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Get it Right – The Importance of Ring Size May 25, 2009

Get it Right – The Importance of Ring Size

Buying and engagement ring is something that most people only want to do once in a lifetime. However, buying an engagement ring is a bit more complicated than buying a new pair of shoes or even a new car. Potential buyers have to get a firm grasp on not only the measured qualities of a diamond, but also the taste of the intended recipient. The buyer must then figure out how to make those two things meet at a cost which is within the buyer’s budget. To put it bluntly, there are a lot of variables to consider when buying an engagement ring.

Fortunately, many people are able to trust the knowledge of their jeweler, helping to mitigate potential unforeseen circumstances when shopping for an engagement ring. However, there is one variable which neither the jeweler nor guesswork should be used for: ring size.

This is a detail which seems too important to overlook, and yet many people do. One of the most common justifications given for simply estimating a future-fiancés ring size is the need for surprise and the willingness to “just have the ring resized later.” This logic has one rather significant problem with it – not all rings can be resized.

To understand why, it helps to know how rings are actually resized. First, it’s important to know whether the band is being made larger or smaller. For a minor enlargement, a jeweler can sometimes just stretch a ring. However, for major adjustments in size, a jeweler must actually cut the ring. To make a ring smaller, the ring is cut and a piece is removed. To make a ring larger, the ring is cut and additional metal is inserted into the band. The ring is then welded back into one piece, massaged back into a circle, polished to hide the cuts, and finally buffed to a shine.

In an ideal world, the process is quick and the results are not noticeable. However, this process obviously cannot be applied to all rings. Why not? Well, there are two critical flaws which can prevent a ring from being resized.

The first such flaw relates to ring’s metal. In order for a jeweler to insert new material to enlarge a ring, the jeweler must know exactly what metal, or blends of metals, that the ring is made of. For this reason, many antique rings, family heirlooms especially, cannot be resized. However, this can extend to white gold rings if the composition of the alloy isn’t known. Mismatching metals can result in spotted or stained rings. Even if metal isn’t being added to a ring, not knowing the composition can cause spotting or staining when the jeweler attempts to melt and buff the ring back to the correct shape.

The second reason why some rings cannot be resized comes down to the process of buffing and reshaping. Rings which have detail lines or contain stones around the band would cause design inconsistencies if metal was to be taken away or added. Stones could be damaged, lost, or destroyed, decorative lines and details smudged, blurred, or even smooshed beyond recognition, and the ring essentially ruined.

Yes, there are alternatives to resizing. A jeweler might be convinced to swap out a ring, if the ring had purchased new. Ring guards, a metal piece inserted into a ring to make it smaller by taking up space, can be used for rings that are too large. However, these are overlooking one very important fact – when you’re on bended knee looking up at the one who just became your fiancé, you want her to be able to wear the ring right away. And you want it to fit.

The ultimate lesson is that ring size isn’t something you should guess at, nor is it something that you should consider fixable at a later date. Finding a ring size discretely might not be easiest task, but seconds after you pop the question, it will certainly be worth it.

Jill Renee – This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RIN

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Diamond Cutting May 10, 2009

When a diamond is first extracted from the earth it looks just as any other pebble or piece of rock you may have picked up on a beach and thrown into the sea. Many people never realize the fiery, brilliant stone they are wearing was formed at least 50 miles below the surface of the earth under the most intense pressure and extremes of temperature which compressed humble carbon atoms into a particularly strong atomic formation which gives diamonds their quality of strength and fiery beauty.

In order to bring this beauty and brilliance to the fore, the rough diamond must be cut and polished and how this process is performed will impact directly on how a diamond will look; a wrong cut will destroy the value of a stone and diminish its beauty while a good cut will enhance and amplify one of the world’s most beautiful gemstones and certainly, the most valuable.

Cutting a diamond is a highly skilled art form and requires a superb craftsman to perform the process. For some, cutting a diamond is a highly stressful experience, even for those watching – one slip, one unnoticed flaw in the planes of the diamond structure or a mistake made in the choice of cut to apply and the stone can become a worthless piece of rock; so important is the cutting process that over 40% of the value of the finished stone is applied by the cutting process.

There are many different types of diamond cut and which is applied to a rough diamond will be determined by the overall size, weight and shape of the rough diamond as well as the intended use of the stone – many diamonds never become part of a jewelry collection and instead, end up being used in industrial processes using their hardness for forming the points of drill bits for instance.

Common diamond cuts include:

• Round
• Princess
• Marquise
• Emerald
• Oval
• Heart
• Pear

By far the most popular cut is the round Princess Cut, usually with the stone used as the centerpiece for a solitaire ring, very frequently the choice for an engagement ring. The Princess Cut provides a sparkling effect but uses a more contemporary square style. The Emerald cut provide an elongated rectangular shape which together with the Pear Cut look perfect on long fingers; the shape of the diamond you choose will be influenced by a sense of style and also the size of your lady’s hand and fingers. Using an elongated diamond shape (Pear or Emerald) will look better on a hand with short fingers because the shape will accentuate them; a long fingered lady is fortunate in that she can get away with any bold style of diamond ring!

The diamond cut is the only man-made part of the process which directly impacts the value of a stone – the other factors are the Color, the Clarity and the Carat (weight) which with the Cut are known collectively as the “Four C’s“. Combined together, the Four C’s are used to classify and grade a diamond for quality and in turn, to determine its value.

Read more about Diamond Cuts.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Danforth Diamond to Carry The Moppets® Collection of Gold and Silver Charms for Moms May 6, 2009

Leading Online Jewelry Retailer Danforth Diamond announces the addition of their newest jewelry collection for mothers: The Moppets® from Haute Corporation.

Midlothian, VA  May 6, 2009 — Leading Online Jewelry Retailer Danforth Diamond announces the addition of their newest jewelry collection for mothers: The Moppets® from Haute Corporation.

Moppet – available at DanforthDiamond.com

These sweet and sassy little boys and girls, crafted in solid sterling silver and 14kt gold are sure to delight moms all over the world. Each delightful charm is available with diamonds, or with a child’s birthstones. Personalized engraving is offered to give each charm some added meaning to the mom who receives it. See the collection at: http://www.danforthdiamond.com/moppets/

Each of the 20 different characters in the charm collection is available in gold or silver; and each has its own name and personal story. They make great gifts for Mother’s Day, or any day, and are perfect for adding to a charm bracelet or hanging from a necklace.

In keeping with Danforth Diamond’s commitment to help preserve our planet’s future each of The Moppets® is made from 100% eco-friendly Harmony Recycled Precious Metal™. The creators of The Moppets® will NOT play a role in the Earth’s destruction just to create beautiful jewelry. Instead they choose to help preserve the planet by creating their product line from the HARMONY brand of recycled metal jewelry.

“We are excited to offer these adorable charms to our customers! Every mom and grandmother will love them,” said Jill Renee, President, Danforth Diamond.

Ken Bishop, president of Haute Corporation and creator of The Moppets® stated, “Danforth Diamond’s commitment to top-quality product, consumer education, and earth-friendly products makes them a natural partner in our effort to introduce the latest generation of The Moppets® to the mothers of America.”

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Telling Everyone You Are Engaged April 27, 2009

By Jill Renee, President of DanforthDiamond.com, a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right diamond, engagement or wedding ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

The History of the Wedding Ring April 24, 2009

Jill Renee – This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Canadian Diamonds Now Featured in Engagement Rings April 9, 2009

Conflict-free diamonds and recycled metal jewelry give shoppers options for Earth Day and every day.

Canadian diamonds are now available at Danforth Diamond, one of the Internet’s leading diamond engagement ring sources. Their database of loose diamonds now features Canadian diamonds that can be placed in one of their Harmony diamond engagement ring settings or purchased for a pre-existing ring setting.

With concerns about funding violence in Africa through “blood diamonds,” Canada has become a source of socially-responsible diamonds in recent years becoming the world’s third-largest producer of diamonds. These conflict-free diamonds are mined in remote areas of the northern territories of Canada.
Canadian diamond engagement rings can be made to your specifications through Danforth Diamond by selecting the cut, carat, color and clarity of your Canadian diamond and then paring it with a Harmony ring setting. First, search for a diamond using the Search for Diamonds function. One of the Report fields in the search is “Canadian”. After reviewing the details of a diamond, add it to a ring and select from Danforth Diamonds’ expansive collection of Harmony solitaire settings, three-stone settings, and settings that feature other gemstones. Pairing a Canadian diamond with a Harmony engagement ring setting results in the most eco-friendly engagement ring available.

“Our current and potential customers email us with questions and special requests,” said Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond. “We’ve received a number of customer requests for Canadian diamonds for their wedding jewelry. We had a few diamond suppliers from Canada but this prompted us to explore new vendors.”

Whether Canadian in origin or not, Danforth Diamond only receives its diamonds from sources that adhere to the Kimberley Process, whereby a diamond’s origins are tracked in order to ensure it has not contributed to the violence that plagues much of the diamond industry in Africa. Using conflict-free diamonds is part of Danforth Diamond’s commitment to the earth and its inhabitant.

Ethical and eco-friendly engagement rings are exclusively available at Danforth Diamond by paring Canadian diamonds with Harmony recycled precious metals. An alternative to mining new metal, Harmony takes precious metal from old jewelry, jewelry scrap, and metal from industrial uses and recycles them to make new jewelry pieces. Providing a recycled metal jewelry option increases Danforth Diamond’s ability to give their customers environmentally responsible jewelry at an affordable price.

Jill Renee added, “Earth Day is coming on April 22 and each year more individuals and businesses become actively involved in taking care of the planet and its inhabitants. As a company, Danforth Diamond continues to look for innovative ways to provide earth-friendly and green diamond engagement rings and other jewelry.”

About Danforth Diamond
Danforth Diamond is a leading online engagement ring jeweler specializing in platinum and palladium diamond engagement rings. Their jewelry collection features options that fit every style and budget – from simple anniversary gifts to stunning bridal jewelry. Visit Danforth Diamond online to learn more at: DanforthDiamond.com.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Colored Diamond Information March 11, 2009

What is a colored diamond?

When Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez, the act generated the expected amount of media attention. However the majority of that coverage wasn’t focused on the total number of the couple’s prior marriages, or that “Bennifer” name smashup the couple had been adorned with. No, the focus of the majority of mass speculation was the color of Jennifer’s diamond.

They Come In Pink?

Ms Lopez’s engagement ring was topped with a tremendously large 6-carat pink diamond.  The word that people seemed to cling to was pink. The realization that diamonds come in colors started to spread, contradicting everything taught about diamond color: the closer to clear, the more valuable the diamond. Was Jennifer’s “pink diamond” actually a diamond?

Are They Still Diamonds?

In a word, yes. While the common color grading scale used for diamonds runs from D (completely clear) to Z (obviously yellow) there is an entire subset of diamonds which fall beyond the Z rating into the umbrella grade of “Fancy.” Fancy diamonds still hold all of the other characteristics of a traditional white diamonds – the hardness, the technical measure of clarity, the cut, and carat are all the same.

A Scale All Their Own

Colored diamonds that fall outside of the white grading scale, still have to have a subjective color grade assigned to them. However, the grading scale for colored diamonds is considerably easier for the layman to understand. Colored diamonds with the faintest hints of color are given a grade of Faint.  Lightly colored diamonds are either Very Light, or Light. The bolder colored diamonds, your truly fancy gems, are graded along a scale ranging from Fancy Light to Fancy Dark, with Intense, Vivid, and Deep breaking up the middle.

A Stone of Many Colors

As you might have guessed, pink isn’t the only color for diamonds. The infamous, and rumored to be cursed, Hope Diamond is a 45.52 carat dark grayish blue diamond. Canary diamonds are a brilliant yellow. Both brown and black diamonds are both real and growing in popularity lately. Other colors include orange, red, green, and purple. According to the Gemological Institute of America and the International Gemological Institute, there are 27 official hues which span the color spectrum, and there are diamonds to fill each of those hues.

Not to Get Too Technical

How those diamonds gain those hues is a bit of a technical process. Essentially, when the diamonds are forming from pure carbon, the molecules arrange themselves into a cage called a crystal matrix.  As the diamonds are crushed under the earth’s pressure, that matrix closes in on itself. Occasionally, during that process, atoms from other elements such as boron, nitrogen, or hydrogen, will be trapped inside of those diamonds as their respective matrices close. The end result is the colored diamond. As one would rightly assume, when multiple gases are trapped in the diamond, you get diamonds of blended colors, like pink champagne diamonds.

Still Really Rare
While color is certainly one reason why people prize fancy diamonds, it’s certainly not the only one. Fancy diamonds are exceptionally rare. Colored diamonds, with a Fancy or deeper color grade, account for a mere 1.8% of the entire world’s diamonds. When that percentage is broken down by color, those percentages get even smaller.  Canary diamonds, diamonds which are known for their brilliantly yellow hue, account for less than 0.1% of the world’s diamonds. Factor in the other common diamond factors – the size of the stone, the inherent shape, and the sense of clarity, and colored diamonds of significant size and quality get even rarer still.

Why Choose a Colored Diamond?

Colored diamonds aren’t for everyone or even for every type of jewelry. However, they do have some very strong selling points. The rarity of colored diamonds makes them special. The variety of colors means that colored diamonds can be used to convey not only the emotions associated with a traditional diamond, but also to cater to the specific tastes of the recipient. It’s those strengths that allow colored diamonds to fill jewelry niches that traditional white diamonds could not. In the end, a colored diamond provides a new and unique spin on a familiar and classic idea.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Understanding Carat Weight March 10, 2009

One of the first questions asked about a diamond is “How many carats is it?” And it’s a perfectly appropriate question. Of the four graded aspects of a diamond, carat weight is the easiest to translate into understandable terms. To put it simply, bigger equals bigger.

Carat isn’t a measure of size, though. Carat, or more correctly, carat weight, is a measure of mass, similar to the gram. In fact, five carats is exactly one gram.

As one would expect, when a diamond’s carat weight goes up, so does the size and the price. However, the price doesn’t rise on an even grade. The purchase of two half carat diamonds would be less expensive than a single one carat diamond, despite the overall mass being the same. This price difference is typically based on the rarity of larger stones and extends logically. You wouldn’t expect a twenty carat diamond to be priced the same as twenty one carat diamonds of similar cut, color, and clarity, would you?

The upside to smaller diamonds being less expensive is often capitalized on by the three stone engagement ring, in which a large center stone is flanked by two smaller diamonds. This tactic not only allows a diamond ring to be sold with a high carat count at a low cost, but plays upon the way the human eye compares based on size.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Danforth Diamond Creates the Obama Bracelet March 3, 2009

Danforth Diamond Creates the Obama Bracelet to Celebrate Barack Obama’s Historic Presidency

“Yes We Can” Bracelet Is a Cuff Style Available in Gold or Silver

Danforth Diamond has expanded their collection of fine jewelry with the addition of the Obama bracelet. With the words “Yes We Can” etched into the bracelet, it commemorates the 2009 inauguration of the 44th president, Barack Obama, and honors this historic moment.

Danforth Diamond’s “Yes We Can” Obama 2009 Bracelet is a stylish cuff and comes in 14K yellow gold, 14K white gold, or sterling silver. It is offered in women’s size (7-inches) or men’s size (8-inches). Understated and elegant, this bracelet is a discreet way to mark this historic moment and show your support.

Made in the USA, the “yes we can” bracelet carries the Harmony Recycled Precious Metals designation meaning it is made from 100% recycled precious metals. This environmentally friendly process of refining precious metals offers the same quality and durability as newly mined metals. This alternative to mining reinforces Danforth Diamond’s commitment to green, eco-friendly jewelry

“I developed this bracelet with our design team to commemorate this historic event that reflects the strength of American spirit and shows that anything is possible,” said Jill Renee, president of Danforth Diamond. “Many people never thought they would live to see an African-American president. Obama’s election and inauguration are a celebration of the American dream.”

About Danforth Diamond
Danforth Diamond is a leading online jeweler specializing in diamond engagement rings and wedding bands. Their jewelry collection features silver and gold bracelets, necklaces and earrings with options to fit every style and budget. Visit Danforth Diamond online to learn more at: www.danforthdiamond.com.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

Understanding a Diamond’s Cut February 23, 2009

When discussing a diamond’s unique qualities, the term diamond cut does not refer to round, princess, or pear. We call those shapes. No, the quality “cut” is addressing the degree at which a diamond’s pavilion is angled, the relation of the diamond’s table to its overall width, and the relationship the depth of the diamond from the edge of the table to the pavilion.

Though that explanation seems overly complicated, it’s also quite important. A diamond’s cut determines how light reflects within and out of the diamond. The better the cut, the more light the diamond will reflect back out. The cut directly influences the diamond’s brilliance (reflected light) and fire (reflected hues), and so is a rather important quality. For lack of a better term, a poorly cut diamond will refuse to shine.

Thankfully, the American Gem Society and the Gemological Institute of America have come up with a much easier grading scale that sums up how well a diamond is cut in plain English.

The Ideal Cut

As the name suggests, a diamond with a cut graded as ideal is the best cut available. The Ideal cut strikes a strong balance between brilliance and fire, and sends most of the reflected light out back through the top of the diamond. These cuts are the top 15% of all diamonds.

The Very Good Cut

Slightly less reflective than an ideal cut, the Very Good cut diamonds tend to be slightly larger in size, which makes them an economical trade off. These diamonds represent the top 25% of all cut and polished diamonds and they still reflect much of the light they catch.

The Good Cut

Diamonds described as Good is where the cut starts to have a noticeable effect on brilliance. When viewed under optimal lighting, Good diamonds will reflect a good bit of light, however, light which is shined at them off center will often end up being reflected out of the diamond’s pavilion because it is either too shallow or too deep. The obvious upside to these diamonds is they are noticeably less expensive than the grades above them.

Fair and Poor cut

These diamonds do not reflect a sufficient amount of light, and are not sold at Danforth Diamonds.

Information provided by Danforth Diamond, your engagement ring experts. Visit us at http://www.danforthdiamond.com or call us at 1-877-404-RING.

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  • Telling Everyone You Are Engaged
  • The History of the Wedding Ring

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