Knox Jewelers Journal

Minneapolis Minnesota Jeweler Specializing in Custom Design and Unique Engagement Rings.

Unique Wedding Rings

We receive calls and emails from around the world inquiring on some of our more unique wedding band designs. The designs that generate the most inquires tend to be wider than average designs, some have center stones, some do not… one thing all these designs have in common is that they are all very unique and are all meticulously and expertly hand crafted from the ground up. We feel it is these two facts combined that help our rings (especially signature designs such as these) stand out from the crowd.

We wanted to have a small article in our journal that featured these designs along with a little info about each ring. Please note that the images are linked (when possible) to additional photos/videos of the design.

I’ll start with a design that features an Asscher cut center diamond (approx. weight .95 carat) along with sky blue sapphires set in the filigree between the two diamond pave set outside rails of the design.

Asscher cut center diamond with sky blue sapphires in hand made filigree with diamond micro pave rails

Asscher cut center diamond in a custom design featuring sky blue sapphires in hand made filigree, all framed beautifully by diamond micro pave rails

The next design was a real labor of love for our artisans and we think this fact ’shines through’ in the beautifully intricate detailing of the ring design.

The ring was named Caledonia at our customer’s request.

Caledonia

Here is a design we made in two tone (18K yellow gold and 14K white gold) We use the 18K yellow gold to accentuate the color of the fancy yellow diamonds.

Unique wedding ring with fancy yellow diamonds

Here is another wide design unique wedding ring with a flower, leaf and vine motif.

Unique wedding ring with flower, leaf and vine motif

| Categories: Unique Wedding Rings

Split Shank Engagement Rings

At last count we had upwards of 50 split shank engagement ring designs with new and custom versions coming out on a regular basis. Many of these split shank engagement rings have micro pave set diamonds in the design, many also have diamond halos. We wanted to feature some of our more popular split shank engagement rings designs in one article so that someone unfamiliar with our website or store could look and compare many different designs on the same page.

Please note that the images are linked to the rings product page which will have additional photos and possibly a video of the ring.

The first split shank design is a very clean and simple split shank design with pave in the split shanks. The center stone is an approximate 2.00 carat round center diamond.

Classic Split Shank Engagement Ring with diamonds in the split shank

Here is a Split shank design with a round center diamond in a cushion shape diamond halo, the design also features a surprise diamond

(click thru to other photos to see surprise diamond)

This Split shank design features a round center diamond in a cushion shape diamond halo, the design also features a surprise diamond

Here is a beautiful split shank micro pave, halo design engagement ring with a princess center diamond

Speaking of halos, the signature look of our Cielo design is the combination of a split shank with a halo. We have made this design for just about every shape center stone, here are a few:

round halo bezel set split shank engagement ring

Round Halo Cielo

Another round center diamond version…

Round center diamond split shank with octagonal halo micro pave engagement ring

Round Brilliant Cielo

One more…

Cushion halo split shank micro pave engagement ring

RB Cushion Cielo

SPlit shank princess cut halo engagement ring

Princess Cielo

Split shank micro pave halo engagement ring with cushion cut center diamond

Cushion Cielo

More to come soon…

| Categories: Unique Custom Design Engagement Rings

Cushion Cut Engagement Rings

Cushion cut styles are very much in vogue. We will show a few of our recent cushion cut designs here (we have many more in the engagement ring categories of our web site)

Cushion cut diamonds can have very different looks… and here is why:

(1) Cushion cut diamonds come in many different shapes (outlines) ranging from rectangular to square and everything in between.

(2) Cushion cut diamonds will also have many various looks based on how rounded the corners of the stone are, making for many very unique looks.

(3) Cushion cut diamonds can have different faceting patterns which makes for a very wide variety of possible looks that are all classified as ‘cushion cut’

Cushion cut diamond engagement rings

The following photos are linked to the respective rings product page, which will have many more photos and usually a high definition video of the ring as well.

This Cushion cut diamond engagement ring features a 1.00 carat center diamond. The ring has a very vintage look with hand made filigree and hand engraving adorning the very elegant design. The center cushion cut diamond is highlighted by claw prongs which gives the ring a very delicate look.

Cushion cut engagement ring with claw prongs, hand engraving and hand made filigree

This cushion cut engagement ring features a very sexy thin diamond band with a square cushion center stone.

Thin diamond band with cushion cut center stone

Here is a bezel set cushion cut engagement ring design with a halo and diamond pave in the band.

Bezel set Cushion cut with diamond halo engagement ring

Here is a popular bezel set cushion cut design with a raised halo that allows a matching band to sit underneath.

Bezel set cushion cut engagement rign with raised halo

Here is a custom Cushion cut design featuring micro pave, split shank, octagonal halo and custom hand made filigree. Since there is a lot going on in this design, I will post a couple photos to show the detail.

Micro pave split shank cushion cut custom engagenment ring design with hand made filigree

Micro pave split shank cushion cut custom engagement ring design with hand made filigree

Pic 2 Micro pave split shank cushion cut custom engagement ring design with hand made filigree

Here is a very clean design featuring a bezel set cushion cut diamond and a diamond halo. These ‘low slung’ bezel set designs are very popular with people that are concerned about a ring sticking up too high off the finger or snagging or scratching.

Low, flush, bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring design with a diamond halo

Low, flush, bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring design with a diamond halo Pic 2

Here is essentially the same design with a diamond pave band

Bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring with diamond pave band

Bezel set cushion cut diamond engagement ring with diamond halo & diamond pave band

Here is a cushion cut center diamond set in a micro pave, split shank, halo design.

Cushion cut center diamond in a micro pave split shank halo design engagement ring

Here is another very thin design that allows a matching band to sit perfectly flush. This cushion cut engagement ring design features a very sexy double micro pave halo.

This cushion cut engagement ring design features a very sexy double micro pave halo.

Side view

Thin diamond pave band with diamond halo surrounding a rectangular cushion cut diamond

Thin diamond pave band with diamond halo surrounding a rectangular cushion cut diamond Side view

This cushion cut diamond engagement ring features a rectangular cushion cut diamond center stone flanked by two round brilliant cut diamonds in a very sexy three stone trellis design.

Three stone cushion cut trellis engagement ring

Three stone cushion cut trellis engagement ring Side view

Here is a beautiful cushion cut engagement ring design with half moon shape diamonds on each side. The design also has three diamond halos and filigree in the side gallery of the ring.

Cushion cut diamond engagement ring with half moon shape diamonds

Side view

Here is a custom bezel set version of the above design:

Custom bezel set cushion cut and half moon shape diamond engagement ring

Side view… note the three sided pave band and gallery featuring hand made filigree & a custom butterfly element

Here is a ring with a similar three stone design, except with bezel set triangle diamonds and a trellis gallery.

Custom bezel set cushion cut with bezel set triangle shape diamonds engagement ring

Custom bezel set cushion cut engagement ring with bezel set triangle shape diamonds

Side view

More to come soon…

Tags: Cushion cut diamond, cushion cut diamond engagement ring, Cushion cut diamond ring | Categories: Cushion Cut

Ring Metal FAQ

What metal type do you recommend?

We always recommend our 950 Platinum-Ruthenium alloy. It’s the best metal for engagement rings and wedding bands.

Platinum Pros and Cons

The most important characteristic in Platinum jewelry is Platinum’s resistance to metal loss caused by normal wear & tear. When metal is rubbed against another object, a little bit of that metal is rubbing off onto the other surface. If the metal is Platinum, the amount lost is exponentially smaller than the amount that would rub off from a gold item. This translates into Platinum rings lasting two or three times as long as a similar gold ring.

Our Platinum Alloy is the Best

Our 950 Platinum-Ruthenium blend is the best Platinum alloy for jewelry. It has the best combination of tensile strength and hardness amongst all Platinum blends. Tensile strength refers to the durability of the metal and hardness refers to the scratch resistance.

More common Platinum alloys like 950 Platinum-Iridium are softer and tend to scratch and bend almost twice as easy. Manufacturers typically use this blend because of it’s ease to cast and work with. Often times, you’ll see or hear of Platinum engagement rings that scratch very easily and/or have become bent. These are most likely made of 950 Platinum-Iridium.

Our Platinum won’t do that. We purposely use a stronger alloy so you can enjoy your rings for a lifetime.

Pros

Extremely Durable – Lasts a Lifetime
Naturally White – No Rhodium Plating
Denser Metal – Holds Stones Better
Uses 100% Precious Metal
Hypoallergenic – No Allergies
Very Inert Metal – Resists Corrosion and Weakening

Cons

Cost – More Expensive than White Gold

White Gold Pros and Cons

Our white gold is a blend of gold and nickel alloy. Nickel gives white gold its whitish color and helps increases the metals hardness. While nickel helps in whitening white gold, it doesn’t completely make it white. Our alloy does require Rhodium plating every six months.

We also work in 18k White Gold. This alloy has more precious gold and is a little heavier than 14k White Gold. The natural color is very comparable to 14k and does require Rhodium plating.

All of our white metal jewelry items will look virtually identical coming out of our shop. After several months of wear, a white gold ring may need to be re-plated where as a platinum ring is always white. After a decade or two, a white gold ring may require re-tipping of prongs and channels. Platinum wears away at a much lesser rate than white gold and it is not uncommon for Platinum to last a lifetime.

Pros

Less Expensive than Platinum
Very Hard to Scratch
Easy to Size

Cons

Not as Durable as Platinum
Not White – Requires Rhodium Plating
Possible Allergic Reactions
Negative Reactions with Chlorine

Yellow Gold Pros and Cons

We work in both 14k and 18k Yellow Gold. These alloys are softer than there white counterparts. Rings made in yellow gold are more prone to wear and tear than white metals.

Pros

Less Expensive than Platinum
Easiest to Size

Cons

Not as Durable as White Gold

Cost Comparison: Platinum versus White Gold

Platinum is about 1.6 times heavier than White Gold. Comparing two identical rings, one in White Gold and one in Platinum, the Platinum one is automatically 1.6 times more in price. Another factor is the much higher percentages of actual precious metal used in Platinum blends, the Platinum blend we use is 95% Platinum, compared to the typical Gold blends that are only 58% Gold (14K) or 75% Gold (18K)

Due primarily to the density of Platinum, it is much more difficult to achieve a perfectly polished finished surface. Therefore, it takes much more labor to produce a Platinum ring over an identical White Gold piece.

Platinum is at least twice as expensive and can at times be 3-4 times as expensive as a White Gold ring. The exact amount is based on many variables.

Crown and Prong Metal Type

Because Platinum is renowned for it’s durability, we highly recommend having the crown or prongs of your ring made in Platinum. This will help protect your diamonds and gemstones longer than Gold.

| Categories: Ring Metal Info

Beautiful Engagement Rings

The Top Ten List of our Most Popular & Beautiful Engagement Rings

Making a top ten list of beautiful engagement rings from our library of designs is something that we have wanted to do for a while. Upon assimilating the data, we found that the list had many very beautiful diamond rings, and also quite a few very beautiful sapphire and diamond rings. This article will show the Top Ten Most Beautiful Rings as well as variations of the Top Ten designs. Wanting to keep the top ten list as objective as possible, we looked at the data from our web site (product page views, wish list activity, product inquiry forms) We used this quantitative data and combined it with the input we receive from customers stopping in our showroom that request to see specific rings.

It did not surprise us that the rings from the list correspond with many of the rings that we also consider to be among the most beautiful, elegant, and exquisite ring designs. The rings in this Top Ten List share the following characteristics. They all seem to be of the Antique or Vintage genre with above average amounts of diamond pave or diamond micro pave and also a lot of hand detailing such as; hand engraving, hand made filigree, milgraining. We put a lot of love into the making of these rings and we think it shows.

(1) Barcelona

Ring #1 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Barcelona design. Barcelona is a design that combines classic lines with beautiful hand engraving and delicate hand made filigree. The outline of the ring is designed to highlight and accentuate the center stone.

Here are a few different versions of the number one ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.

This is our original Barcelona design shown with an approximate 1.00 carat cushion cut diamond center stone. Please note the claw style prongs on the center stone which give an exquisitely delicate finishing touch.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number one spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings

Classic Barcelona number 1 ring from our Top Ten, Most Beautiful Engagement Ring List

Our Barcelona design is shown here with an approximate 1.00 carat cushion cut diamond center stone. Pic 1

Pic 2

Here is essentially the same ring design with a blue sapphire cushion cut center stone and a slightly different engraving pattern.

The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a cushion cut blue sapphire center stone. Pic 1

The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a cushion cut blue sapphire center stone.

Pic 2

Here is a beautiful round center diamond version, highlighting a 1.50 carat round center diamond… Beautiful!

Ring #1 from our list of beautiful engagement rings is our Barcelona design

The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a 1.50 carat round brilliant cut diamond center stone.

Here is another beautiful sapphire center stone version highlighting a yellow sapphire combined with yellow gold filigree.

The Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design shown here with a yellow cushion cut sapphire center stone and yellow gold filigree. Pic 1

Pic 2

Last but not least is a another round diamond center stone version with custom engraving and without the filigree of the other Barcelona’s

Pic 1

he Number One Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Barcelona design

Pic 2

(2) Amante

Ring #2 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Amante design. Amante is a very popular design that allows a matching band to nest perfectly underneath. The design has a beautiful double halo on a very sexy thin diamond pave band. Judging from all the different versions we have made of this design, it seems to look equally beautiful with any shape center diamond.

Here are a few different versions of the number two ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.

This is our original Amante design shown with an approximate .75 carat round brilliant cut diamond center stone.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number two spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings

Knox Amante Ring Design. Ring #2 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List

The Number Two Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Amante design shown here with an approximate .75 carat round brilliant cut diamond. Pic 1

Amante design is Ring #2 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List

Side view of Amante Pic 2

Here are some other center stone versions…

Our Amante Ring is ring #2 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List

Our Princess Amante

Cushion Amante

Radiant Amante

Custom Cushion Cut Green Sapphire Amante

Here are some modifications we have made to the side view of the design for our customers that wanted to give the design a personal touch:

Custom Filigree

Custom Surprise Diamond and Antique Pave

Custom Tulip Halo Pic 1

Custom Tulip Halo Pic 2

(3) Passion

Ring #3 from our Top Ten list of beautiful engagement rings is our Passion design. Passion is a highly detailed design with lots of sparkle everywhere, from the double halo to the exquisitely channel set carré cut diamonds to the hand made filigree, it truly is a very special ring.

Here are a few different angles of the number three ring from our most beautiful engagement ring list.

This unique and beautiful ring design has a lot ‘going on’ with diamonds and detailing on nearly every surface of the ring, it really takes all three of the following photos to show all of the fabulous detail.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number Three spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings

Our Passion design is ring #3 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List Angle 1

Angle 2

Angle 3

Here is a photo of our Asscher Passion design.

Knox Asscher Passion

Here is a photo of our Radiant Passion with a 1.50 carat center radiant cut diamond.

Radiant Passion Design with 1.50 carat Radiant Center diamond

Here is a photo of our Passion design with round diamonds in place of the carré cut diamonds.

Knox Passion with Round Side Diamonds

Last but not least… A very beautiful matching band for the Passion engagement ring. This unique diamond band is stunning all by itself and of course compliments the engagement ring perfectly.

Matching band for our Passion Design

(4) Valencia

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number four spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings

The Number Four Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Valencia design shown here with a 1.00 carat round brilliant cut diamond. Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Here is a version of our Valencia design with a cushion shape halo.

Cushion Halo Valencia

Here is our Valencia design shown with a matching band.

Knox Valencia design shown with matching band

(5) Maui

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number five spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings

Number 5 ring from our Most Beautiful ring list

The Number Five Ring from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List is our Maui design shown here with a 1.00 carat Princess cut diamond. Pic 1

Maui is number 5 from our Most Beautiful Ring List Pic 2

(6) Firenze

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number six spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.

This Beautiful Ring holds the number six spot from Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Rings

Shown here with a 2.00 carat princess cut center stone. Pic 1

Pic 2

pic 3

(7) Classic Cushion Halo

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number seven spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.

This Beautiful Ring holds the number seven spot from Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Rings.

Our Number Seven ring from our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings is shown here with a 1.50 ct cushion cut diamond

Pic 2

(8) Asscher Siempre

Asscher cut designs are very classsic and elegant. This beautiful design combines hand made filigree and hand engraving to nearly every surface of the ring.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number eight spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.

Our Asscher Siempre design is ring #8 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List

Most beautiful Ring number 8, Pic 2

Most beautiful Ring number 8, Pic 3

(9) Moon Dance

The custom cut Half Moon shape diamonds help to perfectly frame an oval or cushion shape center diamond.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number nine spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.

Our Moon Dance design is ring #9 from Our Top Ten Most Beautiful Ring List

Most Beautiful Engagement Rings- Moon Dance Pic 2

(10) Seville

The Eclectic mix of elements make this ring a very unique as well as beautiful design. A beautiful blend of a half bezel set center diamond with delicate hand made filigree and hand engraving.

This Beautiful Engagement Ring holds the number nine spot on Our Top Ten List of Most Beautiful Engagement Rings.