Jewelry Articles

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner – and if you’re looking for the perfect gift for your sweetheart, then you might be feeling a bit anxious about what to get. Should you go the traditional route with chocolates and roses? What about a weekend away to a far-flung destination?

Forget all of these suggestions – after all, this isn’t just any ordinary holiday! This is the one day of the year where you can celebrate all that you love about your partner with a memorable gift that will be treasured forever. So why not make this Valentine’s Day the one to remember by surprising your sweetheart with a unique engagement ring, a perfect anniversary band or classic diamond stud earrings?


Want to pop the question? Congratulations – Valentine’s Day is the perfect day to tell your love just how much she means to you! A diamond engagement ring is sure to take her breath away. So whether you want to pop the question at a five-star restaurant or want to share the special moment with friends and family, putting a sparkling and perfect diamond engagement ring on your loved one’s finger will make this Valentine’s Day the most extraordinary one yet.



If a wedding isn’t in your plans, you can still give her a sparkling gift that lets her know just how much you care. Gorgeous and precious pendants make the perfect gift to celebrate Valentine’s Day – not to mention that they’re on-trend for 2010! Why not give her a diamond pendant that represents how much she means to you: a diamond heart pendant symbolizes your love, a diamond journey pendant represents the journey that your relationship has taken and the diamond key pendant is symbolic of the key that she has to your heart.


If this isn’t your first Valentine’s Day together as a married couple, why not remind your partner about how much you treasure her love with a perfect anniversary band? A unique anniversary band will bring back treasured memories of the day when you proposed – and that’s a Valentine’s gift that can’t be topped!


Women aren’t the only ones who appreciate getting diamonds on Valentine’s Day – so go ahead and spoil your man with the gift of a dazzling men’s ring or a pair of classic diamond stud earrings! Stylish and popular choices for men’s diamond rings include solitaire, fancy, and channel set; so if you want to give him a gift that he’ll treasure forever, these styles of men’s diamond rings are sure to do it! For a classic gift that will spoil your guy, give him the gift of gorgeous and stylish classic and forever diamond stud earrings. He’ll love wearing these sparkling stones – not to mention he’ll be the object of envy to his friends and family!


Don’t let this be just any ordinary Valentine’s Day – let 25karats help you make it the one you’ll remember for the rest of your life!

Your wedding day will undoubtedly be the biggest day of your life – and you want to make sure that you have the perfect wedding ring to show for it! But it’s not just the bride’s ring that should steal the spotlight on this wonderful day; in fact, men’s weddings rings are marking a huge trend for the 21st century, as more grooms are more aware of what they’re looking for in unique wedding rings.

Forget the traditional wedding band, because there’s a bevy of gorgeous men’s wedding rings out there – and 25karats is going to help you find the right one for that special day!

Diamond Wedding Bands. Men’s wedding rings have transcended the traditional platinum band; in fact, one of the more popular styles for men’s wedding rings includes the diamond wedding band. As the wearing of diamond jewelry grows in popularity, the men’s diamond wedding band reflects that trend by showcasing a range of gorgeous small diamonds or a single showpiece gemstone.


Unlike the woman’s solitaire ring, the gemstone on a man’s diamond wedding band is not raised on a prong setting, but rather integrated within the flow of the band; hence why designer and fancy styles are among the most popular choices for this gorgeous category. A diamond wedding band is best complimented by a yellow gold or white gold metal, as both will help those luminous diamonds to stand out – without breaking the bank like those other expensive metals!

Designer Wedding Bands. Looking for a gorgeous wedding ring for that special groom with defined tastes? Then look no further than designer wedding bands, which allow a couple to exquisitely express the strength of their bond with statement rings that will make friends and family green with envy.

Designer wedding bands are identically modeled after rings from the most exclusive brand names out there. From luxurious metals to gorgeous detailed cuts and designs, your groom will have a ring that is exactly like that designer ring he’s been lusting after – except without the designer price tag! Designer wedding bands are perfect for the groom who wants to stand out without having to sacrifice their bank account.

Fancy Wedding Bands. For the groom with the classically refined taste, nothing can make a more powerful statement of the union between two loved ones like fancy wedding bands. However, these aren’t your father’s typical fancy wedding bands: the 21st century groom updates the fancy wedding band by incorporating personalized designs within luxurious metals of white gold and yellow gold for a budget-friendly finish. From two-tone wedding bands with satin finishes to those that feature an impeccable cross-cut center, fancy wedding bands for men will certainly please the groom with a sophisticated palette!

Your wedding day should be just as special as the bond you share with your loved one – so why not let 25karats show you just how memorable that day can be with the right men’s wedding ring that perfectly fits your budget?

If you’re thinking of buying that perfect engagement ring for the sweetheart in your life, then look no further than diamond engagement rings. Long considered a classic standard for the engagement ring, diamonds are beautiful gemstones, symbolic of the undying bond between you and the love of your life.

However, if you don’t know diamond engagement rings from a baseball diamond, then you could use a few pointers from 25karats that will help you ensure that whatever diamond ring you purchase, it will be of the highest-quality and impeccable standards…

…just like that of your sweetheart!

Diamond Engagement Ring Cuts. Getting the perfect diamond engagement ring cut can make all of the difference to your future fiancée. Remember, this is the perfect engagement ring that she’s been dreaming about since she was a little girl – and you want to ensure that you get it right!

There are a multitude of cuts available to the ring shopper – however, they can all be broken down into three categories: the step cut, the brilliant cut and the mixed cut. The step cut has simplistic incisions made into the face of the diamond, which gives off the appearance of steps (hence the name). This kind of cut gives a romantic vintage look to the diamond, and is popular with stone-shape styles like the emerald, or rectangular, shape.

The brilliant cut creates a multitude of facets within the diamond, which maximizes the amount of light that the stone reflects; hence, this cut is immensely popular with those who love to optimize the sparkle in their gemstones. Common shapes within this category include the classic round, solitaire and oval diamond engagement rings.

Finally, the mixed cut combines the step and brilliant cuts to form a breathtaking and gorgeous diamond engagement ring. By combining these cuts, the mixed cut minimizes any flaws within the diamond while maximizing the brilliancy of the gemstone. The most common shapes for this cut include the ever-popular princess shape, trillium and heart-shaped diamond engagement rings.

The Four Cs. Besides the cut of the perfect engagement ring, you’ll need to consider the next three of the four Cs of your diamond: color, clarity and carat. Once you’ve chosen the cut, these other three factors determine the final price and quality of the potential diamond purchase. To further understand these factors, let’s break them down into their respective categories:

The color of the diamond can have a huge influence on the price of the engagement ring. Colorless diamonds (often known as “white” diamonds) are the most common – but hardly so in terms of quality! – and are usually graded on a D-E-F scale. The latter letters (i.e. G through Z) are also used to determine color, and imply that the diamond has yellowish tints. The more yellow the diamond, the less expensive it will be. Colored diamonds have their own grading system. Fluorescence can also affect color, as seemingly colorless diamonds can appear yellow under this type of light.

The carat of the diamond will probably be more familiar to you, as the higher the carat weight, the more expensive the diamond will be. Quite simply, the carat is the measure of mass for a diamond, and is often referred to by point value (with each point represented 200 milligrams). A diamond engagement ring’s total carat weight will be the sum of all of the same stones within the ring.

Finally, the clarity of the diamond ring is a measurement of how flawless and clear a diamond is. While most diamonds contain minor flaws, the more cracked and visible these flaws, the lower the quality (and the price) of the diamond. Clarity of a diamond can be improved with fracture filling treatments; however, look for a diamond that has a clarity rating between VS1 to IF, as any flaws within the diamond are not easily seen, even by an experienced grader.


Remember, you don’t have to be an experienced jeweler to determine these important diamond factors; insist on a diamond grade certificate from a reputable gemological lab (such as GIA or EGL), as all of the relevant diamond ratings will be shown on the certificate.


Diamond Engagement Ring Settings. The setting of the ring will play a big role in how much your sweetheart will love her unique engagement ring, as there are many different designs out there. We’ll explore some of the more popular settings:

The tension ring> setting has risen the ranks in popularity. The engagement ring band itself holds the diamond in place, instead of the more traditional prong setting. Despite the simplistic style, there’s an enormous about of work that goes into making a tension engagement ring, as the gemstone is held in through pressure alone.

In the cathedral setting, the sides of the ring band swoop up into a beautiful arch that demonstrates the beauty of the centerpiece diamond. Bezel settings are similar to cathedral settings, and can show off a smaller stone that might get overshadowed with other setting styles.

The solitaire setting engagement ring is a gorgeous and elegant design, as a centerpiece diamond is held into place by a prong setting. It’s perfect for the fiancée who has understatedly elegant tastes.

The pave setting is designed to show off the band itself, rather than a center stone like with other engagement ring styles. This gives off a smooth and luxurious appearance, as a multitude of smaller stones are used in this setting type.


There are many other setting styles out there – be sure to have a friend clue you in on which one your future fiancée has been dreaming about!

Bezel Set Diamond Engagement Ring

Metal Type. Again, your fiancée might have a keen idea of what she wants for her ring, so be sure that you’re prepped with the right information before getting that perfect diamond engagement ring!

Remember, you don’t want the metal of the band to upstate the diamond; rather, it should protect, highlight and supplement whichever diamond style and setting you use. Platinum and palladium represent the most popular kinds of metals, as these are strong yet gorgeous metals protect the diamond while highlighting its clarity and color. White-gold metal has a strong resemblance to platinum and is considerably cheaper, although it’s not as strong.

Finally, traditional yellow gold can be used with an engagement ring, although this gives the best results for colorless diamonds – yellow gold can highlight any yellow imperfections that a diamond might have.

Choosing an elegant, gorgeous and perfect engagement ring for the love of your life can be a thrilling and wonderful experience.

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Shopping for the perfect engagement ring or unique wedding band can be an enjoyable experience – however, if you want to ensure that you’re getting the best diamond ring possible for your efforts, then it’s important to educate yourself about what you need to look for in a diamond.

But you don’t need to become an expert jeweler to be able to distinguish between high-quality diamond rings that your loved one will swoon over – and a diamond that isn’t worth your time or hard-earned money. Luckily, a diamond certificate can provide you with every detail you need to know about your potential diamond purchase…

…and 25karats has everything you could ever want to know about diamond certificates!

If you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, then a diamond certificate can help you correlate the price with that anniversary band or unique engagement ring. A diamond certificate – otherwise known as a diamond grading report – helps to determine the price and quality of your potential diamond purchase. As diamonds are priced by their measured quality grade, a certificate is proof of the diamond’s quality – and insurance against paying more for a diamond that delivers less!

The diamond certificate grades based on the four Cs of the diamond: cut, color, carat and clarity. However, a diamond certificate goes beyond measuring just the four Cs by measuring 13 other important factors, including proportions, depth percentage, finish and polish. Other factors measured include: advanced cut, advanced carat weight, measurements, table percentage, culet, symmetry, clarity grades, color grades and fluorescence. The factors – along with the basic four Cs – combine to provide a consumer with the most in-depth look at what constitutes a high-quality diamond.

Of course, the generator of the diamond certificate matters as well; in short, unless the report comes from a world-respected gemological laboratory, then the veracity of the diamond certificate will be called into question. When shopping for your diamond, be sure to insist on a diamond grading certificate from the following gemological laboratories: GIA (Gemological Institute of America), AGS Laboratories, or EGL (European Gemological Laboratory). These three labs carry a significant amount of weight in the world of gemstones; additionally, because these labs do not receive any cuts from sold diamonds or sell diamonds themselves, the diamond ratings are considered quite conservative. Therefore, you can be sure that a potential diamond inspected by one of these three labs will accurately reflect price and quality.

A diamond certificate ensures that your diamond will remain a protected and cherished purchase for its duration. Should you ever wish to sell your diamond, a certificate will make it easier to get the selling price that it’s worth, as many dealers will try to offer less without one. But above all, a diamond certificate can demonstrate to your loved one that you cared enough to ensure that the diamond is of a high-quality, unique and treasured standard – just like she is!

Here at 25karats, we know that when it comes to that unique engagement ring or that perfect wedding ring, quality trumps quantity. However, depending on the type of setting and cut of the diamond ring that your sweetheart has been longing for, it’s all too easy for smaller diamonds to get overwhelmed. Luckily, you don’t have to acquire the budget of a Hollywood star to afford a larger diamond ring.

Instead, these tips and tricks will help you make that diamond ring look bigger – and when your sweetheart insists that you broke the bank for her, it can be our little secret!

Engagement rings that feature round-shaped diamonds are often guilty of making gemstones look much smaller, due to the fact that the solitary diamond is the centerpiece of the band. Therefore, if your budget doesn’t afford you a larger diamond, avoid these cuts to maximize the appearance of that sparkling gemstone.

So what shapes do make a smaller diamond appear deceptively larger? A pave setting is the best type of ring setting for tricking the eye: it may appear to be a continuous ring of diamonds, but tiny holes within the band allow for smaller diamonds to be inserted. These smaller diamonds are set close together and are level at the surface, which tricks the eye into thinking that there are a lot more large diamonds than what are actually there.

Additionally, the Asscher cut (also known as the “square emerald cut”) is a popular fancy cut that can certainly maximize the appearance of a smaller diamond. Because the Asscher cut diamond ring is considered a fancy cut, this means that it reflects light better and appears more brilliant than round stones of equal carat weight. Therefore, thanks to the fancy cut, a smaller stone will often have more brilliancy and fire than a larger one – and that makes all the difference!

A bezel setting can highlight the beauty of a small diamond, as the rim of the engagement ring completely envelops the gemstone. To make the diamond appear even larger, choose a white gold or platinum setting, as this will blend with the borders of the diamond and deceive the naked eye. If a single diamond won’t please your honey, choose a ring setting with plenty of side stones, as no single diamond will be the focal point. Your sweetheart’s ring will lose that showpiece diamond, but it will certainly make the overall appearance more flashy and luxurious than a ring with a single diamond! Shallow cut stones can also provide those with a limited budget with the appearance of a larger diamond ring, although this does come with a risk: because shallow stones are not cut to the ideal proportion, they don’t reflect light as brilliantly as their counterparts.

No matter what the size or shape of the engagement ring or wedding band you pick for your sweetheart, 25karats will be there to ensure that your unique diamond ring reflects the eternal bond between you and your loved one!