Archive for August, 2011

It's not really something you want to think about, but just in case your romance ever takes a turn for the worse, you should know what's likely to happen to your precious estate engagement ring.

A man in Fresno, California, is suing his former fiancee for her engagement ring, which is valued at $52,550. He is asking the court to make her give back the ring, which is made of 14 karat gold and features a 4-carat diamond among 90 tiny diamonds. He is also seeking to get back his Hummer.

There's a law stating that a gift given in contemplation of marriage can be recovered if the person who was given the ring called off the wedding. In other words, if the woman calls it off, she has to give back the ring. She may get to keep it if the wedding was called off by her fiance. If a couple mutually agrees upon a dissolved engagement, the man is entitled to get the ring back. However, a simple "may" written in the law suggests that the decision is up to the court.

It all depends on the circumstances, so the reality is that you never know what's going to end up happening to your vintage engagement ring once the wedding's called off or if you get a divorce. Surely it's something to think about!

It's not exactly polite to ask where a woman's diamond engagement ring came from, but how would you feel if you found out your husband bought your vintage ring at a discount store right across the aisle from groceries and cheap clothing?

Warehouse membership stores are beginning to offer fine jewelry at discounted prices to members, which doesn't necessarily make it affordable. One ring recently sold for $1 million dollars – and it was valued at around $1.4 million.

Pricing mentality like this can take away the magic of buying a special estate engagement ring. Shopping around and finding the best deals is important, but price shouldn't be the only factor in your decision. You want to find a ring that matches your personality and will captivate you for years to come. A bauble found among canned soup and white bread isn't exactly something you want to show off.

When you're looking for vintage wedding rings, start out with an idea of what kind of gem shape you want and the setting that would work best for you, then find rings that match those characteristics and take it from there.

Kim Kardashian's recent wedding ceremony in Montecito, California, complete with a crystal-decked cross at the altar, concluded with the exchange of platinum Lorraine Schwartz wedding bands between her and hubby Kris Humphries.

Kim's diamond wedding band has a hefty 15-carat weight, proving she's not one to skimp on fine jewelry. The price tag was estimated to be around $200,000, which is a lot less than the diamond engagement ring she was given (worth around $1 million), but still quite expensive. The platinum setting won't fade or tarnish, making it the perfect choice to symbolize a lasting relationship.

Her wedding ensemble, which included three different dresses, also consisted of over $10 million dollars in fine jewelry, including a diamond headpiece and diamond drop-earrings. Her bridal party was also decked out in diamonds for the star-studded event.

Next time you're shopping for vintage diamond engagement rings or estate wedding bands, take a cue from Kim and find something dazzling in a platinum setting that will look great on your ring finger.

Platinum jewelry has always been more expensive than gold, but recently, the price of gold has soared to record highs, making platinum a more practical and valuable setting choice for diamond engagement rings.

The benefits of a platinum engagement ring are plentiful. The purity of the metal means that it never fades or tarnishes, and the color won't cast itself into the color of the diamond. The metal is durable and resistant to wear, which means your precious gems will be protected for a lifetime and will be held securely. No need to worry about whether or not your antique diamond will ever fall out!

You can clean platinum jewelry the same way you would clean other fine jewelry – with mild soap and water, a soft cloth or a jewelry cleaning solution. Like other metals, platinum can be scratched, so it's important to store your pieces separately and take off your diamond engagement ring when you're doing heavy work. If you're working with bleach or other harsh chemicals, the metal won't be impacted, but the gemstones may become discolored, so it's better to be safe than sorry.

Ever since Prince William gave Kate Middleton her vintage engagement ring, sapphires have been popping up in wedding rings everywhere.

Public demand for antique engagement rings with sapphires began back in 1919, when diamond sales were declining. Because sapphires are the second hardest gems and are extremely durable, they're a functional choice for ladies who plan to wear their baubles on a daily basis. Estate engagement rings featuring sapphires are often passed on as heirlooms as a result of their superior durability.

The various shades of blue and even yellow and pink sapphires add interest and a pop of color to any vintage ring. The most valuable color is a rich medium blue, which stays constant in any light and can look great with any ensemble. Because it's the birthstone for September, a sapphire engagement ring is a perfect choice for women who were born in the ninth month of the year.

Some believe sapphires have mystical properties and can bring the wearer peace, serenity and success. It's no wonder so many famous people and even royalty possess jewelry featuring this gemstone. Whether you believe in the myths or not, sapphire vintage engagement rings are always a good choice when you're looking for something really special.