One of the most amazing parts of my job is that I get to see love, joy and happiness every day. Whether it is someone looking to choose an engagement ring for their partner or a couple embarking on the journey together, it is a true privilege to be a part of that special story. We all share in that special function of our humanity, the ability to love. While we all might have different stories, we all share the same love.
Which is why I feel so passionately about marriage equality. I want everyone to have that special feeling of being able to commit their special someone, in a way that truly honours their relationship. But talking about it, just simply wouldn’t be enough. I wanted to do something much greater. My idea was to create a video campaign, to show that we are all the same, and that love is love, no matter what your preferences are.
To mark this important milestone for marriage equality in Australia, we decided to shoot 6 videos to show that we are all the same.
To coincide with the release of our marriage equality videos we also put together a $20,000 prize for one of our 4 lucky couples. This amazing prize came to a conclusion on November the 15th 2017. The amazing prize included diamond rings, a weekend drive of a mini, amazing dinner at Urbane, photography by Evoke Studio, and a proposal moment by unforgettable proposals.
With more than 200 couples who entered the campaign, talking about what marriage equality meant to them, the winners of our amazing campaign were Sinead and Nat. Sinead and Nat had a commitment ceremony 10 years ago, but are looking to tie the knot this time with their twins at the ceremony.
An engagement ring engraving is an expression of love inside one of life’s most treasured possessions. Choosing an engagement ring engraving can sometimes take months, as after all, it is a piece you are going to wear for the rest of your life. Once you have chosen your dream ring, the first piece of the puzzle is complete. The second piece of the puzzle is the proposal. An unforgettable proposal is something that inspires romance and is retold for years to come. After the initial excitement of the moment and seeing the engagement ring for the first time, your eyes look to the engraving on the inside of the ring. This engagement ring engraving is what will make your engagement ring so personal and special to you alone.
What to engrave in your engagement ring?
Think of a special phrase or word that you use for each other. Sometimes the phrase can be in English, sometimes another language or even characters from a picture alphabet. Or perhaps there is a location that is special to you, where you first met or proposed. Ideally, it should be short enough to see without turning the ring. Adding a date or each other’s initials is a common addition to mark the occasion however there are so many other creative options. Additional touches If you are looking to add a unique touch to the engraving inside your engagement ring, adding a diamond into either the words or the date is a nice touch. The stone you put into the engraving can be a diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire or even a pink diamond. The letter O, in the words such as love and hope are perfect to put a diamond in. Likewise choosing to substitute a diamond for the number 0 in dates will add a little sparkle to your message.
Some of the popular engagement ring engraving
• I Love you • you are my everything • my soul mate • my love always Some of the most unusual engraving messages • Shnookums • little spoon & big spoon • one ring to rule them all (yes this happened!) • If lost please return to…. (hasn’t happened yet, but maybe not a bad idea if your partner is a little forgetful
Who should do the engagement ring engraving?
While some jewellers can do engraving, a master hand engraver is your best option to make sure the engraving is as clear as possible. Especially in a lady’s engagement ring band, where it can be quite narrow in width. After a Master Engraver has engraved the ring, the engagement ring should always be polished to remove any rough edges.
Where to put the engagement ring engraving?
The best place to read the engraving would of course, be at the bottom of the ring. However, this is not the best place to have it as this is often where the join in the engagement ring is. If your engagement ring ever needs to be resized they will most likely need to cut through the engraving. I always recommend putting the engraving on the side of the engagement ring that way it will never be disturbed.
How much should engraving cost?
Engraving can vary depending on the standard of engraving. A Mister Minit, found in all local shopping centres may only charge a few dollars per letter, whereas done by a Master Engraver, it can be around $9 per letter. As mentioned above though, this will include having the jeweller polish and finish off the engraving inside the ring. If you are having initials, this usually costs a little more around the $15 – $20 per letter. Spending that little extra and getting a professional to do the engraving is worth it. I know when I look at the engraving on the inside of my wedding ring, which is quite often, I am always happy with the craftsmanship of the engraver.
When to engrave?
Come visit our new showroomDon’t worry if you don’t know what you want engraved into your engagement ring just yet. The engraving is one of the last things that are done, before your ring receives its final polish and rhodium plating if required. After ordering your engagement ring, you probably have a couple weeks to finalise your engraving message. If you are needing some help in personalising the message inside your ring, the team at Xennox diamonds are always on hand to help organising the hand engraving of your engagement ring.Click hereto email us to book an appointment.
When my (now) husband and I first started shopping around to get an idea of the engagement ring style I liked, our first stop was Xennox. I expected to do a lot of looking & trying before finding the perfect ring, but it was actually the first ring the sales assistant at Xennox showed us that we fell in love with, we didn’t need to look elsewhere after that.
A few months later we went on a trip to New York City. Rory took me out on a day of exploring places I’d always wanted to see in the city. We then went on a walk through Central Park whilst waiting for our dinner reservation. Little did I know that this pre-planned ‘killing of time’ was actually the big moment! Standing in the snow, looking out over the famous fountain Rory got down on one knee and asked me to marry him with my dream ring.
Two and a half years later, I am still so in love with my ring, and I cannot thank and recommend Xennox enough for creating it!
Hi Xennox team! I just wanted to thank you for helping my partner make my beautiful engagement ring!
I absolutely love it and it fits perfectly. We will definitely be back for our wedding rings!
I was beyond thrilled with my engagement ring from Xennox Diamonds. Karl took the time to help my husband design the ring, not only exactly how I wanted but with added touches that made it even more unique. We are lifelong Xennox customers now and would recommend them to anyone wanted personalised service and the highest quality diamonds.
I sent Dan tonnes of pictures of the type of ring I loved, and he took them to Xennox Diamonds who turned those pictures into a reality and made my dream ring! Dan then proposed me to at the top of Mt Warning – it was perfect!
Choosing a jeweller
Just as no two individuals are alike, no two jewellers are the same. Every successful jewellery retailer operates in a particular niche. There are some that cater for the mass market, while some are more bespoke. I am not suggesting that everyone must go for the bespoke jeweller. Rather it is important to discover the jeweller who is right for you. Outside of buying a house or car, your jewellery is one of life’s most expensive and important purchases. Although I would argue, it is the most important, as it is rarely ever sold or traded.
Choosing a Jeweller – Chain Stores
Mass market or chain stores will usually have a price advantage because they are working on large quantities of scale. They actually analyse units of cost right down to the gram. Because they know, if they can save half a gram on a ring, then over 10,000 units it will make a significant difference to their bottom line. The unfortunate thing is, this prematurely shortens the life of the ring. The diamonds that are used tend to be from parcel groups. While there are savings to be made from buying diamonds in bulk, what you lose is the ability to hand pick the diamonds.
So you might end up with the best diamond in the parcel, or the worst. Most of the chain stores will also have a very limited warranty period. Most offer after care plans that you have to purchase to help maintain their products. As without this, the clients are likely to run into issues. These product care plans also form a significant recurring revenue stream for these jewellery retailers and can cost you a lot of money in the long run. The type of experience usually received is transactional in style. The staff are trained to show you the items in their cabinet and to help facilitate the transaction, giving you some basic diamond information.
Choosing a jeweller – BESPOKE
choosing a jewellerUsually although not always, a bespoke jeweller will specialise in hand making your jewellery. There is definitely a difference in the standard of manufacturing. Metal that has been hammered and forged is always stronger as the atoms inside the metal have been compacted. Rings tend to be heavier, which means that they will last longer before claws need to be replaced and the bottom of the ring reinforced.
The designs will also more likely be more unique, rather than a vending machine style process, where as soon as you take one out of the cabinet, it is replaced with an identical copy.In a diamond specialist boutique, the diamonds are more likely to be hand selected. Having your diamond specially selected for you means that you have more control over the diamond parameters, so that you end up with a diamond that’s perfect for your partner.
With bespoke jewellers, you should expect things like a lifetime manufacturing warranty come as standard on the jewellery they craft. It always amazes me when I hear someone who is willing to spend a considerable amount of money on an item that they will have for the next 50 years from someone who is only willing to guarantee it for 12 months. A bespoke jewellery store should offer more of an experience that a mere transaction. It should be less about just forcing you to choose something out of the cabinet because it is convenient, and more about finding the piece that is the perfect fit for you, with an experience you will always remember. Bespoke jewellers generally have more expertise than a generalist jeweller and should be able to answer any diamond questions that you have, so you have complete peace of mind.
Choosing A Jeweller Who’s Right For You
At the end of the day, which store you choose is entirely up to you. As long as it is an informed choice, you can always look back without regrets. Take the time, do your research, have a look at the Google reviews and find the jeweller that’s right for you. If you would like more help in how to choose the perfect diamond and engagement ring, you can find out everything you ever needed to know from the international award winning book – Rock Her World “The ultimate guide to choosing the perfect engagement ring”
Confused by the diamond certificate?
Have you ever looked at a diamond certificate and had no idea what all the numbers and percentages mean? Don’t worry, you are not alone. Starting out can be a bit daunting, not only do you have to find the ring that she likes but you need to make sure the rock you are putting your hard earned cash into is going to be worth it. The first thing that you are probably familiar with, if you have been paying attention to her subtle hints or done even just a little research is this thing called the 4C’s. They are Cut, Colour, Clarity and Cut Grade. The big question is which one is the most important? You can see my short video series here.
Here are the diamond 4 C’s in a nutshell in the order of their importance.
Diamond Cut
Is only talking about how well the diamond is cut – which ultimately means how much it is going to sparkle. It is that twinkle that her friends will see from across the room. Tip – Aim for an Excellent cut grade. Diamonds like a Passion8 diamond sit in the top 1% for diamond cut and will outsparkle normal excellent cut grade diamonds.
Diamond Colour
Is only talking about how white the diamond is. This is talking about the body colour of the stone and has nothing to do with the colour. The colour grade starts at D and goes down to Z. Tip – Aim for the top 3 colour grades – D, E, F. Any colour that is G in colour or lower will pull a lot of yellow.
Diamond Clarity
Is only talking about the natural inclusions you can see with a 10x magnifying lens. Tip – Aim for eye Clean SI clarity. As everyone’s eyesight is different make sure you look at the diamond with a lens before purchasing it. Looking at the plot on the diamond certificate will not tell you how good or bad the inclusion is.
Diamond Carat Weight
Is only talking about the physical size that you see. While this might seem like the most important to some ladies, it isn’t if it is coming at the expense of quality. Smaller more perfectly cut diamonds will actually have the same diameter as larger average cut diamond. Tip – Always go for a diamond that is slightly smaller of better quality. After all, do you want a diamond that looks better or one that weighs more? So now that we have that sorted, let’s look at what all the percentages mean. I wish it was as simple as looking at an excellent cut grade. The truth is the goal posts have widened significantly in the last 5 years. Today more and more diamonds are falling into the excellent category than ever before. In a recent price comparison on diamond certificates, I found as much as a 28% price difference between two identical diamonds (based on their paperwork). Both stones had been graded as a triple excellent cut grade. So it is vital to make sure you have a cut specialist look over your diamond. Just like going to a heart surgeon instead of a GP when you need specialist surgery, a diamond cut specialist will be able to show you where your diamond sits in the cut spectrum. Tip – Aim for a 57% table percentage – It will give the diamond more dispersion. (The blues, reds and yellows) If you want to make the best-informed decision on how to pick a stunning diamond and design a ring that will really blow her away – you can learn more about how to choose the perfect diamond by getting a free copy of the international award winning book and Amazon best seller – Rock Her World here.
HOW YOU’LL ROCK HER WORLD WITH THIS BOOK
What should I do before I look for a ring? Having decided to spend the rest of your life with your partner, what ground work do you need to do before venturing out
What is going to look the best on my partner’s hand? With so many different styles to choose from, having a ring that will compliment her hand is crucial.
How do I find the jeweller that’s right for me? There are many different niche jewellers out there, but which one is the right one?
Why buying a diamond on the internet is a mugs game Apart from the many internet scams out there, there are some real dangers associated with buying your diamond online.
Engagement ring design tips that will rock her world Expert style tips on how to really personalise your engagement ring and make it completely unique for your partner.
How much should I spend on the Rock? Is the 3-month rule still relevant? Should both partners contribute to the engagement ring?
Diamond 101: How to Master the 4Cs How to ensure that you are only paying for a difference that you can actually see with your own eyes.
How to pick a diamond that sparkles more than any other The benefits of choosing a high-performance diamond like a “hearts and arrows” diamond.
What the Independent Diamond Certificate is actually telling you An in-depth study on how to read a diamond certificate and what all the percentages mean.
Can diamonds be an investment? Should you buy a fancy coloured diamond to use in your engagement ring?
7 steps to the ultimate proposal How to make it a proposal that she will never forget.
How to make sure your engagement ring is protected Why you should insure your diamond engagement ring before you leave the store, and the insurance horror stories, when it all goes horribly wrong.
Billionaire investor Warren Buffett famously stated that “diversification is protection against ignorance.” At the moment it seems pretty hard to make money in most of the usual asset classes. Many of the most historically reliable investment vehicles, such as shares or property have failed to deliver spectacular results in the last few years. But you don’t have to be a billionaire like Warren Buffett to start investing in pink diamonds. The Pink diamonds have been increasing by 20%-30% every year for the last 5 years, which is a return that many fund managers would envy. What we have found is that the price of the investment pink diamonds has at least doubled over the last 5 years. Every year I go to buy pink diamonds I am always amazed at how much they have increased. Of course, it would be remiss of me if I did not mention that this is not legal or financial advice and you should seek your own advisor that can determine if this strategy is right for you. Clients today are looking to acquire Pink diamonds not just in their personal names, but in other investment vehicles such as a Self-Managed Super Fund (SMSF). Whatever your reason, whether it is diversifying your portfolio, saving for your own retirement or looking to acquire a family heirloom, The Pink Diamonds can be a solid investment.
Why are Pink Diamonds Increasing so rapidly?
There are 5 main reasons contributing to the year over year price increases.
1. In 2013 Argyle Transitioned from an above ground mine to an underground mine. The Argyle mine and processing plant operate 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year. All of these factors contribute to increasing running costs, which have an inflationary pressure on the rough cost of Pink diamonds. Furthermore, with underground mining, there is always the risk of a fatal accident which could see the mine close earlier than expected.
2. The kimberlite pipe where Argyle diamonds are found looks similar to a funnel. As they move further down the pipe, they are finding fewer and fewer diamonds. This leaves less rough to be cut into the desired round brilliant cut diamonds, which are in the highest demand.
3. Similar to the above point, as they find less and less diamonds the number of high quality deep pink diamonds they are finding is getting less and less. This is causing the deep pinks to increase at a faster rate than the mid – light pinks.
4. The demand for pinks is ever increasing. With this stunning Australian product attracting more and more attention, locally and internationally, more clients are seeking them out, not just for investment, but for personal use as well.
5. Projected end date. With the well-documented end date of 2020 predicted by Argyle, there is a finite timeframe in which to acquire them. While no one has a crystal ball, the prediction is that they could increase markedly after this end date, or when the mine is exhausted.
Grades of the Pink Diamond
There are 4 main colour grades when it comes to classifying Pink diamonds. Purplish Pink, Straight Pink, Pink Rose and Pink Champagne. The colour scale ranges from 1 -9, with one being the deepest pink diamond and 9 being like a decaf, skinny soy latte (or as I call it a ‘why bother’) Almost all pink diamonds have a primary colour and some have a secondary colour. Sometimes this secondary colour can give a little extra kick to the diamond. In the Purplish Pink scale, the purple hue can make a pink diamond look one shade deeper on the straight pink scale. So a 4PP pink diamond can sometimes look like a 3P. In the case of the Pink rose, it is often a brownish undertone that gives the diamond its stronger colour. A good tip when looking to buy a loose pink diamonds is to turn them upside down in a white sleeve to see the secondary colours.
Investing in Pinks
If you are looking for Investment Pink Diamonds the ideal range that I recommend is to aim for a 4P or 4PP to a 5P or 5PP. This allows for capital appreciation and can still be an affordable entry point, not just for you, but the purchaser you wish to sell the diamond to down the track. While deeper pink diamonds might be rarer and also appreciate in value at a greater rate, the number of potential buyers down the track will be less. Budget permitting, if a portfolio of pink diamonds is something that you would be interested in the minimum amount that I recommend would be $100,000. The aim here is to put together a selection of diamonds that will allow you to sell certain portions of the portfolio at a future point in time if you so wished. That way you can either neutralise the initial investment or greatly reduce it, while still leaving a portion of diamonds to further increase in value.
If you are ready to take the next step in your pink diamond investment journey, please feel free to contact me for complimentary 10 min pink diamond investment call or request our Investment Pink Diamond report. Alternatively, visit us in our Queen St Mall Diamond boutique to see a selection of pink diamonds for yourself. About Karl His international award-wining book, ” Rock Her World” is available now. If you would like help, in choosing the perfect diamond and would like an amazing experience around jewellery there is a lot of great information in “Rock Her World” Karl believes that choosing a piece of jewellery should be a phenomenal experience, and over the last 21 years has helped more than 5800 clients choose a special piece of jewellery that tells their story. Come and experience their brand new diamond boutique in the Queen St Mall.
One of the most amazing parts of my job is that I get to see love, joy and happiness every day. Whether it is someone looking to choose an engagement ring for their partner or a couple embarking on the journey together, it is a true privilege to be a part of that special story. We all share in that special function of our humanity, the ability to love. While we all might have different stories, we all share the same love.
With more than 200 couples who entered the campaign, talking about what marriage equality meant to them, the winners of our amazing campaign were Sinead and Nat. Sinead and Nat had a commitment ceremony 10 years ago, but are looking to tie the knot this time with their twins at the ceremony. 
An engagement ring engraving is an expression of love inside one of life’s most treasured possessions. Choosing an engagement ring engraving can sometimes take months, as after all, it is a piece you are going to wear for the rest of your life. Once you have chosen your dream ring, the first piece of the puzzle is complete. The second piece of the puzzle is the proposal. An unforgettable proposal is something that inspires romance and is retold for years to come. After the initial excitement of the moment and seeing the engagement ring for the first time, your eyes look to the engraving on the inside of the ring. This engagement ring engraving is what will make your engagement ring so personal and special to you alone.
Additional touches If you are looking to add a unique touch to the engraving inside your engagement ring, adding a diamond into either the words or the date is a nice touch. The stone you put into the engraving can be a diamond, ruby, emerald, sapphire or even a pink diamond. The letter O, in the words such as love and hope are perfect to put a diamond in. Likewise choosing to substitute a diamond for the number 0 in dates will add a little sparkle to your message.
While some jewellers can do engraving, a master hand engraver is your best option to make sure the engraving is as clear as possible. Especially in a lady’s engagement ring band, where it can be quite narrow in width. After a Master Engraver has engraved the ring, the engagement ring should always be polished to remove any rough edges.
Confused by the diamond certificate?
In a recent price comparison on diamond certificates, I found as much as a 28% price difference between two identical diamonds (based on their paperwork). Both stones had been graded as a triple excellent cut grade. So it is vital to make sure you have a cut specialist look over your diamond. Just like going to a heart surgeon instead of a GP when you need specialist surgery, a diamond cut specialist will be able to show you where your diamond sits in the cut spectrum. Tip – Aim for a 57% table percentage – It will give the diamond more dispersion. (The blues, reds and yellows) If you want to make the best-informed decision on how to pick a stunning diamond and design a ring that will really blow her away – you can learn more about how to choose the perfect diamond by getting a free copy of the international award winning book and Amazon best seller – Rock Her World here.
His international award-wining book, ” Rock Her World” is available now. If you would like help, in choosing the perfect diamond and would like an amazing experience around jewellery there is a lot of great information in “Rock Her World” Karl believes that choosing a piece of jewellery should be a phenomenal experience, and over the last 21 years has helped more than 5800 clients choose a special piece of jewellery that tells their story. Come and experience their brand new diamond boutique in the Queen St Mall.
Confused by the diamond certificate?
In a recent price comparison on diamond certificates, I found as much as a 28% price difference between two identical diamonds (based on their paperwork). Both stones had been graded as a triple excellent cut grade. So it is vital to make sure you have a cut specialist look over your diamond. Just like going to a heart surgeon instead of a GP when you need specialist surgery, a diamond cut specialist will be able to show you where your diamond sits in the cut spectrum. 
