Just like everyone has their favorite flavor of ice cream – every woman has their favorite shape of diamond. With the shape of diamonds expanding from rounds to heart shape the choices for center stones in engagement rings seem endless as compared to decades before. The shape of the diamond, not the cut* is the outlining of the stone.
The most popular and well know diamond shape is the round. There are many versions of the round shape - the European Cut, the Old Mine cut, and most recently the round brilliant. All of these have the same shape but what differentiates each stone is the cut – the agreement of the facets. The round brilliant is currently the most well known round shape and has 58 facets (57 if the cutlet is not included) and was originally developed in 1919 by Marcel Tolkowsky.
Square shapes fall closely behind with Princess Cut gaining great popularity in recent years. Princess cuts include a range between 49 to 58 facets. Other square cuts include Cushion cuts that were first introduced in 1700s and have round corners. Ascher cuts come in third under square shapes as the most popular for center stones. Ascher cut, known as a “step down cut,” are very similar to Emerald Cuts (see below) but have larger facets and more squared off.
The octagonal shape better known as the Emerald Cut has a rectangle shape with “step-cut” facets and beveled corners. The Emerald Cut has quickly gain popularity in recent years and is becoming more requested from women looking for a classic “old Hollywood look.” Emerald Cuts have a mirror like look and need to have a very high quality stone to make this shape look beautiful. The Radiant Cut is a new rising star for many women – combined the fire of a round brilliant and the shape of an Emerald cut with rounded corners.
Stay tuned for SHAPES Pt. 2 by Staci Kline
Jon and Megan met at a bar in Brooklyn. She was there with a girlfriend discussing how “she was done looking for the one” and he was there with his best friend, now future brother-in-law, talking about the awesome zombie movie they just saw.
Their eyes met and Jon said to his friend “I am talking to that girl before we leave”. His friend laughed and said, “oh okay” not believing him. Well, Jon did talk to Megan and she gave him her number, her real number. They took a chance in believing that this feeling they felt for one another was different, both convinced it was the real thing.
After months of courting, which included cooking together, numerous zombie movies, and talking about the future. They moved in together. Although their love was true and happiness evident, they both shared heartbreak when each of their parents was diagnosed with cancer. Jon’s father is now cancer free and unfortunately Megan’s mother passed on January 27,2012. Together they supported one another and their families during a very hard time. Megan told Jon that she wanted to get away for the one year anniversary of her mother’s passing and they took a much needed vacation to Charlotte, NC. The day finally came, January 27, 2013 and Jon wanted to take Megan to a place full of flowers to find a moment of peace.
They ventured to a botanical garden where they took a walk in a Japanese garden. Megan was busy taking a picture in a gazebo when Jon got down on one knee behind her. He told her “baby turn around” and then she did she was shocked and in disbelief.
For a girl who hated surprises and always knew the presents she was getting, prior to their trip Jon managed to ask her father, grandfather, and grandmother for her hand in marriage. His smile lit up like the night he first met Megan…and while holding the open ring box upside down, he asked her to marry him.
Without hesitation, she of course said “Yes!” and he placed two rings on her finger. The rings were a family heirloom 1920’s blue aquamarine and a custom diamond band. Although they had inherited a ring, Jon wanted to make something special for Megan. Before her mother’s passing, Megan’s mother gave Jon a ring of diamonds, telling him “although I will not be here for your wedding day, I will be with you, always & forever”. Jon took the diamonds from the ring that was given to him and used them in the band he made for Megan in honor of her mother. He also had the global coordinates of the bar they met at engraved in the band.
On the saddest days turned out to be an unexpected beautiful moment that not only bonded two people for life but also solidified that the ones you love are with you, always & forever.
Happy Valentines Day from Engage With Me
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Non - Traditional Rings
Step away from the norm and go for something unique. Check out these amazing rings, shining bright in their own light
(Source: people.com)
Jay and Alyssa both met while attending Penn State College. Even after Alyssa graduated and began grad school, this devoted couple stayed together. They moved in with each other and later went on to purchase a house. It was then that Jay had the idea of how to pop the question. On February 11th, they had planned a trip to visit Penn State and a few friends who still attended the school. Jay mentioned to Alyssa that they should snap some pictures of the scenic campus, and hang them in their new home. Since it’s a special place for the both of them and held many great memories, Alyssa thought this was a great idea.
Once they arrived at Penn State, they parked the car and walked along College Avenue. By the time they were up to Old Main road it had begun to snow. Jay then started pointing out objects to photograph, all the while stalling until he was ready to propose. Previously, Jay had set up his friend behind a tree nearby to capture the moment he proposed to Alyssa. Once he received the sign that his friend was in place, Jay dropped to one knee and asked Alyssa to marry him. She replied ‘Yes’
“[I] was looking for love to do something for me; to make me happy, fill a void, make me feel complete, and all of these things don’t come from another, it comes from a love of self,” she told the magazine. “I didn’t understand that at the time… I said a prayer and I waited. And I saw Ryan.” - Brandy
Justine and Karlo first meet 10 years ago while working together. Both were dating other people and not really looking for love anywhere else, they maintained a professional work relationship, until they began dating.
To Justine, her and Karlo’s engagement was a complete surprise, and may not have even been planned. One day, as they walked through the Westchester Mall, Karlo suggested that they browse around in Whitehall Jewelry store. Once inside, the clerk asked if they needed any help and Justine quickly answered that they didn’t and were just window shopping. Karlo then called Justine over to the engagement ring section and asked which ring she liked. Not aware of his intentions, Justine began selecting rings and trying them on.
Once she had the ring of her dreams placed on her finger, Karlo popped the question right there in the store. Admittedly at first Justine thought he was joking, but once she realized that Karlo was serious she replied ‘Yes!’ Without hesitation, Karlo ordered the ring and they left the store engaged. Justine says about the proposal ‘Karlo and I do things non-traditionally and I couldn’t be happier with the way it all happened because it was sincere, simple, and sweet!’
It’s the last day of Engage With Me’s 12 Days of Ring Special!!
We thought it was only fitting to feature our all time favorite celebrity couple - Jay-Z and Beyonce!!! Jay proposed to B with a flawless Emerald cut center stone weighing in at 18 carats and side diamonds making the ring 20 carats total. This engagement ring is estimated at 5 million. For Jay-Z and Beyonce it’s “go big or go home.”
Day 10 of Engage with Me’s Holiday Ring Special!
Everyone knows the traditional colors for the Holiday season are red and green. Lucky for Jessica Simpson she has an engagement ring to match! Check out one of our favorite celebrity’s engagement ring below!
Eric Johnson proposed with this 3-stone Neil Lane ruby engagement ring, which features a 5 carat ruby center stone lined with two 2 carat diamonds on either side.
It’s getting down to the “nail” for Engage With Me’s 12 Days of Rings Holiday Special.
Day 9 and what is more fitting than one of our favorite stories with a twist on nails! Check out Aki and Nana story here and don’t forget to look at her georgeuous engagement ring with a diamond shank. Pure elegance.
When most people think of engagement rings the typical prong mounting will come to mind but that’s not always the case.
The company Gelin Abaci is one of the very few companyies that design tension set mountings - “floating diamonds.” These mountings have no prongs and hold the stone in place with a large amount of pressure. The benefit of these settings is not only the lack of worry on thinning prongs, but light will be able to travel through both the table and culet of the stone allowing more fire and brilliance to radiate through.
Day 7 has arrived and without any hesitation we are excited to show case one of our favorite celebrity engagement rings!!
Angelina Jolie’s ring not only took over a year to make (Brad Pitt worked along side jeweler Robert Procop) but also weighs in at total weight of 16 carats with a 7 carat center stone!
Custom work is always a great option when you are looking for the exact ring to capture your love!
It’s Day 6 of our 12 Days of Rings Special and in light of the weather we have been having (fog and rain) we thought one of Engage With Me’s favorite stories would be a great tie in!
Check out Charmaine and Ilona’s engagement story here and her beautiful round brilliant diamond set in a bezel with diamond criss cross detail along the shank. It’s not only breath taking but capture’s the couple’s love for one another.
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love gave to me 5 golden rings!
In honor of that we are featuring one of our favorite celebrity engagement rings.
The late Elizabeth Taylor was not only known for her love of jewelry but for her 8 marr
iages. One of her most memorable rings was from the late Richard Burton (some say her true love). Below is a picture of Elizabeth Taylor and the ring itself - a beautiful 33.19 asscher cut flawless diamond.
12 Days Of Rings! - Holiday Special - Day 4
It’s 4th day of rings and we decided to feature one of your favorite story couple’s engagement ring and their story! Chelsea and Alex Matthews have been married for over 5 years and she has been flashing this beautiful brilliant round diamond set in a bezel mounting with surround stones to prove it!
