Diamond engagement rings have a surprisingly deep symbolism. The round ring reminds of eternity without end and beginning and the single essence of two people who decided to tie themselves by family ties.
A diamond is a cut diamond, which means "indestructible" in Greek. A tiny piece of jewelry, thereby speaks of an indestructible relationship and mutual love of two people, connected into a single whole.
Content:
- What is uniqueness
- Models relevant in 2021
- Materials (edit)
- How to choose
- Legendary brands and their collections
Traditions and historical facts
In 1477, Archduke Maximilian presented his bride Mary of Burgundy with a diamond ring. It is believed that it was this historical fact that laid the foundation for the tradition among the European nobility to express the depth and sincerity of their feelings by donating a ring with a precious mineral.
Over the next several centuries, a similar fashion strengthened among representatives of the royal dynasties, and with the beginning of the development of diamond mines in South Africa in 1870, it began to spread to other wealthy classes.
European unmarried gentlemen had the custom to always carry a lady's jewelry with a precious stone with them: for the time being, it was hidden behind a ribbon on a hat, in order to present it to their chosen one at an opportunity.
At the end of the 19th century, the diamond market was owned by the De Beers conglomerate: with the help of a powerful advertising campaign, it popularized diamond jewelry and made them a desirable luxury item for the population of America and Europe.
At the beginning of the 20th century, platinum engagement rings gained popularity, but with the outbreak of World War II, platinum became in short supply due to its strategic importance in the military industry. They were replaced by white and yellow alloys.
What is uniqueness
In the European tradition, the wedding ring, unlike ordinary jewelry, is usually worn on the fourth ring finger.
The custom goes back to the ideas of the ancient Greeks about the structure of the human body: it was believed that the vein of the fourth finger is directly connected with the heart. It was called the vein of love by the ancients.
De Beers, a diamond monopoly at the beginning of the 20th century, launched an unprecedented advertising campaign called "Diamonds Are Forever."
It was not easy for them to advertise engagement jewelry with cut diamonds: the company created a special engagement etiquette for future grooms, which is still adhered to by residents of the United States. It was believed that the groom was obliged to present the future bride with a ring worth two of his monthly salaries.
Models relevant in 2021
The most sought after trend of 2021 is red gold. Designers offer options with a diamond cut or a smooth surface.
The white alloy in combination with a laconic design and diamond cut does not lose ground. Despite the apparent simplicity, these jewelry will sparkle and sparkle surprisingly brightly in the sun.
Mens
Men's fashion tends to minimalism in forms and combined colors. Washers, squares and a deliberately rough top layer seem to be opposed to the feminine openwork forging.
The straight edges are decorated with horizontally grooved stones. Minerals of black color look interesting and noble against the background of a silvery surface.
Womens
The classic model of three intertwined circles of different shades, as well as delicate floral weaves and ornaments, are in great demand.
For business ladies, in the new collections there are specimens with black stones, consonant with masculine models.
In the countries of western Europe of the 17th-18th centuries, the upper classes were in fashion for women's wedding rings with a ruby or diamond in the shape of a heart. The stones had a symbolic meaning: they assured the chosen one of the eternal love and loyalty of the future spouse.
Paired
Paired rings became widespread during the Renaissance. An interesting fact: there could be not two, but three rings. The first was worn by the future bride, the second - by the groom, the third - by the witness. On the wedding day, all the rings were connected into one. The pair was called "Gimmel": the founder of the Protestant religious movement, Martin Luther, was married with a triple ring.
Today, many couples are leaning towards the European version of white gold with a round shape with a flat section.
With one stone
The single diamond is first seen in the Tiffany collection. Today, this laconic, sophisticated white gold model is in great demand in European countries.
Scattering
A sophisticated and very feminine option for a refined taste and delicate build.
The placer is presented in the collections of such world jewelry houses as Chopard and Cartier.
Engraving
The undisputed hit of the season: unique lettering on the inside or outside.
They can be names, dates, or love vows. An innovation was the inscriptions on the outer surface: in the old days, such liberty was considered a strange ostentatious eccentricity, which cannot be said about the secret engraving, hidden from prying eyes.
Path of diamonds
The model with three or five diamonds in a line is called the "Princess Ring": an English engagement classic.
After the first decades of the 20th century, it was almost forgotten, but today jewelers have presented it in the collections of world brands.
Materials (edit)
The jewelry fashion of the XXI century is characterized by a mixture of shades of precious alloys.
The smallest gold ring, inlaid with a diamond, was received on the occasion of the engagement to the two-year-old daughter of Henry VIII - Mary in 1518. The decoration was the key to her future union with the newborn son of King Francis I of France.
White gold
Noble classics. The popular 585th test indicates the high durability and practicality of the jewelry in everyday life.
Alloy 750 shines much brighter, but with prolonged use, its surface quickly scratches.
Yellow gold
It is not very popular in wedding collections (with the exception of combined alloys). He is preferred only in the countries of East Asia and Turkey. Yellow is more in harmony with stones of warm colors: rubies and emeralds.
Red gold
The alloy is obtained by adding a master alloy of copper and zinc. The deep red color is achieved thanks to palladium, and a soft pink tint to the alloy is given by an admixture of silver. The adornment of red alloy with pure white stone looks like a royal noble.
Another distinctive feature of the alloy is its strength and durability: museum exhibits of the late 19th century have not yet lost their aristocratic appearance. Interestingly, in the last century, red gold was the main raw material for jewelry factories in the USSR.
How to choose
We offer several important tips that will greatly simplify the choice and will not get lost in the variety of proposals presented on the shelves of jewelry stores and in the collections of famous brands.
- Decide on the metal that appeals to you the most, or a combination of both. Before going to the salon, study or at least browse through the collections presented on the seller's website.
- Try on a few of your favorite models to roughly determine the thickness, shape, number and location of stones. Take a closer look at the cut and shape of the stone.
There is no need to be upset if the model you like did not fit: the ring in the photo and on the finger are “two big differences”.
- Keep in mind that large, protruding stones will be impractical in everyday life: at the very least, they will cling to clothing.
- Modern bridal fashion allows avoiding paired rings: everyone chooses what he likes best.
- It is important that the ring does not squeeze the finger or scratch the skin, and also does not fly off the finger freely.
- The decoration must be in harmony with the shape and fullness of the brush. A thin mug will be lost against the background of a full hand, just as a massive ring will not be combined with overly thin fingers.
- Products of 750 standard are distinguished by a brighter brilliance, but less hardness compared to 585 tests. The cost will directly depend on the height of the sample.
If it is necessary to reduce the size of the selected model, keep in mind: smooth rings with a minimum of stones are much easier to fit in size than complex-shaped products with diamond scattering.
For such a solemn and important acquisition, a frame of appropriate dignity is needed: only cases made of velvet of dark green, deep blue or burgundy shades.
After paying for the purchase, the seller is obliged to issue a quality certificate from the manufacturer, certifying the authenticity of the diamonds.
Legendary brands and their collections
The unique designs of the world's legendary brands are easy to recognize at a glance. Exclusive models boast a long history: they have become models and objects of inspiration for many jewelers.
Tiffany
- Tiffany Setting. Classic wedding jewelry from Tiffany. A sophisticated piece with a large diamond fixed in prong legs appeared about 130 years ago and revolutionized the jewelry world. The excitement was due to a new technique for attaching a gemstone. The prongs allowed the sun's rays to refract from the side and bottom edges of the diamond: the product shone on the bride's finger like a small star.
- Atlas. Openwork ring in white gold with two tiny diamonds. The middle of the ring is in the form of Roman numerals.
- De Beers Infinity. Another classic figure eight with one or two diamond lines. The infinity symbol is made in white alloy.
- Bridal Graff. Again, a delicate and refined model in white gold with a heart-shaped gem set in prongs.
Chopard
- Timeless wedding band. A band of square-cut diamonds weighing approximately 2.46 carats, set in brilliant platinum.
- L'heure du diamant. Triple ring set with 69 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total of approximately 5.80 carats. The stones are individually set on a 18-karat white gold bezel.
- Ice cube. A whole line with stones arranged in one or more rows on a 18-karat white gold bezel. Each stone is located in a separate box.
Cartier
- Trinity. Three circles, collected at an angle, symbolize the trinity of friendship, love and fidelity. The combined metal transformer can be worn on a chain as a pendant. The appearance of Trinity has not changed for over a hundred years. Similar offers are very relevant today and are presented in different price segments.
- Etincelle de Сartier. 18K rose gold and 49 brilliant-cut diamonds for a total of 0.22ct.
- Cartier destinée. This noble ring is made of 950 platinum and has a horizontally placed oval-cut diamond weighing from 2.00 to 3.99 carats. Complemented with a pavage of brilliant-cut diamonds.
Buy in Moscow
You can buy wedding rings in Moscow at the Sokolov Jewelry House, having familiarized yourself with the current collection in the online store catalog. Most of the proposals are presented in combinations of white and yellow gold, but you can also find the classic design of the product, made in one color.
Prices range from 12 to 45 thousand rubles. In the collection, sophisticated rings with a laconic single stone are not inferior in beauty to elite samples of combined metal with several paths of stones.
Modern jewelry fashion does not impose its standards too categorically; rather, it focuses on the opinion and payment options of consumers, as well as an eclectic mix of styles.
And a little more beauty
