A Helpful Glossary of Jewelry Terms
Ever wonder what to call that thin delicate diamond set band or a specific structure of a ring? While you don’t have to necessarily know every term used in the industry, it will certainly help you communicate your desires to the jeweler or jewelry consultant.
Here are some commonly used and misused terms:
Pavé – Tiny little round brilliant cut diamonds set in multiple rows, much like a paved road. Pavé is often misused to describe a thin one row of diamonds.
14k rose gold micro pave eternity band
Fishtail – This style of setting is often used to get the thinnest version of a diamond band. U shaped prongs that are holding the diamonds in place.
Fishtail set platinum eternity bands
French cut – From the top it looks very similar to the fishtail set, it’s when you look at the ring from the side profile you will see the hand carved crisscross detail around each stone that makes this slightly more sparkly. This is one of our specialties at BRAG.
Shared prong – Each stone shares 2 prongs with the next stone. This style of setting makes the round stones look rounder than in a fishtail or French cut.
Shared prong platinum eternity band
Bead set – When the stones are set in a band and held with tiny beads.
Bow tie diamond bead set eternity wedding bands
Channel – Stones are set inside a band held by higher metal walls.
Princess cut diamonds set in platinum channel eternity band
Solitaire – A single, solitary stone on it’s on.
Catherine Solitaire Platinum
Cathedral – when the band of the ring comes up and meets the basket of the center stone.
Cathedral Solitaire Platinum
Halo – tiny little round brilliant cut diamonds that surround a larger stone.
Vintage inspired – When a ring style is made to look like a vintage ring. The benefit is that you have a well-constructed new ring with the look and feel of yesteryears.
Shield Ring
Filigree – open spaces of shapes carved out on a ring.
Round Brilliant cut center diamond set in cushion halo with vintage style lace side walls, bead set band and filigree basket
Mill grain – small edge carving that frames a ring and provides a touch of vintage.
For more examples please check out our collection on www.bostonringandgem.com or come see us at BRAG, Boston Ring and Gem at 333 Washington Street, Suite 203-8, Boston, MA 02108
Go for the Gold!
/in Custom Ring, Engagement Ring Tips, Jewelry/by Ani ZargarianBoth yellow and rose gold bridal jewelry is a trend that’s here to stay. This trend has been going strong for the last three years and we don’t see it slowing down any time soon. Both yellow and rose gold are a staple part of our bridal jewelry collection at BRAG. We haven’t seen a complete shift to gold but a good 40% of our customers are opting for a golden option when it comes to picking out their engagement and wedding rings
There is some flexibility with shades of colors by using 14k versus a deeper golden color in the 18k. This applies for both yellow and rose.
14k Yellow Gold French Cut Eternity Wedding Ring
14k Rose Gold Wedding Rings
18k Yellow and Rose Gold Eternity Wedding Rings
There are options for two tone versus one tone in an engagement ring.
Two tone, 18k Yellow and Rose gold with platinum Solitaire Engagement Rings
Oval diamond set in 18k rose gold solitaire engagement ring
18k Yellow Gold Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring
Vintage styles can show off the details better in yellow and rose with the contrasting white diamonds.
18k Rose Gold Leaf Halo Engagement Ring
14k Rose Gold Sunburst Shield Engagement Ring
18k Yellow Gold Art Deco Engagement Ring
Mixing and matching and stacking different gold rings is something of interest to many.
14k & 18k Yellow and Rose Gold Stackable Wedding Rings
The golden fever has struck the men’s wedding rings as well. We are finding more and more men choosing yellow as an homage to tradition or going for rose with matte for a unique and modern twist.
14k Yellow Gold 7mm Wide Men’s Wedding Ring
A rainbow of 14k and 18k Yellow and Rose Men’s Wedding Rings
For more on our golden engagement and wedding ring collection check us out at www.bostonringandgem.com or come see us at BRAG, Boston Ring and Gem at 333 Washington Street, Suite 203-8, Boston, MA 02108
A Helpful Glossary of Jewelry Terms
/in Custom Ring, Engagement Ring Tips, FAQ, Jewelry/by Ani ZargarianA Helpful Glossary of Jewelry Terms
Ever wonder what to call that thin delicate diamond set band or a specific structure of a ring? While you don’t have to necessarily know every term used in the industry, it will certainly help you communicate your desires to the jeweler or jewelry consultant.
Here are some commonly used and misused terms:
Pavé – Tiny little round brilliant cut diamonds set in multiple rows, much like a paved road. Pavé is often misused to describe a thin one row of diamonds.
14k rose gold micro pave eternity band
Fishtail – This style of setting is often used to get the thinnest version of a diamond band. U shaped prongs that are holding the diamonds in place.
Fishtail set platinum eternity bands
French cut – From the top it looks very similar to the fishtail set, it’s when you look at the ring from the side profile you will see the hand carved crisscross detail around each stone that makes this slightly more sparkly. This is one of our specialties at BRAG.
Shared prong – Each stone shares 2 prongs with the next stone. This style of setting makes the round stones look rounder than in a fishtail or French cut.
Shared prong platinum eternity band
Bead set – When the stones are set in a band and held with tiny beads.
Bow tie diamond bead set eternity wedding bands
Channel – Stones are set inside a band held by higher metal walls.
Princess cut diamonds set in platinum channel eternity band
Solitaire – A single, solitary stone on it’s on.
Catherine Solitaire Platinum
Cathedral – when the band of the ring comes up and meets the basket of the center stone.
Cathedral Solitaire Platinum
Halo – tiny little round brilliant cut diamonds that surround a larger stone.
Vintage inspired – When a ring style is made to look like a vintage ring. The benefit is that you have a well-constructed new ring with the look and feel of yesteryears.
Shield Ring
Filigree – open spaces of shapes carved out on a ring.
Round Brilliant cut center diamond set in cushion halo with vintage style lace side walls, bead set band and filigree basket
Mill grain – small edge carving that frames a ring and provides a touch of vintage.
For more examples please check out our collection on www.bostonringandgem.com or come see us at BRAG, Boston Ring and Gem at 333 Washington Street, Suite 203-8, Boston, MA 02108
Which Engagement Ring Setting is the One For You?
/in Custom Ring, Diamond Education, Engagement Ring Tips/by Ani ZargarianPerhaps this is something you’ve known your entire life or it’s something you’ve never thought about. One thing is for sure, it’s a very personal and special piece of jewelry!
The world is your oyster when it comes to picking out a ring. With the advent of social media channels such as Pinterest (BRAG – Boston Ring And Gem) and Instagram (Follow us @BRAGOfficial) we have more access than ever before and can find inspiration and ideas.
Here are some categories and options to consider.
RING STYLE: Are you traditional and appreciate the more classic styles such as the solitaire or three stone ring or do you want a little more sparkle a diamond encrusted pave band or the halo rings provide? Are you enthused by the vintage designs of the past with delicate details of filigree, carvings and mill grain or do you prefer a more contemporary unique style?
Classic Solitaire: The tried and true classic solitaire. With your choice of 4 prong or 6, cathedral band or none cathedral, diamond band or plain, basket versus wire prongs.
Halo: The trend that has turned into a staple category that’s here to stay. If you are looking to enhance your center stone with additional sparkle the halo is the way to go.
Vintage Inspired: What’s old is new! The trend for vintage inspired rings has never been more prominent than now. We can create and recreate the most intricate of designs at BRAG.
Unique: You want something just a little different and your own. We are happy to work with you and come up with that special ring unique to you.
METAL TYPE AND COLOR: Metal types and colors are also diversifying. We have seen a strong return to gold both rose and yellow though platinum is still going strong as the choice for white metal. Mixing metals and having two tone rings with Platinum and gold has also been on the rise.
STONE SHAPE: The center stone and shape should also be in consideration. Are you into the classic ideal cut round diamond or more interested in the trendy Oval and Pear stones? Do you prefer more angular shapes like the Emerald, Ascher, or Princess or does the combination of rounded and angled edges such as the Cushion or Radiant shape suit your fancy?
For more ideas please check out our collection on www.bostonringandgem.com or come see us at BRAG, Boston Ring and Gem at 333 Washington Street, Suite 203-8, Boston, MA 02108
Proposing during this holiday season?
/in Engagement Ring Tips, Holiday Season/by Ani ZargarianProposing during this holiday season?
As the leaves change color and the seasons transition we can feel that brisk air starting to set in. The holiday season will be here before we know it and if you are thinking of proposing it’s important to consider a few things.
Timing: Make sure you give yourself and your jeweler plenty of time. This is an important and meaningful purchase so you want to give yourself the appropriate amount of time to figure out what style of ring and type of diamond you’d like. It is also important to give your jeweler plenty of time to make the perfect ring for you. At BRAG, custom design rings do require more time (6-8 weeks) than some classic, traditional settings such as a solitaire (2-3 weeks) or the halo (4 weeks).
Holiday proposal Ideas: The holiday season is a time of merriment and cheer so it lends itself to very charming and romantic opportunities for proposals.
Family & Friends: The holiday season is a time that family and friends gather together and the perfect time to involve them with your plans.
If you are ready to take the next step and propose this holiday season come see us at BRAG, Boston Ring and Gem at 333 Washington Street, Suite 203-8, Boston, MA 02108. We will guide you through the process and create a special engagement ring for this special time of year.
Selecting a Diamond…Carat
/in Diamond Education, Engagement Ring Tips, FAQ/by BRAGWhen trying to select a diamond you will hear the 4 C’s over and over again. Clarity, Color, Cut and Carat. Carat refers to the weight of a diamond. The higher the carat weight, the more valuable it is (other factors being equal). There is a slight formula that goes into calculating the carat of a diamond. A carat weighs 200 milligrams and is divided into 100 points. So, if you have a .5 carat diamond it is exactly the same as if you had a 1/2 carat diamond which is the same as a 50-point diamond.
Over a carat, diamond weights are usually expressed in carats and decimals. A 1.06 ct. stone, for example, would be described as “one point oh six carats,” or “one oh six.”
This word for the measurement of a diamond’s weight Carat – is derived from the carob seeds that were used to balance scales in ancient times.
This is an important factor to evaluate but is not the most important one. When selecting the size be sure that all the C’s are taking into consideration. You could put all your money into a 2 carat diamond ring, but with poor clarity, color and cut it does not have the value of many smaller stones. The other three C’s like clarity, cut and color determine the visual brilliance of the jewelry. Don’t be fooled by the size, you can find a beautiful, affordable engagement ring in Boston with BRAG jewelers that will make her say yes!
What Is Ring Insurance?
/in FAQ/by BRAGYour jewelry is priceless to you but there is an actual cost of replacing your beloved jewelry in the event that you have a loss. For extra peace of mind we highly recommend you insure your jewelry especially if it worn daily. Did you know that with jewelry insurance you covered worldwide against loss, theft, damage, and mysterious disappear. When you purchase jewelry from BRAG, we will always provide you with a complimentary appraisal so you can acquire insurance. You will need just an appraisal from BRAG, not the bill of sale what you actually payed may not be the current market price; replacement should always be based on replacement cost not actual cost. NEVER give your bill of sale. We have complimentary appraisal update for jewelry purchase from Boston Ring And Gem. We recommend you stop in every three years and have us check things out and make sure you have no imminent threat.
How ring insurance works
We believe that “discounted” insurance is better than no insurance, but based on our experience we have had the best results with Liberty Mutual as a personal property policy on your homeowner or renter, and Jewelers Mutual insurance which is a separate insurance policy from your homeowner/renter policy. Jewelers Mutual offers additional preventive repair, they would rather pay to have smaller problems fixed before they become larger, so your diamond engagement ring that is worn daily will eventually need to have some preventative maintenance even though we perform those service for cost of labor and material for BRAG setting, Jewelers mutual will pick up the tab. If you are planning a move make sure your insurance follows you to the new location, so you can move with confidence.
If you have more questions about ring insurance contact our store!
How To Find Your Ring Size
/in FAQ/by BRAGBoston Ring and Gem is happy to assist you in determining the correct ring size. You can visit our convenient Downtown Boston MA location with any questions and then show our variety of engagment rings styles. If you want to find out the resize without visiting our Boston store, here are some helpful hints to keep in mind.
HELPFUL HINTS TO FINDING YOUR RING SIZE
Resetting a Heirloom Stone
/in Custom Ring/by BRAGReceiving a stone or ring from a family member is a very sentimental tradition. As time goes on, styles and setting design will change. Because not every bride is the same, at Boston Ring and Gem we can help reset the current stone into a setting that more closely fits your personality and lifestyle.
We have many settings to accommodate the stone you are given as well as your personality. Depending on the stones cut and size a specific setting will have to be used so it can highlight all the beauty in your stone. Our experts at Boston Ring and Gem can reset your stone to keep its original value and add to it!
Resetting a stone get be tricky and overwhelming, let us walk you through the best options so the ring looks good on your hand, and your heirloom stone sparkles!
Contact us via email or call today!
Oval Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
/in Diamond Education/by BRAGFor those looking for a ring that has the look of a round diamond but want something more unique than the oval diamond cut is the diamond you want. Another advantage of oval shaped diamonds is it can be perceived to be bigger than it actual is as well as make the person wearing it look as though they have a longer, slimmer finger.
When deciding on how narrow or fat the diamond should be is up to the individual, but for your own knowledge, a length to width ratio of 1.35 – 1.50 is considered the classic oval cut. If the end result includes the diamond flanked by side stones, a slightly thinner diamond cut will give you a great appeal. A BRAG representative can walk you through the processing and help create the best diamond engagement ring using the oval cut.
If you are interested in purchasing an oval diamond or want to learn more about them, contact a BRAG today!
Boston, MA 02108
Fax: 617-720-2725
What is a loose diamond?
/in Diamond Education, FAQ/by BRAGIf we are getting very technical, a loose diamond is the end product of a once rough diamond that came from a mine. If you are designing your own diamond engagement ring you will be picking a loose diamond and putting it the setting of your choice! Boston Ring and Gem has beautiful loose diamonds in variety of cut, colors, carats and clarity ready for sale! You can mount a loose diamond on a ring, a pendant, earring or any piece of jewelry.
When you have a loose diamond in your hand you can inspect the 4 C’s of the diamond from all different aspects such as weight, dimensions, depth, color, and clarity.
When the diamond is loose it is best way to inspect all the elements before making a purchase! For more information about loose diamond visit our diamond store located right in Downtown Crossing in Boston MA.