Once upon a time, it was said that an engagement ring should cost at least three months’ salary. This is not as much of a tradition as it used to be because more and more couples are looking for ways to save money in these tough economic times. But this doesn’t mean you can’t get a beautiful engagement ring at an affordable price.

Now, we come to the question, is the engagement ring more expensive than the wedding ring? The simple answer is yes. Keep reading to learn why the engagement ring is more expensive than the wedding ring.

About Wedding Rings

First, we will talk a bit about wedding rings. The wedding ring has been a tradition since ancient times. The circle symbolizes eternal love in many cultures, such as ancient Egypt. The rings were generally made from reed or hemp and worn on the finger we associate the wedding rings to be worn on to this day.

In ancient Egypt, it was thought that the ring finger directly connected to the heart, and this is a thought that has been popular in many other cultures as well. For instance, in ancient Rome, the term “vena amoris,” which means “vein of love,” was used, and the Romans started using metals such as iron and, later on, gold to create wedding rings.

About Engagement Rings

The tradition of wearing an engagement ring began with Archduke Maximilian of Austria in 1477. He proposed to Mary of Burgundy with a ring. Shakespeare referenced engagement rings in the 1600s, and engagement and wedding rings were mentioned in one of his plays. In modern times, the engagement ring has become an important proposal symbol.

Why are Engagement Rings More Expensive than Wedding Rings?

There can be several reasons why an engagement ring will cost more than a wedding ring. First, most engagement rings have at least one diamond. The higher the carat weight of the diamond, the more expensive the ring will be.

Other factors determining the cost include the quality of the main stone, traditionally a diamond, and the type of metal used in the ring. If the ring is made from platinum or palladium, it will be more expensive than gold or silver.

Let’s discuss why the engagement ring is usually more expensive than the wedding ring.

Design

In most cases, an engagement ring will be much more intricately designed than a wedding ring. In fact, most wedding rings are generally plain gold bands that can be worn daily, while an expensive engagement ring may not be worn daily once the wedding ring is in place.

Engagement rings may have a fancy center design that makes them different from the wedding band; usually, it is simpler and doesn’t have stones (although some couples choose to have their names engraved inside the band or have a few small diamonds on the band).

The designs of engagement rings tend to be quite intricate, and the more intricate they are, the more they will cost. You will find many different styles of engagement rings, with cathedral mountings, pave accents, etc.

Impress Your Fiancée

An engagement ring should wow your fiancée, so you will want to get one with that wow factor. While this should not be the case, if the ring is not impressive enough, it could ruin the entire proposal. Remember, if you want to spend the rest of your life with this person, the engagement ring should represent your love for them.

The engagement ring should be a style your significant other likes and look great on her. This is where how well you know your fiancée can come into play. The more you know about her, the easier it will be to choose a ring she will love for the rest of her life. If she loves fancy things, the ring should be fancy, which will cost much more than the wedding ring.

Does it Always Have to Be a Diamond?

Traditionally, engagement rings have always had diamonds. Lately, however, trends are changing, and many couples are an option for rings that don’t have diamonds at all, or at least the main stone isn’t a diamond. Let’s look at engagement rings that are popular today.

Man-Made Diamonds

If your intended loves the look of diamonds, but you both decide that diamonds are too costly, a less expensive option is to choose a ring with man-made diamonds. The first thing that might come to mind is cubic zirconia, but there are many other options, such as moissanite. Both of these stones are considered to be diamond “simulants.” They may look like diamonds, but they have an entirely different composition.

You must ensure she is on board if you buy a ring with one of these diamond alternatives. If she expects a natural diamond, an alternative will undoubtedly disappoint her.

Another option is to go with a lab-created diamond. These are also referred to as cultured diamonds, and while they are technically synthetic, they are grown in a way that replicates the properties of diamonds that are mined naturally. You will be hard-pressed to distinguish between a lab-created and mined diamond. Technically, they are diamonds, but they are a lot less expensive than traditional diamonds.

Knot Rings

Maybe she likes simple jewelry. If this is the case, she will likely be thrilled with a lovers’ knot ring. This an excellent engagement ring that shows your love for one another and is much less expensive than a diamond ring. You can find knot rings with stones if she prefers a ring with a stone.

Other Gemstones

Maybe she prefers colored gemstones, such as her birthstone. Nothing says an engagement ring can’t have a colored stone. A perfect example is the ring Lady Diana Spencer received from Prince Charles (now King Charles) when he proposed to her. She picked out her ring, and her son, Prince William, gave the same ring to Catherine Middleton when he proposed to her.

Conclusion

Yes, the engagement ring is generally much more expensive than the wedding ring. But, with so many alternatives becoming increasingly popular, this is not always the case these days. There are many options to choose from.

Know what she likes, and look for a ring that suits her tastes and looks terrific on her hand. The ring should be special, and if you have a family heirloom ring, this may be better than anything you could go out and purchase because it has a more sentimental meaning.

Most people think the only significant wedding anniversaries are the big ones, like the 25-year and 50-year anniversaries. But the first wedding anniversary is pretty important as well. This is when you eat that top layer of your wedding cake to mark this important milestone.

Is your first wedding anniversary coming up soon? If so, are you looking for fun and romantic ways to surprise your spouse for this momentous occasion? Keep reading to learn how to surprise your spouse on your first wedding anniversary.

How to Surprise Your Spouse for Your First Wedding Anniversary

Eat the Cake in a Romantic Location

If you plan on eating the top layer of your wedding cake on your first anniversary, don’t just pull it out of the freezer and eat it at home. Instead, find a romantic location and enjoy this particular moment. You could set up a picnic at a park or a beach, or any place that is special to the two of you.

Bring some candles (battery-operated candles are best when outdoors). If you want to add to the romance, bring your wedding vows and repeat them to one another while sharing the cake.

Get Naked and Eat Cake

Speaking of eating the top layer of the wedding cake, if you prefer to stay home, have some fun and get naked before eating it. Grab the cake and any other treats you might like, and spread everything out on the bed. If you have a television in your bedroom, you can enjoy the wedding cake, a bit of Netflix, and chill.

Go on a Second Honeymoon

Even if you can’t afford the same type of trip you had for your honeymoon, there is no reason why you can’t have a second honeymoon that is closer to home. In fact, you don’t even need to leave town. Just rent a nice room for a few days, and make some new memories to start your next year of wedded bliss.

If you can afford it, book the honeymoon suite, or at least a room with a nice jacuzzi tub, get some candles and wine, and maybe order room service.

Enjoy an Awesome Night In

You don’t have to leave home to have a romantic date night for your first anniversary. You can turn your home into an awesome date location in many ways. For instance, you can hire someone to come in and give you and your spouse relaxing massages. Or you and your spouse can cook a favorite meal together. Light some candles, wear sexy lingerie, and make it an evening neither of you will ever forget.

Treat Yourselves to Cool Gifts

As we mentioned, the first wedding anniversary is a biggie and should be celebrated. Along with a fun and romantic date night, you could also treat each other to a gift.

A good example would be a piece of jewelry, such as a ring for the right hand. Or maybe you are both into tech and would like to gift each other the latest gadgets. These gifts should be purchased while you are together, so you turn the shopping experience into part of your first-anniversary celebration.

Enjoy a Two-Part Celebration

If your anniversary isn’t on the weekend, you should try to book the day off from work so you can spend the entire day together. For the first half of the day, participate in activities that relax you, such as sleeping in and having breakfast in bed. Then, later on, you can enjoy a lovely evening out, perhaps with dinner and dancing, or going to a movie.

Spend the Day in Bed

Another option is to spend the entire day in bed. The night before your anniversary, prepare a breakfast you can cook up the following morning, such as a delicious French toast casserole. You only have to get out of bed long enough to pop the casserole into the oven and then again to take it out and bring it back to the bedroom. This is a great way to relax, enjoy each other’s company, and get plenty of sleep (and other things you do in the bedroom).

Turn Off the Tech

This day is supposed to be all about you and your spouse. So, turn off the computers, cell phones, and other tech gadgets, and enjoy each other’s company without interruptions. You may want to let friends and family members know what you are doing ahead of time to ensure they don’t try to contact you and ruin the mood.

Set Up a Picnic on the Living Room Floor

What if you have planned a nice picnic for your first-anniversary celebration, and then it turns out that the weather sucks on the big day. Don’t worry; you have another option. You can set up a picnic spot right in your home.

Spread a blanket on the living room floor, in front of the fireplace or television (if you plan to watch a favorite movie). Set up some candles, pack a basket with your favorite foods, grab a bottle of wine, and enjoy an indoor picnic.

The best part is if you have a few drinks, you won’t have to worry about finding transportation back home because you’ll already be there.

Book a Couple’s Photo Session

Celebrating your special day by booking a couple’s photo session is a great way to make new memories. You can have photos that you can display around your home for all to see, or choose to have boudoir photos that are just for you and your spouse. Either way, you will make memories you will have for a lifetime.

Recreate Your First Date

Another fun way to celebrate your first anniversary as a married couple is to recreate your first date. Even if you have moved to a different area, you can keep the same theme and do the same things you did on that first date. For instance, if you went to a particular restaurant, return to that restaurant and order the same meal you had on your first date. Or, if your first date involved going to a movie, download or stream that same movie and watch it again.

Enjoy a Conversation

Today is the day you celebrate your first anniversary, and one way to celebrate could be to talk to each other about everything you have done together in the past year. Look back on the year and talk about everything, from the more challenging moments to the happiest times. This is a great way to connect and tune in to each other’s feelings and emotions.

Don’t Forget the Paper

The first wedding anniversary is the paper anniversary. Tradition dictates that the first-anniversary gift be made from paper. Why is paper the first-anniversary gift? Well, there are a couple of reasons. First of all, it is a great way to show the delicacy of that first year because paper is also fragile and delicate. Paper is also symbolic. For example, a blank sheet of paper could represent a new chapter as a married couple.

Here are ways to integrate paper into your first wedding anniversary celebration.

Learn Origami

You and your spouse can make each other gifts from paper using the Japanese art of origami, which involves delicately folding paper to make various animals and different shapes. You can find plenty of tutorials online and then enjoy the activity together.

Create an Anniversary Journal

The first anniversary is a great time to start a journal of your life together. You can buy anniversary journals with spaces to record special moments from your first through 60th wedding anniversaries. You can work on this together as a couple and have it to reflect on for many years. Turn it into an anniversary tradition to do each year.

Print Out Your Wedding Vows

Your wedding vows are very important and something to cherish. A great way to celebrate your first wedding anniversary is to have your vows printed, frame them, and hang this special artwork in your home so you can look at it daily.

Conclusion

These are just a few fun and romantic things you can do to celebrate your first wedding anniversary with your spouse. Make sure you give yourselves plenty of time to devise a plan to make this day as special as possible for the two of you and enjoy each other’s company while enjoying your favorite activities together.

Many think their wedding bands must match, but this has only been commonplace since the mid-20th century in North America. But this doesn’t mean that matching wedding bands haven’t been popular in other parts of the world throughout the centuries. In fact, they were pretty popular during the Renaissance, with puzzle rings used for couples who were “tying the knot.”

Symbolically, matching wedding bands highlight the unity between two married people. They show that each person in the couple is one half of the whole and that they have committed their lives to one another.

If you are getting married soon, choosing your wedding bands will be a significant decision and one not to be taken lightly. Do you want matching wedding bands, or do you want something that will indicate that you are a committed couple while still being able to show your individual personalities and tastes?

Today we will look at wedding rings throughout the centuries and discuss the newer tradition of wearing matching rings. Keep reading to learn more.

The Tradition of Dual Wedding Rings

During the Renaissance, puzzle rings were quite popular. Known as Gimmel rings, the two rings would be joined together during the wedding ceremony. But, following the wedding, only the bride wore the ring, while the groom did not. Puzzle rings are actually still quite popular today. Some couples choose to have complete puzzle rings for each person, while others prefer to each wear one half of the ring.

In North America, double-ring ceremonies became popular around the mid-20th century, particularly during World War II. When the soldiers were overseas, having a wedding ring was something they saw as comforting, knowing that they had someone special to return home to after the war was over.

Since then, the idea of dual wedding rings has become increasingly popular, and now you will find most married couples wearing rings, whether they match or not. Matching wedding rings are still quite popular, but nowadays, “matching” can have different meanings. While some couples choose identical rings, others prefer rings with similar designs that are not identical.

While this may sound strange, matching wedding bands don’t necessarily need to be identical. In fact, many couples like wedding bands with similar details and designs that complement one another but also indicate that each person has their own preferences.

Should Your Wedding Rings Match?

The type of wedding rings a couple chooses should be up to each couple. Some prefer simple bands that match and just showcase the fact that they are married. Matching bands are often chosen to represent the symbolic meaning of a couple being a matched pair or two becoming one.

One main reason many couples choose matching wedding bands is that it simplifies shopping for wedding rings. There are fewer choices when there is one design, and a purchase can be made quickly rather than taking months for both parties to decide what they want.

Some couples choose plain bands, while others may select matching bands that include a small diamond in each ring.

If you shop for wedding rings on a tight budget, you may opt for simple bands that match. These are much less expensive than those that have patterns, diamonds, or other gemstones.

On the other hand, if you have a larger budget, you may be more interested in choosing a wedding ring that matches your personality. Just because they don’t match, it doesn’t mean that they aren’t as meaningful as wedding rings that do match.

Traditional or Nontraditional?

If you are into tradition, chances are you and your spouse will end up with simple, matching wedding rings. But, these days, many couples tend to be nontraditional and opt for rings with different styles but still similar. For example, women may prefer rings made with precious metals, while men may opt for rings made from other metals, such as tungsten or stainless steel.

You and your partner may have different ideas about how your wedding rings should look, which is okay. When you come down to it, your wedding rings are personal and should reflect your individual personalities while telling the world that you are a committed couple.

There are so many options available that it should be no problem for couples to find wedding rings that show their partnership and individuality. This is fine if you prefer something fancy while your partner likes something simple.

Nowadays, wedding rings can be made from various materials. They can add colors to the band, such as red or blue; some even have inlays made with wood or meteorites.

Consider Having More than One Wedding Ring

No rule states someone can only have one wedding ring. In fact, many people choose to have several different wedding rings. That way, they can wear the simpler rings daily and save the fancier ones for special occasions. In fact, this may be the best way for anyone who does any type of work using their hands a lot, working with harsh chemical cleaners, etc.

While it would be very disappointing to damage a ring while working, it is less disappointing to damage one that isn’t expensive. You will always have the more expensive ring available when you need it, and it will look as awesome as it did the day you first bought it because it isn’t being worn daily.

Conclusion

Ultimately, when it comes to choosing wedding rings, it is up to you and your partner. If you want matching wedding rings and stick with tradition, go for it. If you want rings that symbolize your love for one another but don’t necessarily look the same, there is nothing wrong with that.

Remember, these rings symbolize your love for one another and show the world you are united. What they look like should matter only to you and your partner.

For many, their wedding band is one of the most important purchases they will ever make. A wedding band expresses your love and style, and is an investment in your future together. It’s no surprise that it needs to be perfect.

If you struggle to find the right wedding ring for your taste or want a unique ring entirely your own, you may want to design your own rose gold diamond wedding band. Designing your custom wedding ring is easier today than ever, so let’s look at how you can design your rose gold diamond wedding band.

Reasons to Design Your Own Rose Gold Diamond Wedding Band

The reasons to choose a custom wedding ring are as numerous and unique as each individual couple, but here are some of the most popular reasons people choose to design their own wedding band:

A More Comprehensive Range of Choices

Like everything else, wedding and engagement rings come and go with fashion. You may notice that most options in retail stores are very similar, reflecting the precious metals, diamond cuts, and settings that are most popular now. If that’s not your style, designing your custom ring allows you to take inspiration from any era.

Incorporate Existing Pieces

If you already have a family heirloom or vintage stone, it may have tremendous sentimental value, and you may want to showcase it in your wedding story. Incorporating antique or vintage jewelry into your wedding ring is a beautiful way to make it more personal and sentimental, but it requires designing your wedding band.

Manage Your Budget

Designing your wedding band is not as expensive as you might think but gives you complete control over your budget, allowing you to spend your ring budget where it counts the most. Choosing a custom ring may allow you to choose a less expensive alloy or more affordable melee diamonds while investing more in the central stone or the perfect setting.

Create Something More Personal and Unique

Every love story is unique. Designing your own rose gold diamond wedding band allows you to create a ring that is unlike any other, telling your story.

How to Design Your Rose Gold Diamond Wedding Band

Generally speaking, there are two ways to design your rose gold diamond wedding band: use an online ring designing tool, or work individually with a jeweler to design your wedding rings. Here is an overview of designing your diamond wedding ring using either process.

How to Design Your Wedding Band Online

When using a website to design your wedding ring, choose a site with an excellent reputation and great reviews. Look for a robust support section, online chat, or a phone number to answer your questions before making a final decision. The online wizard will typically guide you through your options, including:

Choosing a Setting

Naturally, many design elements of the setting depend on the stone, but here are some of the options available when choosing a setting for your custom wedding ring:

• Type of rose gold. For a rose gold diamond wedding band, you can choose either 14k or 18k rose gold. Because people who choose rose gold typically want to see more of that distinctive pinkish hue, 14k is the more popular choice.
• Ring style. Ring settings come in various styles, including 2- or 3-stone styles, halo or pave styles, and solitaire or side stone styles. Not all ring styles are engravable or have a matching band.

Choosing a Stone

Not all stones are compatible with all settings, so you will build your ring around the setting or the stone. When choosing a stone for your rose gold diamond wedding band, here are some of the options to consider:

Natural vs. Lab-Grown Diamonds

Lab-grown diamonds are “real” diamonds, identical to natural diamonds in every way; however, modern technologies are used to professionally simulate the environments and processes that cause diamonds to form in the earth. This produces diamonds in a few months rather than millions of years without the unwanted social and environmental impacts.

Lab-grown diamonds are graded and certified just like natural diamonds. A lab-grown diamond is a great way to get a spectacular stone at a more affordable price, but the ring will have less resale value than a natural diamond.

Diamond Cut

Diamonds are available in a range of shapes. Each shape has advantages to highlight various features of the diamond and is optimized for different settings. Here are the most popular cuts today:

• Round brilliant cut diamonds have 58 facets to optimize light reflection and refraction, creating a fiery stone. Only diamonds with a near-perfect shape can be cut this way, and more than 50% of the total carat weight of the raw stone is lost during the cutting process, which is why it is an expensive choice. However, the brilliance of this cut can also be used to conceal and compensate for small inclusions and shadows in a slightly lower-grade diamond. Despite the cost, this cut is incredibly popular, capturing 75% of the market.
• The princess cut has a more modern shape, with bevels that make it the most brilliant of the square or rectangular diamonds. They cost less per carat than round brilliants, with excellent light dispersion that makes them the second most popular diamond cut.
• Cushion or pillow cut. These square or rectangular diamonds have gently rounded corners. Although less brilliant, they are known for their sparkle and are an excellent choice for side-by-side, channel, split-shank, and other settings.
• The emerald cut has a flat surface perfect for featuring and accentuating a large, spectacular diamond. This classic cut is more elegant than brilliant and an excellent choice for traditional, sophisticated styles. The emerald cut itself is more affordable to execute. Still, it requires a diamond free of inclusions, so it is often used to highlight a more expensive, high-quality diamond.
• Oval-cut diamonds began rising to prominence in the 1950s and 60s and continue to increase in popularity. Oval-cut diamonds are generally considered moderately priced, but the most expensive diamond ever sold at auction was the oval-cut Pink Star, fetching over $70 million. The oval cut is graceful and an excellent choice for a wide band.
• Accents. Depending on the stone and setting, you may customize your ring with melee diamonds and other enhancements to make it more personal and unique. These options largely depend on the online seller you choose.

How to Design Your Wedding Band in Person

Designing your wedding band takes longer than buying a ring at retail, and commissioning a handmade ring can take months or more, depending on how popular your jeweler is. Allow plenty of time for this process. When designing your custom ring with a jeweler, here are some key steps to follow.

Choose the Right Jeweler

Look for a ring designer with an excellent reputation and reviews, GIA credentials, and a style you like and want to be reflected in your ring. Review their portfolios carefully, and schedule preliminary meetings to ensure you communicate well.

Find Reference

Search online or use Pinterest to create a connection between the style of rings you like and want to reflect in your own ring. Clearly identify what you like about the rings.

Your Jeweler Will Draw or Sketch Your Ring

The jeweler will present one or more sketches or drawings of your potential ring or even make a model in 3D. Talk through the designs with them, giving feedback and reaching the perfect design before making the ring.

Conclusion

Designing your own rose gold diamond wedding band is a great way to create a ring that is all your own and is more affordable than you may think. Follow these steps to get a ring you will love for a lifetime.

If you have an engagement ring, you likely never want to take it off. But is it safe to always wear the ring, especially if you are in the shower and regularly exposing it to water and soap? The short answer is yes, you can wear your rings in the shower. But that doesn’t necessarily mean it suits your white gold jewelry.

Today we will look at the makeup of white gold, how plating can help protect it, and how to care for white gold rings. Let’s get started.

What is White Gold?

White gold is not something that is naturally mined. It is an alloy of gold mixed with another metal, such as manganese, palladium, or nickel. White gold is highly durable, and although valuable, it is less expensive than other high-end metals, such as platinum or rhodium. Many people choose white gold for their wedding and engagement rings.

While yellow gold is stunning, it is also very soft. On the other hand, because white gold is mixed with other metals, it tends to be more durable. Remember that unless it is plated, it will always have a bit of a yellowish hue since it is made from yellow gold. It must be plated with rhodium to get that natural white finish.

Does Rhodium Plating Wear Off?

Rhodium is a precious metal belonging to the platinum family. It is rare and very valuable, along with being highly durable. This reflective metal provides white gold jewelry with a brilliant shine. That being said, it does wear off over time.

White gold requires maintenance to retain its brilliance. The rhodium plating will prevent rings from scratching, whereas yellow gold jewelry is not scratch-resistant. Rhodium plating does stand up for a long time but wears off. Luckily, it can be reapplied. This will cost around $100, but keeping your rings looking beautiful in the long run is worth it.

Wearing White Gold in the Shower

While water alone won’t damage a white gold ring, removing your rings before showering is still recommended. There are several reasons for this.

First, there is the chance your ring may slip off your finger, and you could end up losing it down the drain. This would be heartbreaking, especially if the ring is sentimental, such as a wedding or engagement ring.

Also, it is pretty safe to say you will use soap while in the shower. Many soaps and body washes are made for exfoliating skin. So, they contain abrasive ingredients, which could cause your rings to become scratched or dull.

Caring for White Gold Rings

One of the great things about white gold is that it requires so little maintenance to look beautiful. You can wear it all the time, and it will retain its brilliance and shine for many years. But this doesn’t mean you can simply ignore your white gold rings and other jewelry because it will begin to dull over time.

As mentioned, removing your rings before taking a shower or bath is an excellent idea to ensure that the white gold remains shiny.

In addition, it is recommended that you never wear quality jewelry in a swimming pool or while using household cleaners, as bleach, ammonia, etc., can cause damage over time. If you want to keep your rings on while cleaning, wear rubber gloves to protect the white gold from harmful chemicals.

Get Into the Habit of Regularly Cleaning White Gold Rings

Getting into the habit of regularly cleaning your white gold rings is a good idea. You don’t need to use any special cleaners. In fact, many chemical jewelry cleaners can do more harm than good in the long run.

It isn’t recommended that you clean your rings daily or even weekly. Once every month will suffice. Put some mild dish detergent in a bowl with warm water.

Soak the rings for about half an hour or so. Then, use a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean any dirt and residue from the tiny spaces throughout the setting. Dry the ring with a soft cloth (we recommend the cloth used for cleaning camera lenses, as they do not have any chemicals).

You can also clean your white gold rings with baking soda. This may sound odd, as baking soda is abrasive, but it is ideal for safely cleaning jewelry. Here are a few methods to clean your rings with baking soda.

Baking Soda Paste

The first method involves making a baking soda paste. You only need one tablespoon of baking soda and one cup of water. Make a paste with the baking soda and water, and apply it to your white gold (yellow gold, sterling silver, or silver-plated jewelry). Allow the jewelry to sit with the paste on it for a few minutes, then rinse clean with clear, running water. Buff the jewelry dry with a soft cloth.

Baking Soda and Vinegar

Another method is to use a mixture of baking soda and vinegar. However, do not use this method on jewelry with softer gemstones, such as pearls, opals, and emeralds. Make a paste with one tablespoon of baking soda, one tablespoon of white vinegar, and one cup of water. Apply the paste to your jewelry and allow it to sit for a few minutes. Rinse clean with clear, running water, and buff dry with a soft cloth.

Baking Soda and Boiling Water

You can also clean jewelry with baking soda, boiling water, and aluminum foil. Line a glass baking dish with foil. Place the jewelry on top of the foil, and sprinkle enough baking soda on top to cover the jewelry. Next, pour boiling water over the jewelry.

You can soak the jewelry in this solution for up to five minutes, but in most cases, it will do the job nicely in under one minute. Rinse the jewelry with clear, running water, using a soft-bristled toothbrush to clean away any baking soda residue. Dry with a soft, clean cloth.

Conclusion

Can you wear a white gold ring in the shower? The answer is yes, but it is recommended that you do not if you want to keep your ring looking new for many years. The rhodium plating will wear off over time, and exposure to water will make this happen even faster.

So, it is better to be safe than sorry and take off your rings before showering or using any household cleaners. You will find that your rings retain their shine and do not need to be cleaned nearly as often when they aren’t regularly exposed to water and soap.

If you are planning on buying a diamond ring of any kind, there are many considerations that you need to keep in mind. Of course, the quality and shape of the main stone, as well as the setting, need to be considered.

However, another aspect of your diamond ring that you may want to think about is the accent, otherwise known as diamond accents.

So, what is diamond accent and what purpose does it serve? Today, we’re going to figure out exactly what diamond accent is, what purpose it serves, how to choose one, what the different types are, how much you can expect to pay, and more.

What is Diamond Accent?

Diamond accents are the small stones that are put beside the centerpiece or main stone in a jewelry set, such as in a diamond ring. In other words, they are small diamonds that are put beside the larger diamond placed in the center of the setting.

As you might be able to gather by the name, a diamond accent is used mainly to highlight the center stone or to accentuate it. Diamond accents are not necessarily about looking good on their own, but about making the centerpiece look much better.

A diamond accent is designed to add character, style, and elegance to any piece of jewelry, as well as to increase the sparkle. Although there are many diamond rings and other jewelry setting that do not come with accents, most people would agree that a diamond accent does make the centerpiece look much better.

Keep in mind that a diamond accent can be chosen based on a variety of factors, including quality, color, shape, and size. It is important to note, however, that a diamond accent is a real diamond. These are not fake diamonds or costume jewelry.

Although they are of course much smaller than the centerpiece, and therefore worth substantially less, they are real diamonds. Moreover, they have all the characteristics of real diamonds and are also evaluated based on the four Cs (clarity, cut, color, and carat) that all diamonds are evaluated on.

Now that we know what a diamond accent is, let’s move on and figure out what the different types of them are.

The Different Types of Diamond Accent

There are a few different types of diamond accent out there. There are three main kinds of diamond accents that are generally used, which include small round diamonds, trillion cuts, and baguettes.

In some cases, emerald cut or princess cut diamonds might also be used, particularly in a three stone diamond ring setting, although this is not nearly as common as the first three.

So, let’s take a look at exactly what a small round cut diamond, a trillion, and a baguette accent are.

Small Round Diamond Accents

The most common type of diamond accent used is the small round diamond, and this also tends to be quite classy. If we are talking about three-stone diamond ring settings, channel settings, or pave settings, this is the most commonly used type of diamond accent.

What is interesting to note is that when this type of diamond accent is used in the channel setting, small round diamonds are placed in long rows that helps to create a lot of sparkle. Small round diamonds work especially well for a thick setting.

This is also a popular choice to be used in many different types of diamond ring settings, bracelets, and diamond necklaces. What is important to note is that these small round diamonds have the exact same number of facets as a normal round brilliant diamond.

There are three main types of small round diamond accent stones that exist. You have the stars, which have a carat weight less than 0.02, full cuts that have a carried weight anywhere between 0.02 and 0.07, and nearly diamonds, that have a carat weight anywhere between 0.08 and 0.18.

Baguette Diamond Accents

We then have baguette diamond accents, which are generally considered the preferred type of diamond accent, as they have a very classic feel and look, and are usually placed next to other baguette diamond accents that helps to create a long row of diamonds.

These diamond accents feature great symmetry and a large table, which is one of the reasons why they are preferred. Baguette diamond accents generally have step cuts, which help to provide great contrast with the centerpiece, and therefore really make the centerpiece stand out.

With that being said, being aware that baguette accents shouldn’t have the same amount of brilliance as a small round diamond or trillion cut accents. What is also important to note is that there are two main types of baguette diamond accents, which include tapered baguettes and straight baguettes.

Tapered baguettes have the shape of a rectangle with a tapered edge, and these are generally used to create an accent of the curves of a jewelry setting. Tapered baguette diamond accents are mostly used as flank stones in a three-stone setting or as side stones. We then have the straight baguette, which is more or less 100% rectangular.

These are generally placed adjacent to each other in rows or can be placed beside the center stone. This is a type of diamond accent that is generally used to accentuate a variety of center stone types, including marquise, round brilliant, and Asscher cut diamonds.

Trillion-Cut Diamond Accents

Here we have a popular type of diamond accent to use as flank stones. The trillion-cut diamond accent is most often used in a three-stone setting. They feature a very unique shape that helps to bring the attention of the eye to the center stone. The trillion-cut diamond has the form of the triangle and is all about following the natural curve of the ring itself. Most people would choose to use these with radiant cut, cushion cut, round brilliant cut, or princess cut diamonds.

Matching Diamond Accents to the Center Stone

One of the most important things to consider is how you are going to match your diamond accents to the rest of the setting. After all, the main point of any diamond accent is to highlight the centerpiece and to accentuate the actual stone in the center of the setting. Therefore, choosing the right type of accent is very important or else it might not make the center stone look as good as it otherwise could.

One of the main things to consider here is the color grade of the diamond. You never want your diamond accents to have a much higher color grade than the actual center stone, or else it’s going to make the center stone look comparatively bad. Therefore, the color grade of the diamond accents should be at least two, or even three grades lower than that of your center stone.

The same rule also applies to the clarity of your diamond accents. The clarity of the diamond accents should be at least two or even three grades lower than that of the center diamond. Yes, you do want it to be relatively clear, but you never want it to be clearer than the center stone.

Pricing of Diamond Accents

Generally speaking, just like the center stone diamond in your setting, diamond accents are usually always priced according to carat weight. However, because diamond accents are much smaller than normal diamonds used in settings, they are much cheaper.

What also needs to be said is that you really can’t buy diamond accents separately. These are bought in wholesale quantities by jewelers and are then used in the various settings. What is also important to note is that accent diamonds are graded in the same way as regular diamonds.

That said, because they aren’t meant to be the star of the show, you can buy much lower grades of diamond accents, and therefore save a bit of money. In general, you can expect to spend up to $400 per carat for accent diamonds, or up to $1000 if you are going for premium grade and quality.

On that note, most diamond accents will feature a carat weight between 0.02 and 0.18. A good rule of thumb is that if you have a side stone setting or a three-stone setting, the diamond accents should be no more than half the size of the main stone. At the same time, the diameter of those side accent stones should be equal to the center stone’s table.

However, if you are using a pave setting, then the accent stones should be no more than 1/6 the size of the main stone. Smaller accent diamonds always look better with this type of setting.

Diamond Accents – Final Thoughts

When purchasing diamond accents, you always need to consider the specific type or setting that your piece of jewelry features. Always consider the color, grade, clarity, and shape of the accent diamonds, especially in comparison to the main stone. If you do this, choosing the right type of diamond accents should not be a problem.