How to clean a diamond ring can be tricky

Jewellery makes for one of those special gifts, perfect for just about any occasion. Afterall, who doesn’t love receiving dazzling jewels to show off?

It can highlight how much you care for a person, and the recipient can show you how much they appreciate the gift by wearing it regularly. Most jewellery, particularly well-crafted pieces, will also turn into a gift that keeps on giving. A person can hand something treasured down through generations as a family heirloom, and you will always be part of that story.

So, how do you make sure that your present will hit the right spot? Follow these 5 valuable tips to picking the perfect jewellery gift and you will nail that gift every time.

1. Pay Attention to the Person You are Shopping For

Jewellery Gift IdeasWhen you start to research your gift, the person wearing the jewellery is more important than the jewellery itself. Pay attention to what they already have and what they like to wear. Obviously, it is not a good idea to get them something too like what they already own, but you can certainly draw inspiration from their favourite pieces.

Next, take note of what jewellery they wear. If the person wears a necklace that never gets taken off, buying them another one may not be a worthwhile gift as they are not likely to wear it. However, if they love to chop and change between different rings on their fingers, a special addition to their collection will likely go down a treat.

Finally, look at their style and fashion choices. Are they more into keeping up with current trends or do they prefer a timeless and classic look? Do they like big and shiny bling, or is understated and simple more their thing? All of this will help you narrow your search to a style.

2. Make Sure The Gift Matches The Relationship

Jewellery gift engagement ringBuying someone a diamond ring for their birthday when you may have only been dating for a short time is probably not going to go down well. On the other hand, a plain chain for a 25-year anniversary is not suitable either. You need to think about how well you know the person, what you mean to each other and what the occasion is.

Jewellery, especially something of quality, is often a statement about the relationship you have with the recipient. You wouldn’t necessarily buy the same item for a parent as you would for a significant other, even if both are celebrating a birthday. This is because different types of jewellery have different meanings or symbolism. A ring is seen as a commitment or a promise to someone and is usually reserved for romantic relationships.

The occasion for giving a gift is always a major consideration when shopping. If it’s a milestone anniversary or a big birthday you should definitely consider spending more or going for something a bit more timeless. For the years in between, you could have a bit more fun and think outside the box.

3. Remember That Size Matters

Jewellery Gift in a boxThis goes back to considering the person you are buying the gift for and their specific tastes in fashion and jewellery. Say you have done your research and you have decided on a bracelet as the perfect gift. You need to make sure that your gift fits!

Firstly, the bracelet should fit comfortably around the wearer’s wrist – not too loose or too tight. Secondly, think about the size of the chain and the stones that make up the bracelet. Should they be small and delicate, or big and chunky? Neither is right or wrong on their own, but they can look very wrong on the wearer if they don’t suit their style.

Remember, bigger is not always better if the person will not want to wear it, and this goes for all jewellery types and gemstones too. While you may love the idea of splashing out on a huge sparkler, the recipient may not be wild about wearing such an obvious piece and would prefer a smaller, more subtle gift.

4. Get the Best Quality for your Money

If you are giving a gift that you want to be around for a long time and worn regularly, then quality is of utmost importance.

For one thing, a plated metal will not look good with regular wear. It will start to chip or flake off over time, leaving the cheaper metal below exposed. The worst part about this is the cheaper metal is usually copper or brass, which can leave a nasty green or blue stain on the wearer’s skin. It is much better to go for pure silver if you cannot afford gold or platinum instead of getting something that’s gold plated, as plated will shine nicely to begin with but will not stay that way for long.

5. Ask The Experts

If you are going to make a big purchase, it is always a good idea to get an opinion from an expert with credibility whom you can trust. They can help you appraise the quality of the stones, how secure the settings are, and how well the item will wear over time. You can then buy the piece knowing that you are getting the best value for your preferred price.

When it comes to buying diamonds and other precious stones, it is good to ask for information on the stone. An expert should be able to give you the full report on the stone and offer you alternate options.  They should be able to offer you total transparency, and if they cannot divulge the details, it is best to look elsewhere and know exactly what you are buying.

Jewellery makes a wonderful gift for just about every occasion. With this guide, you can ensure that whatever you buy will be treasured and worn for years to come.

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Diversity Wlc Laurenolivia 400So you said YES to the ring (and your partner of course) !!!

Now it is time to start planning the big special day you have been waiting on. In the beginning it might feel a little overwhelming with so many moving parts to organise. The best thing to do, is to start with one thing at a time. With the average engagement period for many couples today around the 12 – 18months, it is a good idea to start your wedding dress shopping around 9-12 months before the wedding.

Thanks to our friends at White Lilly,

Here are 7 key tips you need to know when looking for a wedding dress.

While you might be nervous, excited, anxious about your first wedding dress appointment. It is important to put your trust in your stylist. They are experts at what they do and have helped countless brides find their perfect gown. They will be able to make suggestions about what dress will fit your body shape. They can also help you with any alterations and discuss any fitness regimens you might have in the lead up to your special day.

It is important to also listen to your gut and pay attention to how the gowns make you feel when deciding. You will know “the one” when you put it on, butterflies in the tummy and tears of joy are not uncommon.

Choosing your wedding dress should be an amazing experience. One that you look back on many years from now with fond memories, not just for the dress but those special people in your life you chose to share it with.

Enzoani Octavia Wedding Dress White Lily Couture Monroe B 1 Verona 1305 Martina Liana5Wreath D3023 Essense Of Australia Organic Lace A Line Wedding GownDonna B B42e0478 ScaledWindsor 3280 Essense 4 1

5 Tips for Successful Jewellery Gifting

Jewellery makes for one of those special gifts, perfect for just about any occasion. Afterall, who doesn’t love receiving dazzling jewels to show off?

It can highlight how much you care for a person, and the recipient can show you how much they appreciate the gift by wearing it regularly. Most jewellery, particularly well-crafted pieces, will also turn into a gift that keeps on giving. A person can hand something treasured down through generations as a family heirloom, and you will always be part of that story.

So, how do you make sure that your present will hit the right spot? Follow these 5 valuable tips to picking the perfect jewellery gift and you will nail that gift every time.

  1. Pay Attention to the Person You are Shopping For

Jewellery Gift Ideas

When you start to research your gift, the person wearing the jewellery is more important than the jewellery itself. Pay attention to what they already have and what they like to wear. Obviously, it is not a good idea to get them something too like what they already own, but you can certainly draw inspiration from their favourite pieces.

Next, take note of what jewellery they wear. If the person wears a necklace that never gets taken off, buying them another one may not be a worthwhile gift as they are not likely to wear it. However, if they love to chop and change between different rings on their fingers, a special addition to their collection will likely go down a treat.

Finally, look at their style and fashion choices. Are they more into keeping up with current trends or do they prefer a timeless and classic look? Do they like big and shiny bling, or is understated and simple more their thing? All of this will help you narrow your search to a style.

  1. Make Sure The Gift Matches The Relationship

Jewellery gift engagement ring

Buying someone a diamond ring for their birthday when you may have only been dating for a short time is probably not going to go down well. On the other hand, a plain chain for a 25-year anniversary is not suitable either. You need to think about how well you know the person, what you mean to each other and what the occasion is.

Jewellery, especially something of quality, is often a statement about the relationship you have with the recipient. You wouldn’t necessarily buy the same item for a parent as you would for a significant other, even if both are celebrating a birthday. This is because different types of jewellery have different meanings or symbolism. A ring is seen as a commitment or a promise to someone and is usually reserved for romantic relationships.

The occasion for giving a gift is always a major consideration when shopping. If it’s a milestone anniversary or a big birthday you should definitely consider spending more or going for something a bit more timeless. For the years in between, you could have a bit more fun and think outside the box.

  1. Remember That Size Matters

Jewellery Gift in a box

This goes back to considering the person you are buying the gift for and their specific tastes in fashion and jewellery. Say you have done your research and you have decided on a bracelet as the perfect gift. You need to make sure that your gift fits!

Firstly, the bracelet should fit comfortably around the wearer’s wrist – not too loose or too tight. Secondly, think about the size of the chain and the stones that make up the bracelet. Should they be small and delicate, or big and chunky? Neither is right or wrong on their own, but they can look very wrong on the wearer if they don’t suit their style.

Remember, bigger is not always better if the person will not want to wear it, and this goes for all jewellery types and gemstones too. While you may love the idea of splashing out on a huge sparkler, the recipient may not be wild about wearing such an obvious piece and would prefer a smaller, more subtle gift.

  1. Get the Best Quality for your Money

If you are giving a gift that you want to be around for a long time and worn regularly, then quality is of utmost importance.

For one thing, a plated metal will not look good with regular wear. It will start to chip or flake off over time, leaving the cheaper metal below exposed. The worst part about this is the cheaper metal is usually copper or brass, which can leave a nasty green or blue stain on the wearer’s skin. It is much better to go for pure silver if you cannot afford gold or platinum instead of getting something that’s gold plated, as plated will shine nicely to begin with but will not stay that way for long.

  1. Ask The Experts

If you are going to make a big purchase, it is always a good idea to get an opinion from an expert with credibility whom you can trust. They can help you appraise the quality of the stones, how secure the settings are, and how well the item will wear over time. You can then buy the piece knowing that you are getting the best value for your preferred price.

When it comes to buying diamonds and other precious stones, it is good to ask for information on the stone. An expert should be able to give you the full report on the stone and offer you alternate options.  They should be able to offer you total transparency, and if they cannot divulge the details, it is best to look elsewhere and know exactly what you are buying.

Jewellery makes a wonderful gift for just about every occasion. With this guide, you can ensure that whatever you buy will be treasured and worn for years to come.

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Before you get engaged with a temporary engagement ring

You might be wondering, What is a temporary engagement ring? It is simply a ring that you can get engaged with NOW, until you find the dream engagement ring. You can still have that amazing proposal experience your partner has been waiting for without the big expense. 

But how do you know when you have met the love of your life? Someone who you want to be with through thick and thin. The glorious good times and the really yucky bad times. (that no one tells you about) For me it was the butterflies in my stomach after the first date with my then girlfriend. I am now 22 years married, 4 kids and two massive Newfoundland dogs later. (not by my choice, I got outvoted on that one) The simple answer is, you just know. 

What happens when your proposal plans go out of the window?

temporary engagement ring

Now speaking as a self-confessed control freak, planning to me is everything. If you are nodding along, then welcome to the club. The truth is, life has a funny way of throwing curve balls at us. Covid-19 is certainly one of those curve balls. You, like many couples, were probably blissfully celebrating the start of 2020, thinking that this year was going to be the year that you got engaged. With everything that is going on, you might now be wondering if you have to re-asses your options. 

While some of our clients may have lost their jobs due to COVID -19, there are still some that want to take that next step. Understandably a number of clients have been considering whether they should postpone or cancel their planned proposal. Maybe spending $8000 on an engagement ring right now might not be the best thing for you to do.

With so many restrictions in place it is perfectly understandable to think the only alternative is to do nothing and stay at home. Which is certainly the advice coming from the authorities. While that is true in some cases, it doesn’t mean that you can’t get creative with a surprise proposal at home with a temporary engagement ring. A ring that you can go back later and change for the perfect engagement ring. Something that you both can have an input into and enjoy the process.  

On the bright side, there have been a number of proposals still going ahead. Albeit much more low key than were originally planned. What is heart warming is talking to a proposer and hearing  how despite everything, they are still looking to make their partners year and pop the question. 

The Ultimate COVID-19 proposal idea with a temporary engagement ring.

For many of the proposers  I talk to, it can be quite an involved process choosing their partners dream engagement ring. Let alone how and when they are going to propose. With classic proposal locations such as restaurants, or travelling interstate or overseas now off the table, here is a really great alternative. 

With every temporary engagement ring purchase we are offering a romantic room turn down service. Imagine turning up with your beloved after a nice walk and coming home to this…

Romance Package 1

50 x Led Candles

1 x Bag of Red Rose Petals

1 x Bouquet of Red Roses

Fresh Strawberries

Chocolate Dip or Favourite Dessert

Your favourite photo memories displayed of you and your partner

Romantic Music Playing

Champagne

Then all you need to do is get down on one knee open the ring box with your stunning temporary engagement ring and ask your partner the words they have been waiting for.  “Will you marry me?”. Your proposal will be special, no matter where it is, or whether it is with a temporary engagement ring. Most partners who I speak to after having been proposed to, are glowing. They are so excited to share about how their partner proposed. They remember what they said and generally how excited they are to be on their way to being married.

Which might come as a much welcome distraction if you are finding yourself stuck at home with a lot more time on your hands. Planning a wedding can take a good 12 months, which means you are all set for a 2021 wedding. 

Which temporary engagement ring will you choose? 

If you have decided that you really want to get engaged to your partner and would love some help. You can book a FREE proposal planning session with me. I guarantee there are some really easy and simple ways to create a romantic proposal that will really blow your partner away. Or have a look at some of our amazing temporary engagement rings here.

Buying an engagement ring can be overwhelming. As Brisbane’s best engagement ring specilaist, have tried to answer the most common questions below. 1. Which is the Best – White Gold or Platinum? There are a lot of myths surrounding platinum. So, here are the facts. Platinum is about 34% denser than white gold. This means it will be better wearing than white gold. While this makes platinum a better choice, it doesn’t mean that white gold is a wrong choice for your engagement ring. If you are choosing white gold then go for 18ct, as it is the most wearable of them all. When it comes to maintenance, Platinum engagement rings don’t need to be rhodium plated every few years like white gold, but they are not maintenance free. They will need to be polished if you want to keep them looking good. Remember going for a platinum engagement ring will mean that you need to go for a platinum wedding ring and platinum eternity ring as well. 2. Should I Choose a mined diamond, or a laboratory created diamond engagement ring? Technology is moving at a crazy pace, with new innovations happening every day. Scientists have now worked out how to replicate the exact conditions that happened below the ground more than a billion years ago that led to the creation of diamonds. They have done this by taking a small mined seed crystal and growing it in special chambers infused with Carbon gas which helps the small crystal grow into a larger diamond in a matter of months, so creating a laboratory created diamond. Whether or not you are looking at a mined diamond or a created diamond, will come down to whether you would like a significantly larger diamond for the same budget (around a 40% bigger diamond) that is created  with a sustainable and socially responsible  method or a diamond that was created below the ground a billion years ago. You can find out more about created diamonds here. 3. How do you guess the size for your partners engagement ring? There are a couple of popular methods when it comes to sizing an engagement ring. The easiest method is pinching a ring that she wears on her ring finger on the other hand. The second is looking at her hands. The average finger size for most ladies is L to M. From there you can go one size either side of that if you think her fingers are a little larger or smaller than standard. It is always better to go a touch bi

There’s so much choice out there that sometimes it’s hard to know which metal is best for your dream wedding rings, especially when it comes to choosing for the groom. So to help you out, below is a brief description of some of the more popular metal types with a focus on metal that works really well when it comes to designing your man’s wedding ring.

White, Yellow and Rose Gold

 

9-Carat Gold: This is probably the most common gold type you will find if you walk into a suburban mass-market jewellery store. The ring will be stamped either ‘9ct’ or ‘375’. Essentially this means that for every 1000 grams of metal, only 375 grams of it are pure gold. The rest is made up of silver, copper and other minor elements.

I would argue that this is not really a gold ring – how can you call something a gold ring when nearly two-thirds of the metal is made up of something else? Sales staff in stores selling these rings may try to tell you 9-carat gold is a better wearing metal compared to its 18-carat counterpart.

However, this is not the case. If you search online to compare the hardness of each using the Vickers hardness test, you will actually see that 18-carat gold is actually a harder metal (with a Vickers score of 230) than 9-carat gold (at 170).

The second important element to take into account is colour. Because a 9-carat ring only has 37.5 percent pure gold, the metal has a more washed out and sometimes coppery colour – which is likely not what you associate the colour of gold to look like.

14-Carat Gold: While this metal type is more commonly seen in countries like America, it is starting to gain popularity in Australia. Seen as a halfway point between 9-carat. and 18-carat gold, 14-carat gold’s formula is 585, which means it has slightly more gold than alloy metal. So while it might not be as great as 18 carats in wearability, it is still a much better option and has a nicer colour than 9 carats.

18-Carat Gold: This is the best wearing metal, particularly if you’re going for a yellow gold band. The metal is much denser than 9-carat gold and has a much nicer colour. Due to its density, it is also about 35 per cent heavier than 9-carat gold, so you will definitely feel the difference when you hold it in your hand.

If you are looking at white gold, the colour differences will not be noticeable because all white gold rings are rhodium plated. However, hardness differences will remain.

Platinum

For a long time, platinum was seen as the ‘Rolls Royce’ standard for wedding bands, prized for its weighty feel, hypoallergenic properties and luxury tag. It has a slightly grey colour and doesn’t have to be rhodium plated.

While platinum is certainly a great metal, however, a few misconceptions need to be cleared up:

Advancements in metallurgy mean new metals are coming on to the market all the time. Platinum 600 is one of the latest, which has been alloyed with tungsten – a very strong and scratch-resistant metal.

Tungsten on its own is not an ideal metal, because it cannot be resized. So if something should happen and you need to change the size, you will have to buy a new ring.

The benefit of alloying tungsten with platinum is that it makes the platinum 20 per cent harder than regular platinum while still allowing it to be resized. A by-product of taking out some of the platinum and adding tungsten is that it is also more affordable.

At the time of writing, Platinum 600 rings are sitting in the range of $1600 to $2200.

Palladium

Palladium belongs to the platinum family of metals and shares a lot of similarities. Firstly it has the same slightly greyer colour, which some guys find appealing – especially if they don’t want to have something too white and shiny.

Secondly, it never has to be rhodium plated. The colour that you see is the colour that it will always be. Thirdly, it is a great wearing metal, which for most guys means low maintenance.

Mokume-gane

Mokume-gane (which translates as ‘burl metal’) is a mixed-metal laminate with distinctive layered patterns and a great style for the guy who really wants his wedding ring to look unique. The name was borrowed from a type of pattern created in the forging of swords and other edged weapons, which most guys find pretty cool.

First made in 17th-century Japan, the mixed-metal was used only for sword fittings until the Meiji era when the decline in demand for swords forced artisans to create purely decorative items instead.

The traditional components were relatively soft metallic elements and alloys (such as gold, copper and silver), which would become fused with one another without completely melting. The different coloured metals are used to create amazing patterns that can sometimes look like wood grain or fingerprints.

Mokume-gane rings are always unique – while the metal mix and patterns may be similar, no two rings are exactly the same.

Hope this information has been helpful

If you want to know more about choosing a metal type for your wedding rings, why not come and speak to our experts at our showroom? We can help you choose the perfect metal for your wedding rings and help make your day unforgettable.

Join us for a drink at our in-store bar while you get a one-on-one Discovery Session with our expertly trained staff who can answer any questions you might have about ring design.

We are ready to help you now, book an appointment with us today.

There are many decisions you need to make when you are about to get married and we can help make everything run smoothly. 

One decision you might not be thinking about at the moment is about protecting that investment for the future.

Now, I know you already have a million things going on and you are excited about the wedding day but the last piece of advice I’d like to give you is about getting your rings insured just in case something happens.

Maybe you think it’s something that can wait until after the big day. However, you should really think about taking out insurance straight away. An engagement ring and your wedding rings are a major financial investment and without being too pessimistic, anything can happen.

But choosing the right insurance policy to cover the rings is the most important thing. Insuring your ring under your basic house insurance is not going to be good enough.

Let me ask you this: would you insure your car with a boat insurance company? 

Well, insuring your ring under household contents insurance is essentially the same thing. Household contents insurance, as the name suggests, is specifically tailored to the contents that normally reside inside the house. The wording of the policy rarely takes into account the complexity and difficulty of insuring jewellery. 

The reason jewellery is so hard to insure is that a ring can be melted down, stones taken out and reused in a number of other rings. If you want the best insurance cover and peace of mind, it is best to insure with a company that is specially designed to insure jewellery and only jewellery.

These types of policy are written by a jeweller, especially for you, the wearer and means your ring is not lumped together with car or house insurance items. It also guarantees your jeweller will be the one who will take care of you if the worst happens. 

It is widely known that insurers don’t understand jewellery; they have little to no respect for the bond between you and your jeweller. However, insuring with a certified jewellery insurance company is about securing and building on to that bond, to make sure that the items you hold dear are well and truly protected.

Find out more recommendations about which insurance broker we recommend for jewellery specific insurance and get help choosing the perfect wedding rings for your special day by booking a Discovery Session with our Diamond Experts.

Join us for a drink at our in-store bar while you get a one-on-one Discovery Session with our expertly trained staff who can answer any questions you might have about ring design and insurance.

We are ready to help you now, book an appointment with us today.

Buying a beautiful diamond with an unlimited budget is easy; finding something just as stunning within your means can sometimes be a bit more challenging. While a lot of us might sometimes believe that we have champagne tastes with a beer budget, you can get an amazing diamond without breaking the bank.

Learning how to pick the bargains just takes years of training, exposure to thousands of diamonds of different grades, and good relationships with overseas diamond cutters. But if you don’t have the time to do this, don’t worry!

All you need to do is find a diamond expert who does have this kind of training and relationships. Balancing the four C’s – cut, colour, clarity and carat weight – is all about deciding which of the four groups you want to allocate more of your funds to, to give you the greatest bang for your buck. 

CUT GRADE

One of the biggest mistakes a lot of clients make is to mistake a diamond’s cut for its shape rather than its cut performance or sparkle. When we talk about a diamond’s cut grade, we are only talking about its ability to sparkle.

A diamond’s cut grade is one of the main things that distinguishes your diamond from cubic zirconia and is the thing you should absolutely never compromise on. For the most sparkle, you should be looking out for a diamond with an ‘excellent cut grade’.

Read more about diamond cut grade in my free ebook ‘Rock Her World’

 

COLOUR

The colour range for diamonds sits on the alphabetic scale starting from D-Z.

However, most commercial jewellery store graded diamonds will fall in the G-N range.

While diamonds in the G-I range are considered near colourless, they still pull a lot of yellow and have a distinct yellow tinge. These diamonds are the ones normally found in most jewellery stores stocking mass-produced items.

Diamonds in the D-F range are the only diamonds considered to be in the truly white range. If you are looking to maximise getting the best diamond for your budget, I recommend that the lowest colour you should accept is an F colour.

D and E colours are great if that’s within the budget, but an F colour is the best way to still leverage all the other diamond characteristics to achieve the best performing white diamond.

Read more about diamond cut grade in my free ebook ‘Rock Her World’

 

CLARITY

Clarity refers to the natural marks or inclusions in a diamond under 10× magnification. These inclusions can be:

graphite-type inclusions – these show up as black spots
feathers – these look like a small semi-circle
crystals – these are essentially small crystalline inclusions that occurred in the stone at the time it was being formed
clouds – these are a group or mist of minute inclusions that give a cloud-like appearance.

Read more about diamond cut grade in my free ebook ‘Rock Her World’

 

CARAT WEIGHT

Carat weight refers to the actual weight of the stone (one carat = 0.2 grams) and this doesn’t always relate to the physical size or diameter you see. As a diamond increases in weight, it also increases in volume in every direction.

So some of the increase or decrease in diamond weight will be seen in the diameter and some will be in the depth. If the stone is poorly cut, it will have more of the weight in the depth and so have a smaller diameter.

It is always better to go for a slightly smaller, more perfectly cut, diamond, over one that just weighs more. A diamond with a better cut will give you many more years of enjoyment and compliments as it sparkles from across the room.

Read more about diamond cut grade in my free ebook ‘Rock Her World’

If you’d like more information about the 4 C’s or get amazing tips about determining your ideal budget and choosing the perfect wedding rings, download a free copy of my book by clicking on this link here.

Alternatively, you can book a Discovery Session and come down to our luxury diamond showroom with a budget in mind and speak directly to our expert diamond consultants who can help you decide your maximum budget and find the right engagement ring for your needs.

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