Category: engagement

The Bypass Ring Trend

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bypassbannerBypass Ring – A ring that coils around the finger, with the ends of the band passing each other on top. In some designs, the ends are completed with pavé or channel set diamonds. Others have larger diamonds set on or between the ends.

 – Diamond Council of America

 

It’s a style that has been around since at least the 1830s, but most of us have probably never noticed the elegant, yet twisted style wrapped around our friend’s finger, until the last couple of years when the bypass ring became a growing trend.

PAST

The bypass ring became popular during the Victorian era. The ring was giving to the woman as an engagement ring, symbolizing two souls coming together as one. The popularity of the two different colored stones during that era also added to the symbolization of two coming together.

jackie

 

One of the most famous bypass rings dates back to the 1950s. John F. Kennedy proposed to the then, Jacqueline Bouvier, with a beautiful 2-carat diamond and 2-carat emerald bypass ring tapered with baguettes. The design by Van Cleef & Arpels, is still replicated to this day. The ring can be seen in the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum.

DIY: Caring for your diamonds

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tom wagnerDIamond care 101

Whether its diamond studs, engagement ring, wedding bands or even a bracelet. Caring for your jewelry will help it last for a lifetime. I will tell you some amazing tips and tricks to help your diamonds shine bright.

BEFORE IT’S YOURS:

  • Make sure you know what you are buying, and who you are buying it from. Every jeweler should have a diamond tester, ask them to please use it! Going to a family owned will usually have quality over quantity. The big box stores aren’t your only place to go!
  • Spending over $1,000? Get an appraisal! If it gets lost or stolen, having the piece covered under your insurance is key to replacing it. Depending on your homeowners insurance ever $1,000 will usually cost you about $15 yearly (worth it)!

NOW THAT IT’S YOURS:

  • One word…upkeep. Jewelry in a sense is similar to vehicles. Just like tires on a street, the gold on your ring (or any other piece) will eventually wear away from the friction.  Having your piece checked and cleaned every 6 months by your jeweler is a personal guarantee that everything is in working order!
  • With getting your piece cleaned, of course it will be shiny and sparkly but, that is only half of the battle. Now worrying about every day wear-and-tear how do you keep it this sparkly?! Your nearest jeweler should sell cleaning solution (we sell it for 3 dollars a jar). If it does not come with a brush, getting a small tooth brush should do the trick.  Very gently brush the stones from underneath (that is where all the lotion, soap and what ever else gets stuck).  Going back to getting it checked and cleaning, as long as you have it inspected you should have no problems with any stones falling out.
  • EXTRA TIP: Going out on the town, on a date, or special event? Spray some Windex on it to shine it up! (I promise it works wonderfully if you don’t have proper jeweler solution). Windex can also help you get a ring off if it is stuck!

Bedazzle yourself with diamonds…

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bedazzlebandtop

“don’t let anyone dull your sparkle”

THis mark SCHNEIDER design has to be absolutely one of my all time favorites. this takes criss-cross rings onto an entirely new level, of course without stealing the center stage. the six prong head and euro shank really give it the durability to last a lifetime while shining through everyday wear and tear. this ring is perfectly matched to its name “THe Bedazzle”

~jess

Simply Stunning

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Solitaires

The Radio Flyer red wagon. The 1965 Mustang. Coca-cola. Frank Sinatra. Audrey Hepburn. All classics. These icons of style that have withstood the test of time make us both nostalgic and happy. They inspire us. And they have multi-generational appeal.

Over the past months, one of our major companies we work with, Stuller has spent time reflecting on all things classic, particularly the diamond solitaire ring. Long a symbol of sophistication and grace, these four and six-prong mountings have functioned as can’t-go-wrong choices for grooms-to-be.

And why is the solitaire a classic? Because it’s timeless and refined. And because there’s no better way to show off a gorgeous diamond than with a shank and mounting that lets everyone see the stone’s brilliance. Inspired, the design team broke out their sketch pads to pay homage to classic solitaire in a collection we call Solitaires with a Twist.

At a glance, each ring shines as a solitaire, but closer inspection reveals an intricate design. With these diamond solitaires, our design team set out to create styles that remained faithful to the solitaire’s proven aesthetic but incorporate fresh detailing that fashionable brides are sure to appreciate. Best of all, the special, subtle features on these rings don’t detract from the beauty of the diamond; they enhance it. Even more appealing is that these styles are designed to fit flush against almost any straight-walled band.

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