Diamond Color Information & Key Points for Engagement Rings

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The first priority when picking a diamond is the cut since this is what influences how your ring sparkles. The second most important part when considering purchasing a diamond engagement ring is its color.

A diamonds color usually manifests itself as a pale yellow so this is why color is based on the diamonds lack of color. The less color that a diamond has, the higher grade it will be. The color grade of a diamond ranges from D (colorless) to Z (noticeable color). D is the highest possible color grade, while Z is the lowest.  At Boston Ring and Gem we adhere to the defined d to z scale of GIA/AGS laboratories.

The diamond color chart can be confusing and overwhelming and we at Boston Ring & Gem are happy to walk you through the process. We know that buying an engagement is a huge expense and lasting commitment. You will be informed and educated on all the things to consider when investing in the perfect diamond. Please contact us with any engagement ring questions or if you are interested in purchasing an engagement ring and would like more info.

Super Sapphire for September

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September is the beginning of fall, kids going back to school, and the leaves begin to change from green to yellow and red. One color that most people don’t associate with September in New England is blue. Why would you associate blue with September you ask? Because blue is the most well-known color of the sapphire gemstone.

Sapphire is the gemstone that represents September and is even given as gifts for the 5th, 23rd and 45th birthdays. Sapphire comes from the Greek origin sapphirios, meaning precious stone. The Sapphire is closely associated with purity, which is why it was worn mainly by priests and other religious figures. It was also seen as a symbol of wisdom, which is why kings would wear them as a part of their crowns.

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Sapphires are a member of the corundum family of precious stones along with rubies. Sapphires are well-known for their green coloring, however all stones that are corundums, that aren’t red, are considered to be sapphires. Any color other than blue is specifically referred to as a “fancy sapphire”.

The most sought after color of a sapphire is cornflower blue. The meta-physical attributes that are given to this stone are related to the clairvoyance power and overall insight. In conjunction with the power of clairvoyance, sapphires are said to have healing powers and can help cure diseases such as cancer, burns and hearing problems. Another way that Sapphires are supposed to heal people is by reducing fevers and lower inflammation caused by injuries or illness. The “Millennial Sapphire” was found in Burma in 1995 and is the biggest sapphire in the world to this day, bolstering 61,500 carats.

 

Tips For Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring

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average-diamond-ringWhen choosing a wedding ring you need to think through important aspects of the ring itself, bring them all together in synchronization, and deliver the best wedding ring for your significant other. Here are some key steps you should think through:

Choose the right band
The band is the circular part of the ring that slips around the finger. It is often made of gold, silver, platinum, or an alloy of those metals. Gold is a brilliant rich yellow color, and a less pure gold can be desirable for those who want a lighter gold color. Since a gold setting (the part of the ring that sits the diamond) will give a white diamond a yellowing hue, it is a waste of money to choose a high color grade diamond. White gold is gold alloyed with other metals that creates an off white color. It must be plated with another metal (rhodium is common) for a bright brilliant appearance. Platinum is a hard and strong silver colored metal, but will dull slightly over years of wear.

Choose the right setting and gemstone
The setting is the piece of the ring that sits or holds the gemstone which is attached to the band. The setting can be “prolonged” or invisible, depending upon whether you prefer a more prominent seat or a more lower profile look. The setting and the band can be different if one so chooses, possibly combing a platinum setting with a gold band. This can be particularly useful if ones wants some slight contrast, or if one wants a gold band and a diamond, but doesn’t want the gold band yellowing the white color of the diamond. Gem prongs that hold the stone in place may be expanded for strength if the person is prone to considerable activity. In this vein, platinum is stronger than other setting metals, so that may provide more security for the stone as well.

If you need professional advice for wedding rings, bands, diamonds, and gemstones, call Boston Ring and Gem at 617-720-2724 or visit our store at 333 Washington Street 2nd Floor
Boston, MA 02108

How to Know Which Engagement Ring is Right for Your Fiancé

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It’s the time – you need to buy an engagement ring for your fiancé. Bafflingly, there’s little worthwhile advice out there on how to pick the right ring. Search the internet, and you’ll have the choice to become an amateur gemologist or endlessly scroll through an encyclopedia of rings, gems, diamonds, and jewels. So, we’ve decided to provide you some down to Earth advice on how to get the right ring for your fiancé.

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1. It’s about her, not your accountant.
Common theory is that you should spend two to three months of your salary on a ring. The thing is, common sayings don’t exactly take recessions into consideration. Be realistic: Think about spending five to eight weeks’ worth of your salary, though you should be ready to dish out a little extra if it’ll get perfection.

2. Channel your inner Ocean’s Eleven.
Get her size right. On a quiet afternoon, tip toe up to her jewelry box and steal one of her rings, then have it sized by a jeweler. While you’re at her jewelry box, snap a few cell phone pictures so you can go back and reference what else she likes. Remember: make sure to take note of exactly where you took the ring from, and return it as quickly as possible.

3. Her friends are your accomplices.
Ask her friends (the ones that can keep a secret) if she has dropped any hints, or even flat out told them what she wants. What type of metal, cut of stone, designer, etc? The only thing that’s certain in life is death, taxes, and that your fiancé has mentioned the rings she likes.

4. She may be the better half, but you’re still half.
Some couples want their wedding bands to match, and she might want her wedding band to match the engagement ring. If this is the case, realize you might be wearing rose gold too.

5. Rules of the stone.
Search Google and you’ll get a litany of gemologist knowledge. Beyond that, you need guidelines. Diamonds shouldn’t be any color grade below H (too yellow) and avoid any cut grade below Very Good (not enough sparkle).  We suggest you choose a higher cut grade and clearer color over carats. However, if she is expecting a pebble, you may have no choice but to lower the grades.

If you need any further professional advice, stop into Boston Ring and Gem. For 7 generations, BRAG has been a family of ring and gem experts. We’re located at 333 Washington St. Boston, or you can call us at (617) 720-2724.

 

June birthstone: Astonishing Facts about the Pearl

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The month of June marks the month of the Pearl. Boston Ring and Jewel have a vast array of pearl pendants, bracelets, necklaces, and more. Here are some interesting fact about this beautiful and mysterious gem.Pearl-background-for-computer-screen

  • Pearls are the only gemstone made by living animals.
  • Pearls take their color from the inside of the shell in which they are growing. They range from white to gold, and from purple to black.
  • The oldest known pearl jewelry fragment was found in the sarcophagus of a Persian princess who died in 520 BC.
  • The name Margarita means ‘pearls’. Other names such as Margaret, Peggy, Marjorie, Margot, Maggie, Gretchen, Gretal and Rita also mean ‘pearl’ and signify purity, innocence, humility and sweetness.
  • The Persian Gulf was one of the main sources of natural pearls for centuries, as were Venezuela & Panama where pearls were discovered by Christopher Columbus and Vasco de Balboa on their travels.
  • One of the most famous pearls in the world is called La Peregrina (‘the incomparable’) and was found in the Americas. It is pear shaped and the size of a pigeon’s egg. Famous owners of this pearl have included Philip II of Spain, Mary Tudor of England and Napoleon III. The last owner is believed to be Elizabeth Taylor.

Ring of the week, 4/12/14

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“The Rose has but a Summer reign, The daisy never dies…” Our one of a kind antique styled ring with an old European 1.7 carat cut center round stone is set in this ornate yellow gold beaded bezel setting with marquis cutouts, milgrain and original hand carvings.

 

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Ring of the Week 4/19/14

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Ring of the week, 4/19/14: “Blue skies smiling at me….” We put a smile on this lucky ladies face with this blue ceylon sapphire stone set in suspended wire prongs in a delicate, traditional, platinum ring accompanied by triangular patterned diamonds.

 

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