Sunrise Creations Blog

When thinking engagement ring, often a round bezel set diamond springs to mind, but did you realise there are actually ten basic diamond shapes to select from?  Generally you will have a particular preference or a certain leaning towards a shape or shapes which makes the shopping experience somewhat easier than it first sounds.   

Do you know which are the most popular diamond shapes?  They are:  round, princess (square), emerald (rectangular with trimmed corners), asscher (rectangular with deeply trimmed corners), marquise (slim oval with tapered ends), oval, radiant (square), pear, heart and cushion.  While the round shaped or the princess shaped diamonds are always a popular choice for an engagement ring, you can choose whichever shape your heart desires.

Not all shapes suit everyone so try on a variety of designs to see what works best for you.  A thicker shape may not look so elegant on a thin hand and delicate shape would be lost on hands that are large and strong.  Take the time to shop around both in stores and online before deciding on the perfect ring.

The style of the ring will play an important factor in the shape selection as some shapes, like the round or princess diamond, are more modern in style as opposed to the vintage inspired cushion or aascher cut.  Your personality will also have an impact on your choice.  Those looking for a sophisticated look can opt for an emerald diamond shape while those looking for something a little unusual can try a heart or oval shape. 

Diamonds are as expensive as they are beautiful, so it is wise to factor in all the elements when making your decision.  Despite knowing all this, you'll find that one ring will stand out for you and ask to be yours.  Diamonds are just like that...

Once you know what you like, then you can look to source your ideal diamond for your engagement ring. There are four features which need to be taken into account when choosing your diamond and these are known as the 4 C's – namely cut, colour, clarity and carat.

The cut, broadly speaking, is the symmetry of the diamond and has the biggest effect on the brilliance of the diamond. The cut is often confused with the shape of the diamond however these are two different elements altogether.
 

The colour of the diamond may seem like an odd feature when discussing diamonds however colour can feature in a diamond appearing as a pale yellow tone. Note however that many stores will not carry a noticeably coloured diamond and will opt to sell more stones in the near-colourless to colourless range.

The clarity of the diamond relates to the visual appearance of the diamond. Specifically the term covers internal characteristics known as inclusions and external defects called blemishes. The appearance of either one of these features can affect the both the price and the shine of the diamond.

The carat of the diamond refers to the weight of the diamond and one carat equals 200mg of the actual weight. Interestingly however two diamonds of the same weight can have entirely different values placed upon them depending on the other three characteristics as mentioned above. Size of course is very important but it is just as important to try to buy the best quality as well. Don't forget to ask for a certificate of grading so you can truly understand the diamond you have purchased

I’m kind of in love with my iPhone, and more in love with some of the fabulous applications that are around!! My latest find is a new app by Tiffany & Co that allows you to browse through their engagement ring collection on your iPhone or iPad at any given moment, whether you are snuggling in bed, or on the train to work.

So girls, start dreaming…. boys, start saving!

Shopping for an engagement ring is made easy with this new app. Your desired ring can be found by selecting according to the shape, setting, carat, metal or design. You can even see how well your favourite engagement ring goes with various Tiffany wedding bands. On top of that, the app has a ring sizer that works by placing a ring on the screen.

The Tiffany & Co app allows you save your favourite designs, share them on facebook or email them. You can even make an appointment with a Tiffany diamond expert.

Just imagine a proposal over a romantic dinner, man on bended knee passing you the phone with the ring of your dreams (but that you can still change)!