How to Care for Your Diamonds

Caring for a diamond takes more than occasional cleanings. Diamonds are forever, but they can be damaged if you are not careful. If you learn to properly care for your diamond, you can ensure that your diamond becomes an heirloom that lasts many lifetimes.

First, you should take your diamond jewellery to a jewellers once a year to get the mountings and prongs that hold your diamond in place checked. If anything needs mending, make sure you get it repaired right away to prevent your diamond from falling out of its setting and becoming lost.

Diamond jewellery that is not being worn, or diamonds that are loose should be stored in a fabric lined jewel case, or in a jewellery box where it can be kept separate from other items. Ideally, each piece should have its own compartment in order to prevent your diamonds from getting scratched; it will also keep your diamonds from scratching other jewellery pieces.

Remove your diamond jewellery whenever you are doing physical work. Diamonds can be chipped and scratched easily. Also try to avoid allowing your diamond to come into contact with bleach or other household cleansers – this can damage or change the colour of the settings and mountings, and it may even irreversibly change the colour of your diamond!

Diamond Stud Earrings: Elegant Unisexuality

A diamond stud earring is made up of just one perfectly cut diamond, set in fine gold or silver. The simplicity of the design itself is its own selling point: anything fancier and you could easily fall into the trap of over-accessorizing. A single-stone earring is singled out for its sophisticated look.

A diamond is 58 times harder than the next hardest mineral on earth, corundum, the stuff from which rubies and sapphires are formed. Only diamonds can cut other diamonds. Ironically, diamonds are also brittle. If you hit one hard with a hammer, it will shatter. If it is placed in an oven and heated to about 763 degrees Celsius (1405 degrees Fahrenheit), it will simply vanish, releasing only a little carbon dioxide and NO visible traces whatsoever.

Contrary to popular perception, diamond stud earrings are not just for women! There are quite a few male celebrities who have popularized the use of ear accessories – Johnny Depp being among the more famous of them. Respected artists like Usher and Kanye West have taken to sporting diamond earrings. Morgan Freeman wore a diamond earring to a roundtable discussion of his movie “The Sum of All Fears” in Washington DC in May 2002.

If stud earrings look elegant on a woman, they work for men in a different way. A classic diamond stud can boost the “macho” appeal of a man; the purity of the stone, the value of the stud, all speak highly of his discerning taste and eye for refinement. It can work for a variety of styles as well, from “bad boy” images to clean-cut James Bond figures.

The virtue of the diamond stud earring lies in its unisex appeal. Both men and women have the privilege of accessorizing, and a single diamond stud is sometimes more than enough to set off their own personal styles. A simple diamond stud earring is timeless, and appropriately goes with the saying “Fashion fades. Style is eternal.”

All About Coloured Diamonds

Aside from white, diamonds are also found in shades of yellow, brown, red, purple, blue and green. The colour can be either natural or artificial.

Natural coloured diamonds occur for different reasons. The colour may result from trace elements present in the stones, such as nitrogen, which produces a yellow diamond. The diamond may have been exposed to radiation during its creation; green diamonds are an example of gems affected by radiation. Inclusions, regarded as undesirable in a traditional white stone, often contribute unique tones and hues in a fancy coloured diamond.

Most natural coloured diamonds are rare and therefore quite expensive. Consumers looking for an alternative solution to owning vividly coloured diamonds have discovered that gemologists are able to create affordable versions by using heat and radiation to turn brownish and yellow diamonds into exotic show-stoppers, at more reasonable price-point. As a general rule, it is best to assume that any affordable fancy color diamond has been treated in some way to achieve the synthetic colour. If you have questions about a stone’s origins, you can always ask for a lab certificate to verify its authenticity.

Irradiation, followed by high heat treatment, is used to convert brown and yellow diamonds into unique hues of green, vivid yellows, blues, purples, reds and other such vibrant colours. This change is usually permanent, but could possibly be affected if high heat is used during setting repairs.

High Pressure High Temperature Treatment (HPHT) was first used to turn low-priced yellowish diamonds into more attractive coloured gemstones, but it can also be used to transform them into white diamonds.

Synthetic coloured diamonds are also available. These are chemically the same as natural diamonds, but they are created in a lab. The secret to making diamonds was discovered in the 1950s, when diamonds were synthesized almost simultaneously by Swedish and American researchers. This process uses pressures of over 55,000 atmospheres and 1400C, plus molten iron to convert graphite to diamond, were necessary.

There are high-grade synthetic diamonds, and this process makes ownership of a coloured diamond a reality for buyers who otherwise could not afford to purchase a natural stone.

Several factors influence the price of coloured diamonds. The rarer and more intense the colour, the more the diamond will cost. Unlike white diamonds, the presence or absence of inclusions is of secondary consideration. Coloured diamonds have a unique grading system, and are categorized by the GIA into 9 different groups : Very Light, Light, Fancy Light, Fancy, Fancy Dark, Fancy Intense, Fancy Deep and Fancy Vivid.

Yellow and brownish diamonds are the most common; blue, green and especially red are the rarest and most valuable. Yellow and pink diamonds are the most commonly purchased, though public tastes may change in the future. Pink diamond sales received a boost from a large pink diamond ring worn by Jennifer Lopez. Celebrity tastes greatly influence trends in the area of luxury products.

Yellow and brown diamonds are sometimes referred to as Champagne diamonds, and they are less expensive than white diamonds. Champagne diamonds with a secondary pink colour are extremely popular. When faced up, these stones display light to bold flashes of pink in their fire. These stones are available in a sparkling range of champagne tones, from light champagne to fancy cognac. An extremely pale yellow diamond will be classified somewhere in the X to Z color range, making it closer to a low end white diamond rather than a fancy colour. Yellow diamonds of a high intensity, such as vivid or deep, are quite rare and therefore more expensive.

Natural fancy pink diamonds are rare, and account for only a fraction of one percent of the output of the Australian Argyle mine. Pink diamonds mined in India, Brazil and Africa are usually lighter in colour than the intensely pink Argyle diamonds. These diamonds are primarily divided into five colour categories: Pink, Purplish pink, Brownish pink, Orangey pink and Pink Champagne. Pink diamonds without any secondary colouring are the rarest and most expensive of all.

The Argyle mine, also a leader in the production of brownish diamonds which were previously unwanted by consumers, was the first to introduce the terms ëchampagneí and ëcognací as a marketing campaign to encourage appreciation of these stones. It seems to have worked, and brown diamonds are becoming more expensive as they are being incorporated more frequently into jewelry.

Within a given grade, clarity, colour distribution and cut affect the final price of the stone. Smaller diamonds (less than 0.80) carat can cost 10%-20% less than the rarer large gems. Exceptionally well cut stones and stones with a VVS or IF clarity can cost 10%-20% more. Secondary colours, such as brownish yellow, reduce cost.

A good cut gives a fancy diamond its sparkle and helps to bring out the most intense colour possible. White diamonds are cut in a standard way to maximize light refraction. However, when cutting coloured diamonds, the cutter usually considers the stone’s inclusions, which can enhance the diamond’s colour. Facets and angles also give colour to a diamond, so the cutter must consider what shape would bring out the gemstone’s best colour.

If you are interested in learning more about your options for fancy coloured diamonds, stop by Francis Jewellers downtown Victoria BC to discuss the best solutions for your personality, style and budget.

Choosing A Diamond With 4 Cs

You know the saying, “Diamonds are a girls’ best friend,” right? Why do think that is? Why are they so precious? They are beautiful and exquisite and  purchasing a diamond can test the nerves of even the most astute buyer – What do you look for? What do the terms mean? What makes one diamond worth more than another?

When you get to the jewellery store, having some understanding about diamonds will help you know what the different between the many that you will see. Even though two may have the same size and carat, the price can be completely different. Why? Here is a simple guide to the essentials of diamond grading.

Understanding a few terms will help you discuss with the dealer the features that are most important to you, ensuring you get the very best diamond for your money. Diamond appraisers look for four qualities in a diamond, commonly called the ’4 Cs’, when discerning its value: Cut, Clarity, Carat and Color.

CUT

There are 2 big aspects of CUT.

1. Quality of cut – affecting the brilliance of the diamond – the other refers to the actual shape of the diamond.

2. Shape – Diamonds are available in many shapes. Some of the more common are; round, oval, pear (teardrop shaped), heart, princess (square shaped), Emerald (rectangular shaped), marquise (football shaped) and round. Of all the shapes available, round diamonds are the shape most capable of being cut to exude the greatest brilliance. The brilliance is determined by the ability of the diamond to reflect light. A quality cut diamond will have facets angled to reflect the greatest amount of light. Beware of diamonds cut to maintain a higher carat weight while sacrificing the cutting of a good angle as this will dramatically reduce the brilliance.

CLARITY

Diamonds from natural sources are subject to individual flaws including trace minerals and scratches. A diamond without such characteristics is called flawless and is the rarest kind. While these flaws are often not visible to the naked eye, they affect the light reflecting qualities of the diamond which affects the overall brilliance.

Diamond clarity is classified as follows: Flawless, IF, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, VS2, SI1, SI2, SI3, I1, I2 and I3.

CARAT

Carat is the measurement of the weight of a diamond. One carat may also be referred to as ’100 points’. This means that a half carat would be listed as ’50 points’ and so on.

The larger a diamond is the more costly it becomes. Since the larger diamonds are much rarer the cost will go up significantly with each increase in size. A one carat diamond will be more than just double the cost of a half carat, however, a ring with multiple diamonds that have a combined weight of one carat will be cheaper than a single stone of that weight.

COLOR

There are many diamond colors which called fancy diamonds. But the mostly found diamonds will be rated on an alphabetical scale from D to Z. A typical ‘white’ diamond should be as colorless as possible – a rating of ‘D’ being the rarest and most desirable. When choosing a colorless diamond it is best to stay within the D-J range or the diamond will have a yellow cast which lessens the value. The less natural color the diamond has the more colors will appear in the flashes reflected in the prism.

‘Fancy’ diamonds (diamonds with a rating over Z) come in a variety of shades and include some famous diamonds such as the Blue Hope diamond.

When you decide to buy a diamond, please keep in mind of these 4 Cs as a factor of buying consideration. It takes years to gain a specialty in this area. Therefore, at least you should point out whether which features are of greatest importance to you and with a little knowledge select the diamond that will hold the greatest value and sentiment for your budget.

Create Your Own Wedding Ring

Have you been searching for the perfect wedding ring? Many people spend hours and hours shopping for the perfect wedding ring only to end up very discouraged. Often they can not find the ring they want or if the can it is out of their price range. The simplest solution to this dilemma is to create your own wedding ring.

Wedding rings are very important to a couple who have taken the step and decided to spend the rest of their lives together. The wedding ring is the outer physical symbol of this agreement or pact that the couple has made to each other. The ring is a symbol for the vows a couple has taken. Since it is the outward symbol of the marriage it is very important to choose a wedding ring carefully and to find exactly what you want. That is why creating your own wedding ring is often the best option. It is easy, can save you a great deal of money and you will have a unique symbol that the two of you share.

This article will list some of the top reasons you should consider getting a custom wedding ring instead of buying a stock ring from a store.

One of a Kind

If you choose to design your own ring with a professional ring designer, you can ensure that your set will be entirely unique. In fact you will be the only two people in the world to have that exact ring and that exact design. What better symbol of your love to show off to the world then having your own unique wedding ring? Believe me you will get compliments on your ring everywhere you go. People are often amazed that you can even make your own rings and love the uniqueness of the designs.

Personalization

In creating your own wedding ring you can personalize the design to fit your tastes and even contain secret symbols or messages to each other. If you have a favorite style of ring or artistic style, colors or other thing that you would like to include in the design the jeweller will be glad to consult with you and help you incorporate the design into your ring. For example a lot of people really love the deep symbolism of Celtic knot work since this is a knot tied with one piece of rope and it is never ends it is a continuous knot that runs forever. A lot of people really love this symbolism and love wear a customer made unique wedding ring that has these types of symbols in them. It brings a lot of significance to the ring.

Mutual Agreement

In making your own wedding ring you will come to a mutual agreement on the design and it is an experience that you will always share together. When you sit down with the designer you can both share your ideas openly and talk about the significance of the ring for each of you. Then the designer can work with these ideas and your suggestions and create something that will embody all of these things. It is wonderfully to wear a ring that was created from a joint experience you both had and not just some stock designer ring that holds no meaning or no experience or significance behind it.

Price

This is the best part for many people just getting married. By designing your own ring you are usually reducing the cost of the rings. You see most rings are created by some famous wedding ring designer and the price is based on the popularity of the designer. However, the average person has no idea who these famous wedding ring designers are anyway. So even though you spend a great deal of money on a wedding ring by a well known artist chances are most people will have no idea. However, by making your own ring there is no designer label or name behind it and therefore the costs is often cut in half or even more! Not only that chances are the most people will have no idea who the designer is of a certain ring they will definitely notice you have a unique one of a kind ring!

You really can not go wrong in designing your own wedding ring. If this is a direction you are considering, have a look at our Designer’s Corner to see the stunningly unique designs that have been created recently, and then get in touch with Francis Jewellers to get started on your own design today.

Building a Jewelry Wardrobe: A Woman's Guide to Seven Jewelry Must-Haves

Just as every woman needs a pair, or twenty, of jeans, a few pairs of black shoes (at the very least: ballet flats, thongs, kitten heels and stilettos), a cocktail dress, a few basic skirts, a chic business suit, a cardigan sweater…I could go on but you get my point. Just as every woman needs these fashion staples, she needs a few jewelry basics – seven actually – with which to accessorize her outfits.

Like a custom paint job on a sleek Harley, accessories personalize your style and tell the world that you care enough to go the extra mile for appearance’s sake. And we all know that appearance counts. Within the first three seconds of taking you in, people make judgments about you that you usually cannot reverse. So why not make a good first impression with a look that is polished, put together, and says that you pay attention to style and detail? Here are seven jewelry staples no well-dressed woman should be without.

Diamond studs. Anyone can pull off this classic accessory. Diamond studs are elegant, timeless and simple enough to be worn with other jewelry and any style of hair or dress. Look for clear, sparkling gems, set in white gold or platinum (not yellow gold) to show off their colorlessness. As for shape, round studs will always be in style, but princess cut styles are popular – and classic too. Look for screw backs to help ensure that you won’t lose your investment, and make sure the setting is secure (four prongs may be better than three).

Pearl studs. Like diamond studs, pearl studs can be worn with every style of dress, and with all types of jewelry. Unlike diamond studs, pearl studs are surprisingly affordable, especially when you choose freshwater pearls, which today can rival the beauty of their saltwater cousins. Look for round white gems that are well-matched; these are classics and won’t go out of style. Choose a back that is comfortable, secure and comprised of a metal your skin can tolerate, such as white gold, yellow gold or platinum.

When wearing pearls, keep in mind that the gems are typically associated with a demure, ladylike reputation, so they’re perfect for a job interview, wedding or other formal setting. Of course, classic pearls are perfect for daytime and casual events as well, and give the wearer a timeless, feminine look that is very polished.

Dangle earrings. I love dangles for their drama, and because their typical hook backs make them easy to get on and off. But many dangles aren’t for everyday; they’ll look out of place with shorts and a tank, for example. If you’re going a bit more formal, though, you have many options with this earring style. Keep in mind that if you want your dangle earrings to become a jewelry staple, look for a classic, elegant design in a neutral color, such as an all metal style or one that ends in a cultured pearl, for example. For your staple piece, don’t choose anything trendy or cute; steer clear of hearts, stars, zodiac signs and skulls. (If you want to go trendy that’s fine, just buy something inexpensive.) As for what to choose, I prefer a dangle that hangs an inch or two below the earlobe to really make a statement. White gold and yellow gold bars, chains or chandeliers are timeless favorites. Of course, hairstyle and wardrobe will play a role here too. If your hair is very long you can get away with more dramatic – and longer – styles. Remember, though, if you wear a dramatic earring it’s best to skip the necklace and let the earrings speak for themselves.

Silver or gold hoop earrings. Several styles of hoop earrings can be considered jewelry staples, from small diamond-encrusted loops to gargantuan, J.Lo-style hoops. It all depends on what you like, so choose hoops that fit your personality. Keep in mind, though, that oversize hoops can overpower short hair, an updo, or a face with small features, so take in the overall picture before you step out. Small gold, silver, diamond, or pearl hoops go with everything and are always in style. Look for hoop earrings with a back that’s easy to fasten and won’t readily bend or fall out. And don’t wear gigantic hoops to a job interview or other professional setting, unless you work at Vogue.

Diamond solitaire pendant. There’s not enough room here to write about the five Cs of diamond quality, but, if you’re interested, there are great posts about how to choose a diamond at http://francisjewellers.com/category/blog. As for the pendant, a single bezel set diamond on a white gold chain looks amazing, crisp and classic. Choose an 18-inch length with a secure clasp (a lobster claw works well) and make sure the chain is sturdy, yet thin and unobtrusive. It’s the diamond that you want to showcase here, not the chain. As with studs, if a diamond is not in your budget, a gorgeous solitaire pearl makes a nice twist.

Pearl strand. When choosing a classic pearl strand, look for an 18-inch princess length in a classic creamy white. This length is very versatile, and the color is timeless. There are a few factors to keep in mind, pearl size being one of them. After the 7.5-8.0 mm mark, prices rise dramatically, but a 6.5mm strand is lovely and affordable. Look at luster and surface. Pearls should have a high luster, or surface sheen, meaning they reflect light well. They should also be free from obvious blemishes. Pay attention to uniformity. Make sure the pearls are the same size, the same color and have a uniform luster – the warm glow that appears to come from within the pearl. To check that the pearls are uniformly round, roll the strand on a table. Matched pearls will roll smoothly.

If you think pearl strands are too old fashioned, a “Tin Cup” necklace, where the pearls are evenly spaced on a chain, is a gorgeous alternative.

A Classic Timepiece. Lots of options here, but if you’re going to choose just one watch it has to be classic, functional and stylish. I like a water-resistant oversize sterling silver watch or a classic tank watch, both of which will look good with everything except formalwear (then you can tuck it in your clutch). A stainless steel band will wear better than leather, and is usually water-resistant, but try it on in case it feels too heavy or overwhelms your wrist. Stick with a classic white or muted watch face with numbers that are easy to read. (Bold colors are pretty, but distracting.) A glow-in-the-dark face is a plus. As for brands, Swiss Army has some great styles that wear well and don’t break the bank. If you have the means, a Rolex is always nice too.

When you have your seven basic jewelry staples, it’s time to play. There are so many other classics you can add to your jewelry box if you’re so inclined. A diamond tennis bracelet, a beautiful pearl bracelet, an oversized pearl cocktail ring, or a signature piece in your birthstone all look terrific. Depending on your style personality and budget, you can choose plenty of other extras to keep up with fashion trends, but keep these on the inexpensive side as they likely won’t stand the test of time. For a statement-making piece, choose an oversize cocktail ring in a bold color. Or, if you like today’s layered look, pick several chain necklaces in your favorite metal in varying lengths, and layer them with pearl strands or oversized turquoise, wood or mother-of-pearl beaded necklaces. Wide wood, mother-of-pearl or metal cuffs always look terrific, and stackable bangles, especially personalized charm bracelets, are always fun.

The Cultural Uses of Necklaces

The wearing of jewellery has been with us across the ages with both men and women seeking to adorn their persons with these ornamental devices. The word jewellery is anglicised from an old French word “joule” (jewel), but the origin can be further traced back to the Latin word “jocale” which means plaything.

Although we typically think of jewellery as being made from precious metals and gemstones, over the centuries it has been made from a variety of materials such as cloth, wood, shells, rocks and stone. In fact man has been very ingenious and artistic in creating jewellery from just about anything and in many different styles from the plain and simple to the highly elaborate.

Items of jewellery have also been adopted as potent symbols and even worn to ward off evil spirits or to help overcome enemies in battle.

Examples of jewellery being worn other than for adornment, are necklaces such as the cross or crucifixes worn by Christians as potent religious symbols. Other religious types of necklaces are pendants known as amulets, which are figures or symbols of varying shapes and sizes, which are hung on a chain round the neck.

Necklaces called lockets, which are usually heart shaped are worn as a symbol of love and open up to reveal a picture or lock of hair from a cherished one.

Necklaces and pendants are both worn around the neck but a pendant usually means a hanging object although it can be hanging from a neck chain or an earring. A choker is also a form of necklace but is worn high around the neck and can also have a pendant hanging from it.

Perhaps the most bizarre form of necklaces are those worn by the Pa Dong Long Neck people who are part of the Karen tribal group that live along the border between Thailand and Burma. From the age of 6 years old, brass rings are snapped around the necks of young girls, a few every year, up to a limit of 20 rings although there is a woman on record as having 28 around her neck. As they progress from childhood to womanhood, their necks appear to elongate although apparently what really happens is that the weight of the rings crushes the women’s collarbones giving the illusion of a very long neck.

It is said that these women only remove the brass rings on their wedding night with a long drawn out process involved, which involves much neck washing. As brass often tends to discolour the skin one can imagine that there may be a rather nasty green mess under those rings. After the wedding night, the rings are replaced and must remain in place for life, as the women’s neck muscles are now no longer strong enough to support the length of the neck and the weight of the head on their own.

This wearing of neck rings was also a practice adopted by women in South Africa and in particular those from the Ndebele tribe and these women have often been referred to as giraffe women because of their long necks.

The Ndebele women traditionally wore copper and brass rings around their necks arms and legs as a symbol of their status in society and after marriage as a symbol of her bond and faithfulness to her husband. Husbands would provide their wives with these rings and the richer her spouse the more rings she would wear and they would only be removed after his death as they were believed to have strong ritual powers.

Thankfully, in both the Pa Dong and the Ndebele tribes, this traditional practice is no longer popular and is now dying out in favour of the more usual types of necklaces.

In our culture, however, necklaces are still very much chic and on trend, so make sure your jewellery box carries many different varieties!

Brilliant Jewelry Choices

There is a certain fashion style that women try to maintain, and they primarily focus on using jewelry pieces to coordinate a fashionable wardrobe.  These fashion accessories can be very tastefully placed on many body parts to make even the most economical clothing choices glimmer with style and elegance.

People love experimenting with the many color choices and precious metals that are available in fine jewelry, and will lavish themselves liberally with these items at every opportunity.  There are so many choices to be found in fine jewelry accessories and people find that rings, earrings, bracelets, pendants and necklaces make excellent companions that will thrill them for a lifetime.

There is, of course, a large assortment of fine jewelry styles to pick from, but if you work with a custom designer, you can create a piece unique to your style and personality.  You can choose the gem or gems that you love most, and have them mounted into exquisite creations that are truly unique and all about you.  With these artistic pieces there may be a short waiting period before you can enjoy wearing them, but these stylish jewelry pieces will definitely be worth the wait.

People that look gorgeous in gold can also select gems to go with them, that are elegantly presented in a brilliant array of twisted metals and stones that are equally ravishing.

When people adorn their bodies with pendants, they are letting a touch of light accent their bodies.  This light can be from light piercing a brilliant diamond, or the rich red glow that is emitted from a delicious red ruby.  A person can choose to ornament their body with precious metals that are offered in silver, gold and platinum, and personalize each piece by putting their favorite precious gems on an oval shaped pedestal that is accented with circles of pearls or diamonds.

Many jewelry items are constructed in blended tones of silver and gold which create a magnificent jewelry piece that will be worn often and cherished for a long time.  There are a large variety of diamond earrings that people can choose from, and people like to alternate their daily jewelry choices between studded back models and those that dangle and provide an air of sophistication to any outfit.

Diamonds can be bought in a large array of color choices.  People accent their fashions with diamonds colored in irradiated blue, green, black, and white and maintain a diamond earring arsenal that is equal in style to those found in the richest social circles in the world.  These entertaining and elegant diamond jewelry pieces provide people with ample opportunity to dress in stylish brilliance for any occasion that comes along.

There are no set rules to follow on which piece of jewelry is suitable for any specific purpose.  Fine jewelry choices are clearly a personal choice and one that many women savor and languish over for many hours.  The warmth of gold can be felt more distinctly when it is chosen by the wearer in a style that is reflective of their personality and personal taste.

Diamond Anniversary Ring Designs

In today’s day and age, it seems that more and more people just aren’t staying together. With the divorce rate in North America currently at an all-time high, it only serves to honour those marriages that have stood the test of time. These marriages embody the true spirit of what the sacred bond is all about; two people sharing a lifetime filled with memories and love. It has long been custom to celebrate such an occasion by the exchanging of diamond anniversary rings. In this article, we’ll take a look at just a few of the wonderful diamond anniversary ring designs that couples can choose from.

One of the most popular designs on the market today is the three stone anniversary ring. This ring usually contains three diamonds of equal size, and they are meant to represent the couple’s past, present, and future.

It is also acceptable for the stones to be of varying sizes, as they could also represent any children in the couple’s life. In fact, the meaning behind the diamonds is always open to the couple’s individual interpretation.

Another popular diamond anniversary ring design is the eternity ring. This ring is meant to show the couple’s undying devotion to one another, as the ring features diamonds that complete a circle around the entire finger. These rings can also be designed with additional rows of smaller diamonds that encompass the band. Though a bit pricy, these rings are absolutely stunning pieces.

Many couples also design their own diamond anniversary rings. This is a special way for each person to individualize the piece, thus giving it a heart-felt meaning. Some couples opt for bands that intertwine, representing their unique union. Other people add romantic touches to the rings such as hearts, doves, or flowers. Still others choose to have several smaller diamonds of varying shapes and colors surround the band. Again, a diamond anniversary ring design can be anything the couple chooses, as there really are no limits.

While most diamond anniversary ring designs are geared towards women, there are several simple rings that are suitable for men as well. For example, a man’s ring may start out as a gold or platinum band, and diamonds can be incorporated in an eternity or three stone design. This will have extra meaning as the couple will both be wearing a similar ring to remind them of the long journey they have taken.

As you can see, there are many different diamond anniversary ring designs that can be tailored to fit your life. The important part of an anniversary ring isn’t so much in the diamonds, but in the thought and meaning behind the design. So it is important to select your diamond anniversary design together, as it will serve to symbolize your continuing love for one another. And one last note regarding these rings; while often expensive, there are options available for those couples on a budget. Regardless of cost, a unique diamond anniversary ring design will create wonderful memories while celebrating the life you have made together.

Choose Your Perfect Jewellery Style

When you are ready to invest in a staple piece of jewellery, you may to choose one piece that will compliment both a formal outfit as well as your daily wear. This will help make sure you will get most wear for your favorite piece of jewellery.

If you make the right decision, that chosen jewellery style will draw attention to your best features, making you feel like a celebrity whenever you have it on. So, what guidelines are there to help you select the most flattering jewellery?

Earrings:

The main factor when choosing earring is your face shape.

As a general rule, individuals with an oval face shape can wear any style of earring, while others should look for styles that contrast their face shape. Selecting a hoop or button style for a round face will emphasize the round shape, whereas a square or long shapes will de-emphasize a round face.

The same is true with other face shapes; a long, rectangular face may want to choose small studs, and square faces will look fabulous with the softness of round or hoop earrings. Heart shaped faces are complimented with triangular shapes with a wide base that contrasts a narrow chin.

Necklace:

Your choice of necklace can minimize or emphasize your size. If you want to create or emphasize a taller appearance choose longer necklaces and V shapes. A necklace that falls past the bustline but above the waist will elongate while a choker style or shorter U shaped necklace resting on the breast bone will shorten your appearance.

The size of your necklace should also be considered. Fuller figures can compliment their proportions with larger, chunkier pieces that may overwhelm an individual with a smaller frame.

Bracelets and Rings:

Similar guidelines should be followed with bracelets and rings as with necklace choice. Women of average build and height will find a wide bracelet most complimentary. Petite women should look for more delicate pieces and tall or full figured women can layer several small or wide bracelets.

When selecting rings make sure that the setting doesn’t cover your knuckle, which will cause fingers to look short and may interfere with movement and comfort.

Shorter fingers benefit from oval settings while longer fingers look best with wide bands or simple, round settings.

What you like and want to own:

While these guidelines may influence the type of jewellery you select you can be sure that there are many, many choices for all tastes and occasions regardless of your shape or size.

The above are guidelines. The most important of all is choosing what you love. It is you who wear them. Even though those chosen ones are perfect for your face shape and size, you do not like them.

When you visit Francis Jewellers in Victoria BC, we will be able to work with you – your personality and style preferences – to help you decide on a piece that will enhance your natural beauty perfectly!