A Fine Jewelry & Engagement Ring Blog by Knox Jewelers

The Best Ways to Save on Your Custom Engagement Ring

One of the best things about having your engagement ring custom created with Knox Jewelers is the seemingly endless possibilities. A vast selection of center stone options and corresponding settings, that are changeable by request, allows a custom ring to be tailored around nearly any budget. If you have allocated a specific amount towards your engagement ring investment, listed below are a few ways to save on your final custom creation.

Approach Diamonds with an Open Mind

Being flexible when searching for your perfect center stone could make all the difference. You may enter the search believing you absolutely need a colorless flawless 1.00 carat diamond, then realize that these combined factors in a stone are rare. With everyone on the search for these holy-grail equivalent diamonds, when they are found, they will be priced accordingly. To aid in your quest, there are a few things to keep in mind when narrowing down your diamond search.

Carat weights like 0.50, 1.00 and 1.50 are often the most desired diamond sizes. Selecting a diamond weighing close to any one of these magic numbers, such as a 0.96 carat instead of a 1.00 carat, could mean a break in price. Remember it is important to consider millimeter measures of options as well. You may happen across a diamond whose diameter measures greater than its average carat weight, leaving you with a larger look for less cost.

A small amount of body color in a diamond is less noticeable in warm hued metals. Both yellow and rose gold compliment and mask body color in options selected from the near-colorless and even the faint diamond color ranges. If you are considering a yellow or rose gold setting, lowering your color grade in your center stone to the faint range could aid in your cost.

Consider selecting a SI (slightly included) graded diamond. Diamonds receive their clarity grade based off of how many natural inclusions they possess. This grade is taken into consideration when diamonds are priced. There are many SI graded diamonds whose inclusions can not be seen with the naked eye. Others will be white or perfectly placed in the diamond to be covered by a prong. Most diamonds graded above the SI range, will be completely eye clean, and their cost will be greater. Looking for your perfect diamond in the slightly included clarity range can seem like a treasure hunt, but there are amazing options to be found.

Choose A Knox Graded Diamond

We do offer diamond options that have been graded in-house. These diamonds are brought straight from the cutter and then hand selected by our stone buyer. They have not been sent to the third party laboratory for grading, meaning the time and cost of this expenses has not been added into their final pricing. These diamond options are graded with GIA standards in mind and can be compared next to similar diamonds graded by this lab. Selecting a Knox graded diamond could mean finding your perfect diamond at an exceptional value.

Explore Alternative Center Stone Options

A natural diamond is not the only gemstone that can be featured in your Knox custom engagement ring. We have several gemstones available, and your setting will be created around the measurements of any option you choose.

White Sapphire

Colored Sapphire

Lab Created Diamonds

Work Through Stages with our Temporary Solitaire

Choosing our Temporary Solitaire option allows you to work in phases towards your custom engagement ring, spreading your investment through time. After you select your perfect center stone, it will be set into our Classic Solitaire mounting. You can then create your custom setting whenever you would like to move forward. When you have decided on your Knox setting, we will remove your center stone and set it into its final ring. Many people choose to proposal with the Solitaire and then come in together to finalize their new custom setting.

Custom Tailor Your Setting

Every engagement ring commissioned through Knox Jewelers is created to order from the ground up. This means any alterations you have in mind for a setting are possible. All finishes on Knox custom rings are created by hand. These details are labor intense for our jewelers. Eliminating handwork in a ring setting will often lower its cost. Things that can be removed or scaled down are hand engraving, side diamonds, hand forged filigree curls and milgrain edging. These beautiful details add character to all of our one-of-a-kind settings, but often these details can be added at a later date. This way your custom setting is like a blank canvas, ready to completed in your future together.

5 Things You Never Knew About Buying an Engagement Ring

Buying an engagement ring is one of the most amazing experiences in life, but it’s also an experience that’s filled with unexpected situations and emotions. The reality of choosing an engagement ring is not nearly as nerve-wracking as proposing marriage but it still ranks fairly high up on the scale of life’s challenges. We collected a few special hints to help you in your quest for the perfect ring.

The topic of jewelry suddenly becomes much more interesting

Even if you don’t know the difference between a carat and a facet, you soon will be talking about these parameters with perfect familiarity—all because you’ve decided to propose. All conversation around jewelry becomes more riveting, especially if she is talking about her taste in jewelry. Only by paying careful attention will be you be able to utilize these important facts to shop intelligently for her ring.

Remember that if at first glance all diamonds look the same, you’ll soon be singing the praises of some stones that have great cut, carat, clarity and color.

Hitting below the budget

No matter how well you plan, buying a good quality engagement ring will be expensive because diamonds are expensive. Even when they’re on sale, they are still expensive. So to get quality, you have to pay for it. Just remember what your budget is and stick to, despite the pleading of that sales person behind the counter. Remind yourself that you’re driving the bus.

It’s also important to remember that if you want a ring that is truly unique, you can design the ring yourself. A custom ring is not necessarily an expensive ring, but because it bears the name of “custom,” you can expect to make it very original.

Think about what she would buy

When you’re buying a ring for your gal, it’s easy to get confused about what type of ring to purchase. Remember that you are looking for a type of ring she would buy, not a ring that you like. Even though you are the one spending the money, she will be wearing the ring for the rest of her life. Make sure that what you are buying is a ring she would like, not just something that is ring that is a bargain for other reasons.

Her friends are your friends

Now is the perfect time to get to know her friends better. Why? Because her friends can tell you more about your gal’s taste in rings than almost any other people in her life. If you want to make sure that you are purchasing the ring of her dreams, ask her girlfriends to help you shop for it or help you design it. She will love the end product and you will have gained the respect–and hopefully the affection–of her friends.

Get ready to rest

Once you’ve purchased the ring, the real work begins. Let’s hope you’re still on good terms with her friends because they can help you arrange the most amazing proposal imaginable. It’s also doesn’t hurt to remember that this could be your one chance at giving your best girl the proposal of a lifetime.

September’s Custom Engagement Ring Spotlight

1 Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3374

2 Unique Engagement Rings — Alternative Views of Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3374

Here at Knox Jewelers, our new favorite custom created engagement ring centers around a distinctive 1.00 carat pear cut diamond. The tapering outline of the band draws focus onto the beautifully shaped center stone. Channel set diamonds, scroll hand engraving, and milgrain edging complete the top view of the ring. The profile of the design displays floral elements including a bezel set marquise shaped diamond. Design 3374 is a wonderful juxtaposition of flowing lines, floral shapes and Knox’s heirloom quality finishes!

3 Unique Engagement Rings — Production Photos for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3374

4 Unique Engagement Rings — Production Photos for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3374

Every ring at Knox Jewelers is made by hand from the ground up. We are extremely proud of our in-house design team that works tirelessly to add even the smallest details to your perfect custom engagement ring. We document the creation of our custom piece with jeweler’s eye view production photos, allowing you the chance to see your beautiful ring come to life.

This hand detailed floral 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!

5 Unique Engagement Rings — Final Production Photo for Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3374

Where is Sapphire Found?

United States – The state of Montana boasts the Yogo Clutch area which is famous for sapphire production.

Nigeria – Darker toned sapphires are often found in Nigeria due to the presence of magmatic rocks.

Kenya – Kenya is not limited to one color of sapphire, several hues are found here including rarer star sapphires.

Tanzania – a large variety of colored sapphires are found in the Umba River Valley in Tanzania.

Madagascar – Madagascar has been leading production of sapphires since the start of the twenty-first century.

Kashmir – Most of the sapphire mining in Kashmir happened over a century ago, but the gemstones found were so appealing they are still sought after.

Sri Lanka – A great deal of sapphire mining is still done by hand in Sri Lanka.

China – Many colors of sapphires are found in China including very dark blue.

Myanmar – Myanmar is famous for its deep red rubies but also mined in Mogok are royal blue sapphires.

Thailand – A great many sapphires and rubies are cut in Thailand.

Cambodia – Sapphires are mined in both pits and rivers near the Pailin area of Cambodia.

Vietnam – Though production has been irregular, Vietnam is well known for their beautiful sapphires and rubies.

Australia – Very dark blue and yellow are the most popular sapphire hues found in Australia.

If you are the fortunate enough to have a special event, such as a birthday or anniversary, coupled to the month of September, let us at Knox Jewelers help you create a custom one-of-a-kind piece featuring a legendary sapphire. Blue sapphires throughout history have symbolized royalty and faithfulness. Nobility have often chosen royal blue sapphire to embellish their wardrobes. Recent discoveries of the gemstone in fancy colors has brought about new options for the couple wishing for a center stone with a unique color but still carrying the romance and history of a sapphire. Sapphires are now available in a rainbow of colors including green, yellow, pink, purple and colorless. Any one of our custom designs can be altered to hold this chromatic birthstone. The possibility are endless with a durable gemstone naturally mined in so many hues. A Knox Jewelers custom created piece, featuring a beautiful blue or fancy colored sapphires is the perfect way to celebrate any occasion falling within the month. Contact us today and let’s get started. We can always search our cutters’ inventory for your perfect gemstone, or we have a selection of incredible sapphires in a variety of sizes and cuts already available!

Gemstone Anniversary Gifts

Though our forte may lie in custom bridal jewelry, don’t think Knox Jewelers has omitted gifts for an equally important annual occurrence, the wedding anniversary. If you would like to create a meaningful one-of-a-kind gift this year, colorful gemstones offer a wealthy avenue of inspiration and symbolism. Using the modern wedding anniversary gemstone list, we can help you find or custom build an amazing piece of jewelry for any anniversary you are celebrating this year!

It has long been a tradition to gift a certain gemstone in commemoration of an anniversary. Though the designated gems may have adjusted through time, due to popularity or availability, the sentiment of giving a rare stone to the one you love has not altered in its endearment. Immortalizing each year together with a token of gemstones is the perfect way to express your adoration and continuing commitment.

In coordination with the most current gemstone anniversary list, noted below are selected gifts for years one through ten. Starting the tradition of gifting gemstones is the perfect way to celebrate every year spent with the love of your life.

First Anniversary: Gold

Gold Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Design Juliet

Gold, the precious metal, is usually recommended as the gift for the first anniversary. Thoughtfully constructed to symbolize the golden glow of your first year together. One of our signature custom created unique bands, like the design featured above, made in yellow or rose gold, would make a beautiful compliment to her wedding set. If you prefer a piece centered with a gemstone, there are several available that offer a golden hue. Yellow sapphire, yellow diamond, citrine or topaz could all make a dazzling alternative.

Second Anniversary: Garnet

Garnet Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Garnet Drop Pendant

Though many associate garnet with a deep red color, the mineral is actually available in a vast array of hues including oranges and greens. This allows you to choose a garnet that most reminds you of your loved one.

Third Anniversary: Pearls

Pearl Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Pearl Rope Bracelet

Pearl jewelry is staple in anyone’s gemstone wardrobe. Your third anniversary would be the perfect time to gift a classic pair of pearl studs or a uncommon versatile bracelet like pictured above. Pearls are adaptable to any taste and personality.

Fourth Anniversary: Blue Topaz

Blue-Topaz Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Victorian Topaz Pendant

The spellbinding color of blue topaz would make a wonderful addition to any custom creation you have in mind. If blue is not your desired shade, like garnet, topaz is available in several other hues.

Fifth Anniversary: Sapphire

Sapphire-1707 Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Design 1707

Blue sapphire has long been a symbol of faithfulness. What better way to celebrate an anniversary than with a declaration of commitment in the guise of a beautiful blue sapphire custom created band. Sapphire is durable and can be featured in any Knox created piece.

Sixth Anniversary: Amethyst

Amethyst Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Amethyst Dangle Pendant

Long been associated with royalty, purple amethyst is the ultimate anniversary gift for the queen or king in your life. Though only available in a limited range of colors, the mineral can be found in large crystals allowing custom piece made with many carat sizes and shapes.

Seventh Anniversary: Onyx

Onyx-300x300 Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Onyx Drop Earrings

A diversion from the run of precious gemstones, the seventh wedding anniversary boasts a semi-precious stone, onyx. Stylish black onyx compliments and coordinates with any collection of jewelry.

Eight Anniversary: Tourmaline

Tourmaline-Britty Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Design Britty

The mineral tourmaline, the gemstone tied to the eight anniversary, is naturally occurring in any hue. This gives you the freedom to build your perfect custom piece around your favorite color. Tourmaline’s shades are rich and vibrant, lending passion to any gift of jewelry.

Ninth Anniversary: Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Lapis and Pearl Drop Earrings

Lapis lazuli is a aggregate of several minerals include pyrite and calcite. The coming together of several elements to make one beautiful stone is a wonderful representation for a ninth wedding anniversary gift. This semiprecious gemstone has been prized for centuries due to its intense deep blue color.

Tenth Anniversary: Diamond

DIamond Gemstones Unique Engagement Rings — Bezel Diamond Studs

What better way to celebrate a huge milestone in your married life than with a immensely symbolic gemstone like diamond. Your love is one of a kind and extremely rare, just like a diamond. It is also the hardest mineral on earth, representing your enduring bond. Your tenth anniversary would be the perfect time to add a custom diamond anniversary band to her wedding set or gift her another everyday essential like gorgeous diamond stud earrings.