There is nothing better than seeing your diamond engagement ring catch your eye or the eyes of strangers. It is only natural to want to maintain that sparkle by keeping it clean on a regular basis. However, if cleaned improperly you can permanently damage your engagement ring.
Before you start attempting things that you heard from a friend of a friend, the diamond experts at BRAG jewelers in Boston MA can tell you how to clean your engagement ring safely and what to avoid at all costs.
First, let’s try to figure out what it is that is making your ring so dirty. If you are outdoorsy or spend your days in the kitchen environment, let the Boston jewelers at BRAG professionally clean your diamond ring or jewelry. It is best to get it cleaned at the jewelers using quality professional-grade products that will restore the brilliance of the diamond safely.
If your engagement ring is dirty from everyday common products like: hairspray, lotion, makeup, or perfume a easy at-home cleaning should do that trick. All you need is warm (almost hot) water, dish soap and a very soft toothbrush. Get a small enough container not to loose it or have it accidentally dumped down a drain! Soak your ring for about 20 to 40 minutes, gently brush the stone with the toothbrush, and rinse it under warm running water. Repeat the process if necessary.
How NOT to clean your engagement ring.
Any household cleaner should not even be considered. If you start reaching for things like bleach, chlorine, and acetone, stop now! These chemicals are far too harsh and can break down the base metals in your ring! While we are on the topics, never use any abrasive products such as toothpaste, baking soda, or any powdered cleaners, which can easily scratch metals. The damage these cleaners will cause will be costly to undue.
Anything that runs on battery or electricity is also something to avoid. These powered jewelry cleaners can weaken prongs or dislodge a stone. If you think a machine is required, bring it to BRAG jewelers conveniently located in Downtown Boston MA, where we can fix anything that might become loose.
Engagement Ring Care Tips by BRAG
/in Engagement Ring Tips/by BRAGNow that you have an engagement ring that your significant other has invested in to show you how much they love you, take care of it! The diamond engagement rings that we have at Boston Ring and Gem are beautiful, timeless and too good too be mistreated. Learn some easy ways to keep your engagement ring in the best condition possible.
Don’t be afraid to remove it!
“Never take it off!” I bet you have heard that before, but sometimes to protect your engagement ring from damage, you may have to take it off! Here are few example of activities that might require you too remove it!
Avoid Harmful Products
Keep your engagement ring sparkling by eliminating the gunk and dirt that can make your diamond cloudy. Products like lotions, sunscreens and perfumes should put on with your ring off!
Get your Setting Checked Regularly
Boston Ring and Gem can check your setting for you to ensure that the stone hasn’t been knocked loose, especially if it is particularly large. Usually every six months, it is ideal to have the setting checked.
Insure Your Ring
Thinking the worst, you loose your diamond wedding ring! Getting your ring insured is the best way to make sure you are covered. Look into what your home insurance offers and insure it separately, but do that first!
How To Clean Your Engagement Ring at Home
/in FAQ/by BRAGThere is nothing better than seeing your diamond engagement ring catch your eye or the eyes of strangers. It is only natural to want to maintain that sparkle by keeping it clean on a regular basis. However, if cleaned improperly you can permanently damage your engagement ring.
Before you start attempting things that you heard from a friend of a friend, the diamond experts at BRAG jewelers in Boston MA can tell you how to clean your engagement ring safely and what to avoid at all costs.
First, let’s try to figure out what it is that is making your ring so dirty. If you are outdoorsy or spend your days in the kitchen environment, let the Boston jewelers at BRAG professionally clean your diamond ring or jewelry. It is best to get it cleaned at the jewelers using quality professional-grade products that will restore the brilliance of the diamond safely.
If your engagement ring is dirty from everyday common products like: hairspray, lotion, makeup, or perfume a easy at-home cleaning should do that trick. All you need is warm (almost hot) water, dish soap and a very soft toothbrush. Get a small enough container not to loose it or have it accidentally dumped down a drain! Soak your ring for about 20 to 40 minutes, gently brush the stone with the toothbrush, and rinse it under warm running water. Repeat the process if necessary.
How NOT to clean your engagement ring.
Any household cleaner should not even be considered. If you start reaching for things like bleach, chlorine, and acetone, stop now! These chemicals are far too harsh and can break down the base metals in your ring! While we are on the topics, never use any abrasive products such as toothpaste, baking soda, or any powdered cleaners, which can easily scratch metals. The damage these cleaners will cause will be costly to undue.
Anything that runs on battery or electricity is also something to avoid. These powered jewelry cleaners can weaken prongs or dislodge a stone. If you think a machine is required, bring it to BRAG jewelers conveniently located in Downtown Boston MA, where we can fix anything that might become loose.
What Is a Princess Cut Diamond
/in FAQ/by BRAGPrincess cut diamonds has become one of the most popular cuts for engagement rings. These diamonds have grown in popularity as people begin to customize their engagement rings for their loved ones. Princess cut diamonds have this unique shape that make them very easy to incorporate into any style ring you want.
The traditional princess cut is square, with all four sides equal length, but most cuts are more on the rectangular side. This difference is cut is hard to see. Most people prefer the rectangular cut which is often lower in price. After picking out the perfect princess cut diamond it is important to have the prongs protecting all four sides of the diamond. The prongs protect the corners and help eliminate any flaws, such as, naturals, extra facets, and other inclusions may be located here. The last real concern would be deciding whether or not the flaws are significant enough to affect the stability of the diamond, which is very rare.
If you know that the princess cut diamond is the diamond you and your loved one choose, Boston Ring and Gem can help complete the process. At our diamond exchange store located in Downtown Boston MA we can fully education you on diamonds and help you pick the perfect princess cut diamond engagement ring!
Strategically Picking The Right Setting
/in Diamond Education/by BRAGWe all know that engagement rings are a very large investment. No matter what your budget is there are ways to still get a beautiful, valuable diamond engagement ring. One of the way that Boston Ring and Gem can help you with is picking the right setting to get the most for your buck.
More goes into picking a great engagement ring then the size of the diamond. When you start the search for the perfect engagement ring you will quickly learn the four C’s. If your budget won’t allow for that bigger stone you thought was affordable, not to worry! You can actually create the illusion of additional carats by choosing the right setting. At Boston Ring and Gem we offer beautiful halo setting. The variety of halo settings that we have at our store in Downtown Boston will help you make the stone in the middle look bigger, it can also completely change the appearance of the diamond by giving it a vintage look that will stand out from an everyday solitaire.
Our jewelers can walk you through the right steps to take when picking a setting to get enhance the overall look of your diamond engagement ring! For more information stop by our store!
Sparkle This Holiday Season
/in Holiday Season/by BRAGThe holiday season is always special and full of love. BRAG wants to help you tell someone how much you really care with beautiful custom jewelry. At Boston Ring and Gem we off beautiful wedding bands, diamond engagement rings, and authentic wedding rings. One particular favorite this Holiday season is the hand carved milgrain custom eternity band. This beautiful piece of jewelry will add that extra sparkle to your holiday and is the perfect way to say I love you.
Our jewelers will walk you through the process and help you pick the best ring for you and the person you are shopping for! We are located in Downtown Boston MA!
Engagement Rings & November Topaz Birthstones
/in Uncategorized/by BRAGThere is sometimes nothing more beautiful than when a birthstone is apart of an engagement ring. The connection between an engagement ring and bride becomes that much stronger with the inclusion of their matched birthstone. Every month and every stone is special in its own way, and November is no different. The two birthstones for November are Topaz and Citrine.
Topaz, which is November’s primary birthstone has had an extremely confusing history. Over time, primarily in antiquity, Topaz had been often confused and mixed up with Citrine due to their common color. Topaz is available in a rainbow assortment of colors. There are different forms of Topaz which include colors such blue, orange, yellow, orange-brown and more. The Orange/Golden/Yellow Topaz is the traditional November birthstone and also the most valuable type of Topaz. Topaz is used for jewelry, rings, necklaces, bracelets, and more.
Citrine, has commonly been known under the name gold topaz. The name is derived from its color, the yellow of the lemon.
These beautiful birthstones make a for a popular option when choosing the right engagement ring. If you’re in need of professional advice for choosing the correct gemstone for your engagement ring, call Boston Ring and Gem at 617-720-2724 or stop by our store at 333 Washington Street 2nd Floor Boston, MA 02108.
Holiday Proposal & Engagement Ring Ideas
/in Uncategorized/by BRAGEveryone wants their wedding proposal to be special, from the engagement ring they use to the music playing in the background. Once you have picked the engagement ring out, the next step is to devise a one of a kind wedding proposal. The type of proposal should depend on the person who you are giving the engagement ring to, but if your significant other loves the holidays than that should be included in the proposal. Here are some amazing holiday wedding proposal ideas:
The secret to proposals are that each one of them is special because each one of them is about two people that love each other and are ready to start their life together. If you have your proposal idea and are looking for an engagement ring or wedding band please contact us.
“What is the difference between a diamond’s certification and an appraisal?”
/in Uncategorized/by BRAGA diamond’s certification is a scientific review of the rock’s physical qualities such as clarity, color, cut and carat weight. This process does not set a financial value to the stone; rather it assigns a “grade” on the diamond’s key quality.
An appraisal is what assigns a dollar value to the diamond. Appraisals are generally done so that if someone were to steal your diamond, you can wave a signed piece of paper at your insurance company regarding the amount spent on the ring.
Here at Boston Ring and Gem, all of our diamonds are accompanied by two different grading reports and quality documents from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) or American Gem Society Laboratories (AGS). Please note that not all grading documents are equal. We strongly agree with GIA/AGS’ standards for color and clarity grading because as professionals, we find these standards to be the strictest and most accurate in the diamond industry.
If you are in need of professional advice regarding certification/appraisals for wedding and engagement rings, bands, diamonds and gemstones, call Boston Ring and Gem at 617-720-2724 or visit our store at 333 Washington Street 2nd Floor in Boston, MA 02108.
Cushion Cut Diamonds for Engagement Rings
/in Uncategorized/by BRAGAs of very recently, Cushion cuts have become a very popular cut for engagement rings, wedding bands, earrings, and all sorts of jewelry. Deciphering what defines a cushion cut from other common diamond cuts is sometimes a very confusing process.
What is a Cushion Cut Diamond?
A cushion cut diamond is mix of an old mine cut and a modern oval cut. The cushion cut style you see is the result of a diamond being cut to have rounded corners with an oval/rectangular shape, similar to a modern oval cut. Contrary to popular belief, the cushion cut has been around since the 19th century and has only recently made a comeback.
Most cushion cuts today are typically found to be made with a diamond halo. The diamond halo makes the center diamond appear even more beautiful bringing attention to the center stone.
Standard vs. Modified Cushion Cuts
To the average observer, the difference between a standard and modified cushion cut is very minimal. The main difference between the two cuts is the history. Standard cuts, as the name suggests, have been the “standard” cutting style for many years while modified cushion cuts are modern variations of the standard cut.
From wedding bands to engagement rings, have the experts at Brag Jewelers provide the very best in fine jewelry and gemstones. Call us today at 617-720-2724 or visit our location at 333 Washington St. 2nd Floor in Boston, MA.
Oval-Cut Diamond Engagement Rings
/in Uncategorized/by BRAGOval-cut diamond engagement rings are making a huge comeback; stop by Brag Jewelers, located at 333 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02108 to check out our huge selection of this beautifully cut diamond!
The unique shape of the diamond brings out and really highlights each individual carrot, giving you more bang for your buck! Oval cut diamonds are absolutely stunning and go perfectly with a variety of engagement ring styles, but they especially fit well with three stone engagement rings.
Often times, when you compare an oval diamond with a round diamond that has the same carrot weight, it will appear that the oval diamond is bigger. Why? This is because, more times than not, an oval diamond will have a bigger surface area than that of a round diamond. So essentially, when you choose an oval diamond over a round one, you’re purchasing a diamond that looks larger, for a lower price.
Oval diamonds are cut in the same way as its round counterpart; however the round diamond has the most brilliance of any diamond shape. That being said, oval shapes are not too far behind in the brilliance department!
This shape is perfect for someone who loves the brilliance of a round diamond, but is looking for something a little more unique.
For more information about the oval-cut diamond, please give Brag Jewelers a call at 617-720-2724; an associate will gladly go over the Optimum Table & Depth for oval diamonds, as well as the length and width ratio. We are looking forward to helping you find the perfect engagement ring that will absolutely melt your partner’s heart!