Wednesday 30 March 2011

The enigma of moonstone engagement rings

moonstone engagement rings
Diamonds and faceted gems constitute the classic choice for engagement rings. But for getting an element of mystery and romance interlinked with a tint of mythology and spiritualism, the moonstone engagement rings are best choice. The rings would appear more symbolic for many couples for portraying their romance and spiritual bonding.

Basically moonstones are a kind of mineral in the feldspar family which is a classification that encompasses over half the rocks on earth. Moonstone specifically constitutes of potassium aluminum silicate and typically possesses a very light blue hue. However moonstones are also seen in a range of colors including green, peach, gray, pale yellow, brown, or creamy white. There are many mythological secrets associated with the magic shimmer of moonstone. The mineral has been named as moonstone because as light moves across the stone, its shimmer changes like the shades of moon. The stone is also called as Selenite, named for Selene, the Greek goddess of the moon.

Many couple goes gaga over moonstone as the most critical feature of the gem is the quality of its cut. What distinguishes moonstone from other gem is that most of the jewelry would be polished rather than faceted. This gives the stone a smooth and sensuous feel rather than the stark angles and surfaces of typical gems. The stones attain the characteristic shimmer through the curvature of the stone which is crucial to achieve the signature light variations. For creating a cat’s eye or starburst formation, flaws are incorporated into more unique stones.

There are a variety of settings available for moonstone engagement rings. However the bezel settings and other smooth flowing designs are mostly preferred as they compliment the nature of the stone. The art deco and vintage are also suitable for moonstone engagement rings. Accent stones may be incorporated in the rings. But this is not always done. Diamonds and pearls are common choices and couples also select similarly unusual stones to accompany the center moonstone.

The gem quality moonstones are quite expensive owing to the rare nature. A larger stone with a rich yet transparent color calls for a high price since they are of exceptionally high quality. Moreover the labor will add to the cost significantly since most of the moonstone engagement rings are custom made. So for bringing down the expenses, many couples choose a less expensive metal or accent stones so that they can find a quality stone to work with.

Couples may find it a little difficult to find moonstones as they are still relatively rare and the couple needs to approach a custom ring designer for getting a more personalized ring. For economic benefits, the best way is to find a loose gemstone of the desired size and color and ask an experienced jeweler to make a perfect ring to accent the qualities of the stone. Since the moonstone is very delicate they are prone to scratches and damages. Hence proper care should be given while wearing them. Only mild cleanser and soft cloth should be used to clean them.

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Monday 28 March 2011

Latest trends: Men’s take on engagement rings


men engagement ring
The men’s jewelry market continues to grow resulting in an increase in the request for men’s engagement rings. gone are the days when the bride-to-be would be receiving an engagement ring later a wedding ring and the groom would often choose not to even wear a wedding ring. We can undoubtedly say that this generation of men are used to wearing jewelry and would not find it unusual or odd to exchange rings on their wedding day. This tendency can be traced to the desire to symbolize mutual love and commitment that the couple has for each other. And this drives the request for men’s engagement rings.

You may wonder if this is equality at its best or men just wanting a piece of the action. However the end result is that instead of the ring symbolizing that the women belongs to the man, the engagement ring worn by both of them indicates that the couple belong with each other. Men’s engagement rings have a distinct trend though. They are not usually flashy and gaudy but simple and elegant. Men generally request styling of band rings in titanium, palladium and platinum. They may be sometimes embellished by setting with small diamonds to the edge of the ring or set within the band.

There is yet another category that is on the top list. There are men’s engagement rings that would have sections of soft textured finishes and flat court profiles with engraved inscriptions on the inside of the ring band. Men also go for customized rings by involving in the creation of the ring. This in turn increases the personalization factor of the rings. And this process is indeed enjoyed by most of the men.

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