Celebrity engagement rings - are you a slave to celebrity trends?

Written by Alex Miller


Continued from page 1

The size ofrepparttar diamond is also influencing current styles, and according torepparttar 130111 Diamond Information Center,repparttar 130112 traditional one carat solitaire diamond engagement ring has now grown to three and four carats.

One only had to witnessrepparttar 130113 jaw dropping display of jewels at this year's Oscars - some $40 million worth - to reinforcerepparttar 130114 notion that inrepparttar 130115 minds of most celebrities "bigger is better". Never mind that their cherished booty had to be returned torepparttar 130116 vaults from whence they came next morning.

But our ever-increasing fascination with all things "bling" begsrepparttar 130117 question "What aboutrepparttar 130118 poor sucker who has to PAY for this excess?" The traditional measurement for any would-be suitor to determine how much he should be willing to part with forrepparttar 130119 engagement ring was arbitrarily set at three months's salary, which is fine if he's earning a healthy six-figure salary. But try telling Joe Schmo, whose monthly budget doesn't extend much beyondrepparttar 130120 local Thai take-out, that he's up for what could be many thousands of dollars, and you'll see his face (not to mention his wallet) crumble.

Which brings me to my final point. The value of your engagement ring is not simply measured in monetary terms. nor is it measured by whether your best friend's diamond is bigger, or whiter, or more extravagant. And it's certainly not measured by whether it looks just like J.Lo's most recent accessory (and I meanrepparttar 130121 ring, notrepparttar 130122 husband!)

Your engagement ring is a measure ofrepparttar 130123 value of your relationship and what it means to both of you, now and inrepparttar 130124 future. It's a symbol of all thatrepparttar 130125 two of you share, whether you're wearing a 2-carat rock or a dime-store copy.

Just remember, your local jeweler is probably a whiz at re-modelling, so you can always upgrade later!



Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.


Is Your Heart Set On An Antique Engagement Ring?

Written by Alex Miller


Continued from page 1

Diamond cuts have also changed dramatically overrepparttar years. Contemporary diamond cutters use modern faceting techniques to show a diamond off at its brilliant best. Although a diamond will sparkle even when its been poorly cut, don't expectrepparttar 130110 same razzle-dazzle you see today fromrepparttar 130111 diamonds in antique engagement rings.

Also keep in mind that antique engagement rings were often made with stones that don't standrepparttar 130112 test of time. Turquoise is a gem to steer clear of because it has a nasty reputation for discoloration. As do pearls, which lose their sheen and opals, which will gradually wear away.

Another thing to be wary of is that lesser-quality garnets were often marketed as rubies in vintage engagement rings, so be sure to have your ring valued if you badly want a ruby-red engagement ring.

An antique engagement ring is not a ring you can wear every day in our rough-and-tumble world, but it's preciousness makes it a treasure that, withrepparttar 130113 right care, will give you pleasure every day for a lifetime.

Alex Miller has been involved in the jewelry industry for more years than she cares to remember! She lists her passions as "diamonds, diamonds and more diamonds" and has turned her passion into an informative website. You can find more great articles about diamonds, engagement rings, bridal jewelry, honeymoons and more at http://www.Engagement-Rings-Guide.com. The place to go BEFORE you shop for jewelry online.


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