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    How often are you cleaning your wedding ring, and how effective is your process? Most likely, your answer is not often and not thorough enough.

    Your ring can easily be dirtied by everyday wear. Common cosmetic products like hairspray, lotion, makeup or perfume can accumulate dirt, and touching a variety of objects throughout the day will also dull your ring.

    A new and oh-so-satisfying trend on Instagram is ring cleaning. Jewellers are sharing videos of how they take rings from drab to fab with a simple solution.

    The ring is dunked in a blue solution of ring cleaner, and all the dirt expels out of it. The sheer amount of dirt that can accumulate on a ring is truly astounding.

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    The solution is held in an ultrasonic machine which sends vibrations through the water in a matter of minutes. The ultrasound waves and chemicals combine to create bubbles that “cling” to foreign particles such as dirt, oil, and unknown substances. The high-frequency waves are sent out and pull the contaminants off the object.

    After a minute, the ring is removed from the solution and is extra sparkly, like the day it was purchased.

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    If you don’t have access to a professional jewellery cleaner, or simply don’t have the funds for this, cleaning your jewellery is an easy process that can be done at home. Make a DIY solution with warm water and dishwashing soap. Soak your ring in the solution for about 20 to 40 minutes and then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush. Rinse under warm running water and repeat if needed.

    Make sure to avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine and acetone when cleaning your ring, as it can break down the base metals in the ring. Abrasive products like toothpaste, baking soda and powdered cleaners should also be avoided.

    Picture: Pexels

    An engagement ring is a highly treasured jewellery item, one you’ll (hopefully) have forever. It’s thus important to have your ring match your own personal style and taste. With so many designs, settings and stones to choose from, ring shopping can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help.

    While the setting, or the way the stone is secured into the ring, may not be the most important thing one thinks of, it is crucial to the anatomy of the ring. It helps determine the overall design of the ring and its durability.

    A pavé setting, also known as a bead setting, is perfect for the bride wanting something a little more sparkly. It is french for ‘paved’ and it is a jewellery technique in which small diamonds are studded along the band of the ring, making it appear like a paved or cobblestoned road.

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    Diamonds are closely set together in this setting, and sparkle brilliantly under the light. Typically, diamonds used for this setting must be 0.01 to 0.02 carats to be technically characterised as ‘pavé’, anything smaller falls under a ‘micro-pavé’ setting.

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    An advantage of this setting is that it enhances a centre diamond that has a lower brilliance, cut or clarity grade. It adds extra sparkle and is technically the more economical choice, as smaller diamonds are less expensive than one diamond of the exact same weight.

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    However, it is important to note that this setting is more susceptible to stone loss, and offers more small spaces for dirt to accumulate. This setting also requires more inspection and maintenance than most other ring settings.

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    Picture: Pexels

    Looking for an uncommon ring setting? We’ve got the perfect one. The bezel setting is an uncommon choice, and offers a highly unique look.

    This setting has been around for decades, and is actually one of the oldest in the history of jewellery design. Poppy Delevigne and Mary-Kate Olsen have rocked this look.

    Also known as the Rubover, this setting gives off an Art Deco aesthetic perfect for a bold bride. Here’s what you need to know.

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    A bezel setting features diamonds that are completely or partially encircled by a thin border of a precious metal holding it in place. The surface of the ring is thus smooth. Also called a tube setting, it helps to accentuate the diamond and offers a contemporary look. This setting works best with round stones, but can be used on any shape from pear to heart.

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    Because the stone is held securely in place, this setting is highly durable and protects the diamond very well. This is perfect for fragile stones. It also prevents anything snagging on the stone or knocking it, making it perfect for a wearer with an active lifestyle.

    However, this setting conceals a large part of the stone. It can also be the more expensive option because it requires much more precious metal and is more labour intensive.

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    Feature image: Pexels

    The emerald cut is a favourite among brides, but those wanting a similar style with some difference should opt for the Asscher cut. Also known as the square emerald cut, this shape is timeless and stylish, perfectly designed to highlight a diamond.

    If you’re diamond shopping, here’s everything you need to know about the Asscher cut.

     

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    Having your engagement ring engraved is a beautiful way to to show your love. It allows you to carry a special hidden meaning with you wherever you go, and also makes your ring more identifiable if it goes missing.

    This is a timeless practice, one that has been loved since medieval times. Back in the day, people had their prized jewellery possessions engraved with religious quotes and messages of devotion.

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    Engraving is a relatively affordable option, but the price depends on what exactly you want engraved and the font. Machine engravings are cheaper, hand engravings will cost much more. Most rings can accommodate between 15-30 characters, so you can’t write novels. No more than five words is ideal.

    The best time to have it engraved is when you order the ring. However, you have lots of time to decide exactly what you want it to say as engravings happen at the end of the manufacturing process. Importantly, not all jewellers perform engravings so make sure to ask for a referral if they cannot.

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    It is a fast process, and can be done in a day. There are three ways to do it. The first, machine engraving uses a template to trace out letters and symbols using a corresponding sharp tool. This option limits your font choice, but pretty much guarantees a neat finish.

    Hand engraving is the most costly option, and is also the most imperfect. However, it does allow you freedom to choose whichever font you want. It is also a deeper engraving, meaning it lasts longer and creates a unique visual finish.

    With laser engraving, jewellers use a pencil-sized laser beam to inscribe your special message onto the ring. The strength of the laser differs depending on the type of metal. This option allows for longer messages.

    The most important thing here, and we cannot stress this enough, is to double, triple and quadruple check your spelling before handing your words over to the jeweller! Make sure to double-check it again once you receive the finished product.

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    Feature image: Pexels

    A truly unique shape, the marquise engagement ring is for the bride that wants to stand out. It has a rich history and eye-catching design for the adventurous soul.

    If you’re on the market for a rock to decorate your fingers, here is what you need to know.

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    The marquise shape has a an interesting French historical background. According to Shimansky, the shape was created for Louis the XIV, a monarch who ruled as the King of France.

    “Legend holds that Louis the XIV, also known as Louis the Great or the Sun King, wanted a diamond that would be as brilliant and in a shape that could match the smile of the Marquise of Pompadour. And that was how the Marquise shape diamond was born. Because of its shape, it is sometimes also known as “navette” (little boat),” they explain.

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    The stone has 58 facets and a slender, elongated shape that is characterised by two sharp points on either end of it. It typically has a length to width ratio of 1.75 – 2.25 to 1, with the ideal ratio being 2 to 1.

    Thanks to its long shape, this cut makes the diamond appear to be of greater weight and size than it actually is. It’s shape can also have the ‘bowtie’ effect, in which the diamond appears to take on the shape of a bow tie due to the absence of light reflection in the table of the diamond. This can easily be solved by adding more facets to the crown of the stone.

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    Creating the perfect marquise shape diamond takes expert skill and technique because of its distinct shape. It has to be perfectly proportioned or else it won’t deliver the optimum amount of brilliance. When on the market, be sure to ensure the stone is symmetrical.

    This stone is perfect for those wanting to grab attention. Like most other shapes, it elongates the fingers and its unique shape makes the stone appear much larger. Those with extroverted personalities will love this shape that offers an unrivalled charm.

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    You’ve found your perfect partner, now find your perfect ring. If you are a lover of all things delicate and elegant, the pear shape may just be for you.

    Also known as the teradrop shape, the pear shape offers a stone a unique style. If you’d like a piece of this pear, read on for everything you need to know.

     

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    The pear cut features 58 facets and is typically cut in the brilliant style. This hybrid shape is considered to be a blend of the round and marquise cut. Pear cut stones should have a length to width ratio of 1:5:1. The stone’s elongated shape makes the diamond appear larger, which is always a bonus.

    The stone is securely held in place by either three or five prongs, with one of the prongs at the point of the diamond to protect it.

    The beauty of this shape is that is allows the colour of the diamond to come across the strongest, so it best suited for yellow and pink stones. If the stone is larger than one carat, however, it may display some darkness towards its point. You will thus want a stone with even colour distribution throughout.

     

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    This stunning shape was created in 1458 by Flemish diamond polisher Lodewyk (Louis) van Berquem of Brugge, Belgium. From its inception, the stone polarised the jewellery industry. Some loved its unusual shape while many disliked the stone because a large amount of the rough diamond is lost during the cutting process.

     

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    This stone elegantly elongates fingers, making it an excellent choice for an engagement ring. It’s also often the more affordable option. Pear shaped diamonds can cost anywhere between 10-30% less than a round diamond of the same carat weight, according to the Gem Society.

     

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    The celebrity go-to in the engagement ring world is the emerald cut. Notable names like Beyoncé, Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez and Demi Lovato all rock this cut on their ring finger.

    It’s easy to see why this Art Deco-inspired shape is a celeb favourite. The elongated shape of the stone is incrediby flattering, makes a diamond appear much larger than other shapes and its mirrored edges give some serious drama. Sometimes, bigger is better.

    If you’re on the market for an emerald-cut ring, here’s what you need to know.

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    An emerald cut features a rectangular stone with trimmed corners and step-cut facets that often lay parallel to the girdle or thin perimeter of the stone. It typically has 50 to 58 facets, depending on the number of rows on the crown and the pavilion, and a length to width ratio of 1.5-1.7 to 1 is ideal.

    The stone appears to have less brilliance than other cuts like a round or princess cut diamond, due to the step-cut facets. However, it’s just a different, more subtle sparkle.

    Shimansky explains that the step-cut creates a ‘hall of mirrors’ effect because of its flashes of light.

    “This illusion creates flashes of bright white light in stark contrast to the dark planes within each step. The emerald cut appears less fiery, but its long lines and dramatic flashes of light give it an elegant and sophisticated appeal,” writes Shimansky.

    Its elongated shape makes fingers appear longer and slender, and of course makes the diamond itself appear larger. The emerald cut is believed to have a 5% greater surface area than a round cut diamond of the same weight.

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    History:

    This cut is one of the oldest diamond shapes, and has been been around for decades. The emerald cut was developed specifically for the emerald gem, but in time it became a popular cut for many gems, including diamonds.  It was only in the 1920s that the term ’emerald cut’ was commonly used and began to gain popularity for its clean lines and symmetry.

    The cut rose in popularity among jewellers because it required less pressure during the cutting process.  This cut, however, is incredibly unforgiving as inclusions and other impurities are much more visible on this bold cut. You need a high quality diamond in terms of colour and clarity to pull this cut off. The higher the clarity, the better the appearance for this cut.

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    Who does the style suit?

    “The emerald cut shape of diamond is linked to organised, resourceful, disciplined and decisive personalities,” says Shimansky.

    “It has a vintage appeal that is both beautiful and distinct and speaks to women who appreciate the beauty of antique-style jewellery. Because of the versatility of this cut, a number of shapes and settings work well with it. The emerald cut has been favoured by the likes of Grace Kelly, Elizabeth Taylor and Angelina Jolie.”

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    Get your fairytale ending with a princess-cut engagement ring. This cut is incredibly popular, and graces the ring fingers of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Cameron Diaz and Kate Bosworth.

    The princess-cut is the most popular of the fancy cut diamond shapes, according to Shimansky. It is a timeless shape, with a geometric silhouette that makes the stone appear brighter and whiter.

    If you’d like to join the ranks of the rich and famous, here’s what you need to know about the princess-cut.

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    The shape:

    A princess-cut diamond has a square-shaped stone with pointed corners, and can have up to 78 facets. From the side, it appears as if the stone is the shape of an inverted pyramid.  This cut offers stunning sparkle thanks to its high levels of brilliance and fire.

    About 80% of a rough stone’s radiance is retained when cutting a princess shape, compared to the 50% of a round brilliant shape. This makes a princess cut the more economical choice as well.

    This cut requires master craftmanship. In the wrong hands, the stone’s delicate and intricate facets can appear chunky.  It must have a deep cut, a relatively slim girdle and pointed corners. V-shaped prongs hold the body of the stone securely in place while also protecting the corners.

    “The square shape of this cut is associated with the personality traits of independence, audacity and confidence. Thanks to its beauty, brilliance and striking appearance, it’s not difficult to understand why the princess cut diamond has become such a popular cut among modern-day brides,” says Shimansky.

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    The origin:

    This shape is one of the newer cuts on the market, and has had multiple precursors. It is believed its origins began back in the 1960s when diamond cutter Arpad Nagy created the ‘profile’ cut in 1961. This cut has 58 facets and was designed to allow less of the rough stone to be lost in the cutting process.

    South African designer Basil Watermeyer then introduced the Barion cut in the 1970s, which was a stunning cut with 81 hard to replicate facets. Israeli diamond duo Betazel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz followed up by creating the ‘quadrillion’ cut, which is the closest to the modern princess cut as we know it.

    How it got its current name is not definite, but jewellers suspect it is because of its radiant sparkle that makes the stone appear fit for royalty.

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    What to consider:

    If you’re on the market for a princess-cut ring, there are a few things to keep in mind. Generally, this cut is priced lower per carat because more of the rough stone is saved during the cutting process. Due to their multiple facets, incusions or natural imperfections are hidden quite well in the stone.

    However, because most of the weight is on the underside of the diamond or the pavilion, this cut may make the stone appear smaller than another diamond with the same carat weight.

    As such, you get higher brilliance on this cut but may sacrifice size. Each customer must decide for themselves what they care about more.

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    An engagement ring is so expected. Why not show off your love in a more permanent and unique way? This is the exact thought process behind the engagement ring piercing trend.

    An engagement ring piercing is literally what it sounds like. Instead of a ring, the diamond or whatever gemstone you desire is embedded into the skin of the ring finger.

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    It’s the same process as getting a dermal piercing, which is any single-entry piercing on a flat surface of your body like the collarbone, neck, cheeks or back.

    Using a dermal punch, the piercing professional creates a hole in the epidermis of the finger then inserts an anchor into the skin layer below the dermis. The jewelled top, typicaly a diamond or gemstone, is fitted into the anchor.

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    Like any other piercing, this one will come with some pain, the level will depend on your own pain tolerance. However, it shouldn’t hurt more than a piercing on any other part of the body. It takes several months to heal, during which you may experience some fluid secretions.

    Tattoers do warn that this piercing comes with a high risk. Besides the risk of infection, the finger is a high traffic area as you use your hands a lot throughout the day. Constant friction against the piercing will irritate it.

    Because a dermal piercing has a single entry point, meaning the piercing enters and exits from the same hole, the rejection rate is quite high, which can lead to bad scarring.

    The actual process of getting the piercing is also quite risky, because the finger has so many muscles and nerves. If the piercing is in the dermis then it should not be an issue but any deeper and you run the risk of affecting vital structures in the finger. Considering fingers have little fat underneath the skin, the piercing may hit muscle or bone, which can result in nerve damage.

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    If you do decide to go through with this piercing, there is a lot of aftercare. It is important to keep the finger covered as it heels to avoid it getting caught in anything. Piercers recommend twice-daily soaks in warm water and sea salt or warm water and vinegar. You can also use an antiseptic to wipe away any crusty secretions.

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