealer has a sufficient return policy and after you receive your Paraiba tourmaline, get it tested at a laboratory yourself.

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Why is Paraiba Tourmaline so rare?

A Brief History of an Ultra-Rare Gemstone

There are several compounding reasons that make the Paraiba tourmaline one of the most rare gemstones known on earth. The main reason is that there are presently no live sources of the gemstone because all existing mines have been depleted. In fact, to date the Paraiba tourmaline has only been found in two places on earth. It was discovered in Paraiba, Brazil in 1987 located near a small village called Sao José da Batalha. This was the only known source of this vivid stone and the mines were rapidly depleted. Then in 2001, over a decade later, a nearly identical stone resurfaced in Africa in the Republic of Nigeria. These tourmalines were only slightly less vivid and also needed a special burning treatment to reveal their brilliance. However, as they were physically almost identical to their Brazilian counterparts, the International Gemstone Society (IGS) and other official circles began to consider them as Paraiba Tourmalines as well.

The Paraiba Tourmaline Controversy

The decision to classify the Nigerian tourmalines as a Paraiba tourmaline caused a good deal of controversy and disagreements in the gemstone world. However, in addition to the nearly identical physical characteristics, there is also historical justification for the decision. Looking at maps of speculated continental drift, the Brazilian and Nigerian sites would have been in very near geographical proximity during the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras. Because they exist nowhere else on earth, it is more than likely that these gemstones were formed under identical geological conditions at a time when the Nigerian and Paraiba sites were situated in roughly the same geographical location near the center of Pangaea. This puts the formation of this rare gemstone at over 250 million years ago.

Putting aside the history of the earth, there is yet another reason why the Paraiba tourmaline is so rare. Paraiba tourmalines are distributed through small scattered veins and pockets which makes high-tech mining methods for extracting the stones impossible. It reportedly takes almost 2000 Tons of earth to yield a mere 40 carats worth of Paraíba tourmaline and of this, only about one forth is premium quality. To compound this, the rocks usually come in 0.1 through 0.5 carat weights which makes larger sizes much above the 1 carat range ultra-rare and highly sought after. Very high carat Paraiba tourmaline gemstones simply do not exist. Therefore, to summarize the answer to the question of why Paraiba tourmalines are so rare:

1. The stone is (was) only known to exist in two known locations on earth

2. The existing mines have essentially been depleted

3. The yield of the Paraiba tourmaline mines was already sparse and the mining process is very labor intensive

The combination of these three factors make the Paraiba tourmaline one of the most rare gemstones on earth, over 10,000 times more rare than a diamond.

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