For many people today’s modern designs are look much the same and most setting are mass-produced in factories. Brides spend a lot of time and money trying to have a wedding dress that is totally unique and many want the same looks for their engagement ring. They are the ones looking for vintage engagement rings that have a look all their own, preferably handmade and not put together in a factory. Even the cut of the stone is wanted for its cut, clarity and luster.

Different jewelry companies have different names for similar cuts in their stones and finding vintage engagement rings with a diamond that was custom cut can offer the look the bride is looking to find. Additionally, many of the rings were made with silver, gold or pewter and for those with allergies to nickel or other metals, an older ring may contain less of the alloy than many of the newer ones.

Pricing Varies By Demands Of Ring Owner

Finding an antique ring may be exciting, but for the majority of finds, the prices are set by the jewelry industry. Even if privately owned, the sellers will expect the ring to bring in the amount stated by the insurance assessment. With many vintage rings, the owner, especially if privately owned, may tack on a few dollars to the price for sentimental reasons. If the ring belonged to their parents or grandparent, the price of vintage engagement rings will often be higher than if bought from a dealer.

However, pricing for vintage engagement rings is lower than antique rings as the term antique promises something that may have no equal in the market. Something made over 100 years ago was probably not duplicated and is a sought after collectable. Although being an antique or vintage does not always spark collectors’ interests as much as the beauty of the ring and the cut of the stone.

There are certain things you will want to look for when you are purchasing a blue diamond engagement ring. You certainly don’t want one where the coloring is not quite right. Many blue diamonds are rejected by people because they have a sea-green overtone. Others are not bright enough, and have slightly imperfect proportions.

Blue Sapphires Are Not As Good As the Blue Diamond

You can get your blue diamond engagement ring with the cut that you are looking for. It is important when they are being cut that proportion is good. Some people may think they could get a blue sapphire instead of a blue diamond to save money. However, this is not quite the quality you can expect when you have a blue diamond engagement ring. You could never find a sapphire as bright and attractive as the one you find in a blue diamond engagement ring. While a sapphire may look great, it is the rarity, the color, and the expense in acquiring a blue diamond that really makes it stand out.

If you are looking for a diamond ring that will be unique and unusual, you will want to look into a blue diamond engagement ring. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay through the nose to acquire one, but it is well worth the extra money if you have it available.

When you get your blue diamond engagement ring, it is best if you can see the diamond for yourself before it is actually set in gold. This is so you can look at it from underneath to see what quality grade the diamond would be.

Getting the Right Setting for Your Ring

You also want to try to get your blue diamond engagement ring set in a white gold or platinum. This is because you won’t truly be able to see the special properties from the ring with a yellow band on it. You’ll be paying a small fortune for your blue diamond itself, so trying to save on the band setting is pointless, and will only detract from the value.

You will have no better way to show love than to get something so exquisite. Not everyone will be able to own one of these rings because this sort of diamond is very hard to find. It is exceptionally rare to even come across one. Unless you frequent high class art or jewelry auctions, you’ll likely never see one in real life!

Diavik is also owned by Rio Tinto, located in Canada it is a very large mine. It is located north of Yellowknife and south of the Artic Circle on an island. The island is connected by an ice road. It is also an important part of the regions economy employing more than 700 people and producing more than 8 million carats annually.

Ekati diamond mine is owned by BHP Billiton and located south of the artic circle in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The Ekati is Canada’s first operational diamond mine. Diamonds mined here are sold under the Aurias trade name Authenticity is verified through Canada Mark service. CanadaMark service is also owned by BHP Billiton Diamonds, Inc.

Baken diamond mine is located along the lower Orange River in South Africa. It is owned and operated by Trans Hex. The average size stone for 2004 was 1.29 carats. In 2004, this mine produced a 78.9 carat D color flawless diamond that sold for more than 1.8 million dollars (US), as well as a 27.67 pink diamond that was sold for over 1 million US dollars.

Merlin is the second of only two diamond mines in Australia. No longer operating it was owned by Rio Tinto and sold to Striker Resources, who has explored the possibilities of reopening the mine.

Orapa is the world’s largest diamond mine. It us located 240 Km west of Francistown. The mine is owned by “Debswana” which is a partnership between DeBeers and the government of Botswana. This mine operates 7 days a week. It maintains pre primary and primary schools for its employee’s children. There is also a 100 bed hospital and game park. This mine began production in 1971 and is the oldest mine owned by the Debswana Company.

The Premier mine located in Cullinan, South Africa produced the largest gem diamond ever in 1905. The Cullinan Diamond weighed 3,106.75 carats. This mine also produced the Golden Jubilee diamond which weighed 545.67 carats. This mine is owned by the De Beers Company and was renamed The Cullinan Diamond Mine in 2003 in celebration of its centennial.

Thinking of platinum wedding bands we often correct. For this reason they are becoming one of the most popular metals to be used for the bride and groom.

The history of platinum wedding rings is very interesting. As well, the processing of platinum began in Ancient Egypt where rare metals and gems were used to decorate the living quarters of ancient rulers. Platinum was the metal of choice because of its unique beauty and resiliency.

All platinum wedding bands today are made with various alloys. Those made with ruthenium are much more durable than those made with cobalt. But whichever one you choose, it will give you a beautiful shine and precious look that will cause people to question you about your platinum wedding rings.

People love this metal for a variety of so many reasons. Platinum wedding bands have a dazzling, white luster that is expressed only by this metal. Because of that unique shine, diamonds reflect beautifully in every setting whether the setting is conservative or ornate.

Interestingly enough, in 1940, during World War II, it was banned, and you could not use platinum in jewelry and all production of it for this purpose ceased. By the 1980’s, the ban was lifted and once again platinum quickly became the premiere metal of choice amongst those who love its look and the status it brings to those who wear it.

In the past, gold has always been heralded as the metal of choice. Many are really surprised that platinum is more expensive than gold.

Clearly, one of the reasons for this, is that it is more rare than gold, but also it has to do with the amount of platinum that has to be mined to obtain a small amount.

When people buy platinum wedding rings, understand that you are wearing a metal that is 30 times rarer than gold. It has been said that if all the platinum in the world were dispensed into an Olympic sized swimming pool and you stood in it, it would only be ankle deep.

This rare metal, platinum has always been a popular metal. There is very little platinum found in the world with only a few places it is mined.

To acquire one ounce of platinum, manufacturers have to mine 10 tons of ore. In contrast, they have to mine 4 tons of gold to attain one ounce. Therefore, because it is found less than gold and it takes much more to produce platinum that you can use for your platinum wedding rings, the consumer pays more when purchasing it.

If you want something that will only rise in worth, platinum wedding rings and platinum wedding bands are something that is rare and beautiful. Enjoy this precious and rare bit of the Earth on your finger today.

Platinum wedding bands are much heavier than either yellow or white gold by almost 60% more. Most people love that heavy, smooth feeling on their hand; it feels like it has a great deal of value; and it does.

How To Make Unique Engagement Rings

The first step in trying to make a ring that is memorable is finding a place that can assist you with this process. By visiting local jewelry stores, a consumer can find which work best for the individual. Many companies not only have a selection of unique engagement rings, they may also have a variety of wedding bands that can then match the engagement ring.

The first step in creating a design is picking out the style and cut of the gems or gem that will be the focal point of the ring. Depending on the cut of the stone, the ring will then need to be made to accommodate that cut. Some of the types of styles are round, princess, emerald, marquis, and cushion, radiant and oval. There are other cuts that may be preferable, and can change the style of the ring.

Once the cut of the stone has been selected, the stone needs to be determined. The classic diamond is the most common stone used in engagement rings. Sometimes, a center stone is selected and then on the outside of the stone additional gems are places. Again, depending on how many gems will be used in the setting, can change what style of ring can be created.

So the stones are selected, the style of cut has been determined, next the material for the ring needs to be decided. Gold is one of the most popular choices and there are many unique engagement rings that have been made from this material. This metal can be tinted with other metals to create different colors. One way to make unique engagement rings is to blend metals to make the gold become a white gold, a rose gold or even combinations.

Platinum is another choice as a metal for the ring. This material is more expensive than gold, and comes in a white color. This metal is very sturdy and doesn’t need to be combined with other materials to make the white color.

By making all of these decisions, unique engagement rings can be made. These thoughtful decisions help to make a special occasion even more priceless and the ring selected a true testament of dedication.

The Victorian style rings were more consistent with the use of diamonds and other precious stones, as the center stone was typically a pyramid cut diamond, with at least two sapphires mounted on the side. Edwardian style rings could be set with either diamonds or sapphires, but finding them together in one setting would be difficult due to the size of the stone.

During the art deco period of jewelry design, finding a large sapphire surrounded by smaller diamonds may have been common, but they can not truly be classified as sapphire and diamond antique engagement rings due to their relatively young age. However, there are many production products to resemble such pieces, but it must be remembered they are not true antiques.

Contrasting Metals Make Stone Stand Out

One of the aspects of using diamonds and sapphires in jewelry is being able to have it be noticed. The brilliant blue of sapphires contrast best when in a white gold setting, while diamonds appear bolder in a gold setting, not hiding in the silvery brilliance of the metal. Whether choosing sapphire and diamond antique engagement rings, paying attention to the metal of the ring will make the stone look better, or hide it from view. From the wearer’s perspective, they will most likely want the gemstone to attract attention instead of merging into the background.

A truly remarkable setting for sapphire and diamond antique engagement rings is a band made of a mix of gold and white gold twisted together, with the outer surface holding both diamonds and sapphires in an alternate arrangement. With all stones polished for their optimal brilliance, the unique cut of the stones make it a beautiful contrast of color and beauty.

Finding sapphire and diamond antique engagement rings should be easy at reputable collectors, but finding a setting that incorporates both stones in one design may be a little more difficult.

The Asscher history

The Asscher cut is named after its founder Joseph Asscher of the Royal Asscher Company established in 1854 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The Asscher cut itself was created in 1902 by the same Joseph Asscher. Asscher cut diamonds are rare.

Joseph Asscher is not known in the history only for the Asscher cut but, he is also famous for his work on the 3,205 carat Cullinan diamond the largest known diamond in the world.

Asscher cut is unique because no two diamonds can be alike as there are no absolute standard proportions. Asscher cut is square shaped with beveled corners but its uniqueness lies in the many parallel step facets which creates a pattern throughout the diamond. The depth of the Asscher cut is much deeper then normal emerald cut diamonds to accommodate these steps. At the top there is a small facet called the table.

These extraordinary cuts add sparkle to any Asscher cut diamond ring If you look directly into an Asscher cut diamond ring you will notice it creates a ‘hall of mirrors’, which allows you to notice any flaws or inclusions.

Celebrities and their Asscher cut diamond ring

Due to its originality and complexity the Asscher cut diamond ring is soon gaining ground with today celebrities. Reese Witherspoon wears a four carat Asscher cut diamond ring, given by Ryan Philippe at their engagement. Kate Hudson shows off her five carat Art Deco style Asscher cut engagement ring as well. Last but not least Sharon Stone picked her 11 carat Asscher cut diamond ring to stand out in a crowd as she always does.

Asscher cut diamonds are not easily available due to their complex and meticulous cut and structure. Looking for one readily available in the stores may prove a very difficult task; you may want to look into estate sales for one or the best way is to get one custom made for you. Of course most designer houses should carry this extraordinary cut diamond as part of their collection.

Engagement ring or otherwise Asscher cut diamond ring will enhance your beauty; add style and elegance to your personality. All jewelry collectors should not miss this masterpiece in their collection.

Princess Cut Engagement Rings

Diamonds can be cut in a variety of styles. Diamonds have been used since the middle ages as decoration and jewelry. Originally, the diamonds were kept in their shape; they were only polished to allow for the brilliance of the color to be showcased.

In around 1474 a Flemish polisher named Louis van Berquem began cutting the diamonds. His purpose was to create a symmetrical shape, a pear shape that would make the facets within the diamond more apparent and add to the beauty of the stone.

As time went on, more and more cuts were designed in order to really allow for the diamond to reflect light and shine brightly. The tools that are used to create these unique cuts have also improved, allowing for the diamonds to be shaped and enhance their beauty.

Princess cut engagement rings are a style of cutting the diamond. This style of cut can really enhance the luster that is within the diamond. It is also a cut that many like as it wastes very little of the original diamond. The cut itself was first designed in the 1960’s and this style has continued to grow in popularity. The cut allows for the inner facets of the stone to be displayed and show off their brilliant color and shine. Stones that are deep are the best type for this style of cut, as the stone is cut within to make the facets emphasized.

Princess cut engagement rings are not only made of diamonds. This style of cut can be used for a variety of stones and allows for the jeweler to be creative in the styles of rings that are made.

Often the size of the diamond may determine what type of cut is used. Very small diamonds need to have a simple cut in order to retain the quality of the diamond. Larger caret weight diamonds can be cut in more styles.

Some other cuts that are well known in the diamond world include the rose cut, emerald, pear, marquis and others. All of these styles can make for a beautiful engagement ring, and it can be just a matter of taste when it comes to deciding which cut will work best.

Princess cut engagement rings are a classic choice whether using a diamond, other stones or combinations of stones.

The Use Of Gold

Gold is the most popular choice in jewelry including wedding and engagement rings. Gold is mixed with other metals to produce a strong metal. When considering gold, you must look at how much gold is actually used in the material. This information is disclosed in the amount of gold carat that a piece contains. Many have heard the reference 22 carat or 14 carat; this means how much gold is used in conjunction with other metals.

Gold can also come in a variety of colors. There is the standard gold color, white gold, or even rose gold. These colors are created by combining the gold with other metals that help tint the color of the gold. All of these colors can make for a very beautiful piece of jewelry or engagement ring.

Platinum Engagement Rings

Platinum engagement rings showcase the white color that makes up platinum. Unlike turning gold white, platinum engagement rings are naturally white and no other metal needs to be added to change the color.

Platinum engagement rings are very sturdy and long lasting. Platinum engagement rings are more expensive than gold, but sustain their beauty and can be a very classic choice when choosing an engagement or wedding ring.

Silver And Other Engagement Rings

Silver is not a very good choice for an engagement ring, as the metal itself is very soft and likely to bend out of shape. If the silver color is what a couple desires in an engagement ring, other metals can be used instead of silver, which also has a tendency to oxidize causing it to turn black.

Stainless steel is becoming trendy choice for men’s wedding rings. This very durable metal can be used instead of silver and is still less costly than other metals. Titanium is another choice that can appeal too many. This metal is very hard, which means the ring is difficult to bend; this can be a problem as it is not possible to resize the ring. This metal can also not be soldered, which means that prongs can not be placed on it. It is however, a very beautiful metal that may be appealing as a wedding ring.

There are many choices for materials for an engagement ring. Local jewelry stores can show what the different materials look like and how they can be made to create a special engagement ring.

If you are trying to find a unique, beautiful engagement ring, then why not consider estate antique engagement rings? There is no other style of ring like this in the world, which means that your bride-to-be will stand out in a crowd and will have something to talk about. You can really incorporate her personality and sense of style into a ring like this, and so it is definitely one option that you want to consider very seriously.

Where to Look

Of course you are not going to be able to buy an estate antique engagement ring until you know where to shop for it, and there are actually a few different places you may want to try. One is Spence Diamonds, a jewelry company that offers thousands of different rings styles in their showrooms and you can search through their online inventory of best selling styles to find the perfect ring for your misses.

They take a very unique approach to the diamond business and they specialize in only diamond and antique jewelry so you know that their thoughts are focused here and that when you buy something like an estate antique engagement ring that you are getting the best of the best.

They also offer a great protection against loss, and if your ring chips, cracks, or wears down within five years of the date of purchase they will replace it free of charge, and there is also a lifetime trade-up allowance so that at any time the ring can be fully credited towards a new items from their jewelry collection, providing that the new items has a value at least fifty percent greater than the original purchase price.

Another great company that offers estate antique engagement rings is Birks, a company that is well respected in the jewelry industry. They offer estate antique jewelry as well as a variety of diamond jewelry, gemstone jewelry, pearl jewelry, wedding bands, gold jewelry, sterling silver, watches and clocks, crystal and glass, and more.