Color Archives - Knox Jewelers

Sapphire Engagement Rings

Sapphires have been a favored selection for engagement ring for many centuries, and up until the twentieth century more sapphires graced the fingers of the recently engaged than diamonds. In modern times the most sought after center stone is a diamond, and it has become a standard request at Knox Jewelers for an engagement ring. However, a growing percentage of couples are opting to include rich colored sapphires to their custom created rings.

Throughout the ages, sapphires have come to represent faithfulness and loyalty, hence their wide use in bridal jewelry. Recent events in history have also linked sapphires to the ideals of romance and royalty.

Apart from their chromatic allure, sapphire is also a practical choice for jewelry worn on a daily basis, like an engagement ring or wedding band. Corundum, the mineral name for sapphire, is ranked 9 on the Mohs Scale, and is hard enough to withstand everyday wear and tear. This being said, it is not indestructible.

With our custom created engagement rings and wedding bands the possibilities are endless. Customizing your engagement ring with the inclusion of sapphires will make it a truly personalize, one-of-a-kind piece. Listed below are just some of the ways colored sapphires could be featured in your favorite ring settings.

Sapphire Center Stones

Choose a rich hued sapphire in your preferred size and shape as the central focus in any of our custom created rings. This unique center stone will offer a bold look.

Diamond Halo Sapphire Center

Add vintage character with a diamond halo design featuring a contrasting colored sapphire center.

Alternative Sapphire Hues

Sapphire naturally occurs in a rainbow of intense hues. Take a modern stance and select your favorite fancy colored sapphire to complete any of our custom designs.

Sapphire Side Stone Accents

Get the best of both worlds with a custom engagement ring featuring a diamond center stone framed by dazzling sapphire accents.

Contact Knox Jewelers today and let us help you select the perfect sapphires to complete the ring of your dreams. Every sapphire is unique, and we can search for any shape, size or hue you have in mind. Make your custom engagement ring a truly one-of-a-kind creation with the addition of special colored gemstones.

On Trend for 2016

If you are currently on the hunt for the perfect engagement ring to propose in the upcoming year, then Knox Jewelers has a few suggests of current designs being sought after in our showrooms. With our custom created rings, the possibilities are endless, but there are a few styles that are gaining trend status. We are always ready to help you create the ring of her dreams, maybe one of these listed styles was made just for her.

Nature Inspired

Floral and foliage themes have a long history of symbolizing romantic love when stylized into a piece of jewelry. This tradition has now emerged as a popular motif among engagement rings. Selecting a nature inspired engagement ring can show her how your love has grown into something beautiful.

Vibrant Centers

A bright, white, scintillating diamond has taken center stage in many dream rings, and we are sure it will continue to. However, those who dream in color have recently been selecting vibrant hues of diamond and sapphire to complete their perfect engagement ring. Both sapphire and diamond naturally occur in every shade of the rainbow, and with a little searching, we are sure we can unite you with your perfect gemstone.

Stack-able

Flip through any fashion magazine and you are sure to spot a hand or two piled high with slim, stacked rings. This style has now found its way into bridal jewelry. We have seen customers opting for solitaire engagement rings and mixing them with several of our custom wedding bands to create their own unique grouping. This trend is ideal for the bride who likes to mix and match.

Antique Inspired

Engagement rings are currently taking a cue from past decades. Vintage inspired details add something of the extraordinary to any custom created piece. All of Knox Jewelers antique detailing like engraving, milgrain and filigree is hand fashioned by our talented goldsmiths. Micro details like these can make all the difference in an heirloom quality ring.

Split Shanks

What is better than one diamond band? Two, of course. Split band engagement rings have been the recent selection of many Knox Jewelers’ patrons. The style mixes well with a variety of center stone shapes and setting styles. Allowing it to be the final touch to any custom engagement ring.

Oval Cut Center

More and more women are stopping in-store and asking if we have oval shaped diamonds to see in person. A close runner up to the round brilliant, oval shapes are definitely on trend. The shape flatters the finger and has an overall elegant vibe. Any of our custom created engagement rings can be crafted around an oval shape center.

Mixed Metal

Several Knox customers have recently undertaken a bold endeavor by creating their custom engagement rings in two or three tone metals. The warmth of yellow gold and skin flattering rose gold are being paired with the ever popular white metals. These daring combination can highlight the fine details included into your ring and give you a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Now that you’ve been inspired by our current trends, stop in-store or livechat and let us answer any questions you may have on starting your very own custom engagement ring. The ring of her dreams is waiting to be created!

How to Read a GIA Diamond Grading Report

So you’re ready to propose to the love-of-your-life with a Knox Custom Engagement Ring, but you want to be positive you’ve chosen the best possible diamond. Knox Jewelers recommends selecting a diamond evaluated by GIA to ensure the diamond comes with a detailed graded report. A GIA Diamond Grading Report is the standard for evaluating diamonds and their quality. Don’t know how to read a GIA Diamond Grading Report? Don’t worry, Knox will always help you learn everything about your diamond selection, either in-store or online.

GIA stands for Gemological Institute of America. It is a public and independent benefit institute that was established in 1931. They are the leading source of knowledge, standards, and education when it comes to gems and jewelry. GIA is the creator of the “4 Cs” (Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat Weight) and the International Diamond Grading System that maintains the methods and best practices for describing diamond quality. Today, virtually everyone in the international diamond industry uses these methods for comparing and evaluating diamonds. A grading report from GIA is more than a collection of observations about a gem. It represents an accurate and unbiased, comprehensive scientific investigation.

Let’s review the main components of a GIA grading report.

Each diamond evaluated by GIA is assigned a unique GIA Report Number which you can use to look up your report online.

A diamond’s Shape refers to its face-up outline. Popular shapes include round, square, oval, rectangle and pear.

Cutting Style refers to a stone’s faceting pattern. Brilliant-Cut diamonds contain a large number of small, triangular shaped facets. These include Round Brilliant, Princess and Ovals cut gems. Step-Cut diamonds contain larger, long, rectangle shaped facets. These include Emerald and Asscher cut gems.

A diamond’s Measurements will be listed in the order of smallest width, largest width and height.

The Weight of a diamond is measured in a form called carats. GIA reports a diamond’s carat weight to the nearest hundredth of a carat. To give you some perceptive, 1 carat is equal to 0.20 grams.

The GIA Color Grade system describes the diamond’s lack of color by ranging from the denotation D, which is colorless, all the way to Z, which will be a shade of either light yellow or brown. Color grades from D to F are considered colorless diamonds and G to J are near-colorless.

Diamond Clarity evaluates the size, the number, relief, nature, and position of internal inclusions and surface blemishes. The Institute assigns one of eleven clarity grades to a diamond. This can range from the clarity grade of flawless to that of included and lists the most prominent clarity characteristics. Stone graded VS2 and above should be eye-clean, with inclusions only seen under magnification.

On some report formats, Clarity Characteristics are shown as a plotted diagram, marking significant or identifying characteristics. A key lists the relevant symbols and their definitions. Red symbols stand for inclusions, which characteristics inside a stone. Green or black symbols stand for external characteristics on the diamond, or blemishes.

For the standard round brilliant diamond, GIA assigns a Cut Grade ranging from Excellent to Poor. Diamonds can be Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor. This grading takes into account seven components; Polish, Symmetry, Weight Ratio, Durability, Brightness, Fire, and Scintillation.

The diamond’s Proportions are thoroughly described as well, from its shape and cutting style to its precise measurements. A diagram will show you the diamond’s profile as well as its dimensions.

A description of Fluorescence is provided as an additional identifying characteristic. GIA tests every diamond to ensure that it is natural and to identify any processes that may have been used to alter its color or clarity. An asterisk next to the color or clarity grade indicates that the diamond has been treated. Treatments and additional identifying characteristics are described in the comments section.

If the diamond is inscribed, the Inscription will be noted on the report as well. A GIA Grading Report has a number of sophisticated security features designed to ensure its authenticity and integrity. They offer a variety of diamond reports, among them the Diamond eReport, an interactive online option available only for natural and untreated diamonds(perfect if you want to search for beautiful custom diamond engagement rings from the comfort of your home). The Institute operates under strict standard procedures and principles designed to ensure objectivity and accuracy, no matter which report you receive.

That’s how to read a GIA Diamond Grading Report! It’s not as intimidating as you might think. Selecting the perfect ring among many beautiful custom diamond engagement rings might be another story. Luckily, Knox Jewelers can help you look at a variety of rings and narrow it down to the perfect one for your lucky life partner. GIA Diamond Grading Reports are also available! Let Knox Jewelers help you learn about diamonds so you can pick the perfect diamond that meets the color, clarity, cut, and carat weight that you desire and help give your engagement a beautiful start.