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Tips on Choosing a Diamond Ring June 18, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings , add a comment

Once you have made the big decision and have decided to ask the one you love to spend the rest of her life with you. Now you must go on a quest for the perfect ring. It may seem like a daunting task but it won’t be, if you keep a few things in mind. You will find the perfect ring in no time.

First, you must keep in mind your loved ones choice in jewelry and also your budget to find the perfect ring that will fit your needs. Take a look at the jewelry she wears now to get an idea of what type of style it is and also does she prefer silver or gold. The type of jewelry she prefers whether it is bold or vintage will also give you an idea of what type of ring she might prefer.

Another thing to consider is the shape and setting style. The number one choice chosen by most brides to be are round diamonds. Other styles to choose from include; oval, pear-shaped, square and heart shaped. There are also different settings to choose from, such as; a solitary diamond set alone in a band or a band with stones embedded in it. The type of rings she wears now may give you some clues about what style she would like.

The size and shape of her hands and fingers will also make a difference in which style and type of ring will suit her best. If she has short fingers an elongated diamond such as an oval or marquise can make her fingers appear longer.  If she has long fingers a wideband ring will make her fingers appear shorter. Bold ring styles look very nice on long fingers.  If she has larger hands a small delicate engagement ring could actually look smaller on her finger.

There are also several different precious metals to choose from, including, gold, silver, platinum and palladium. Most women have a preference of which type of metal they prefer their jewelry to be made of. Some women prefer the “white” look of white gold, platinum and palladium. On the other hand, some women prefer gold. If you notice the jewelry she wears now you should be able to determine which metal she would prefer for her engagement ring.

If you are unsure of what exactly she would prefer you can always try to be subtle and get hints from her on what she likes. Another good idea is to enlist the help of a family member or a close friend of hers to help you make the choice. Make sure you choose someone who knows her likes and dislikes and also someone who can keep the ring a secret. You can also browse online or in your local shopping mall to get some ideas.

Choosing an engagement ring can seem like an overwhelming process. If you pay close attention to what your loved one says and the jewelry she wears you will make a perfect choice. You will find the perfect diamond and setting that she will cherish forever.

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

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds , add a comment

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:

By far the most popular cut is the 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.

Colored Diamond Information March 11, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Diamonds , add a comment

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

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds , add a comment

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.

Understanding a Diamond’s Cut February 23, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds , add a comment

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.

The Four C’s of a Diamond – Clarity January 30, 2009

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds , add a comment

One of the telling qualities of a cut and polished diamond is clarity. The gemstone’s near transparency has done a great deal to contribute to both the sense of beauty and the associated value of the diamond.

But how clear is a diamond, really?

The answer, like color, varies from diamond to diamond. Though the gems by and large maintain an overall sense of clarity, diamonds do tend to have minor internal imperfections, known affectionately as birthmarks. Because many of these birthmarks are too small with the naked eye, diamonds have a clarity rating similar to the color, which can seem abstract at first glance.

Clarity Guide

Birthmarks Make for Unique Diamonds

Just like a finger print, no two diamonds will have the same set of birthmarks. When a diamond is certified, these birthmarks are noted in a “plot” which can be used to uniquely identify the stone.

That sense of the unique also adds a measure of character to a diamond. Birthmarks that are invisible to the naked eye still affect the diamond by altering the diamond’s light refracting properties. This means that diamonds of the same clarity grade, will sparkle differently.

What grade is right for you?

Danforth Diamond is very careful to sort out any diamonds which are not “eye–clean.” The diamonds that do not meet this measure have inclusions which are visible to the naked eye. This means that Danforth sells diamonds rated at SI1 and better.

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 Four C’s of a Diamond – Color November 13, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds , 1 comment so far

For a diamond, color, is one of the four major qualities that is used to determine the overall value of the stone. Color is grouped with carat weight, clarity, and cut to create the Four C’s of a diamond. Unlike the remaining C’s, however, the color of a diamond is one that is often hard to determine and is not measured on a firm, quantifiable scale as several of the others are. Rather, color is judged on a gradient scale ranging from letter D to letter Z.

The Diamond Color Scale

D through F – Colorless
G through J – Nearly colorless; requires a loupe to determine color when unmounted
K through M – Possesses a faint yellow tint, usually requires a loupe to detect
N through R – Possesses a slight yellow tint which can be detected with the naked eye
S through Z – Obviously tinted yellow even when mounted

Color and Price

As one would expect, the closer a diamond gets to color grade D, the more expensive that particular gem is going to be. The jump in price per carat per color grade can easily be a thousand dollars. This means that a diamond can get expensive in a hurry.

Match Your Setting with Your Color Grade

Perhaps the most important factor in determining what color grade is the best for a particular shopper is what type of metal on which the diamond is going to be mounted on in a diamond ring, earrings, or other pieces of jewelry. Yellow gold can seem to amplify a lower grade diamond’s yellow tint. Platinum or white gold can help by removing that yellow frame of reference. This means that, unlike carat weight or clarity, the buyer has a little wiggle room when deciding on diamond color. However, for most buyers, a diamond in the range of J or K is usually fine especially when setting on a whiter setting. For yellower settings, a H or an I can be considered ideal.

Determining Factors

Obviously every diamond is unique. So, when you’re shopping for diamonds, color has to be weighed as a determining factor, and not necessarily a deciding one. Color must be considered along with the rest of the Four C’s to create a list of requirements for the perfect diamond based on the needs of you the shopper.

We know that most people do not make a habit of shopping for a diamond, so feel free to contact your diamond specialist here at Danforth.

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 Best View Possible – 3D Diamond Rings January 10, 2008

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Palladium Jewelry , add a comment

Purchasing a diamond engagement ring is never an easy prospect, and when you add the thought of buying that ring online, there’s an entire level of uncertainty added. One is forced to take certain things into consideration when buying an engagement ring online – Is the picture online accurate? What does the other side of the band look like? Is the metal really that shiny? Fortunately, here at Danforth Diamond, we’ve taken some of the stress out of purchasing diamond engagement rings online.

At Danforth we understand that you might not know what a cathedral style ring or channel set diamonds looks like, and if the picture on the website doesn’t give you a great view, it’s understandable why you would be apprehensive about buying the ring. That’s why we’ve added a series of 3D pictures to the Danforth Diamond website. Our 3D views are the ACTUAL ring not a computer-generated photo of the ring in 3D.

Currently featuring over 20 rings, our 3D Diamond Engagement Rings give you the best possible view of the ring your interested in. Speed up, slow down, or completely stop the rotating image to see every angle of the diamond engagement ring you’re interested in to make sure that it’s exactly what she’ll want. You wouldn’t buy a car without at least seeing what the interior looks like, so why would you buy a diamond ring without seeing what the other side looks like? Take a look at our 3D Diamond Engagement Rings and you’ll quickly understand why we’re doing everything we can at Danforth Diamond to ease the ring buying process.

-Jill Renee

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

Easy Steps to Survive the Holidays November 13, 2007

Posted by Jill Renee in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Holiday Proposals, Jewelry , add a comment

Although the holiday season is one of the most wonderful times of year, it can also be one of the most stressful as we scurry to “get it all done.” It’s important that we do not allow the hectic holiday pace to overwhelm us. We must take the time to do something special for ourselves: dine with those long lost friends whom you have been meaning to call, laugh through the tacky light tour with friends and family, or simply sit in a warm bath for peace and solitude.

We must remember to recharge our batteries because if we are not well charged those around us will notice our dwindling light! Let your light shine by exhibiting patience and practicing random acts of kindness such as becoming an angel by buying a toy for a child in need. Be positive in your mind, and in your interactions with others. You will find that your attitude will spread like the flu! It is the little things that make a big difference in life.

Here are a few ideas to help you through the holidays:

Shop online! Shopping online is a good way to get a head start on your holiday gift giving plans. Web shopping has never been more secure or convenient and many online retailers are even offering free shipping. Easy returns and great bargains can also be found. Most of your favorite stores have easily navigable sites to lead you to the perfect gift. Buying online allows you to stroll though the mall and enjoy the decorations without having to deal with hectic crowds, long lines, or the burden of carrying heavy packages.

Classic gifts! Jewelry and electronics will always be popular. No one can have enough jewelry, and companies are constantly updating electronics. These gifts are always appreciated and there is no worrying about getting the right size, unless of course you are purchasing a diamond engagement ring. Some websites offer free ring sizers and have tips to determine that special someone’s ring size, so if you have your heart set on a diamond ring, finding the right size is easy. Most women love jewelry and men always want the latest electronic gadget.

Make memories! Movie tickets, concert tickets, and game tickets are fun and memorable gifts. If the receiver has a favorite musician or team, hop online and see when the next show or game is.

Crafty ideas! If you would rather put your talent and time into crafting a present, here are some good ideas. Create a box full of love. Cut out hearts, write something special on each heart, and fill a shoe box with reasons for loving the receiver. Or you could create a memory book. When creating this type of book it is important to pick a specific time in one’s life to cover, for example a college career or a trip oversees. Fill a book with pictures, brochures, ticket stubs, and cards to remind someone of a special time in their life. A third idea is to print T-shirts. If you and a group of friends have recently done something fun together, grab a picture, think of a funny catchphrase, and put it onto a T-shirt.

Remember the best gift you can give your friends, family and community is the gift of caring. Continue to give your best, even if it is just picking up some litter along the street, sharing a smile with a stranger or letting someone cut ahead of you in traffic. It matters, it’s contagious, and it will make you feel great! Happy Holidays!

7 Easy Steps to Survive the Holidays

- Be Patient.

- Plan ahead and make lists.

- Do more shopping online. Gifts such as jewelry, electronics and event tickets are especially appreciated.

- Have lunch with an old friend.

- Shop with friends who are looking for similar presents.

- Give to the needy.

- SMILE!


Happy Holidays

-Jill Renee

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

Picking the Right Diamond and Ring Setting October 11, 2007

Posted by jflynn in : Buying Diamonds, Buying Engagement Rings, Buying Jewelry, Diamond Jewelry, Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Jewelry, Palladium Jewelry, Proposing Marriage , add a comment

Deciding to propose to the special somebody in your life is a huge decision, one that will lead you down a path of even more decisions. Of course, the first thing that needs to be decided after you’ve decided to propose is what type of engagement ring to get. Between diamonds and settings there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming. Hopefully this can be cleared up.

The Diamond

While you’re probably more than familiar with the 4 C’s of diamonds, there are other things to consider when choosing a diamond, chief amongst them, the shape. Here we’ll focus on the shape and two of the C’s; cut and carat. Clarity and color can be saved for another day.

The Shape
With so many shapes out there it can be confusing as to the actual differences, so let’s simply talk about each of them and their individual merits.

” Round” the most basic of diamonds, and the only shape not considered “fancy,” this shape is very much how it sounds – a rounded diamond in the shape of a circle.

Princess Shape“Princess” arguably the most popular shape, this squared diamond has only grown in popularity while still being a relatively new shape. The princess diamond tends to find its way into solitaire engagement rings more than any of the other shapes.

Emerald Shape “Emerald” a rectangular shaped diamond, this shape is reflective of a classic and aristocratic elegance. Unlike other diamonds, the emerald shaped diamond is not a brilliant cut but rather a step cut, being comprised of larger, planar facets that resemble stair steps and act like mirrors.

Marquise Shape “Marquise” long and slender, this shape, originally commissioned by Louis XIV of France, is wonderful for maximizing the carat within the setting. The marquise shape will accentuate the length of the fingers and works well on a person with longer fingers.

Oval Shape “Oval” as the name implies, this diamond shape is a very simple oval. This shape works very well with smaller hands and shorter fingers, giving them the illusion of added length.

Pear Shape• Pear – a hybrid shape combining the best elements of the oval and marquise shapes, it resembles nothing so much as a teardrop. Typically used in pendants and earrings, this shape compliments short to average length fingers, helping to give the illusion of longer fingers much like the oval shaped diamond does.

Heart Shape• Heart – essentially a pear shaped diamond with a cleft at the top, the heart shaped diamond is the ultimate symbol of romance. This shaped diamond is frequently seen in pendants but is more than acceptable as a choice in a ring.

Radiant Shape• Radiant – this square or rectangular shaped diamond does an excellent job of combining the elegant and classic appeal of the emerald shape with the brilliance of the round shape.

Trillion Shape• Trillion – a wedge of brilliant fire, the trillion shaped diamond was first developed in Amsterdam. Traditionally a triangle shaped diamond, the amount of point at the corners is often open for interpretation, but these diamonds work well as both a compliment to a center stone, a unique center stone in themselves, or as a pair of earrings.

Baguette Shape• Baguette – very reminiscent of the emerald shaped diamond, this shape of diamond is frequently used as side stones to a larger center stone. Much like the emerald shaped diamond, the baguette shape doesn’t feature nearly the sparkle of brilliant shaped diamonds, but does offer a classic beauty that is hard to match.

The shape is only the first part of what to look for, at least initially, when considering a diamond for an engagement ring.

The Carat
Carats are essentially a way to measure the weight of diamonds. While the use of the carat measuring system may date back to ancient Oriental bazaars and the carob seed, in the present we know that the more carats in the diamond, the bigger it is.
While the size of the diamond that you get can be determinate on a number of factors, not the least of which is cost, the Setting and Mounting that you choose can also have an influence on the size of the diamond that you get for your ring. (more…)

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