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Orange Garnet – January’s Radiant Jewel

For those lucky individuals with January birthdays, there are a lot of options from which to choose when it comes to garnet stones. An oft-overlooked color of garnet is the radiant orange garnet, also known by its mineral classifications hessonite, spessartine, and mandarin. Hessonite, also known as Cinnamon Stone, is a type of grossular, which is a species of garnet. Hessonite has a very distinct red hue which gravitates toward orange and yellow, though hessonite is often heavily included and is rarely used in jewelry. Spessartine, on the other hand, is another species of garnet with characteristic orange and light-red color tones. Finally, mandarin garnets are a specific type of spessartine with a fiery and radiant orange color. We know that’s a lot of different terms to throw around, so let’s take a look at the history of these beautiful stones, how you might use the orange garnets to create unique engagement rings or wedding bands with a stunning and innovative look, and what to look for in a high-quality orange garnet.

Hessonite-Garnet-300x168 Gemstones — Hessonite Garnet

Spessartite-examples-300x169 Gemstones — Spessartite/Mandarin Garnet

The History of Orange Garnets

The garnet stone has a rich and detailed historical legacy. Emperors, kings, philosophers, generals, and famous individuals of all kinds have worn jewelry adorned with beautiful garnet stones for centuries. The garnet has been exceedingly popular in Europe, especially throughout the 1700’s and 1800’s, wherein they were prized for their rich hues and tones. In fact, Spanish astrologers once used the garnet to signify the sun – indeed, the orange garnet is almost perfect for representing the radiant beauty of the sun. We have only seen the garnet in present in a variety of mythological and literary works, thus lending credence to the fact that the garnet is one of the most desirable gemstones in the entire industry and has been for some time.

What to Look for in an Orange Garnet

As with all gemstones, your primary considerations with orange garnets are going to revolve around clarity and color, as well as durability. Most spessartines, including mandarin garnets, have excellent Mohs hardness and durability while also sporting strong and deep colors and excellent clarity. At Knox Jewelers, we will help you to select the perfect orange garnet for your piece and ensure that it passes muster in all aspects to ensure that your engagement ring or wedding band is absolutely perfect and stunning.

What Makes Garnet The Perfect January Birthstone

Orange may not be the most popular color when it comes to gemstones, but don’t be too quick to write off orange garnets. Spessartine and mandarin garnets can be combined with a variety of different metals to create a truly beautiful piece which is both exciting and elegant. For centuries, orange gemstones have been used to create jewelry with evocative and rich feelings, images, and patterns, all of which have contributed to the uniqueness and fashion of these orange garnets. For individuals seeking to integrate a powerful red gemstone into their jewelry, and especially for those individuals with January birthdays, an orange garnet is the perfect choice.

Garnet Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands

At Knox Jewelers, we have crafted a rich and varied collection of unique engagement rings and wedding bands for our customers in the past. All of the designs we have created for our customers can utilize any gemstone you can imagine, including orange garnets. A stunning combination is to utilize a white gold or platinum band in conjunction with an orange garnet setting – the contrast of these two elements creates a stunning and exciting synthesis of color, elegance, and beauty, all of which contribute to making your custom engagement ring or wedding band a one of a kind piece of jewelry.

Have Any Questions? We’re Here to Help!

If you are thinking about utilizing an orange garnet gemstone in a custom jewelry piece, then please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions you may have. Here at Knox Jewelers, we have long worked with orange garnets and have crafted some truly exquisite pieces for our customers, and we would be happy to help you design a unique ring which uniquely describes you or your loved one. We are not only available to answer your questions, but we would also be glad to walk you through the entire process of designing a unique piece of jewelry just for you, from start to finish. We look forward to meeting you and working together with you soon!

Men’s Wedding Bands – Classic to Contemporary: Designs That Will Fit Any Man’s Style

At Knox Jewelers, we don’t just create stunning jewelry for women – we also specialize in designing men’s wedding bands of all kinds. The origins of men’s wedding rings go all the way back to the matrimonial culture of ancient Egypt, wherein rings of braided hemp or reed were used to symbolize the eternal unity and love of the wedded couple. As the ages progressed, new kinds of styles came into and out of fashion, including gimmel rings, poesy rings, and more. However, the ritual of double-ring ceremonies did not develop in the United States until around the late 1940’s. Since that time, a variety of styles have taken hold in popular opinion, and customers today who are looking to have a custom, handcrafted wedding band produced to symbolize everlasting love and marriage have the ability to choose from a vast number of unique styles and variations on classic designs. Let’s take a look now at some of the different styles of men’s wedding bands we have handcrafted here at Knox Jewelers for our gentleman customers in the past, who – to say the least – have been extraordinarily happy with the final design and product.

Classic Men’s Wedding Rings

The archetypal wedding band is the classic style, usually consisting of a relatively simple design, smooth curves, clean lines, and yellow gold, though subtle variations on these attributes do exist. At Knox Jewelers, we can take a classic design and give it a refreshing, innovative set of modifications to make it uniquely yours. Whether you are looking to incorporate a different kind of metal for the band, or if you are seeking a custom set of modifications on an existing design, we would be more than happy to work with you on crafting a ring that will symbolize your eternal love.

Hand Engraved Men’s Wedding Rings

Those individuals looking for a more vintage style of ring ought to consider a hand engraved wedding band. Our expert metalsmiths and artists at Knox Jewelers can take this style in a variety of different directions, and many different patterns can be crafted. For example, let’s take a close look at our North Shore Hand Engraved Wheat wedding band. This exquisite ring uses 14k white gold in concert with lovely wheat pattern around the center of the band. Naturally, the engraved pattern can be customized with your own unique design. Also of interest to you may be our North Shore Hand Engraved Scroll ring.

Mokume Gane Men’s Wedding Rings

Some of the most unique wedding bands we have created for our customers in the past have been Mokume Gane wedding rings. We have written about it before, but here is the short story on the art of Mokume Gane. 17th century Japan gave birth to a unique set of techniques for combining multiple metals into a flowing design which emulates the patterns of nature. At Knox Jewelers, we craft each and every one of our Mokume Gane rings from scratch, and they are some of our most beautiful works.

Contemporary Men’s Wedding Rings

Our contemporary wedding bands incorporate a variety of different flourishes, including diamonds, gemstones, many types of finishes, geometrically-inspired shapes, and more. We also make extensive use of decorative lines and negative space to craft the most unique wedding bands around.

Knox Jewelers: Creators of Unique Wedding Bands Since 1984

Create custom wedding bands for our valued customers is our vocation, and we are proud to have crafted so many unique and beautiful designs for our customers throughout the years. Have a look at our entire portfolio of men’s wedding bands to see more examples of our work. As you might imagine, we are very proud to have had the opportunities to design these beautiful wedding bands for our past customers, and we are more than happy to answer any questions you may have about designing custom men’s wedding bands. We look forward to working together with you to design the perfect wedding band!

Full Bezel Set Engagement Rings and Wedding Bands – An Elegant Setting Style Throughout Time

Bezel settings – that is, settings wherein the metal of the band encompasses the edge of the gemstone – have a long and rich history in the metal smithing and jewelry-making professions. As a matter of fact, the use of bezel settings was one of the first ways in which metal smiths would set gemstones or diamonds into jewelry, as evidenced by many ancient heirlooms in public and private collections. But, bezel settings have practical advantages for the modern jewelry we design here at Knox Jewelers, too. While prong settings are the most common and popular settings for most modern pieces, they have a number of issues. In particular, prong settings allow for their stones to be more susceptible to accidental rubbing or damage; furthermore, these settings tend to be less secure overall. While the possibility of stone dis-lodgement through even intense activity is minimal, bezel settings make this risk practically nonexistent. These are just a few of the reasons why our handcrafted full bezel engagement rings and wedding bands have been supremely popular with our customers.

The History and Evolution of Bezel Settings

Some of the very first settings in the history of the profession used the bezel technique to perfectly fit and protect the beautiful gemstones of the eras past. For thousands of years, the bezel setting served as the one and only setting used by jewelers due to its feasibility with the tools and implements of those times. Essentially, an ancient jeweler might have fashioned a bezel setting by taking a piece of metal, whether gold, silver, or other, and fabricating it so that it matches the outer shape of the center stone. Then, the jeweler would place the stone within the bezel and “push” the metal over the stone so as to encompass it. This technique has largely remained unchanged throughout the ages, and it still requires many years to master the pushing of the metal to just the right amount over the center stone so that it is not only secure, but also concealed as little as possible.

The Advantages of Bezel Settings

As stated previously, bezel settings offer a variety of advantages. Here are just a few of them:

* Protection: Due to the seamless nature of a bezel setting, the stones contained therein are protected from many types of accidental damage.
* Versatility: Bezel settings look great with a variety of different band styles and stone cuts, as evidenced by our examples below.
* Snag-proof: Unlike prong settings, when a bezel setting gets damaged it is not likely to move away from the stone in a way that will leave the metal exposed to accidentally scratch someone or snag on things.

Examples of Bezel Settings Crafted By Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, we have crafted many unique engagement rings and wedding bands with bezel settings. Our metalsmiths have trained for many years to master this art, and we are proud to offer them to our customers. Those customers who have opted for a bezel setting have loved its elegance, durability, and sophistication, so much so that we could not help but tell you about them. Here are three of the unique and beautiful rings we have crafted for our customers in the past:

* Radiant Enchantment: With micro pavé stones stones forming a stunning halo around the center bezel setting of this beautiful ring, Radiant Enchantment surely lives up to its name. This piece in particular shows how bezel settings can be combined with halos and other silhouettes to create truly stunning jewelry.

* Monarch: The proud, noble Monarch ring showcases the exquisite combination of a round center stone, round bezel setting, and a lovely micro pavé band. Truly, this 14k white gold band is fit for nobility of the highest prestige.

Here are some custom, Monarch Variations:

* Bezel Step Eternity: Our innovative and elegant Bezel Step Eternity band takes the classic bezel setting design to a new level. A seamless, interlocking 14k white gold band of bezel round brilliant diamond settings makes this ring a truly unique and novel design not seen elsewhere.

Choosing a Bezel Setting for Your Wedding Band or Engagement Ring

A bezel setting is a fantastic choice of setting for the center stone of your wedding band or engagement ring. If you would like to learn more about using a bezel setting in a band for that special someone, please get in touch with us today. We look forward to discussing your plans with you!

Radiant Engagement Rings – Regal Beauty

How much do you know about radiant cut diamonds? Did you know that the radiant cut was first invented in 1977 by a man named Henry Grossbard, a pioneer in the art of diamond cutting who wanted to synthesize the emerald cut and round stone, thereby creating a cut which combined the elegance and brilliance of both? At Knox Jewelers, we have been crafting unique engagement rings with radiant cut diamonds since our founding in 1984. The radiant cut has a very interesting and rich history – unsurprising for a cut of this intricate beauty. Let’s take a few moments to discuss the history and properties of this beautiful cut, and then take a look at some of the stunning radiant engagement rings we have crafted for our customers in the past.

The History and Development of the Radiant Cut

Once upon a time, an enterprising and clever craftsman named Henry Grossbard wanted to find a way to combine the elegance of emerald cut diamonds with the brilliance of round, brilliant cut diamonds. After thirty-three years of developing his craft, Grossbard finally succeeded in developing a cut which combined the step cut and brilliant cut into one, distinctive, and astounding cut he proudly named the radiant cut due to its synthesis of the properties of the former. Since then, many artists, metal smiths, and craftspeople have endeavored to emulate the precision and dedication to craftsmanship that Grossbard displayed in his work, and at Knox Jewelers we too have carried on Grossbard’s legacy of craftsmanship and attention to detail in the design of all of our unique engagement rings.

The Special Properties of Radiant Cut Diamonds

Radiant cut diamonds are so innovative and important in the recent history of jewelry because prior to their introduction by Grossbard and other craftspeople, all diamonds were cut in the emerald way, thereby limiting their potential brilliance. The radiant cut brought with it a complete revolution of the industry, as now diamonds were up to par with their fellow gemstones in terms of both brilliance and elegance. This evolution in cutting methodology brought with it a number of new styles in jewelry, and allowed for greater creativity by both customers and metal smiths.

Our Radiant Engagement Rings

At Knox Jewelers, we have crafted a number of these stunning, exquisite radiant engagement rings, and we wanted to take some time now to show you some of them we have created from scratch for our customers in the past. Naturally, these are not the sum of our entire portfolio, so please click here to view all of our stunning radiant engagement rings. Without further ado, let’s take a look at three of our unique engagement rings which have incorporated radiant cut diamonds:

Rae – Regal and Luminous

Our Rae design is among our most regal, and the 2.25 carat radiant cut center diamond is absolutely stunning. Its platinum band is detailed with intricate micro pavé that truly gives this ring a brilliant and awe-inspiring appearance. The U-cut micro pavé is present along almost all sides of this ring, including the undersides of the halo.

Radiant North Star – A Fresh Take on a Classic Pattern

Once used by sailors to navigate the oceans of the world, the North Star has a long and rich history. Our signature North Star pattern looks simply exquisite with diamond accents, hand-cut micro pavé, and a .50 carat radiant cut diamond, all framed with a fine milgrain detail. This ring also shows just how versatile a radiant cut diamond can be, and how stunning it can look in any setting.

Heidi – Art Deco Beauty

Inspired from the artistic legacy of the Art Deco movement, our Heidi design places a yellow 1.00 carat radiant cut diamond within a 14k gold bezel and a 14k white gold halo accented with micro pavé diamonds. Heidi is truly a lovely ring, and its unique twist on the Art Deco style gives it a one-of-a-kind character. As you can see from this stunning piece, radiant cut diamonds look great in any size, shape, or form, and we have used them successfully in a variety of different configurations and designs.

Have Any Questions?

If you have any questions at all about the radiant cut or about the radiant engagement rings we offer at Knox Jewelers, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to hearing from you!

Vintage Wedding Rings – A Classic Symbol of your Unity

Why should you choose to invest in vintage wedding rings? After all, what makes them so much more special than any other ordinary set of wedding rings? To answer these questions, let’s step back for a moment and think about what wedding rings symbolize. When you choose to spend your life with your beloved, you are forging a bond that will last through the ages, a bond that is full of love, happiness, and is impenetrable to outside forces. Your wedding ring is a symbol of this eternal, beautiful unity, so why would you choose to represent this unity with a bland, factory-made piece of metal? It is probably not difficult for you to agree with us when we say that representing your timeless bond is far better suited to a handcrafted, unique wedding ring that distinctly encapsulates your special vow. At Knox Jewelers, we are artisans who take great pride in producing only the finest and most extraordinary wedding rings that have the power to capture and express the true meaning of your marriage.

There is no typical vintage wedding ring in our studios. All of our handcrafted, unique wedding rings have specific properties and attributes which imbue them with an individual character, very much unlike ordinary, industrial-fabricated bands. A few of the techniques and flourishes we painstakingly use in crafting these works of vintage art include hand engraving, hand formed filigree and milgrain, and the use of high quality gold and diamonds in perfect harmony. What truly gives our wedding bands a timeless, vintage quality is the delicate interplay of all of their constituent elements – the dance of gold and diamond, the handcrafted filigree and engraving, and the holistic attention to detail that our artisans pay to each and every one of our unique bands. Speaking of gold, white gold is a modern trend, and using yellow gold is a great way of adding a vintage feel to your ring. Rose gold, though also a modern trend, is just as effective in creating the vintage look-and-feel. Capturing the vintage aesthetic is the ultimate goal of our expert artisans, and we think that you will agree upon browsing our fine selection that we have overwhelmingly succeeded in this mission.

All of our vintage wedding rings are made by hand by our brilliant and talented artists and metal smiths, in house. There is a world of difference between the quality work of our craftsmanship and the lifeless kind that comes from a factory. By having complete control over the design and crafting of our unique wedding rings, we can control the creation process down to each individual element, thus giving us the ability to craft a wedding band which perfectly explicates the true meaning of your marriage. The generic products produced by industrial machines cannot keep up with our artists. The machines and industrial processes employed by other jewelry companies simply do not have the artistic minds required to produce wedding rings which have their own unique, innate, and individual characters. Factories will consistently produce substandard results because at the end of the day nothing can replace our talented artists and their exquisite craftsmanship.

These types of vintage wedding rings have a timeless, eternal appeal, and for good reason, too. These styles stand the test of time and have traveled through countless generations with no fall in popularity across the ages. Why? The answer, again, lies in the symbolism and rich meaning connoted by a handcrafted vintage, unique wedding ring. Many of your parents, grandparents, and great grandparents likely had rings which had many of the attributes and elements that our own vintage rings possess – think of our rings as a way of connecting with your past and ancestry. We expertly craft all our rings with the tender loving care they deserve, and their resulting elegance, intricacy, and beauty are unmatched.

Ultimately, a vintage wedding ring is a symbol of your love for your spouse and a future heirloom for your family. Timelessness, rich meaning, and beauty – these are just a few of the qualities of our handcrafted vintage wedding rings, and we know you will love browsing our selection. At Knox Jewelers, we can provide custom, handcrafted design services to turn your ideas into reality, and we look forward to working together with you to design a vintage wedding ring which will stand the test of time and be a symbol of your marriage.