Ruby Diamonds

Fashions in both jewelry and clothing seem to constantly cycle back over the classics, resulting in renewed interest in older, more traditional designs. The same concept also occurs with regards to engagement rings. There are many traditional types of rings that are now resurging in popularity, either in settings, bands or diamond cuts.

If you are looking for a different style or cut of diamond you may not need to look ahead to the future but rather look back into the past. Cushion cut diamonds have become much more popular due to their soft, subtle appearance and beautiful reflective properties. Other traditional and still popular classic diamond cuts include the solitaire in either round or oval as well as the princess and emerald shape and cut.

For a new shape or cut that isn't common, look towards geometric shapes such as the triangle. Ideal as a solitaire style, the trilliant shape can be a blunted or very sharp triangle, largely depending on the diamond cutter as well as the natural shape of the stone. Other new shapes include flowers and hearts, ideal as central stones or solitaires.

If you don't want to be on the cutting edge of fashion, going back to the traditional classics can also be a way to be trendy without taking risks. Antique engagement rings are always in style and can be a great place to get ideas for custom ring designs or to select the perfect engagement ring.

Combining both modern and antique or sticking with one or the other is largely up to the individual, but either option is definitely worth considering. Often the term antique tends to be confused with simple. In reality some of the antique jewelry, especially when it comes to art deco style engagement rings, is going to be anything but plain or simple. This elaborate design style often includes free form types or rings as well as lots of additional stones and colors.

Raising the diamond off the band of the ring is common in most types of the classic engagement rings. Unlike modern styles filigree, designs including flowers or scrolling types of designs were used to add to the design to the raised section. This detail work as often completed using white gold, platinum or yellow gold.

The Victorian style of jewelry design is one of the classic styles for engagement rings that have resurfaced as beautiful option. These rings can be either a combination wedding and engagement ring or they can be combined with matching wedding bands or even simple wedding bands.

Sticking with traditional engagement rings and styles and adding new touches is a great way to customize and modernize a traditional favorite. Of course there is nothing wrong with keeping engagement rings from the past exactly as they were originally designed as either way these rings are sure to be treasured.

Most people are aware that there are basically four components of buying diamonds for engagement rings or other types of jewelry. These four components include the diamond's color, cut, clarity and carat. Although this seems to be common knowledge, most people really don't know what these four terms refer to in a diamond. Since the diamond is the central focus on engagement rings, learning a bit about diamond grading is important.

Carat, a weight measurement equal to 0.2 grams, is perhaps the easiest diamond grade to understand. Engagement ring settings that feature solitaire diamonds often have very large carat stones because they are central to the ring. However the diamond should also be a perfect as possible since any flaws will be very noticeable.

Color actually refers to the lack of color within a diamond. For most engagement rings a G grade will mean that any slight colorations of the diamond are basically undetectable to the eye and the diamond will appear to be completely clear and colorless. Other options include a colored diamond or even diamond chips that have a very slight coloration of yellow. If the setting and band are gold, a very slight yellow coloration is often undetectable and can allow you to purchase a larger diamond for the same amount of money.

Diamonds for engagement rings should be free from external or internal marks, blemishes or bubble type formations. Inclusions inside the diamond will impact on reflection of light and damages to the surface will likewise detract from the appearance of the gem.

The larger and more central the diamond is in the setting the better quality it should be with regards to at least cut, color and clarity. Every diamond in engagement ring settings or other jewelry is going to have some slight flaw, but the larger the stone size the more important a flawless appearance will be.

Engagement rings that feature diamonds with a good cut are going to be more reflective and brilliant than those with a poor cut. Cut is not the same as the shape, rather it refers to the facets and if they are in the right location within the diamond to reflect the light through the gem. Cut is very important in larger, solitaire diamonds and is perhaps the most important factor in choosing the right stone for the setting.

Antique engagement rings and new rings are a great way to start trying out your diamond grading understanding. Older rings often feature very traditional shapes that are easier to work with. Once you get the hang of it you can then start looking at different settings or stick with traditional types of engagement rings.

Engagement rings that feature the best possible cut, color, clarity and carat to fit your budget are really the best option. Many jewelers can help maximize the beauty your choices in engagement rings by changing the shape of the diamond to maximize the 4 c's given the style of ring you have selected.