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“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

 

So you’re thinking of buying that special someone in your life a piece of timeless jewelry, or more specifically, a diamond ring, but where do you even begin?

This is a question we love to simplify for potential buyers because let’s face it, diamond buying can get overwhelming. Typically speaking, having an initial meeting with your jeweler 4 months before you’d like to propose is what we would recommend. With that said, there are certain rings that need far less lead time.

Below we’ve broken down “How to Buy the Perfect Diamond” into four simple steps for consideration:

Step 1: Play Detective

It’s important to have an idea as to what style jewelry your partner typically wears. Are they into bulky style jewelry or more minimal, dainty jewelry? Do they like gold, white gold or platinum? What about diamond shape, have they ever mentioned a style or pointed to a ring they like? Having a general understanding of these answers will help you when making your decision.

When it comes to size, this can be tricky. If you want to keep everything a surprise, you can try to measure by “borrowing” a ring they typically wear and getting it sized, or having them try on one of your rings to get a general idea. Also, never underestimate their friends. Who knows, their BFF might already be prepared for this question.

Ring Design Pro tip: Search their name on Pinterest to see if they’ve pinned any engagement ring styles, as this could be your north star. Otherwise, check out our list of Engagement Rings Trends for 2021 for a little inspiration.

Step 2: Search out some reputable jewelry stores

From Yelp to Google, spending a little time finding a local store that has good reviews, (and plenty of them), is important. You want to find a jeweler you feel you can trust and ask questions to in-person or over the phone. This will likely be the most important part of your shopping experience. 

Any jeweler worth your time should have no problem sitting down and educating you on the GIA and AGS grading scale of the 4 C’s, (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat), as well as how their process typically works. 

Do they custom create the ring for you or do they have rings available to buy off their display, or both? We often get asked our thoughts on buying a diamond online, you can read our full post on why we think local connections are so important. 

Step 3: Start creating a plan

You definitely don’t need to have it all figured out, as a matter of fact, we hope you don’t, but it is important to have a general understanding of how much you would like to spend, and a list of questions or concerns you’d like to address. Your budget will help determine things like diamond carat size, clarity and color. Check out our Diamond Education Page for more information, specifically the 4 C’s of Diamond Buying. 

Step 4: Book an Appointment

We believe the only way to truly understand what you’re looking for and provide you with the attention you deserve is through an appointment. This enables us to talk through a budget you’re comfortable with and show you some of our many designs. We see the appointment phase in 3 easy steps:

First, we sit down and get to know you. Unlike other stores, we pride ourselves on the relationships we build with our customers. Ask us any questions you may have or share any concerns that might be lingering and let us show you what being part of the La Bijouterie family is all about.

Second, we find your diamond. No matter your preference on cut, color, clarity, carat size and cost, we can find you the perfect diamond at prices that work for your budget.

Lastly, together we design your ring. From sketches and Pinterest pictures, we have seen and heard it all. Let us help guide you to create the perfect ring to last a lifetime. 

Curious to get some additional questions answered right away? Check out our FAQ page. Looking to get started? Book an appointment today, we can’t wait to begin this journey with you.

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

View it here

 

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

View it here.

 

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