| Bring on the Bling! | | | | grip the diamond's girdle. Since the diamond's table |
| 'The bigger the better' seems to be underlying | | | | and culet are left exposed, an increased amount |
| theme when it comes to 2009 engagement ring | | | | of light is free to travel through the diamond's |
| trends, the belief being that the higher a diamond's | | | | crystalline structure, which, in turn, enhances the |
| carat weight is, the more impressive it will appear. | | | | diamond's natural brilliance and maximizes its |
| Consequently, this year's engagement rings are all | | | | sparkle. |
| about the 'bling', as an increasing amount of young | | | | Fancy-colored Rings |
| couples are opting for flashier, high carat diamond | | | | This year, fancy colored diamond engagement |
| engagement rings. | | | | rings are considered incredibly fashionable and |
| However, not everyone can afford a large rock. | | | | unique. In the past few years, couples have |
| A creative and appealing alternative to a high | | | | preferred engagement rings set with colorless |
| carat diamond ring is a three-stoned (or 'trinity') | | | | diamonds, since these gemstones were |
| engagement ring. This year, trinity engagement | | | | considered to be more traditional and due to the |
| rings have become even more popular than the | | | | fact that fancy colored diamonds were thought |
| traditional diamond solitaire ring. Trinity diamond | | | | to be less valuable than pure, 'white' diamonds. |
| rings can be more affordable than solitaire | | | | Nowadays, gemologists and jewelry experts have |
| diamond rings, depending on the total carat weight | | | | recognized the rarity and the uniqueness of fancy |
| of the incorporated diamonds. Trinity rings are | | | | colored diamonds, and their potential worth. Fancy |
| commonly set with small sized precious | | | | colored diamonds are now thought to be chic, |
| gemstones. However, these smaller gemstones | | | | unique and very valuable. Consequently, colorful |
| are fitted closely together in a setting which is | | | | gemstone rings have become an increasingly |
| designed to give off the appearance of a single, | | | | popular alternative to colorless diamond rings. |
| large gemstone. | | | | Recession-friendly Rings |
| Stylish Diamond Settings | | | | Due to the recent recession, many couples have |
| Gypsy and bezel settings are the most popular | | | | not been able to afford costly diamond |
| designs used in this year's rings. These settings | | | | engagement engagement rings are made with |
| are considered especially practical and durable. | | | | affordable, semi-precious materials, which |
| With a bezel or gypsy setting, the diamond is | | | | significantly cut the ring's costs. Low karat or |
| mounted into the ring's band, and is held securely | | | | white gold have replaced more luxurious metals |
| in place by a thin metal cradle, which is carefully | | | | such as high karat gold and platinum. Since these |
| worked around the diamond's girdle, or sides. As | | | | metals are mixed with inexpensive metallic alloys |
| such, the diamond is protected by its surrounding | | | | such as silver, copper, iron and brass, and since |
| metal setting, thus reducing the precious | | | | they are lower in purity, they become more |
| gemstone's susceptibility to possible damage. | | | | affordable. Also, low-cost birthstones (for |
| An equally stylish and popular setting found in | | | | instance, agate, topaz and onyx) have replaced |
| 2009 rings is the tension setting. Diamonds | | | | the use of precious gemstones such as diamonds, |
| mounted into this setting are held in place through | | | | sapphires, rubies and emeralds, in engagement |
| tension exerted by the band's metal edges, which | | | | rings. |