Laura Ciocan asked:




The hottest trend in jewelry fashion, the Right Hand Diamond Ring seems to raise sales sky-high.

The latest trend in diamond jewelry is the Right Hand Diamond Ring. The marketing significance load is addressing mainly to the independent career woman of the 21-st century. It stands for success, strength, self assertiveness and freedom.

After the world has been filled up with the symbol of eternal love - the diamond engagement ring, the marketing strategy accompanying this old-renewed product opposes the right-hand ring to the diamond engagement rings and diamond anniversary bands. It is not only being positioned on a different hand but it also differs significantly in design. Its design purposely avoids any resemblance with matrimonial rings, uses open spaces, smaller stones instead of a single, in combinations expressing the personality and individuality of the wearer.

In fact, it’s not at all about the right hand, as women did wear rings on their right hand fingers before this marketing concept came into being, it’s about what became almost an obsession for the left hand ring!

And of course, after one conquest, others must follow - after the diamond engagement rings hit, the market for diamond rings still had potential! The commercial outcome is one of larger proportions, first of all because the general tendency around the world is to postpone or forego marriage, then, while the diamond engagement ring addresses only to grooms-to-be as buyers, the right hand ring addresses to both men and women. And this is how:

The independent career woman

The idea was to go with the new wave of feminist thinking stressing upon women’s independence wish - married or not, you still have to wear a diamond ring to reassess your leading position alongside men! It’s a sort of impulse for the women who are generically tired of the role of housewives and feel they can do better with their lives. So, the left hand ring stands for the labors that marriage brings along while the right hand ring reads as the careless, joyful side of life.

Men also

Men are also a target for this advertising technique: loving husbands are encouraged to buy a gift for their wives that will flatter not only their need for love proofs but also the thought of being valued and respected as an independent person, and not a nice accessory to men or a house decor item. And not only married men should buy right hand rings, the concept has a wider meaning: it doesn’t matter if you are married or not, as long as you are involved in a love relation you should definitely consider buying a right hand ring as a gift!

For years, right hand rings have also been a sign of commitment for gay couples. So, another market segment gained.

All advertising that deals with aspects of human vanity has every chance to succeed, and when addressing to women, it seems that the chances are even bigger. That they prevail in beauty had been established long ago, but now it is not enough any longer as it is not enough merely being accepted into the social life. The need appeared for women to be recognized as equal in value to men or even surpassing them. Working more and earning more than ever before, women choose now to put the idea that we live in a men’s world way behind them.

And this intelligent marketing line is apparently indeed a huge success, as sales have been going really high!

Terence Roberts asked:




Diamond rings are something that have always been popular with women, to be worn as jewelry that was more than just an engagement or wedding ring. Many women would have multiple rings on both hands, whereas, a man would typically not sport much more than a wedding band or pinkie ring. That has changed in recent years, as there are more options to choose from when it comes to men’s diamond rings. There are wedding bands that include diamonds, but other rings for any occasion may include them, as well. Rappers and hip-hoppers have made “bling” the in thing, when it comes to men’s diamond rings.

What makes a perfect men’s diamond ring? Well, there are several styles to choose from. You can find bands where there are several small diamonds that are in a channel setting, or a larger stone set with onyx stones, or even a bezel setting that highlights each stone’s setting, shape and size for uniqueness. Men’s diamond rings can be set in different shapes that may signify something, or simply as bands. Men’s rings still sport more metal in the setting than women’s, to give a ring a more masculine, rugged or sporty look.

What makes a perfect men’s diamond ring can depend on the man’s style and personality. It used to be a stereotype that flashy diamond rings had a “used car salesman” look that denoted a negative trait such as narcissism or deceitfulness. Today, many entertainers wear “bling” as a status symbol of coolness. Most men opt for a little more subtlety, although multiple diamonds don’t carry the negative stigma they once did, so it all depends on the man’s personality. When looking for the perfect men’s diamond ring, you need to keep this in mind.

There are many styles and places to look for the perfect men’s diamond ring. Like a woman’s diamond, you should look for good quality stones, in a setting that will be sturdy enough for men’s daily wear and tear. Many men wear their diamond rings as a fashion accessory with suits or even with sweats, so this may be another consideration, when choosing the perfect men’s diamond ring. You are going to want a setting that won’t be getting caught on things, and cause the diamonds to come loose. Often a channel setting fits the bill for this in most cases.

If your man is younger, and into the hip-hop scene, you may find that he would prefer something with some “bling”. There are many choices when it comes to this, and often it is a matter of the man’s preference for the style and setting of these rings that typically sport more diamonds as a type of status symbol. By finding out the personality or image that is to be portrayed, a men’s diamond ring will often fit the wearer in more ways than one. What makes a perfect men’s diamond ring depends on the eyes of the beholder, and there are now more choices in shapes, styles, settings and types of metal to choose from.

David Cowley asked:




When it comes to “popping the question,” there’s nothing like a platinum diamond ring to make it official. Whether you’re a man looking to choose just the right ring for your bride-to-be or a woman lucky enough to be able to pick out your own ring, a platinum diamond ring is often just the right choice for something as important as a wedding set.

For one thing, consider that a platinum diamond ring is absolutely timeless. Platinum is just about the most enduring metal there is, especially when it comes to jewelry, and a choice of platinum is symbolic of how long you want your love to last. It is also impervious to damage the way other metals may be. Soft, higher karats of gold, as well as silver, can be nicked, marked, dented, and dinged as time goes on. But with a platinum ring, there is much less chance of the ring itself being damaged in any way. Of course, those other metals can be repaired and buffed as time goes on but it’s usually much better to invest in a ring that will last rather than assume that you can keep repairing the ring over the years.

Many of the antique platinum engagement rings found today can be cleaned, polished, and brought back to their original appearance. There are many antique platinum engagement rings on the market with so much history behind them are often considered classic, not just because of their age and in the time period in which they were produced, but because of their style. Some of the more pure platinum rings will appear grayish white in color, sometimes mistaken for titanium or silver, but will be considerable harder.

Choosing the diamond in your platinum ring may be the most involved part of the process. It’s not a good idea to just go for the biggest or most expensive ring. It pays to educate yourself about cut, carat, color, and so on when it comes to a diamond. A larger diamond can have a poorer cut or many inclusions in it, so it might actually be less valuable than a smaller diamond. It’s tempting to just choose whatever rock is the biggest but usually a platinum diamond ring can be considered an investment, and one that you can hand down from generation to generation. If you choose a less valuable diamond based on looks alone, your investment is compromised.

And since a platinum diamond ring is timeless, you can usually find one at places other than just a local jewelry store. Estate sales, auctions, and places such as this can offer a wealth of options. Every piece of jewelry should come with a certificate of authenticity and you of course want to have the ring appraised by an independent appraiser, but the value of a platinum ring is not going to drop simply because it was owned by someone else, the way it works with a car or old piece of outdated computer equipment. As a matter of fact, an antique diamond ring can be even more valuable than a new one. So don’t limit yourself to just the local jewelry store or shop at the mall, but scour other places for a sale.

If you do some homework and a bit of shopping you’re sure to find just the right platinum diamond ring that’s a perfect fit for you or your intended fianc?e.

Derek Parnell asked:




Diamond information for couples interested in buying a diamond engagement ring. At a point in nearly every man’s life, there comes a time when his heart knows it’s time to buy a diamond engagement ring for the woman he loves. Only then will you feel comfortable buying a diamond engagement ring. There are many things to consider when learning how to buy a diamond, you should never rush into buying a diamond without first doing a little research as to how the diamonds are priced. Buying a diamond is no different, except most of know us very little about diamonds. Buying a diamond ring is often an emotional - not to mention expensive - experience.??

Diamond Ring:?
Buying a diamond ring can be a huge investment and you want to get one with the perfect diamond in it, so you may be intimidated if you are a first time buyer. Buying a diamond means investing in a piece for forever. Every individual buying a diamond seeks out the best they can afford. When buying a diamond, consider your budget and where the stone will be worn to help determine the ideal carat size. The Four C’s of Buying a Diamond, to determine the best price for your ring, you need to be familiar with the four C’s. The four C’s of cut, color, clarity, and carat are explained.??

Diamond Color
Most diamonds have a slight hint of yellow and the diamond color scale is based on the amount of yellow present in a diamond. It’s the absence of color that adds value to the diamond.?Diamond color is graded according to the GIA Grading Scale. Grades are based on the amount of yellow that is visible when viewed face down through the pavilion using the GIA Diamond Lite. The color scale ranges from D (colorless) to Z (yellow tinge).??

Diamond Cut
To achieve the maximum reflection of light that causes a diamond to sparkle requires a diamond to have an Ideal/Excellent cut grade. Ideal cut diamonds are graded as such because they fall within the ideal cut grade parameters specified by the diamond grading labs. The better cut grades are likely to display more fire and brilliance and since their appearance is more desirable, they are priced accordingly. The GIA and EGL have only extended ideal/excellent cut grade parameters to round brilliant stones at this time. Determining a diamond’s cut grade, however, goes beyond simple measurements of width and depth. Diamond Cut is perhaps the most important of the four C’s.??

Diamond Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number, nature, position, size and color of internal characteristics called “inclusions” and surface features called “blemishes”. These show themselves as the various characteristics which make up the clarity of a diamond, included crystals, feathers, clouds etc. These characteristics are sometimes not visible to the naked eye and they are what make each diamond unique. This clarity grade becomes more important as the diamond size increases. The clarity scale was developed by the Gemological Institute of America GIA to quantify these imperfections.????

Diamond Carat
It is a common misconception that carats refer to the size of a diamond. In reality, a carat is the standard unit of weight by which diamonds are measured. ?Since a carat is a measure of weight, not size, one diamond of the same carat weight may look bigger than another depending on the cut. A premium cut diamond may actually appear bigger than many diamonds of a higher carat weight.??

Diamond Shape
Stones come in different shapes - round, oval, marquise, pear, emerald, heart, princess, and radiant.

Round
A round brilliant is a great choice if you want the most sparkle and the most enduring classic shape round-brilliant diamonds are the only shape to have this ideal proportion defined. Brilliant cut diamonds have facets that are shaped like triangles and kites. Today’s round brilliant diamond has a total of fifty-eight facets, but you’ll see varying facet numbers in vintage brilliant cut diamonds. Even though Round Brilliant cut diamonds are the most expensive in the market, they make up the overwhelming majority of diamonds found in engagement rings, and are popular as stud earrings and pendants.

Oval??
The elongated shape of Oval diamonds gives a very flattering effect to your finger when worn in a ring, and is found in some of the most beautiful diamond engagement rings. Unlike round cut diamonds, oval cut diamonds have an elongated shape, which makes the diamond appear larger in carat weight. Oval cut diamonds are essentially elongated round cut diamonds. Many women with smaller hands or shorter fingers prefer the look of oval cut diamonds and pear shaped diamonds because they truly slenderize and elongate the fingers on the hand.??

Marquise??
While marquise diamonds are not as popular as round cut diamonds or princess cut diamonds, they are still quite sophisticated and elegant. A marquise cut diamond has a uniquely beautiful shape that is favoured by many women, but a small percentage of brilliance will be sacrificed for the beauty of this uniquely diamond shape. Compared to the round cuts, the marquise diamonds are not as popular these days. In addition, the shape of the marquise diamond almost makes the stone appear larger than it is. The Marquise shape was created for Louis the XIV and is has become a timeless classic.

Pear
The pear shape is a stunningly feminine diamond shape with a rounded end on one side and a tapering point at the other. ?Due to their elongated shape, pear cut diamonds are known for their slenderizing effect. .The Pear cut allows a range of cutting styles, so that the teardrop shape can be wider, slimmer, or cut to Ideal proportions, based on your choice and preferences. Pear shaped diamonds have a rounded end and a single point. While pear shaped diamonds are not as traditional as round cut diamonds, or as trendy as princess cut diamonds, they are still coveted by many people.??

Emerald
The emerald-cut diamond is among the most classic of diamond shapes that is distinguished by beveled corners and step facets, emerald cut diamonds are more transparent than other shapes, resulting in the need for higher standards of clarity. The emerald cut can be one of the least expensive to cut because its shape is most like the natural shape of the rough diamond crystal. Because of the angle, size and shape of the facets, the emerald cut shows less brilliance and fire dispersion than the other brilliant cut diamonds. However, the emerald cut stone reveals a classic beauty and elegance not seen in other cuts. The trim lines of Emerald cut diamonds lend an elegant, sophisticated air to both the simplest of ring designs.??

Heart
The heart-shaped diamond is the most romantic of diamond shapes and a symbol of love and affection, the heart cut diamond is an excellent choice for an anniversary or engagement ring. It is a tender gesture to make to someone special. A quality heart-shaped diamond is lovely and distinctive, with an even shape and well-defined outline.?They are the ultimate symbol of romance, and more and more people are choosing heart cut diamonds for engagement and anniversary rings. Heart Shaped Diamonds are rarer and more expensive as it takes a large piece of diamond rough to shape cut and polish to something that is the ultimate symbol of love “the heart”??

Princess?
A modern innovation, the princess shape dazzles and sparkles with its star burst facet pattern, while still leaving the crown of the diamond flat and open. The princess cut is stunning set as a solitaire it is a modern classic of clean, square lines and beautiful sparkle. Its sharp corners are usually contained in a four-pronged or bezel set in wedding rings. You will also find Princess cut diamonds are often channeled into the wedding band itself.?Princess Cut Diamonds are for those people who love the sparkle and brilliance associated with round cut diamonds, but prefer ?the shape of a square. While the round brilliant solitaire seems to be the most popular shape right now for engagement rings, many people are deviating from this trend and going with princess cut diamonds.??

Radiant
The radiant cut was first patented in the late 1970’s by Henry?Grossbard, with its angular shape and brilliant cut facets it makes a scintillating alternative to other cuts such as the Emerald cut. The radiant shaped diamond can be considered a modified brilliant diamond that is closely related to the princess cut diamond because of its square shape.?High quality Radiant cut diamonds combine the fire and sparkle of Emerald and Round cuts.??

Now you know the different shapes of diamonds that you can purchase and which shape will accentuate individual fingers or provide brilliant sparkle we can now move on to the ring.

There are many different metals used for rings today which can be grouped into two, precious and non -precious, those in the precious group including silver, gold, and platinum, while those in the non-precious group can include brass, copper ad nickel. Most rings today are made of gold or platinum so we will focus our discussion on these two precious metals.??

Gold ?
Gold comes in various colors that can reflect the carat value of the carat of yellow gold with 10k, 14k and??18k being the most popular.?Did you know that you can get Rose Gold, white gold and yellow gold and that white gold is more a silver color than white? Until recently white gold was yellow gold with as much of the yellow gold removed as possible, however it was still not a true white color. To give you that white (silver) brilliance the rings are plated with Rhodium or palladium.??

Platinum
Platinum became very popular for its natural white (silver) color and durability. Customers that buy white gold rings that have rhodium plating will have to have the ring re-plated every few years if it’s worn regularly, ?as the rhodium wears off. With platinum the color stays the same no mater how often you wear it. Platinum is about twice the price of 14K Gold and can push the price of the setting and diamond out of the range of some customers.??

Ring Mounts
There are thousands of different settings available for you to choose from; they come in all shapes and sizes, from solitaires to multi stone rings. Your choice is a personal one; however you should consider when you are going to be wearing your ring. If you plan to wear it daily then pick something with a low profile that protects the diamond and setting from getting damaged if you accidentally catch it against something. This could lead to the diamond coming loose and having to be reset, to forcing the diamond out of the mounting and breaking it.

On the other hand, ?if you are only going to wear the ring for special occasions then purchase a mount that holds the diamond high so that it’s well displayed and allow the light to enter unobstructed from the top and show the scintillating fire and brilliance.

Remember that if you are purchasing a high quality diamond for your ring that having other diamonds around it will detract from your central diamond.?If on the other hand you are purchasing a smaller center diamond adding smaller ones around the outside will make the center one look larger.

Engagement sets are also very popular, with couples purchasing the engagement ring and then going back and purchasing the wedding band from the set, for that special day.