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April’s Custom Engagement Ring Spotlight

Spotlight-April-1024x768 Unique Engagement Rings — Knox Jewelers Custom Design 3234

One of our new favorite custom created engagement ring is built around the mesmerizing step cut facets of a 1.00 carat asscher cut diamond held in a low four prong setting. Marquise shapes set with micro pavé diamonds and square carre cut diamonds are placed together in this design to create a rhythmic pattern of ovals and arches. Bezel set side diamonds and milgrain edges add lavish antique detailing to this wide band engagement ring. This mosaic inspired design can be recreated to accommodate any type, shape, or size center stones. Contact Knox Jewelers today to custom tailor this design to your preferred precious metal and central gemstone selection to create your own one-of-a-kind engagement ring!

Aquamarine – March’s Glittering Jewel

There are a lot of reasons why having a March birthday is awesome: Firstly, you’re born right on the cusp of spring and the warm weather (especially for those of us in northern environs). Secondly, your birthstone is the lovely aquamarine, a gemstone which derives its name from the Latin term aqua – meaning water – and marine – meaning of the sea. Water of the sea. Stunning, no? And for those lucky individuals with a March birthday, Knox Jewelers offers an outstanding selection of handmade aquamarine jewelry to celebrate this special month. Now, let’s take a look at the history of aquamarine, how to pick the best possible gemstone for your jewelry, and some examples of custom engagement rings we have designed and crafted for our clients in the past.

Aquamarine Background

Even in its natural, unrefined state, aquamarine is one of the most visually awe-inspiring gemstones in the world, and these crystals are widely renown and valued very highly on the market. To be specific, aquamarine is a blue-hued variety of beryl, a mineral from which we also derive emeralds. Sometimes, a heat treatment is applied to increase the intensity of blue, though many instances found in the wild are often perfectly suitable as-is for use in jewelry making.

Choosing the Right Gemstone

The quality of a given aquamarine gemstone depends on a number of individual factors, including color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. Let’s break down each factor one at a time to get a good feel for how these stones are valued in the marketplace. The color range for aquamarine tends to be confined to the spectrum of intense blue to greenish-blue. A general trend in color valuation is that more intense blues tend to be worth more in the open market, though this rule does have its exceptions. For clarity, most specimens have few if any visible inclusions. Stones that have inclusions of this sort tend to be worth less. As for cuts, any and all can be used, though ones that are used for emeralds are also widely used for aquamarine. Finally, larger stones tend to have less demand.

How to Care for Aquamarine Jewelry

In general, aquamarine is a hardy stone. However, it is susceptible to physical damage and heat, so it is very important to ensure that you keep it out of situations which could result in these forms of damage. As for cleaning, it is a relatively simple procedure to keep your aquamarine jewelry in tip-top shape: Simply use warm, soapy water to gently rinse and clean the surface. You should not expose your aquamarine jewelry to harsh chemicals or other invasive cleaning methods, as this could cause serious and irreparable damage.

Unique Engagement Rings at Knox Jewelers

At Knox Jewelers, we’ve been crafting – by hand – stunning and unique aquamarine jewelry and engagement rings for our customers for decades, and we’ve always striven to provide only the best customer service and attention to detail in the industry. Whether you’re looking for, whether it’s an engagement ring for that special someone or just a surprise for their birthday, you’re bound to find what you’re looking for at Knox Jewelers.

Stunning Combinations

Aquamarine center stones look absolutely great with just about any combination of metal and design. On our website here at Knox Jewelers, you can browse through all of the designs that we have crafted for our customers in the past. Although the samples shown in their preview images will have different gemstones, we would be more than happy to customize your preferred piece with a beautiful aquamarine center stone – all you have to do is ask! As for what combinations work best, we think that white gold and platinum look great for those who are interested in a clean, elegant design. Yellow gold and rose gold can also be used to create a contrast effect that looks modern and sophisticated. Regardless of the direction you’re leaning toward, we have you and your aquamarine needs covered!

Have Any Questions?

Are you interested in aquamarine engagement rings or other jewelry? Great! We’d love to chat with you about your interests and get a feel for what you’re looking to create. Get in touch with our friendly staff soon, and we’ll get started on making your dreams a reality!

Ametrine – A Fascinating Natural Phenomenon

One of the more unique and visually dynamic gemstones is the ametrine stone, a transparent quartz variant which incorporates two distinct zones of color derived from both amethyst and citrine. The stone acquires this stunning color gradient from the combination of the trace chemicals which comprise amethyst and citrine, thus leading to the development of this extraordinary and unique stone. If you are looking to represent both February and November birthdays, then ametrine is the perfect gem for the job. Let’s take a closer look now at how to choose the right ametrine stone, how to care for these remarkable gems, and how they can be incorporated into a custom engagement ring or wedding band, pendant, or other jewelry piece here at Knox Jewelers.

The Rich History of Ametrine

The history of ametrine stems from a long and rich cultural heritage. A legend surrounding the genesis of ametrine comes to us from the Europeans: It is said that a Spanish conquistador in the 17th century happened across the original Bolivian mine, and subsequently introduced the unique gemstones found within to the Spanish monarch. However, the location of the mine faded into mythology, only to be discovered again in 1960. Commercial mining operations began shortly thereafter, and in 1970 production ramped up, thus introducing ametrine into the marketplace once more.

How to Choose the Perfect Ametrine Gemstone

The only extant source of commercial ametrine mining lies in a deposit residing in eastern Bolivia. Unsurprisingly, this is also a mining site which produces commercially significant quantities of amethyst and citrine stones. In choosing a quality ametrine stone, you’ll want to look at the following factors: color gradient, cut, clarity, and carat weight. In terms of color, the finest ametrine specimens typically display an intense purple to orange gradient, usually with a clear boundary between the two poles. For ametrine cuts, the most expensive and fine stones typically incorporate the craftsmanship of designer cuts to achieve breathtaking effects. Clarity is also essential, and the majority of quality ametrine stones exhibit no visible inclusions or other artifacts. Finally, the size of a particular ametrine specimen and its color gradient are closely correlated – bigger is better (especially in the range of over 5 carats).

How to Care for Ametrine Gemstones

Caring for ametrine jewelry is quite simple. Hot water and soapy, foamy water are all that is necessary to keep your jewelery looking as good as new – no cleaning solutions or other potentially damaging products are required to keep these gems clean and spotless. We strongly recommend avoiding exposing your ametrine jewelry to harsh chemicals or other situations which could result in damage to the stone – exercise caution, especially in situations of physical exertion.

Ametrine Rings at Knox Jewelers

We have designed numerous custom engagement rings and wedding bands for our customers in the past, and many of these designs would look even more stunning with an ametrine center stone. Whether you are interested in a gold (yellow, white, or rose are all great choices)or platinum band, ametrine is bound to look great. We can also incorporate a number of stunning design flourishes, including hand engraving and other forms of handcrafted design elements. All of these facets are combined to form a beautiful finished product that connotes the special bond that you share with your loved one. Check out our collection of unique designs and see for yourself just how much attention to detail and innovation our designers put forward on each and every piece.

Design a Custom Ametrine Ring for Your Loved One

At Knox Jewelers, it is our mission to help you design a beautiful ametrine engagement ring or wedding band with a unique character that encompasses your love and admiration for your partner. To learn more about the design process and how you can be an essential part of it, get in touch with our friendly staff today to get started. We will walk you through each and every step on the way to designing your very own engagement ring or wedding band for your partner, and it is sure to be an experience of a life time. We look forward to meeting you soon and embarking upon this journey!

Half Bezel Engagement Rings – A Mesmerizing Focal Point

You might be wondering what the differences are between standard bezel settings and their younger siblings, half bezel settings. The answer is simple: a half bezel setting is just a regular old bezel setting, except that it only encompasses approximately half of the edge of the stone rather than the entirety of it. Now, you probably want to know why on earth someone would only want to have a bezel setting that covers half the edge of the stone rather than all around it. Once again, the answer is simple: By keeping around half the edge of the stone uncovered, you can show off the unique edges and angles of that particular stone. We truly enjoy designing rings with half bezel designs, and we think you’ll love how they look.

An engagement ring or wedding band with a half bezel setting that exposes sides of the center stone tends to fall into the contemporary camp, though this kind of setting can look absolutely stunning in just about any context and with any kind of stone, not simply diamonds. Whether you are working with emeralds, sapphires, rubies, or diamonds, a half bezel setting can add a modern flourish and round out the rest of the design of the ring. Now, let’s take a look at some of the half bezel engagement rings and wedding bands we have crafted for our customers at Knox Jewelers in the past. If you see any you particularly like, be sure to let us know! Onto the rings…

Luna – A Contemporary Half Bezel Ring

The most common contexts where half bezel settings tend to be found are in rings which are generally labeled as contemporary, or modern. Our Luna design is a prime example of these kinds of rings, and it really showcases how a half bezel can add a level of intricacy to more pure designs – being able to view a side cross section of the center stone truly livens up the piece and gives it an elegant appearance.

Here are some other contemporary styles:

Motion Channel – A Diamond Band Half Bezel Design

Of course, half bezel settings are not simply limited to those designs that we might call “contemporary.” Our Motion Channel design is a great example of this fact: Motion Channel incorporates a half bezel that remains fluid with the entirety of the 14k white gold band in order to both show the sides of the round brilliant center cut diamond as well as remain faithful to the broader visual motifs we designed into this piece.

Some additional designs featuring a half bezel setting with a diamond adorned band:

Dreams – The Stunning Synthesis of Filigree and Half Bezel Settings

Our Dreams design is a brilliant example of how filigree and half bezel settings can work together to create an entirely new and distinctive visual style that catches the eye and guides it towards those exposed edges of the center stone. The yellow gold filigree curves gently guide the war towards the center stone, wherein it then views the side perspective of the center stone.

Filigree detailing can be added to half bezel settings in a variety of ways:

Princess Seville – A Half Bezel Ring Inspired by Antique Designs

More examples of beautiful antique inspired half bezel designs:

To demonstrate how a half bezel setting can be used in just about any sort of jewelry context, we wanted you to have a look at our Princess Seville design, an antique-inspired ring which incorporates intricate hand engraving, a beautiful 14k white gold band, and a half bezel setting that shows off the stunning center stone. Truly, half bezel settings can have a place in any kind of ring, and they can truly take them to another level of exquisiteness and fine design.

Interested in Half Bezel Settings? Get in Touch with Knox Jewelers Today!

If you enjoyed this overview of half bezel settings and some of the examples of our fine craftsmanship here at Knox Jewelers, then you may want to consider having an engagement ring or wedding band with a half bezel setting designed by hand for you. We will work together with you throughout the entire design process to ensure you have a piece at the end which is unique, stunning, and crafted specially for you and your loved one. If you have any questions about how a half bezel setting can be best used in an original design, please do not hesitate to contact us today to learn more about getting started. We look forward to hearing from you soon!

Wide Wedding Bands – Boldly Beautiful

What do you think about wide-banded rings and wide wedding bands? Most commonly, our customers at Knox Jewelers order wide bands for use in wedding rings or as anniversary bands. But, these rings are starting to evolve in terms of their function. Today, it is not uncommon to see individuals wearing a wide band for no other reason than “just because,” and that’s great news! When our designers have the opportunity to work with a wide band, they can incorporate far more creative ideas and visual motifs into their designs than when they do not have has much real estate with which to work. When it comes to ring design, every millimeter counts, and wide wedding bands give us a huge canvas from which to craft something truly amazing. But, don’t just take our word for it – let’s have a look at some of these magnificent and unique wide-band design styles.

Organic
These elegant styles capture some of the beauty of nature. Flowing vines are adorned with leaves and flowers that have been fashioned out of precious metals and gemstones.
Some of these bands feature free-flowing borders, while others are framed with bands of micro pave.

Contemporary
Minimalistic designs that highlight brilliant, dazzling diamonds, and lustrous high polished or satiny brushed metal. These rings also often feature geometric elements or movement in the band to create dimension.

Mokume Gane
The stunning wood grain patterns of these designs are created from scratch each time, so every ring is truly one-of-a-kind! These bands are easily customized with different color combinations and the addition of diamonds or gemstones.

Hand Engraved
The breathtaking patterns shown are all hand-carved into the metal of these rings with a sharpened steel tool called a graver. When the jeweler creates these intricate designs, they must be very precise with each and every line they make. Changing the pressure and depth of their strokes as they carve into the metal produces dimension when the light hits the engraved design.

Filigree and Scroll-work
Filigree curls of all shapes and sizes create a beautiful movement within a design. These scrolling lines can easily add vintage inspiration to a ring. Many times the sweeping line of metal is accented with diamonds or gem stones, hand engraving, and a beaded milgrain texture.

Two Tone
A great way to create a unique ring is to incorporate two different colors of metal. These two tone designs showcase how much different parts of the design can be highlighted simply by

Like What You See? Get in Touch!

At Knox Jewelers, we’re here to help you design the custom wide wedding band of your dreams. Or, if you are not currently looking for a wedding band, we can help you to design the perfect ring for any context. Any of our pieces can be created with or without a center stone. If you have any questions about the process, or if you just want to get in touch with us, please contact us right away. We are always happy to answer any questions you may have.