“Don’t be like the rest of them darling.” - Coco Chanel.
In the wise words of Coco Chanel herself, being different and being daring is what gives life it’s luster. Although diamonds may be your best friend, colored gemstones are adding lots of sparkle when it comes to engagement rings, milestone jewelry and heirloom pieces.
Colored gemstones such as rubies, sapphires, colored diamonds and emeralds are some of the rarest and most precious stones to own. Check out this historic 6-carat Farness Blue Diamond to get an idea.
Today, Millennials are changing the engagement ring market quite a bit, as we are beginning to see a shift in engagement ring preferences. Although brilliant diamonds still reign supreme, more and more gemstone seekers are opting for colored stones and rings made out of unique materials.
A Bit of History
Engagement rings originated in Rome and interestingly enough, did not originally include diamonds, but instead, colored gemstones. It wasn’t until the late 1940’s that diamonds gained popularity. As a matter of fact, pastel colored diamonds are quickly gaining popularity this year. Check out our Latest Trends for 2021 to learn more.
The Sapphire
When it comes to adding color to your jewelry ensemble, there’s more that meets the eye than hue alone. Take Sapphires for example. Arguably, the gemstone of royalty, and often associated with a deep blue color, hello Kate Middleton, Sapphires actually come in every color, with the exception of red. Due to their hardness, sapphires are the second hardest (non-diamond) gem, as well as the most sought after. Their deep rich color and complex properties make them an excellent choice when it comes to creating an engagement ring, milestone gift, or simply as a way to say I love you to your Valentine. Check out this ocean blue Sapphire ring for inspiration.
Emeralds
It may not be easy being green, but if you’re an emerald, it sure is beautiful. Understood to be Cleopatra’s gem of choice, Emerald gemstones range in green shades from light to a deep dark color. Like Sapphire’s, Emeralds have a hardness of 8, though do require a little extra TLC. Their unique inclusions and fractures require a routine tune up of oil and filler, but their stunning color makes it all worth it. Check out this stunning Oval Emerald Engagement Ring with a Diamond Halo.
Rubies
A gemstone by any other name, wouldn’t look so sweet. It may come as no surprise the rubies are often associated with love and the heart, which make this gemstone the most universally romantic. When set in an engagement ring, it makes a striking statement. Like a Sapphire, it’s hardness and durability make it a great choice for an engagement ring setting. According to GemSociety, “Pigeon blood red,” a slightly purplish red with a medium-dark tone and vivid saturation, is the most sought after ruby color. Check out this incredible Art Deco Ruby Ring or these Ruby Earrings with a Diamond Halo.
Colored Diamonds
Did you know Roughly 1 in 10,000 diamonds exhibits natural color? Those with the most intense colors are prized more highly and, thus, cost more. Colored diamond options include bold canary yellow, sparkling pink, pastel green, eye-catching black, and champagne. Pink diamonds rank among the most expensive according to Gem Society due to their muted, yet sophisticated color. Perhaps this Yellow Oval Diamond Ring will make your heart beat a little faster.
Looking to give someone you love the gift of a lifetime? Book a no stress appointment today. We look forward to helping you create a one-of-a-kind piece.
Merci,
Set F.
Founder of La Bijouterie
A new year is on the horizon and after all that 2020 brought to the table, we’re ready for a fresh start. If your upcoming year will include a proposal, keep reading because we have the scoop on the hottest bling for 2021. Now doesn’t that have a nice “ring” to it?
The New Halo
Beyonce said it best, you’ll be “Standing in the light of your halo” with this new take on an updated favorite.
The Retro Halo
View it here.
The Floral Halo
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The Alternating Color Halo
Featured: 4-carat pear shaped diamond with pink diamond halo
View it here.
The Colored Stone with Halo
View it here.
Featured: A Ruby set in white gold, with emerald diamond halo.
Pretty in Pastel
Speaking of different colored stones, pastel colored diamonds are giving us all the feels. They’re muted, yet sophisticated. Check out this upcoming trend below.
View it here.
View it here.
View it here.
View it here.
Geometric & Offset Diamonds
If colorful diamonds aren’t your cup of tea, but you’re still looking for something uniquely you, perhaps thinking outside the typical setting is more your style.
The Offset Round Brilliant Trio
View it here.
The 4-Corners Round
View it here.
The Offset Oval
View it here.
The Trillion
View it here.
The Classics
Let’s be honest, no trending engagement ring list would be complete without the tried and true selection customer favorites that have a way of always staying in style. Which classic solitaire makes your heart beat a little faster?
The Round Brilliant
View it here.
The Emerald Cut
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The Cushion Cut
View it here.
The Oval
View it here.
If you’d love to learn more about any of our featured designs, visit our website to book a no stress appointment. They can be in person, over the phone or via zoom! We look forward to serving you soon.
~ LB
Photo by Lili Popper on Unsplash
It’s an all too common misconception that purchasing a diamond online is cheaper than ordering one through a brick and mortar retailer. This misconception stemmed mostly from the lack of sales tax for online purchases. Did you know that as of December 1, 2018, online retailers began collecting and remitting sales tax for online orders placed by consumers, making the idea of a blind, online purchase, even less appealing.
The once financial benefit of buying a diamond online has drastically changed. Today more than ever, consumers are looking to have a local connection with a jeweler and build a level of trust before making such a large financial decision. The bond you build during an educational in-person visit is unmatched.
Take Blue Nile for example, a diamond retail company that was born online and built to disrupt the whole diamond/jewelry business. They have now been forced to open five retail stores just to stay relevant.
The idea of wanting human to human interaction isn’t something new. Today, consumers want to be educated and feel like they’re not getting taken advantage of, regardless of the industry.
When purchasing an engagement ring, they want to physically see the diamond they are purchasing and play an instrumental role in the process of designing it for their significant other.
The truth is, when it comes to diamond shopping, there’s a lot more to consider than just the listed price on the website.
For one, you want to ensure you’re being offered a quality guarantee. This means if something is in fact wrong with the diamond you purchased, (say an imperfection you weren’t expecting, or the color is off), you want to know that this can all be taken care of for you. With an online purchase, this type of quality guarantee just doesn’t exist. Buying a diamond with no guarantee could result in you overpaying for a diamond you thought was a great deal.
A second thing to consider is the Customer Experience. Buying a diamond online means making one of the biggest financial purchases of your life completely blind. As you might imagine, it takes years to understand and learn how to evaluate a diamond, which is why buying online can be so tricky and unforgiving. Sure you can try to pawn-off a faulty diamond, but you will end up losing hundreds, if not thousands in the process. Do yourself a favor and go with a jeweler that prides themselves on the customer service they offer, and has many repeat customers.
Purchasing a diamond online means you’re not able to work with an experienced jeweler to come up with a diamond ring, (setting and all), that fits within your budget. It’s a common misconception that a shopping online will get you a better deal. An experienced jeweler can help you prioritize what is most important to you and your significant other, (say diamond size perhaps), and find you the best options given your criteria and budget.
At La Bijouterie, our goal is to find a diamond that makes sense for you by sharing our years of knowledge to help you make the best decision. The in-person shopping experience is here to stay, we are for it. As a matter of fact, we’re huge purveyors of it.
Curious to learn more about what we offer? Book an appointment today and check out our reviews on Yelp. We’re here to help!
-LB
The first month of 2018 seems to be flying by, but not as fast as these engagement rings are flying off the shelves. Have a look at the top engagement ring trends for the New Year.
(Meghan Markle’s Engagement Ring)
Three Stone Rings
Thanks to Meghan Markle’s recent engagement to Prince Harry himself, it’s not the princess cut that’s topping the trend chart, but instead her three-stone diamond engagement ring. The great thing about three stone rings is they still leave a lot of room for creativity when it comes to the cut and color of each stone.
(Blake Lively’s Engagement Ring)
Oval Shape Diamonds
Ah yes, the stunning oval shaped diamond most notably made popular by Blake Lively. The great thing about an oval diamond is the fact that an oval cut is considered an elongated cut (same for an emerald cut), and elongated cut diamonds typically appear larger next to the same size round or square cut diamond.
(Kelly Clarkson’s Engagement Ring)
High Grade Yellow Diamonds
High grade yellow diamonds are even more rare than a highly graded clear diamond which seems to make it a celebrity favorite. Nicki Minaj, Kelly Clarkson, Iggy Azalea and Heidi Klum are some notable celebrities who have made a home for these stunning diamonds right on their left hand. If you’re looking for something a bit less traditional that still packs a classy punch, these beautiful yellow diamonds might just be for you.
(Paris Hilton’s Engagement Ring)
True Diamond Rings
There’s been a lot of debate around diamonds vs. lab made diamonds which is why we added some information about both to our FAQ page. This year, lab made rings are giving up their 15 minutes of fame and rightfully so. Couples looking to symbolize their marriage in an engagement ring are not digging that fact that lab made diamondsare made 'in a matter of six weeks in a microwave, have no inherent value and most certainly won't be trending this year', according to Gemologist and Director at Pluczenik, Grant Mobley.
(Alison Brie Engagement Ring)
Rose Gold
From summer wine to fine metal and smartphone covers, Rosé or rose seems to be the go to color when it comes to choosing a setting for your engagement ring. Still falling into the gold category it offers a sense of nostalgia or tradition, combined with a little update. Rose gold is a classic choice that will surely stand the test of time.
What are some of the top trends you hope to see in 2018?
~ LB
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