Top Six Steps to Picking the Perfect Engagement Ring

 

How to Pick the Perfect Engagement Ring

Learn the top six steps to picking the perfect engagement ring with these tips.

Selecting an engagement ring for your future spouse can be one of the most daunting tasks a romantic can undertake. You’ve found the “one” to be your life partner and want to find the “perfect” ring he or she will love and want to show off to friends and family.

There are many choices, but fear not, we’ve put together six steps to finding the perfect engagement ring for your future spouse, courtesy of the GIA.

1. Make it a surprise. While the trend of couples shopping together for an engagement ring is on the rise, we suggest you try to figure out what he or she will like on your own. Yes, it will take some detective work, but if you get it right, the reward will pay dividends. There are few opportunities for a really big surprise in life—let your engagement ring be one of them.
2. Decide on and stick to your budget. Like any major purchase, decide on what you can comfortably afford, and stick to it. Then do your due diligence so you can save money. Spending more than you have to won’t make the ring any nicer than it is. In fact, getting a good deal may endear you even more to your future spouse. Rather than expensive retail jewelry stores in malls (remember, you’re paying higher mark ups), consider visiting a high-end pawn shop like Empire Jewelers for beautiful and unique pieces at a fraction of the cost.
3. Pay attention to what they wear. You could ask one of their close friends for advice on the kind of ring he or she would like, but you run the risk of them talking and ruining the surprise. We suggest putting on your detective hat and paying attention to what your SO is wearing from day to day.Are the rings and other pieces classic and traditional or funky and modern? Are they full of bling or more subdued? If you buy something similar to what he or she already likes, you’ll probably choose the right one.
4. Know their ring size. This is an important one, because you’ll want to know the ring will fit when you present it. If he or she wears rings, borrow one they already own. Trace the inner circle on a piece of paper, or press the ring into a bar of soap for an impression. You can also slide it down one of your own fingers and draw a line where it stops. A jeweler can use these measurements to identify his or her approximate ring size.
5. Know what diamond shape suits him or her. After determining the style and ring size, you’ll need to pick a design. As your future spouse will be wearing this ring every day during his or her engagement and into your married life, it really needs to fit their personality. To help you decide, here are some popular engagement ring designs to consider for him or her:

Engagement ring designs for women:

• • Solitaire – Featuring a single stone, this is the most popular choice in engagement rings. Solitaires can be set with four prongs or six prongs. A four-prong-setting shows more of the diamond, but a six-prong setting is often more secure.

• • Side stones – Diamonds or other gemstones, flank the main stone for additional sparkle or color. Popular side-stone settings include ”channel,” which protects stones by keeping them flush, and ”bar channel” which allows more light to enter the sides tones.

• • Three Stone – One diamond for the past, one for the present, and one for the future. Typically, the center diamond is larger than the two side stones.

• • Pavé (pah-vey) – The main stone is surrounded by tiny diamonds to add sparkle and the illusion of greater size.

• • Engagement ring designs for men:

• • In addition to traditional gold and platinum, men’s engagement and wedding rings come in an array of unique, modern metals. Select from titanium, zirconium, tungsten carbide, and steel. Even natural materials, such as wood are becoming increasingly popular. Men may also choose a ring that’s accented with stones such as black diamonds for added brilliance and intrigue. Plain bands featuring textural elements such as a woven or hammered design are also quite popular.

6. Create an experience. Once you’ve made the effort and decided on the ring you think your loved one will truly cherish, create a proposal experience that’s unique to your relationship. Whether together you enjoy sports, horseback riding, taking in shows or have a favorite romantic hiking spot, create one of the fondest experiences you can and make a memory to last your lifetime together.

Where to shop for engagement rings?

If you’re looking for a fine diamond engagement ring, make sure to shop Adina Jewelers as well as the eBay store for an incredible selection of hundreds of high-quality new and estate diamond rings at up to 70 percent off what you would pay at retail.

Source: GIA

All About Aquamarines — March Birthstones

Read all about Aquamarines-the March birthstone!

Happy birthday March babies! Your official birthstone is not only beautiful, it’s full of history and mythology.

Here are some interesting facts about your March birthstone, the aquamarine.

• In addition to being the birthstone for March and the Zodiac sign of Pisces, aquamarine is also the gemstone used to celebrate a 19th wedding anniversary.
• The aquamarine is a transparent pale blue variety of beryl (beryllium aluminum silicate) — the same mineral family that emeralds belong to.
• Like many beryls, aquamarine forms large crystals suitable for sizable fashioned gems and carvings.
• The word aquamarine is derived from the Latin phrase “aqua marinus,” meaning “water of the sea” because they are said to resemble the beautiful blue green of ocean water.
• Aquamarines come in a wide range of shades and colors, from pale sky blue to richer blue, and blue-green. The rarest and most valuable aquamarines are those with a deep blue color.
• The best gems combine high clarity with limpid transparency and blue to slightly greenish blue hues.
• The color of aquamarine is due to trace amounts of iron that works its way inside the crystal. Most commercially sold aquamarines are heat treated to produce a more desirable blue-green color.
• Aquamarines have a hexagonal-shaped crystal system. They are pleochroic in nature, meaning they can show three colors, depending on the angle they’re viewed.

History of Aquamarine:

• Aquamarines were once said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. March’s birthstone was also thought to enhance the happiness of marriages.
• Like many gems, aquamarines are said to have metaphysical powers, including the ability to clear and cleanse, refresh and uplift the mind. They are also said to promote courage, calm, compassion, tolerance, love, communication, self expression, reasoning, intellect, and connection to one’s higher self.
• Aquamarines are also said to aid in the healing of sore throats, swollen glands, calming nerves, improving vision, and cooling sunburns and fevers.
• The ancient Romans believed that Neptune, the god of the sea, obtained aquamarines from the jewelry boxes of the Sirens. Legend has it that Neptune gave aquamarines as a gift to the mermaids.
• Because of its bond with the sea, aquamarine is the gemstone of several sea goddesses, including Aphrodite, also known as the Greek goddess of love.
• Aquamarines are also said to bring safety to sailors, who are known to wear aquamarine talismans engraved with the likeness of Neptune, as protection against dangers at sea.

Where can aquamarines be found?

• Aquamarines are mined in exotic locations including Nigeria, Madagascar, Zambia, Pakistan and Mozambique, but most modern aquamarines come from Brazil.
• One of the largest aquamarines ever mined weighed 110.5 kg (243 lbs). It was found in 1910 in Marambaia, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
• In the United States, the only location where you can mine for aquamarines is Mount Antero in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. The elusive gem is said to be found at altitudes of 14,000 feet or more!

Where to shop for aquamarine jewelry?

If you’re looking to buy an estate, vintage or antique jewelry, shop with confidence Adina Jewelers, and for more selections of aquamarine jewelry, shop at Adina’s eBay store where you can rely on the experts at Adina. You’ll find fine a vast selection of fine jewelry at true wholesale prices and deliver a buying experience that’s above your expectations.

Garnet, the Birthstone for January

Garnet, the Birthstone for January

Happy birthday to those of you born in January!

To help celebrate, here are some fun and interesting facts and myths about your very own birthstone, the garnet.

• The name for garnet derives from the Latin word granatus, meaning grain. This is a likely reference to the pomegranate fruit which has seeds of a similar shape, size and color to some garnet stones.
• Garnet is not a single mineral, but a broad group of minerals. On the Moh’s hardness scale, garnet is usually 6.5 to 7.5.
• Garnets are known for their deep red color, but they also come in a variety of other colors including green, orange, brown, yellow, and earth tones such as cinnamon. This diversity of color is due to the combinations of elements within each particular gem, such as iron, calcium and manganese.
• Garnets are associated with love, devotion, honor and loyalty. A garnet given as a gift is said to grant loyalty and affection upon the bestowed.
  
• Garnets are very abrasive and are used commercially for grinding and polishing. There is such a thing as garnet-coated sandpaper.
• Garnets are thought to have healing powers, specifically for heart-related ailments. Garnets are believed to help cardiovascular problems by regulating internal rhythms and normalizing blood pressure.
  
• From a metaphysical perspective, garnets are said to awaken the “heart center,” and can purify and cleanse the body, remove toxins, and revitalize the spirit.
  
• Because garnets are believed to protect against injury and death, soldiers and sailors throughout the ages have carried garnets into battle. Garnets are also thought to offer protection against injury or death.
• In the Bible, it is believed that Noah affixed a garnet carbuncle on the mast of his Ark to light his way through the dark and stormy nights of God’s wrath.
  
• The first garnets were mined in Sri Lanka more than 2,500 years ago. They are commonly found in India, South Africa, Brazil, Canada, Hungary and Austria. In the United States, garnets are mined in Arizona and Idaho.
  
• The almandine garnet is the official state mineral of Connecticut, and was declared so by the state’s General Assembly in 1977.
  
• Bohemia, now located in the Czech Republic, was an early source of quality garnets and is one of the few places in the world where pyrope garnets are found.  
  
• Although the Magic Garnet Museum in Prague, Czech Republic, closed in 2008, you can still virtually visit their large collection of historical and contemporary garnet jewelry online. 

Where to shop for garnet jewelry?

If you’re looking for a beautiful gemstone, like garnets, shop Adina Jewelers. You’ll find amazing fine estate, vintage and antique jewelry — from watches and rings to engagement rings — at true wholesale prices!

Holiday Jewelry Gifts for Men and Women

With the holidays around the corner, it’s not too soon to start thinking about special gifts for the ones you love.

Ideas for Her

Cocktail Rings

If you know a gal who’s into glamour, consider getting her a bold and beautiful cocktail ring. Often oversized and stunning, cocktail rings are the perfect way to glam up a basic outfit. Lovely as well as versatile, they can be paired with tailored denim, blazers, and even plain white T-shirts.

Chokers

The 1990s are making a comeback in the form of chokers, collars, and bib necklaces.

Fashion-forward ladies are rocking metal, fabric, leather, and rhinestone-covered chokers. It can be worn alone or layered with longer chains with nearly every outfit.

Ear Cuffs

These clever earrings are the new style statement of the jewelry scene with their range of subtle to bold looks. From stone-studded climbers that arc up the ear to simple metal cuffs that closely hug each earlobe, ear cuffs make an excellent gift for stylish women.

Earring Jackets

While some earring jackets are simply an optional frame for the stud to rest in, the latest style features an ornamental backing that clips onto the post from behind and hangs below the curve of the earlobe.

Layered Necklaces

Fashion mavens everywhere are pairing up their favorite chains to create unique combos that make a statement. For the style-savvy gal on your holiday shopping list, pre-layered necklaces are a great way to get that layered look with one piece of jewelry.

Pearl Jewelry

Pearls are the perfect gift for the elegant woman on your list. Look for pieces that integrate the soft elegance of pearls with warm metals like yellow and rose gold. Large pearls placed into very simple settings are another way to achieve the look.

Personalized Jewelry

From monogram rings to initial pendants, customizable jewelry is both stylish and timeless. If she appreciates sentimental gifts, birthstone jewelry, an engraved pair of earrings or a pendant necklace makes a memorable gift she’ll treasure for years to come.

Rose Gold Jewelry

Fashionistas are flocking to this feminine look as elegant rings, stylish necklaces, and glittering earrings take on the pinkish hue. A complement to most skin tones, rose gold makes an easy and beautiful gift.

Stackable Rings

Stacking rings have become a fashion staple for the modern woman. The key to layering rings is to stick with similarly sized bands to keep the look cohesive. Look for bands with unique details like small crystals or carved designs to add variation.

Wearable Tech

If your giftee likes to track her fitness but isn’t exactly into the sporty look, consider getting her a jewelry cover for her tracker. Designers have transformed the way athletic trackers are worn with stylish bangles and pendants that conceal the gadgets.

Y Necklaces

Whether worn under the collar of a classic button-front blouse or paired with a deep V-neck dress, Y necklaces boast feminine appeal. If your giftee prefers laid-back, eclectic looks, pair a Y necklace with other chains to create a bohemian-inspired look she’ll love. If she’s a minimalist, look for a Y necklace with a simple design that highlights her natural beauty.

Ideas for Him

Beads

From rockers to stock brokers, beaded bracelets and necklaces offer effortless style. Give casual dressers earthy wood or colorful beads to lend laidback flair to their style. Or opt for black and greyscale beads to complement business attire.

Leather Cords

Leather cord jewelry possesses casual sophistication and effortless styling. Whether wound around the wrist or suspended from the neck, a leather cord is an earthy material that exudes masculinity. Pair leather bands with metal details to create a refined look that complements both casual and business wear.

Long Necklaces

Necklaces featuring 24- to 30-inch chains or cords weighed down with unique yet subtle pendants are a trendy finish to casual wardrobes. If going for the gold, look for chains that are unornamented to keep the look intriguing yet understated.

Luxury Watches

Luxury watches are essential to a well-dressed man’s wardrobe. If you’re searching for an extra special gift for the lucky gent on your gift list, consider a pre-owned or vintage-style Rolex, or another luxury brand to fill his stocking.

Paracord Bracelets

A paracord safety bracelet is the perfect example of style meets function. It’s woven from durable nylon rope and can unravel to a length of 3 to 20 feet, depending on the bracelet. The unraveled cord can be used to perform a variety of tasks to help someone survive when stranded out in the wild. It can be used to make a sling, tourniquet, or fishing line.

Skull Rings

From simple metal to crystal studded, a skull ring is just the thing to add a little edge to his look. Sturdy metals like stainless steel or sterling silver give these bold rings a solid, heavy feel while keeping them stylish.

Textured Metals

Raw, brushed, and unpolished metals are setting the trend for men’s jewelry. Look for strong metals like titanium, stainless steel, and tungsten that feature unburnished finishes. Also consider rings, bracelet clasps, and necklaces with unpolished metal details.

Where to shop for holiday jewelry gifts?

If you’re looking for a unique gift of fine jewelry this holiday season, visit Adina by Empire Jewelers for a wide variety of estate, vintage and antique pieces at true wholesale prices.

Source: Overstock.com

Autumnal Beauties of November: Citrine & Topaz

November may be a chilly month, but its two birthstones heat things up.

November babies are lucky to have not one, but two gemstones with which to celebrate their birthdays… citrine and topaz.

Below are some interesting and little known facts about these beautifully autumnal gemstones.

1. While the Ayurvedic birthstone list only includes topaz, the Jewelers of America list considers both citrine and yellow topaz as official November birthstones.
2. Citrines are quartz crystals commonly found in igneous metamorphic and sedimentary rocks.
3. The common colors of citrines are yellow and orange.
4. The word citrine is derived from the French word, citrin, which means lemon.
5. Citrine is the gemstone for the Zodiac sign of Scorpio, and the 13th and 17th wedding anniversaries.
6. In ancient times, citrine was worn as protection against bad skin, evil thoughts, snakebites, and even the plague.
7. A gift of citrine symbolizes strength and hope.
8. Some believe citrine began as amethyst, the purple quartz, but the heat from molten rock changed it to yellow quartz.
9. The presence of fluorine usually indicates that topaz is likely to be found.
10. When topaz has red or pink overtones, it is known as Imperial topaz, and can be very rare and expensive.
11. It is widely believed that the word topaz is derived from the Sanskrit word, topas, which means fire.
12. Topaz jewelry is given for the 4th, 19th and 23rd wedding anniversaries.
13. Topaz is known as the “stone of strength.”
14. A gift of yellow topaz symbolizes friendship, strength, wisdom, and courage.
15. Topaz was once believed to ease bad tempers, cure insanity, and help insomnia.
16. The ancient Egyptians believed yellow topaz’s color came from the glow cast by the sun god, Ra.
17. The ancient Greeks believed topaz could make its wearer invisible.

Where to shop for citrine and topaz gemstones?

If you’re born in November or just love these beautiful gemstones of the fall, Adina Jewelers has an extensive collection of beautiful citrine and topaz jewelry, at true wholesale prices, as well as a wide variety of precious and semi-precious gemstone jewelry. Shop online today, and remember, if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

October Birthstone True or False: Opal

Opals, the birthstone for the month of October, have a mystery and history as interesting as their iridescence.

Whether you were born in October or not, test your knowledge of opals with the Adina Jewelers true or false quiz!

Scroll down for the answers—but don’t cheat!

1. The opal is an ancient mineral known as petrified silica gel that are found near the earth's surface where geothermal hot springs once existed.
2. Many opals contain a rainbow-like iridescence known as "opalocka,” which changes the colors that appear in the stone depending on the angle it is viewed.
3. Opalescence is caused by a hydrous silicon dioxide material that causes the gemstone to flash iridescent colors when the opal is viewed from different angles.
4. The subcategory of opals known as precious opals are the most common and in demand because of their "opulence.”
5. The word opal is derived from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel, as well as “upala,” the Sanskrit name for precious stone.
6. Opals are given to celebrate a 13th wedding anniversary, and are a symbol of faithfulness and confidence.
7. The ancient Romans called the opal “Cupid Paederos,” which translates to “a child beautiful as a heart.”
8. In ancient Rome, opals were ground up and consumed because they were believed to have healing properties and the power to ward off bad dreams.
9. The Great Bard, Shakespeare, loved opals so much, he nicknamed them the “queen of the gems.”
10. The opal is Australia’s national gemstone, and its indigenous people call opals “the water in the desert.”
11. Goober Pedy, Australia is known as “The Opal Capital of the World” because 51 percent of the world’s supply of opals are mined there.
12. In 2008, NASA discovered opal deposits on Mars! Since opal is made up of mostly water, Mars may have contained water for billions of years.

October Birthstone True or False Answers:

1. True.
2. False. The rainbow-like effect in opals is called opalescence.
3. True.
4. False. Precious opals are the most in demand because of their "opalescence” or “play of color.”
5. True.
6. False. Opals are given to celebrate a 14th wedding anniversary, and are a symbol of faithfulness and confidence.
7. False. “Cupid Paederos” translates to “a child beautiful as love.”
8. True.
9. True.
10. False. The indigenous people of Australia call the opal “the fire in the desert.”
11. False. The name of the city is actually Coober Pedy, Australia.
12. True.

Where to shop opal jewelry?

Whether you’re birthstone is an opal, you’re looking for a gift for an October birthday, or you just love this fiery gemstone, shop Adina’s eBay store for estate, vintage and antique opal jewelry, available at true wholesale prices. We have vast selection of opals and other fine gemstones, and we will deliver a buying experience that’s above your expectations.

Sapphire History and Lore

This month’s blog is a celebration of beautiful blue sapphires. Sapphire history and lore is rich, and this September birthstone is considered one of the most royal gemstones.

Sapphires have appeared in some of the most ornate and beautiful jewelry pieces ever created. Here’s a glimpse at some of the world’s most famous and highly valued sapphire jewelry pieces.

Princess Diana’s engagement ring

Following Prince Charles’ proposal, Lady Diana Spencer chose a diamond and blue sapphire engagement ring from a Garrard catalog, instead of having a diamond ring custom made for her, which was the royal custom.  The decision was controversial, but also launched her reputation as “The People’s Princess.” Since then, affordable replicas of her ring became so popular, that it became known as “the commoner’s ring.”

About the her ring...

The ring has a large oval sapphire—estimated to be between 9 and 12 carats— surrounded by 14 round diamonds set in 18K white gold. The ring cost around $60,000 when it was purchased in 1981, and today has been estimated value between $500,000 and $4 million. Prince William inherited the ring following Princess Diana’s untimely death, and famously presented it to Kate Middleton, Duchess of Cambridge, when he proposed to her in November 2010.

Maria Alexandrovna’s sapphire brooch

Originally from Sri Lanka, The Maria Alexandrovna sapphire was purchased by Alexander II at the London Great Exhibition of 1862, and presented to his wife, Maria Alexandrovna. That is where it gets its name.

This sapphire is a 260.37-carat oval with an evenly distributed medium-dark saturated blue color. The sapphire was later set in a brooch consisting of 56.60 carats of smaller diamonds.

The Star of India

Discovered in Sri Lanka about 300 years ago and currently on display at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, the Star of India is about 2 billion years old and weighs 563 carats—about the size of a golf ball—making it the largest gem-quality blue star sapphire in the world.

The presence of the mineral rutile gives the gemstone’s appearance a slightly milky quality, as well as the distinctive star effect, known as asterism. Tiny fibers of rutile in a three-fold pattern reflect incoming light in the star pattern. In addition to its great size, the Star of India is unique because it has asterisms on both sides of the gemstone.

On October 29, 1964, the world-famous sapphire was stolen from the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. Several months later, the uninsured Star of India was recovered in a locker in a Miami bus station.

The Stuart Sapphire

If you love jewels and ever visit London, be sure to see the Stuart Sapphire, which often goes unnoticed because it is located at the back of the Imperial State Crown.

The 104-carat Stuart Sapphire is a fine blue—though flawed—gem. It is oval in shape, about 1½ inches by 1 inch in width, and is set in a gold brooch. The gem is drilled at one end, probably so that it could be worn as a pendant.

Dating back to 1214, the Stuart Sapphire was owned by members of the Royal House of Stuart, for whom it was named. Robert II, the first monarch of the Stuart dynasty, was the first to own it, and it was later inherited by James II, who took it with him to France when he was deposed in the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89.

James II gave the sapphire to his son James Edward, who passed it on to his son, Charles Edward. Today, it is on display as part of the British Crown Jewels collection at the Tower of London, and is located on the back side of the British Imperial State Crown.

Where to shop for sapphire jewelry?

If you’re looking for sapphire jewelry, we’ve got an exquisite collection of fine sapphire necklaces, earrings, rings, pendants and more. Make sure you visit Adina Jeweler’s extensive online eBay store. Or, search Adina Jewelers where you’ll find antique and vintage estate sapphire jewelry at true wholesale prices.