“I can see clearly now,…I can see all obstacles in my way” – lyricist, Johnny Nash
It is a very exciting time isn’t it? The prospect of buying an engagement ring for your love of a lifetime. You begin to think it only reasonable that such a perfect love be symbolized with a perfect diamond engagement ring. But, have you done your homework?
Please keep in mind that diamonds, real diamonds are created by nature; and are prone to having at least a few blemishes, or inclusions. Because of this, the industry has developed a grading scale. This scale is called the GIA clarity grading scale, and is based on what can be seen under a 10X loupe magnification. A “perfectly clear”, or colorless diamond would be one without obstructions blocking any light passing through it; the result being one of extraordinary brilliance. As you may have already guessed, these types of diamonds are fairly rare and can be quite costly.
Yes, engagement and wedding rings are to be chosen carefully, and should be expected to be beautiful. Not to worry…If an absolutely perfect and flawless diamond is out of your budget reach, there are a number of in-between grades that you may find to be almost equally as beautiful, quite acceptable, and to your liking. For instance: In the case of a multi-stone diamond ring, you may choose to have a larger, more visible stone be of a finer quality than any smaller companion diamonds surrounding it.
Again, since selecting an engagement or diamond wedding ring is something that one does not do on an every day basis, it is good to seek the advice and expertise of a reputable jeweler, who will be more than happy to assist you in being clear with your selection.
The wearing of a right hand diamond ring has soared in popularity during the last few years. Diamond lovers, especially those who are not married or engaged, have had to, in the past, gaze longingly at diamonds, prominently displayed on hands that usually signified the marital state of the wearer. Some have even taken the chance of wearing diamonds, while fearlessly facing inquisitions by those who feel as if some type of authorization is needed . In the past, many would wear cocktail rings to satisfy their love of diamonds, while at the same time avoiding a face off with concerned (or nosy) relatives, friends and strangers. But somehow, wearing a cocktail ring during the early morning hours didn’t seem quite right.
Enter: The right hand diamond ring
A right hand diamond ring can be seen as a ‘status neutral’ expression of independence; and as declaration of the fact that anyone has the right to wear a diamond (or diamonds), without being questioned as to its meaning. Right hand diamond rings can simply, or elaborately, attest to wearer’s love of fine jewelry. Beautifully crafted, make no mistake about it, they are not intended to be substandard versions or coy imitations of the standard engagement ring. Unlike traditional engagement rings, right hand diamond rings are not typically demure, but are usually bold, free formed, gorgeous creations that clearly have personalities of their very own.
Whether married or not, one can choose diamonds from many wonderful styles, while keeping in mind that one does have a ‘right‘ to wear one.
Posted by admin | Posted in Diamond Advice | Posted on 03-10-2008
Have you ever thought about purchasing insurance for your ring? If you have insurance for your home and car, wouldn’t it stand to reason to also have insurance for your jewelry or your diamonds? I’m sure you value your jewelry as much as you value your home or car, if not more, but buying insurance for a ring is not necessarily an easy decision for everyone. Many factors need to be weighed.
There are two main ring insurance policies: a floater insurance policy and a standalone policy. In a floater policy, if something happens to your ring, you either get the value of your ring back in money or you are given a brand new ring. Most companies will attempt to get a similar ring because they can almost always find ones for less. A standalone policy has a very important difference. In a standalone policy, a jewelry appraiser will have to appraise the value of the ring, and they might not think it’s worth as much as you think it is. As you might imagine, this can lead to many conflicts.
You could of course choose not to insure your ring. This is a gamble, but it obviously is the least expensive option, and if you plan on taking extremely good care of your ring, then it may be the best one for you. In reality, the odds of something happening to your ring are actually extremely low. Chances are you will not lose it. Why? Because most people do not misplace objects that they cherish. The odds of a ring slipping down a drain are extremely low. This tends to happen quite often in movies, but in the real world, most people don’t let their ring slip off their finger and into a drain. The odds of your ring being stolen are also extremely low. The vast majority of people never experience a home robbery in their lives.
A number of people lose their ring when they go swimming in a pool or in the ocean. However, this can be prevented easily. Simply remove your ring before you go in the water. Sometimes people lose their ring on a roller coaster. It might slip off as the coaster goes through a twist or turns upside down. This too can be prevented easily. Simply don’t take your ring to an amusement park. Another way people damage their ring is with chemicals. It is always best to remove your rings and all jewelry if you believe you are going to be around chemicals or paint. It is best to not attempt to paint your home with a ring on your finger. You’ll just be asking for it to get damaged. So if you believe in finding a practical solution to the question of whether or not you should insure your ring, you may find that the most practical solution is to not get the ring insured at all. But if you want to remain on the safe side, then by all means, purchase ring insurance.
