The details that make up unusual engagement rings are rather wide and varied, from the setting specificity to the gemstone cut. The selections of unusual engagement rings are the ones that veer away from exactly what is labeled as common jewellery. Here are a couple of points you might take into account when choosing a ring to wear for the rest of your life. Beginning with the settings, consider bezels, semi-bezels, channels and paves: each and every one of these bring an element of uniqueness to a jewel.

Bezel settings are ranked high on a list of unusual engagement rings because they change the ordinary prongs with a different way of holding a gemstone in place. Ladies that lead an extremely active life will certainly favour wearing an unusual engagement ring because they would not need to take off the ring every time there is a possibility to catch on something. A similar circumstance is that of the semi-bezel settings where the metal does not entirely encompass the gemstone.

The channel setting enables the design of different kinds of unusual engagement rings too. The gemstones are set in the band without any sort of accent on an unique stone whatsoever. This kind of recessed settings are favoured by lots of couples that would like to get out of the pre-set pattern of the engagement rings. And last but not least, by having pave settings the band is completely covered by gemstones. This kind of setting enables a wonderful selection of colours and stones yet it is fairly pricey if we consider the prices of the gemstones.

The selection of gemstones is typically the element that sets some rings apart as unusual engagement rings. You could possibly go for some vintage rings with retro looks that primarily rely on coloured gemstones such as emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines and rubies. Coloured diamonds and birthstones are additional elements to make engagement rings not just unusual but unique too. When it comes to diamonds, colour is the guideline that allows for the certification of the stones grade. On the other hand, gemstones will definitely bring an unique symbolism by marking a moment or a date dear to the couple.

Unusual engagement rings can be discovered in jewellery collections presented by prominent designers or in normal jewellery shops. An outstanding ring will really make the couple feel even more special by the suitable expression of their originality. From settings to gemstones and cuts, there are endless possibilities to produce non-conventional, unique rings.

Platinum presently is the most costly metal to make jewellery from however still it has all the qualities of a lengthy sustaining anti-tarnishing metal. Platinum engagement rings with or without diamonds are normally more expensive because the metal is rarer than gold. The purity of the metal is gauged in 3 digit numbers that are the signs of the platinum quality. Many times, platinum engagement rings even consist of some other compound in a refined alloy meant to withstand the test of time. Iridium and palladium are the most routinely made use of, and you can easily appreciate the features of the jewel by the platinum purity.

Platinum engagement rings work fabulously for people allergic to other metals, because it is one of the greatest tolerated metals in terms of skin contact sensitivity. The hypoallergenic properties are subsequently to be taken into account from the very minute you begin searching for an engagement ring, especially if you know that your girlfriend has a history of allergies. Not all platinum engagement rings are made 100% from platinum; there are instances when there is merely a plate over a silver core. This generally happens with less expensive rings that come at remarkably economical prices for what could be considered a platinum ring; ordinarily speaking the alloys or the design ought to be discussed too.

The upkeep of platinum engagement rings must not be ignored; they have to be cleaned regularly so that the delightful gleaming look will last. You are able to either make use of a pre-packaged jewellery cleaner or you can just put the ring in warm water with soap. From time to time, all platinum engagement rings require expert cleaning; take them to a trusted jeweller especially if there are gemstones featured in the design. For such instances, the cleaning treatment is suggested every six months.

Having a platinum engagement ring is rather a big deal for most ladies especially when there is a large diamond set in it. One of the benefits of platinum is that it is resistant to scratches; even if a scratch happens, it can be removed with merely a little polishing. The ring volume continues to be unaffected because a scratch is just a displacement in the metal. In time, platinum engagement rings develop a natural looking patina that is typically favoured instead of the newly polished one the ring has when first purchased.

The selection of vintage engagement rings is a significant step in the preparation for the moment when 2 people in love start to plan their life together. Such a ring is a symbol of dedication and continuity specifically because of the historical value it carries. Classic beauty and romantic emotions are both suggested with vintage engagement rings: they can be heirlooms, Victorian style jewellery or rings that belong to a remote cultural past of a particular community. Though identical up to a point, vintage and antique engagement rings differ from each other by style, age and authenticity. Vintage engagement rings are the duplication of antique designs!

Vintage engagement rings lose nothing at all in terms of craft, old-fashioned settings and selection of gemstones; the age is the one that separates such rings from true antiques. The quality of the gemstones is greater in antique and vintage engagement rings because of the way they were cut and crafted. However, there is a possibility that the gemstones wear or rub over time, as a result in the case of an antique engagement ring the cut of the stone may have rubbed slightly.Vintage engagement rings have less age to them than antiques so may be in better condition.

The delicate design of many vintage engagement rings is well recognised, which is why you ought to additionally be aware of the possible repair requirements in time. Make sure you are informed about the upkeep and the charges it involves, as dirt and oils build up in prongs and behind the stone in the ring. Any expert jeweller will typically offer a cleaning services on request, so you are always able to take a heirloom and turn it into the outstanding ring it once was. When buying vintage engagement rings, check on the condition of the gemstones because of their age they are more likely to have chips or rubbing on the stone.

When searching for vintage engagement rings, you should always rely on trustworthy dealers so as to prevent being conned into buying a fake antique. With such deals you should be prepared to request a valuation certificate with your purchase, especially if you wish to insure the ring. No insurance company will create a plan for such a jewel without all the right papers. Vintage style engagement rings are not difficult at all to locate; most fine jewellery shops will have a selection of designs offered. To find a vintage engagement ring a good place to start is the same places you would look for antiques.

The Art Deco period runs from around the 1919 to he end of the 30′s. This period followed the art nouveau period which made use of flowing lines and flower forms. The Art Deco style was more cubism with square edges, and inspiration taken from discoveries of the time such as Carter’s find in Egypt of the burial site of young Tutenkahmun.
During the Art Deco period the use of colored stones was prevalent sometimes many of the smaller calibrated stones were synthetic sapphires or rubies.

Designs for Art Deco engagement rings were also sourced from architecture and interior decor of the time. The name Art Deco was derived from the The Exposition of Decorative Arts and Modern Manufactures, which was held in Paris in 1925.
Platinum was used extensively with strong colours particularly black and white with the use of onyx or black enamel and diamonds. Designs were taken from some of the iconic buildings of the time such as the Chrysler tower in New York and the Hoover building in London. Many of the big jewellery houses of the time came out with some very fine designs which can be found today in either the auction houses or an antique dealers stock.
As Art Deco designs have become more popular in recent times many modern jewellers are now producing deco style rings.
If you are looking to buy a period Art Deco ring be sure to find a reputable dealer who will give you a certified receipt, but be prepared to spend a considerable amount more. With modern technology it is now possible for jewellers to produce similar looking rings for a fraction of the cost of a period ring. Which of course means that you have to be aware when buying an art deco ring that it is genuine, however for those that want to have an art deco engagement ring but can’t, can always have one personally made for them. Using your own favorite style from the deco period to design your own engagement ring for a lot less than that of an authentic art deco one.

The conventional engagement ring is usually a single diamond or cluster ring. More and more people are looking to be different by choosing an unconventional engagement ring. An engagement ring is more to do with he act of getting engaged rather than the ring itself. Many young people today are bucking the trend and going for something unique.

More and more people these days are searching the internet and second hand jewellery stores for something unusual. There are many rings and styles that can be used as an engagement rings but a few things must be taken into account.

Remember that you will be wearing the ring all the time, so it’s imperative that you find a design that will take some wear. It would be advisable to stay clear of rings with closed back settings as once water, soap and other like substances get behind the stone it will lose its luster. Anything that has bits that could catch on material or everyday things would also be inadvisable.

The other thing to think about when choosing your engagement ring is will you still like it in a few years time, as something that seems great now may fade with time and fashion. To get a few ideas for inspiration for the alternative engagement ring spend some time looking and trying on as many rings as you possibly can as this will give you more of a sense of what suits your finger and style.
Many have now started looking at antique and vintage rings as an alternative which could also prove to be a better investment. Thee are many jewellers who stock antique and period jewellery, so the best thing would be to go and try some on and see if it suits you.

A current trend is the eternity style ring with stones all around or partly covering a ring, this is not only practical but looks very smart next to a wedding ring. One thing to bear in mind when picking an eternity style ring is that they are hard to re-size if they have stones all the way round so make sure you find one that is a perfect fit. Most of all remember to choose a ring that you will be happy wearing on a daily basis.

Rose gold has been popular for many years. Pure gold is yellow in colour but by adding different alloys the colour can change. Rose gold is an merge of pure gold and copper to give it the red colour which can be seen today. The redder color gold is usually 9 carat gold which is made up by using a mix of 62 percent copper to 38 percent pure gold.
Rose gold is also sometimes known as pink gold and in past times it was also nown as Russian gold.
In ancient times gold was sometimes refered to as red this was due to the impurities in the melting process caused by copper. The Victorians used rose gold a lot in their Albert chains which have become popular again today. Engagement rings are know made using rose gold mainly to compliment the popularity of rose gold wedding rings. Many jewellers around the world are now reviving the art of producing classic and modern designs using rose gold.

Many jewellers use different colour golds to produce some facinating designs which lend themselves to floral and other forms. The Russian jewellers including faberge used rose or pink gold in many of their jewellery items including their famous eggs. In the 1920′s Cartier started making the trinity band which many refer to as the Russian wedding ring, this was made of 3 intertwined rings made of yellow, white and rose gold.
With the popularity of pink and colored diamonds many designer jewellers are using red / pink gold as part or all of the gold used in crafting their rings.
In Georgian times the use of red, green, white and yellow gold were used to great effect in some of their wonderfully handcrafted jewellery, thes designs lent themselves to the use of a variety of coloured stones within one piece of jewellery. Sometimes the stones would spell out the name or saying such as regard or dearest.
Today rose gold engagement rings or engagement rings with rose gold accents are stoked by a wide variety of mainstream jewellers although if you are looking for that special ring then it would be best to have it commissioned by a jeweller.

Aquamarine is part of the beryl family of stones, it’s lively blue color is likened to the ocean.The name comes from the Latin aqua for water and mare for sea.The most desired color for aquamarine is sky blue with many of today’s gems being heat treated to achieve the color which is permanent.
There is a rare variety of aquamarine which originates from Brazil which has a dark blue hue thought to have been formed by natural radiation, this color fades over time with exposure to daylight.
The best aquamarine deposits are today found in Brazil,  other deposits can be found in Australia, China, India, Madagascar, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Namibia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and the United States.

Aquamarine usually occurs with few noticeable flaws so large stones are readily available and make a statement when used as an engagement ring. Aquamarine comes from the beryl family which includes emerald. Most aquamarines are cut in an emerald shape which is an oblong square shape. The classic aquamarine design ring is comprised of a large center stone with diamonds on the shoulders.
Aquamarine is the stone for March in the modern era and October in past times with the zodiac sign for aquamarine is Aquarius. In mythology aquamarine was considered to be the the jewel of the mermaid who was savior to sailors.
Aquamarine is a fairly hard stone being 7 to 8 on the moh scale, but care must be taken when looking after your stone. It is not advised to put aquamarine stones into a hot ultrasonic cleaning machine as the heat could crack the stone. The best way to clean the stone is by using a toothbrush and some mild washing up liquid in warm water.
Liz Taylor famously had an aquamarine ring made with her trademark snakes entwined around the ring and stone.

The meaning of vintage was initially used to describe a good year for a wine. in recent times the word has been used to describe anything that is old fashioned or something that is less than 100 years old.
Items older than 100 years old can be described as antique.
The Latin origin of the word vintage is from the word vinum and demere (wine and to take off)

In the world of vintage engagement ringscould cover a varying number of styles.As antiques would cover rings older than 1910, therefore vintage rings would cover the periods in between including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, Edwardian, 1930′s 40′s  50′s. 60′s. 70′s. 80′s. 90′s
Most jewellers dealing in antique and period rings would consider a vintage engagement ring as a better quality made piece.
Many designers are today turning their hands to old style designs from past eras thus establishing a new vintage style engagement ring.
Engagement ring styles come and go, but the classic styles always remain popular with the younger generation. You only have to flick through some of today’s fashion magazines to see modern rings from a bygone style era.
If you are searching for a vintage style ring why not visit some local antiques or collectors fairs to see what’s on offer, sometimes these used examples can be a bargain compared to a brand new ring.
If you have your heart set on a vintage style engagement ring the best place to start your search would be antique and collectors jewellery books to give you some ideas. Once you have a design you can either have it made by a local jeweller for you or search some of the well known engagement ring designers as many of them now produce vintage style lines.

Emerald cut is a special cut of stone which is generally used for emeralds to show off their colour. Round stones are generally regarded as the best cut to show off the fire of a diamond. Emerald cut is an oblong shape with the corners cut off.
This shape was traditionally used for emeralds and was also called step cut as the side cuts resembled steps.
Emerald cut diamonds are more likely to be of better quality as any flaws will show more readily in the stone
Emerald cut diamonds were especially popular in the art deco period with many of the period stones being fine quality, this style has become popular again today with many celebrities choosing this style of ring for their engagement rings

The rules of finding a good quality stone – the 4 c’s
Cut

As already discussed round stones are generally regarded as the best for a diamond. Emerald cut stones are generally in good proportion.

Colour

The best colour for a diamond is no colour at all. The gemalogical societies grade stones in the following colours D as being the best through to Z which is light yellow. The different grades are difficult for the layman to establish. If buying an expensive stone you can ask the jeweller to have the diamond certificated by an authorized gemalogical association such as GIA. (there will most likely be a charge for this)

Clarity

The clarity of a stone is decided by the amount of flaws, fischers or carbon visible under a ten times magnification. The Gemalogical association of America (GIA) and others grade diamonds from flawless to imperfect. Using letters and numbers to show the grades as follows. FI (flawless)  IF (internally flawless with slight surface blemish). VVS1-VVS2 (very very small inclusions). VS1-VS2 (very small inclusions). SI1-SI2 (small inclusions). I1-I3 (imperfect visible to the naked eye) All diamonds will have some imperfection but some may show more than others depending on the location. Emerald cut stones will tend to be better quality with older stones usually being a better buy as there is less likelihood of any enhancement to the stone.

Carat (weight)

Gemstones are weighed using the carat measurement with special scales. The higher the weight the greater the cost which rises rapidly once the weight exceeds one carat. Half a carat emerald cut diamond would measure about 6x4mm.A one carat diamond will measure around 7x5mm whereas a 2 carat diamond would be around 8.5×6.5

There are a number of ways currently to design your own engagement ring. The first thing to decide is to whether you want a classic style or something completely different. Jewellery design has come a long way since the days of hand drawn designs on parchment.
With the advancement of computer programs able to render items in 3d many jewellers are now taking advantage of the technology.

There are a few online jewellery companies that offer simple make your own diamond engagement rings where you pick the setting then the stone or visa versa.
Some high end jewellery stores are now offering a cad service where they can design your ring using a 3d cad cam program which is then rendered into a photo of what the ring would look like. This is becoming more popular as jewellers are able to put these rendered photos on their websites without the need to actually make the item.

If you would like to design your own engagement ring the first thing to do is look through some jewellery magazines or search the web for images until you find the kind of ring you are looking for. Or if you can sketch the design the cad programmer will work with you to come up with your desired design.
Then you can send the design to a cad designer to have them render it in 3d for you to approve. This design will e shown in 3d with all the stones in place so you will actually see what the ring would look like
Once the design is to your liking then the cad cam file can be sent for rapid prototyping.This machine will then carve the design out of wax which can then be sent to the casters to be cast in any metal you would like.
This will give you a one off design and with new technology the limits of design are endless with the ability to even engrave a design inside the ring which can be cleaned up after by a hand engraver.