Katie Monson, Author at Knox Jewelers

Engagement Rings with a Twist

For most engagement rings, the focus and embellishments are directly solely on the center gemstone. But here at Knox Jewelers, we like to focus on the details interwoven into the band and profile of your ring, as well as your center stone. These are the small things that make your custom engagement ring completely your own. If you are a fan of uniquely detailed engagement rings, you may enjoy the trend that has been passing through our custom design studio recently. We have received a surge of custom design requests for both engagement rings and wedding band with twisting, infinity-style designs.

2315_1_image Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Legato Custom Design

Both beautiful and complex, braids and twists are the perfect detail to add interest to a wedding band or the shank of your custom designed ring. Braids and overlapping patterns capture the attention of any viewer, urging the eye to trace the intricate designs. Twists and turns are not only visually appealing, but they can also hold a greater symbolism. A braided design could represent the tightly woven bond between you and your partner. If followed, a strand single strand of a braid in a circular ring is never ending, like the love between you.

Similarly, the twisted infinity-like symbol that has been eagerly requested in several designs lately, is both refined in its design and profound in its representation. The original infinity symbol stood to embody an unlimited and immeasurable duration of time with the simplicity of an overlapping circle or figure eight. This representation is perfect for couples who are starting their lives together and are promising to love one another for a never-ending amount of time.

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The infinity symbol or a braided design can easily be incorporated into many styles of wedding bands, engagement rings, or wider right hand rings. We can help you custom create anything you have in mind when it comes to your twisted engagement ring or wedding bands. Overlapping elements featured in a design is a modern and fashionable way to express your style and add sentimental meaning at the same time.

2067_1_image Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Lalana Design

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If a twisted engagement ring is the perfect symbolic representation of your never-ending love, let us help you get started with the custom creation process. Contact us today with your braided or infinity style requests. All of our finishing details are created by hand, so things like engraving, filigree, milgrain and side diamonds can add to the final look to your twisted creation. We can tailored any design around your preference in center setting, metal and gemstones selections. Nearly anything is possible with Knox Jewelers custom creation.

Mixing Metals Trend

Near the conclusion of 2015 we predicted the upcoming trends in engagement rings for the following year. At Knox Jewelers, tuned our trend radar in a large part through customer requests for custom engagement rings and wedding bands. One of those predictions, the mix metals trend, has had numerous requests as of late and is staying true to course as a favorite of 2016. Mixing metals is more popular than ever before in the bridal jewelry scene, especially now when mix-matched stacked wedding bands are in vogue. Most brides-to-be seem to be in the mind-set of ‘why choose one metal when you can have two shades, and while we are at it throw in a colored gemstone’. Blending engagement ring and wedding band tones creates a unique look, making your ring exclusive to you, and setting your rings apart from one another as well.

Your wedding band should be as one-of-a-kind as your engagement ring and your relationship, as it reflects your future and commitment. Today in the bridal scene there seems to be no room for traditions or rules when it comes to wedding bands. Mixing metals could be the perfect way to make your band stand out against your perfect engagement ring, and give it a life of its own. There are so many ways to make your engagement ring and wedding band distinctive, but color is always a great way to demonstrate your unique bridal style.

3259_1_image Unique Engagement Rings — A bold rose gold matching band adds contrast to our white gold Seville engagement ring.

You may think that the cool allure of white gold and platinum clashes with the warm tones of rose gold and yellow gold, but paired right, they can offer a winning combination. The renewal of the mix metal trend is growing at such a fast pace for good reasons. Combination metal engagement rings offer many more styling possibilities and it allows you numerous options when it comes to selecting your wedding band or multiple bands. On a more important note, mixed metal rings alleviate the stress and hinder the mindset of having to match all of your other jewelry for the rest of your life to shade of your bridal set.

There are many eye-catching ways to create a two tone look within your engagement ring or wedding band pairings. There are bold, elaborate mix metal wide bands to subtle hints of color, like the addition of color contrasting filigree curls. One very popular interpretation of the trend it to create a shaded diamond halo that differs from the rest of the ring, to draw attention to and highlight your center stone. Multiple band engagement ring, like our Fireworks Design, are brought into a whole new light when one band is featured in a warm shade of gold. If a small amount of two-tone is all you are ready for, try slight alterations, like colored center prongs, yellow or rose gold filigree curls or a colored contrasting center bezel.

Two Tone Engagement Rings

Rings Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Designs: Haley Allison, Design 3296, Design 2980

Contrasting Halo Rings

Halos Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Designs: Design 2327, Design 2924, Suenos

Two Tone Wide Bands

Wide-Bands Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Designs: Las Estrellas Rosadas, Loyalty, Dolce

The two tone trend is not just for bridal sets, we have had just as many, or more, requests for gents wedding bands created in contrasting colors. Bold bands can be created by pairing warmer rose and yellow golds with sleek platinum or white gold. Any of our custom wedding bands can be altered to be features in a two tone look.

Rose Gold Gents Bands

Mens-Rose Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Designs: Rose Averno, Denver, Centurion

Yellow Gold Gents Bands

Mens-Yellow Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Designs: Celtic Two Tone, Mesa, Design 3136

We can help you custom create anything you have in mind when it comes to your mixed palette of rings and bands. Mixing metals is a modern and fashionable way to express your style and a easy way to set your bands apart in a crowd. If you are so inclined, we can even custom create rings in three tones, like our newest wide band ring Tiara. As you can see below, colored gemstones are also a way to upgrade a custom design from the ordinary.

3268_1_image Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers custom Tiara wide band goes above and beyond into a three-tone look.

Metals color is only one of the ways to can help you make your ring or band into a one-of-a-kind creations. All of our finishing details are created by hand, so things like engraving, filigree, milgrain and side diamonds can add to the final look of a two toned creation. There are plenty of ways to play with engagement ring and wedding band traditions but interpret them in your special way.

Contact Knox Jewelers today to start custom designing your two-tone, or even three-tone, bridal set of your dreams.

April’s Custom Engagement Ring Spotlight

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One of our new favorite custom created engagement ring is built around the mesmerizing step cut facets of a 1.00 carat asscher cut diamond held in a low four prong setting. Marquise shapes set with micro pavé diamonds and square carre cut diamonds are placed together in this design to create a rhythmic pattern of ovals and arches. Bezel set side diamonds and milgrain edges add lavish antique detailing to this wide band engagement ring. This mosaic inspired design can be recreated to accommodate any type, shape, or size center stones. Contact Knox Jewelers today to custom tailor this design to your preferred precious metal and central gemstone selection to create your own one-of-a-kind engagement ring!

Where is Diamond Found?

Diamond-Map-1024x700 Unique Engagement Rings — GIA Diamond Map

Diamond has been recognized as the gemstone coupled to the month of April on many dated and modern birthstone lists. But the allure of diamond was treasured and collected long before it was crowned the birthstone of April. Diamond is found in many fascinating and differing locations from Siberia to remote parts of Africa.

Before the twentieth century there was little scientific knowledge known about diamond, though its beauty and oneness had been prized for centuries. Diamond knowledge has grown since then with research in chemistry, physical gemology, mineralogy and oceanography. Scientists have discovered that diamonds form under conditions that are only possible 100 miles underneath the earth’s surface. Once they are transported closer to the surface, tons of soil and hours of labor are still required to discover a few diamond crystals. The conditions for diamond growth are only found in certain parts of the world and listed below are the most important diamond deposits.

Canada – Locating the diamonds that lay under the frozen soil in Canada took many decades. But after finally finding deposits in the 1980s, diamonds are being mined from several important sites. Canadian diamonds are known for their high quality.
Venezuela
Guyana – Guyana’s diamond production is mostly small scale operations through alluvial sources.
Brazil – Large, fine quality, sometimes fancy colored diamonds are mined in Brazil, though their operations are mostly small scale. Brazil was a leading supplier of diamonds before larger deposits were found in South Africa.
Sierra Leone
Guinea
Ghana
Congo – Diamonds mined in the Democratic Republic of Congo come from both alluvial and underground deposits. Most diamond unearthing is done in small operations with shovels.
Tanzania – The Williamson mine in Tanzania is currently the most sophisticated and largest mining operation in the region.
Angola
Namibia – Diamonds are currently being mined in Namibia through a joint operation with De Beers.
Botswana – Botswana is a leading source of gem-quality diamonds in the world. Not only are diamonds mined in Botswana, but the country has created a diamond headquarters, Debswana, that also sorts and values gemstones mined there. This collaboration with De Beers benefits the people by creating many jobs for the middle class.
South Africa – The diamond rush of 1869 was kick-started with the discovery of sources in South Africa. The country has become the birthplace of modern diamond manufacturing and is the world’s leading producer of the gemstone. The world’s largest rough diamond to date was unearthed in South Africa in 1903. The Cullinan weighed 3,106 carats rough and was cut into 9 larger finished pieces and 96 smaller brilliant cut diamonds.
India – Until 1730 the only known source of diamonds was the Golconda region in south India. These mines are long since depleted and India’s current sources of diamonds are small deposits.
China
Australia – The Argyle mine in Australia has been the world’s largest producer of diamond to date by volume. The mine is also known of its fancy colored pink, red and brown diamonds.
Russia – A significant source of Russian diamonds comes from the Yakutia region of Siberia. Russia is a leading supplier of diamonds though most of their gemstones are smaller in sizes than their African counterparts.

If you are lucky enough to hold diamond as your April birthstone, let Knox Jewelers help you custom create a one-of-a-kind piece to showcase this queen of gemstones. The possibility are endless with such a versatile mineral. Diamond can be found in a wide range of colors, carat sizes and cuts. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful diamond or diamonds is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We have the perfect diamond just waiting to be transformed!

Solitaire Engagement Rings

Here at Knox Jewelers, we tend to see all of our custom created design as miniature works of art. While some ring’s attractiveness can not be denied with their intricate detailing and elaborate silhouettes. Others deliver a powerful statement of beauty with their subtle simplicity and clean lines.

Standing the test of time, an elegant diamond solitaire will never go out of style. Selecting a simple engagement ring does not limit the ways you can personalize it to your taste. With metal selections, setting styles and rows of stacked wedding and anniversary bands, your ring can stand out from every other. A custom created engagement ring solitaire can be elegant and simple, as well as unique to you.

Our Classic Solitaire engagement ring has always been, and most likely will remain, one of the most sought after and well loved settings we offer. The uncomplicated design allows the focus to remain on the brilliance and beauty of whatever center stone you hand pick to be featured within its four prongs. The Classic Solitaire is timeless, elegant and a great blank canvas to display a one-of-a-kind diamond or colored sapphire.

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We have numerous variations of the classic solitaire available that have been customized with differing setting styles, band shapes, textures and hand engraving. Small details in solitaire engagement rings, like the shape of your center stone or your precious metal selection, are modest alterations that could truly reflect your personal taste and style. By trying out gemstone and metal pairings distinct to you, you may discover a subtle variation on a classic style that perfectly represent you and your relationship. Listed below are solitaire engagement rings grouped by differing center stone setting styles, which would be an important determining factor is the final look of your custom design. Any of the designs listed below, or any others featured on our website, can be crafted in your preferred precious metal and custom fitted around the center stone of your choosing.

Four Prong Solitaires
Four prong settings are the traditional approach to the solitaire engagement ring. Four prongs cover the minimal amount of your center stone, allowing more of the gemstone to be seen face-up. A kite set diamond, like the center image, is a variation on the four prong setting that rotates the prongs 45 degrees. This alteration offers a less ‘square’ look.

Four-Prong Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Designs: Trellis, Moselle, Satin

Multiple Prong Solitaires

Six or eight prong settings enhance the ’round’ look of a center stone and offer extra security compared to their four prong counterparts.

Six-Prong Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Designs: Lattice, Antique Solitaire, Knife Edge Solitaire

Double Prong Solitaires

Choosing four double-prongs to hold your center stone adds a regal vintage inspired look to any solitaire engagement ring.

Double-Prong Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Designs: Inspiration, Design 3228, Dove

Full Bezel Solitaires

A full bezel center setting is a very modern addition to a solitaire engagement ring. In a bezel setting, there are no prongs, instead a thin band of precious metal surrounds the center gemstone. This setting style is growing in popularity for its sleek look and contemporary feel. This setting style is extremely secure, as the center stone is completely enclosed. It can also allow for low-set engagement rings.

Bezel Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Designs: Design 3245, Cashmere, Delicado

Half Bezel Solitaries

A half bezel center setting is the perfect compromise of elegance and security. A half bezel solitaire is still encompassed part way by smooth edges of metal but the center stone is not completely enclosed. A half bezel can be featured in may ways, straight or twisted like the images below.

Half-Bezel Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Designs: Ripple, Luna, Calla

If an elegant solitaire engagement ring is the perfect choice for you and your significant other, contact us today. We can start to custom create any solitaire setting by tailored it around your preference in center setting, metal and gemstones selections. Solitaire engagement rings are the perfect start to a customized bridal set with the addition of personally curated wedding and anniversary bands. Nearly anything is possible with Knox Jewelers custom creation.