FabSugar

Guess the Engagement Ring Style!

FabSugar — Thu, 03 May 2012 04:30:05 PDT

You hear the engagement ring terms being thrown around - cushion-cut, bezel, princess - but do you know what it means? If you choose to get engaged, will you know what you want? There's a surfeit amount of styles to choose from - enough to leave you dizzy - so we're going to test your bling knowledge. When you're done here, be sure to check out our other wedding stories!

Question 1 of 10

Can you guess this diamond cut?

Choosing a Ring: Diamond's Cheaper, Identical Twin

Emily Co — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 12:42:39 PDT

Do a diamond's origins matter that much? We have come to a point in which scientists can create diamonds in the lab that are virtually indistinguishable from mined diamonds. If you're contemplating buying this lab-grown gem during your engagement ring hunt, here are a few things you should know:

It's not cubic zirconia. Everyone's familiar with cubic zirconia, which is known to imitate the look of a diamond but does not have the chemical makeup of one. Gems that mimic the look of diamonds are classified as a diamond simulant. Others that go under the simulant category include moissanite, quartz, and glass.

You won't be able to tell the difference between a lab-grown diamond and a mined diamond. If you go to the legitimate sources, you'll find that their gems are essentially the same as mined diamonds. The gems have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds. The proper names for these diamonds are laboratory-created, lab-grown, or man-made diamonds.

It's cheaper. Although the price varies on different diamonds depending on the shape, cut, carat, clarity, and color, president and CEO Stephen Lux of Gemesis Diamond Company, a producer of lab-created diamonds, tells SavvySugar that "generally speaking, Gemesis lab-created diamonds retail for approximately 20 to 30 percent less than mined diamonds." Lux gave sample prices of what you can expect to see at Gemesis - a 0.50 carat can range from $500 to $2,500 while a 1.00 carat can go from $2,000 to $8,000.

The drawbacks. The main drawback seems to be the limits to the size of the diamonds, perhaps due to the technology and equipment of the producer. Gemesis sells colorless diamonds in sizes ranging from 0.50 to 1.50 carats, but they do have bigger sizes for colored diamonds. Another negative is the unromantic notion that the gem is created in a few days vs. taking millions of years to form.

Where to buy. Currently, the leader in the lab-grown diamond industry seems to be Gemesis. You can order diamond jewelry on its website, or you can also opt to order loose stones.

To all ring shoppers, here's a basic guide to buying an engagement ring if you have no clue where to start.

Woman Goes Treasure Hunting, Finds 8.66-Carat Diamond

Emily Co — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 13:50:45 PDT

You don't have to be a professional miner to find gems! According to the Daily Mail, Colorado resident Beth Gilbertson found an 8.66-carat diamond while digging around in Crater of Diamonds State Park, which she is calling the Illusion Diamond. It's the third largest diamond found in that park, and although there isn't an estimate of the gem's worth yet, the UK site says it "is certainly in the hundreds of thousands range minimum."

Beth has been a regular visitor at the park, located in Murfreesboro, AR, ever since she watched a show on America's top treasure hunting spots. If you want to get lucky like Beth, here are the 10 places to hunt for gems and rare materials according to the Travel Channel:

Murfreesboro, AR: Hunt for diamonds at the Crater of Diamonds State Park.
Big Sur, CA: Look for jade at the beach at Jade Cove.
Pine Grove, CA: Pan for gold nuggets at the Roaring Camp.
Brenham Township, KS: Find meteorites in deserts and dry lake beds.
Denio, NV: Try your luck at the Bonanza Opal Mine for some shimmery opals.
Tonopah, NV: Spot turquoise gems in the Royston Mine.
Deming, NM: A good place to hunt for thunder eggs, also referred to as geodes, is at the Rockhound State Park.

For more places to look for treasure, read on!

5 Reasons Not to Get Your Engagement Ring Online

Emily Co — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 14:25:36 PDT

Although buying your engagement ring online can definitely get you a better price, you might be losing out in other ways. Renee Newman, author of the Diamond Ring Buying Guide and the Diamond Handbook, explains the downsides of buying your ring from an online website.

Trying It On: You can’t try the ring on before you buy it to see if it's flattering and comfortable on you.

Difficult Evaluation of Craftsmanship: It’s difficult to evaluate the craftsmanship of the ring from a photo and often impossible because the photo may just be a generic photo of a ring like what you are buying. If a ring is not well made and the diamonds are not well set, you could have problems losing stones and have an uncomfortable ring that snags your clothes.
Repair Service: Internet sellers normally don't offer free repair service if there is a problem with your ring, whereas many brick and mortar stores will back up the quality of their craftsmanship and even sometimes replace stones if they fall out.
Can't View It Under Lighting: You can’t view the diamonds and other stones under a variety of lighting and under magnification before you buy them online. Lab documents do not tell you everything you need to know about a diamond. In addition, color and clarity grades can vary significantly from one lab to another. One lab's SI stones may look better than another lab's VS stones. Even when the stones are graded by the same lab, you can't rely solely on a grade to determine its beauty. Lighting can have a significant effect on the color and general appearance of a gemstone. You need to view a diamond in person and under various lighting conditions to fully appreciate it.
Losing the Experience: The experience of buying wedding and engagement rings online is not as romantic and heartwarming as lovingly trying on rings with your fiancé.

However, don't rule out buying your engagement ring online - there are many benefits such as being able to comparison shop easily, and you really can't beat the selection. The costs are lower if you're buying a ring online as well because e-tailers have fewer overhead costs. Have you considered buying a ring online?

15 Ultra Special, Nontraditional Engagement Rings

Noria Morales — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 12:02:25 PDT

Even if you're single and loving it, there's something alluring about being a bride. That's why we're kicking off wedding season with a month of can't-miss editorial on the best dresses, rings, shoes, and party outfits for a wedding. To kick it off, we're starting at Step 1: the ring. While few women want to resist a big, old-fashioned diamond ring, there are plenty of gorgeous, nontraditional options if you're planning to get engaged and want something different. We combed the market for 15 beautiful, unique rings that, quite frankly, don't require you to plan a wedding around.

Be sure to check out the rest of Fab's wedding coverage!

How to Be The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills For Halloween

jtsmith — Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:02:10 PDT

The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills just premiered on Bravo, but that doesn't mean it's too early to get their luxurious look for Halloween this year. Celebrity stylist Jessica Pastor fills us in on how to get the 90210 look this year to complete the perfect Halloween costume.

Rachel Bilson Designs For Charity

FabSugar — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 15:00:22 PST

Rachel Bilson recently used her fashion designing skills to help out the nonprofit Diamond Empowerment Fund (DEF). Touched by a visit to Botswana and South Africa to learn more about the diamond mining industry, the actress designed this sweet Leather Bracelet ($100) to help purchase student housing for the CIDA City Campus in Johannesburg (Africa's first free university). This bracelet is a far cry from the per usual charity tee. It's simple and chic - the leather cords are ideal for everyday wear, and the diminutive diamond adds a smart, conscious touch. Faboo.

Photo courtesy of the InStyle

Behind the Seams: Cartier's Luminescent Legacy

FabSugar — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 16:00:22 PST

Just in time for the holidays, Cartier celebrates 100 years in America with an extensively sparkly exhibit. San Francisco's Legion of Honor is hosting an exclusive exhibit through April 18. The collection houses more than 200 objects, starting with the Belle Époque through to the 1960s and '70s; jewelry of the gilded age and art-deco period surround platinum-set diamond tiaras, mystery clocks, and exotic creatures. The real stunners are the royal pieces worn by high society and Hollywood legends; an exotic flamingo brooch made for the Duchess of Windsor, diamond bangles worn by screen legend Gloria Swanson, and - my favorite - Princess Grace of Monaco's Cartier engagement jewelry (pictured). There's no denying Cartier's pukka power. Here's to another 100 years of diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.

Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend

BellaSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:01:08 PDT

Diamond's may be a girl's best friend, but they're also the sparkling birthstone for those April babies out there. Found in beauty items for their shimmering qualities and/or exfoliating properties, diamonds don't have to be expensive to look good. Check out my widget below for some beauty products that include this precious gemstone as an ingredient. Some are decadent - we're talking diamonds, after all - and some are easier on the budget, so you can drip in ice without the guilt. Also, be sure to check out my beauty posts for Aries and Taurus, the astrological signs for those of you born in the month of April.

Do You Covet a Big, Fat Rock?

FabSugar — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 00:23:22 PST

On the ringer finger, that is . . .

Source