A Diamond Set is a Metaphor for Endless Love

Posted on October 11, 2009 by Maria Falouri

Marie Antoinette Diamond Necklace

Marie Antoinette Diamond Necklace

Most people think of a diamond set as a diamond engagement ring set or a diamond wedding set, but a diamond set can really be so much more.  While traditionally diamonds are the most popular stones in engagement rings and wedding bands they are also used in so many other pieces of jewelry.  A diamond set can consist of a diamond ring, a bracelet, a diamond necklace, a pendant, a brooch, an anklet, earrings, tiaras and hairclips among other pieces or adornments.  A men’s diamond set can consist of cufflinks, tie clips, watches, and rings.  Good quality diamonds can be costly so it is not uncommon to start with one piece of jewelry and add pieces over time until a diamond set has been collected.

Also, there are times when an heirloom diamond has been passed down from generation to generation and the original setting needs to be repaired or replaced.   You can either find an artisan to create a new piece of jewelry or take it to your local jeweler to have the diamond set in a piece they may carry in their shop.  Many times men have an engagement ring crafted for their fiancés from a family heirloom.  There are also times when a loose diamond either cut or uncut is purchased and later placed in a setting.  If you don’t know where to have a diamond set you could either contact a local jeweler or do a search online to find artisans and craftsmen in your area.  If the diamond is not of good quality the jeweler might give it a square cut often referred to as a princess diamond cut.  This cut is often used for imperfect stones because the squared cut hides imperfections and blemishes in the stone.

In recent years India has become a major exporter of diamond jewelry.  You can find an Indian diamond set online as well as in local jewelry retailers.  India also exports Polki diamonds which are usually large. Most commonly they have subdued luster and are in need of polishing to bring them to the brilliance diamonds are noted for.  Whether you are looking for a complete Indian diamond set, individual pieces or uncut diamonds, you can find sources by searching the internet.

Diamonds are often equated with endless love.  There is something metaphoric about this.  Diamonds are strong and are often used as precision cutting instruments.  For any of you who may be old enough to remember old phonographs, a diamond needle was the epitome of phonograph needles.  To say that a diamond is forever may not be far from the truth.  A diamond set goes on forever and speaks in a “sharp,” precise and wordless way of undying, endless love.  There is no better gift to say “I love you with an endless love” than a diamond set.  The metaphor is there, now where is the diamond?

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A Diamond Set: Shop Before You Pop (the question that is!)

Posted on September 25, 2009 by Maria Falouri

Diamond Engagement Ring

Diamond Engagement Ring

You have been meaning to ask her that all important question but you are scared witless.  (It’s ok to say you’re scared guys – if you weren’t there would be something major wrong with you!)  You have been looking for the perfect moment and the perfect setting but nothing seems quite right.  That’s because you are focusing on the wrong setting!  How can you ask her to marry you if you don’t have the diamond set?  I mean the very least you need is the perfect engagement ring to slip on her finger when she says “YES!” (you know she will so take a deep breath)  Here’s an invaluable word of advice; don’t focus so much on the “where” setting but get a handle on the “diamond” setting.

To be sure, weddings can be ultra expensive starting with the diamond engagement ring.  That is why it is so important to focus on a good diamond setting.  If you take a little time and plan it out with your jeweler you can add to the diamond set as time goes on.  If you start with an engagement ring that is part of a diamond wedding set you can build the set as you go.  Before the big day you can buy the wedding bands, either one at a time if they are costly or together.  I am assuming here that you would like to have a matching men’s wedding band for yourself!

Something most men don’t think of (and why should they, they’re only men after all – jk) is that if you plan the diamond engagement set well you can add to it piece by piece over the years so that one day the diamond set will include earrings, a pendant or diamond necklace and perhaps even a diamond bracelet.  It’s all in the setting really.  A diamond setting is almost as important as the diamond itself.  A beautiful perfect diamond is atrocious if it is in a gaudy, poorly crafted setting.  I don’t care how many karats the diamond is, if the setting is unacceptable you might as well buy a cubic zirconia.

Remember, second to your actual wedding day, this is the most important day of your life.  I am sure you know the answer before you ask so take your time and choose a diamond setting that will last a lifetime.  This is just the beginning of your life together and you want it to be memorable always.  Whenever you add to the diamond set she will look back on this day and know that you planned it to be FOREVER.   So just relax, take another deep breath, pop the question, and oh, did you remember to bring the ring?

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A Pearl Set is Timeless

Posted on September 22, 2009 by Maria Falouri

Pink Pearl Set

Pink Pearl Set

To achieve a classic look with almost any fashion, pearl sets offer timeless appeal.  They are worn with evening gowns or casual wear.  A set often includes a necklace, choker or pendant and usually is enhanced with pearl earrings, bracelets, rings and brooches or pins.  Many women dress their hair with pearl hairpins to complete the look.

While a seawater pearl, or ocean pearl as it is often referred to, can be quite expensive, freshwater or cultured pearls are also lovely yet much less costly.  A pearl necklace set can cost many thousands of dollars especially if the necklace has upwards of 40 natural pearls in the strand.  An akoya pearl set, or freshwater pearl set may be less expensive but no less beautiful.

Many brides wear bridal pearl jewelry sets especially if their gown or veil is embellished with pearls.  A lovely pearl choker with matching earrings gives the bride a look of classic beauty, elegance and femininity.  These sets are also called for when the rings for the ceremony will be part of a bridal pearl wedding set.  The engagement ring may be set in gold, white gold or platinum.  It would probably be crafted with the pearl at the center with or without ornamentation of precious stones in the setting.  Likewise, the matching bridal band will complement the engagement ring and complete the set.

The beauty of a pearl necklace is that it can be as simple as a single pearl as the focal point of a pendant, or it can be handcrafted of many pearls and consist of several strands of varying lengths.  A pearl necklace can be a 12 or 13 inch collar or choker and it can also be as long as a pearl rope which could be 36 inches or longer.  Again, the quality and luster of the pearls would determine the cost of the necklace.  Freshwater pearls are less expensive than ocean pearls but they are lovely and often only experts can tell the difference.

If you are a man giving the gift of pearls to the woman you love you are symbolically saying she is a “pearl of great price.”  And if you are a woman buying yourself a pearl set you are asserting your self worth.   Wear your pearls proudly and know that a woman’s beauty and allure is as timeless as the ocean.

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