| Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings through the | | | | "fancy" shapes from which to choose. |
| Ages | | | | As mentioned earlier, there are many exciting |
| The allure of colored gemstone in Betrothal rings | | | | shapes, as well as the traditional "fancy" shapes; |
| Fascination with colored gemstones dates back to | | | | any shape other than a round, brilliant cut. Some |
| the very beginning of civilization. Long before the | | | | of the new shapes lend themselves to very |
| discovery of diamonds, the blue sapphire evoked | | | | distinctive designs that would be difficult to create |
| visions of heaven; the red ruby was a reminder | | | | with other shapes; some exhibit unique |
| of the very essence of life. As early as Roman | | | | personalities, not possible in any other; and some |
| times, rings containing colored gemstones were | | | | can even help you stay within your budget (some |
| prized as symbols of power and friendship. In | | | | appear larger, for their weight, than traditional |
| fact, the most powerful; and the most beloved, | | | | cuts, enabling you to get the size you want in a |
| wore rings o every joint of every finger, | | | | diamond that actually weighs less than you might |
| reflecting the status of their position! | | | | have thought you need). One of the most |
| As betrothal rings, colored gemstones also hold an | | | | exciting parts of searching for your ring is |
| illustrious position. In addition to the beauty of | | | | discovering what is really available today! |
| particular colors, certain powers attributed to | | | | You should keep in mind, however, that fancy |
| certain colored gems made them not only | | | | shapes, new and old, can be vary in their width |
| beautiful but also meaningful choices. We see | | | | and length, and in their basic proportioning, and |
| many examples of colored gemstones in | | | | these differences can result in a totally different |
| engagement and wedding rings, from many | | | | look and feel on your hand. For example, an |
| centuries ago to the present, used both alone and | | | | emerald cut diamond that is in a very long shape |
| in combination with diamonds. | | | | will look very different from one that is more |
| Following the discovery of diamonds in South | | | | squarish; a broad shouldered pear shape might |
| Africa, which made diamonds more widely | | | | look too triangular for the hand, while one with |
| available and affordable, colored gemstones were | | | | softer, more rounded shoulders might be just |
| briefly ignored during the earlier part of this | | | | what what you want. To some extent, the choice |
| century. While there always been people who | | | | of shape is a very personal matter, and there is |
| preferred colored gemstones despite the trends, | | | | no standard "ideal" range that is applied to shapes |
| colored gemstone engagement rings have only | | | | other than round, but you must be careful that |
| recently reemerged as a choice for the modern | | | | the stone is not cut in such a way that is liveliness |
| bride. The selection of a sapphire and diamond | | | | and brilliance is reduced or adversely affected. |
| engagement ring by His Royal highness Prince | | | | As you begin to look at diamonds, try on all of |
| Charles for lady Diana, followed not long | | | | the shapes; you may discover you like a shape |
| thereafter by his brother Prince Andrew's | | | | you might not have considered otherwise! Try |
| selection of a ruby and diamond engagement ring | | | | them in solitaire style (a single diamond at the |
| for Sarah Ferguson, sparked a revival of interest | | | | center) and in designs that incorporate diamond |
| in colored gemstones for the bride to be. | | | | accents or colored gemstone and diamond |
| While rubies, sapphires and emeralds have | | | | accents. It won't be long before you have a clear |
| historically been among the most coveted gems, | | | | idea of the shape that best suits your personal |
| particularly for important occasions, there are | | | | style and taste, the shape that you really like |
| many alternatives in colored gems for today's | | | | best. |
| bride, depending on budget and personal | | | | - Popular gemstone cuts frequently used as side |
| connection to bride herself. Keep in mind that | | | | gemstone for accent |
| most birthstones come in several colors. You may | | | | 1. Taper baguette |
| be surprised to learn that the color you associate | | | | 2. Straight baguette |
| with your birthstone may be only one of several | | | | 3. Trilliant shape |
| colors in which the gemstone occurs. | | | | In addition to the fancy shapes described above, |
| For example, most people think garnet is dark red | | | | there are several cuts that are frequently used |
| and are surprised to learn it can be emerald | | | | as side accents. The most popular include straight |
| green, mandarin orange, yellow, white, purple; | | | | baguettes, tapered baguettes, trilliant, and |
| virtually every color in the rainbow except blue. If | | | | princess. There are also "specialty" cuts that are |
| you have discarded the birthstone as a choice | | | | used to create very distinctive rings. These |
| because you don't care for its color, check out all | | | | unusual shapes include half-moon shapes, |
| the colors in which it may be available before | | | | trapezoids, kite shape, and bullets, and can be |
| making a decision. Some colors in a particular gem | | | | especially lovely accents with colored gemstones |
| may be rarer and less readily available and often | | | | and diamonds. |
| costlier than better known colors, but your | | | | Baguettes have been popular for many years and |
| jeweler can work with you to discover your | | | | create a very traditional look. In both straight and |
| alternatives. One can combine a birthstone with | | | | tapered shapes, they are understated and serve |
| diamonds, blending the symbolism of diamonds | | | | simply to lead the eye to the important center |
| with the personal significance of the birthstone for | | | | stone. Today there are also "brilliant cut" |
| a lovely, deeply meaningful, and often much more | | | | baguettes; both straight and tapered, which some |
| affordable ring. | | | | people prefer to use with a "brilliant cut" center |
| In addition to birth gemstones, the choice of a | | | | gemstone; the overall impression across the top |
| particular colored gemstone may be connected to | | | | of the ring is then more uniformly brilliant. |
| mystical powers, attributes, or symbolism with | | | | Tapered or straight baguettes, used creatively, |
| which the gemstone has been historically identified. | | | | make elegant choices for diamonds or colored |
| There is an almost limitless wealth of information | | | | gemstones. |
| about colored gems, enough to stir the | | | | The trilliant is a relative newcomer that has quickly |
| imagination of even the greatest cynic. | | | | become one of the most popular choices to |
| - Love rings and "Sentimental" jewelry | | | | create an elegant and classic look. It is a triangular |
| Throughout history, colored gemstones set in | | | | shape that has been cut with extra facets to |
| rings and other jewelry have carried hidden | | | | create tremendous brilliance and liveliness. The |
| messages. We are seeing similar pieces being | | | | trilliant, because it is cut from a very flat piece of |
| produced today. For example, a ring containing | | | | diamond rough, also gives a very large look for its |
| diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, | | | | actual weight. It provides an important look to |
| sapphire, and topaz, arranged in that order, spells | | | | balance a large center stone, within a reasonable |
| the word "dearest" if one takes the first letter of | | | | budget. They are popular choices to use with |
| each word, thus carrying the sentiment that | | | | diamonds or colored gemstones. |
| wearer is more dear than any other to the giver; | | | | The princess cut is also very popular as a choice |
| a ring containing pearl, ruby, emerald, and sapphire | | | | for side stones, especially for channel set or bezel |
| spells "pres," which, in French, means "near" and | | | | set designs. |
| suggests that the wearer is always near to the | | | | Again, the use of side gemstones to accent a |
| giver; amethyst, moonstone, opal, ruby, and | | | | center stone (diamond or colored gemstone), and |
| emerald spells "amore," which is Italian for "love." | | | | the shape of the side stone, is a matter of |
| And so on. Such a ring can create a wonderful, | | | | personal choice. In addition to the shapes |
| "sentimental" engagement ring. | | | | mentioned here, almost any of the other popular |
| Choosing the shape of a gemstone | | | | shapes can be found in small sizes and can be |
| Today's bride to be has more choices in | | | | used to create an interesting and distinctive ring. |
| engagement ring design and style than ever | | | | - Popular shapes in colored gems |
| before. But the first step in creating the look you | | | | Colored gems can be found in any of the shapes |
| want is selecting the shape of the gemstone, A | | | | described for diamonds. In addition, they are often |
| shape that is right for you. There are many | | | | seen in cushion cut, a modified oval. Keep in mind |
| shapes from which to choose, but it's important | | | | that some gems are more easily found in |
| to choose the right shape because it will affect | | | | particular shapes than in others. For example, |
| the overall design and look of your ring. | | | | emeralds are most often seen in a rectangular |
| - Modern diamond shapes | | | | shape (actually called "emerald cut") because this |
| 1. Round brilliant | | | | is the shape that tends to present emerald to its |
| 2. Pear shape | | | | best advantage. In addition, natural crystal shape |
| 3. Marquise shape | | | | of emerald lends itself particularly well to a |
| 4. Oval shape | | | | rectangular shape. Rubies and sapphires are often |
| 5. Emerald shape | | | | seen in the cushion cut. This is due in part to the |
| 6. Heart shape | | | | shape of rough rubies and sapphires, but also to |
| 7. Princess shape | | | | the fact that this cut seems to reveal the rich, |
| 8. Radiant shape | | | | lush color of these gemstones more fully than |
| 9. Asscher Shape | | | | other cuts. Thus, it may be very difficult to find a |
| 10. Cushion Shape | | | | sapphire or ruby in an emerald cut. Once again, |
| In choosing a design that suits, taste, budget, and | | | | your choice is very much a personal matter, but |
| personality, one of the first steps is to decide on | | | | be aware that it may be very difficult, or |
| the diamond shape you want. Today, in addition | | | | impossible, to find certain types of gemstones in |
| to classic, round shape, there are many popular | | | | certain shapes. |