Are we seeing more contests to win engagement rings in the current economic climate?

It is widely said that after your house (mortgage), car, an engagement ring will be the third most expensive item you own. It's also said that generally speaking the purchase of an engagement should be roughly equal to a couple of months salary (on a relative scale of course, and depending on your job) but with many deals online these days most engagement rings shouldn't cost more than a month and a half's salary maximum. However for many people in the current economic conditions, with things not looking like they will improve any time soon, a month and half's salary might be just too much to spend.

This is why a lot of companies now, are taking advantage off the publicity and increase in traffic to their website that they can leverage if they run a competition on Facebook and link it to their main site, or indeed just run the competition on their main website. With the increase use of Facebook from everyone from kids though to your granny playing farmville games, it's undeniable that advertising on Facebook can maximise your exposure and increase interest from your target demographic and new interest groups. Sensing that many people are now hard pushed to spend as much as they used to on diamond rings, it's a great way for the company to get good PR and give something back as well. A lot of companies are thinking outside the box as well, in order to get their competitions maximum exposure, such as this Ring Race or treasure hunt idea from a US Jewelers. Other more tried and tested routes by diamond and jewelry companies is to boost their fan base on Facebook by running a simple poll vote competition and then enter the participants in a draw.

If you're a jewelry company, looking to maximize your online exposure and social media presence you'd do well to run your own competition for winning an engagement ring and give something back to your customer base.

A Cheeky Practical Joke To Play When Presenting Engagement Rings

I was talking with a friend the other day, who has already had the daunting task of shopping for an engagement ring for his partner. Initially he was prepared to spend way more than necessary, but after speaking to his Dad he found that was he estimated (£4K) was more than double what he could actually get for the engagement ring if he shopped around. It turns out his Dad had a contact who runs a diamond engagement ring website which was selling the same ring he was looking at on the high street for a fraction of what he was looking at, a much more reasonable price - £1700 (with a slight discount seeing as it was through a family connection).

Anyway, he had a great idea for when it came to presenting the engagement ring, which could potentially backfire (depending on your partner's sense of humour). His idea was to buy a cheap ass engagement ring from a well known catalogue company, and first present this. It would be a great test of reactions, and a gauge of how well your partner can hide their true emotions. On the other hand, it could be a sure fire way to end the relationship there and then. Either way, quite a funny idea I thought. But would you have the nerve to do it?

Here's some useful reading on the subject of popping the question and some engagement rings on the more affordable side of the spectrum:
Will You Marry Me?: Popping the Question With Romance And Style
Popping the question ..

High Street Shopping Vs Online Deals

Many people have been emailing in and asking whether they should go for high street deals or online ones when it comes to shopping for engagement rings. I would say that when in the research stages there's absolutely no harm in browsing the high street jobs and looking on online as well. That way you'll be able to see easily how the styles, quality and prices compare with each. Generally, speaking there's not a great deal of difference, but depending on the time of year you're shopping (whether there's a seasonal sale on or not) you may find that either shopping online offers higher savings when compared to shopping on the high street. Also bear in mind that when shopping online for engagement rings you should always make sure you're protected as a buyer and check the terms and conditions carefully before agreeing to any finance or outright purchase.

Diamond Engagement Rings

Probably the quintessential engagement ring is a diamond one, and certainly what every girl dreams of. If you have the budget to opt for such an engagement ring, make sure you follow previous tips outlined in this blog and always look for quality over the size of the diamond. Remember the four C's and also make sure you get the right size for the band. If in doubt always take someone along with you for a second opinion. Here are just some examples of gorgeous diamond enagement rings to give you an idea:

The worlds most expensive engagement rings

The last post regarding Prince William and Kate Middleton's engagement ringprompted to me think of some of the most expensive engagement rings that have been bought by famous people.

The number 1 taking the top spot for most expensive engagement ring is the Chopard Blue Diamond ring with a whopping price tag of $1.5 billion. What's so special about this ring you may ask? Well, perhaps the pimped out blue diamond that makes any other diamond feel they've come up short and inadequate. The 18K white gold band is not too shabby either. Where can you find the natural source for this beastie of a ring? Welll, the blue diamond is usually found among boron deposits and that's where it gets its shade from.

Here's a picture of the beauty in all its glory:

Prince William and Kate Middleton's Engagement Ring

So there's been much media coverage of the Royal engagement between Prince William and Kate Middleton, with particular focus on the engagement ring which as Princess Diana's engagement ring from Prince Charles. Just in case you've been living under a rock for the last few days, here's the greatly publicized pictures of the sapphire and diamond engagement ring:



Since the engagement ring news came out this week sales of similar styled sapphire and diamond rings (albeit much cheaper ones) have soared with online shopping channels and jewelers doing brisk business. The ring originally received by Princess Diana cost £28,000 in 1981, but with todays prices the 18-carat blue sapphire ring is worth an estimated £85,000 - although the one Kate Middleton now has that belonged to Diana is priceless. One things for certain despite differing opinions on current valuations, that jewelers are going to have a lot more requests for blue sapphire, thought to symbolize mental clarity and devotion, engagement rings.

Fake engagement rings - Practical Travel Advice

It had never occurred to me until last week, when one of my customers told me they were going on holiday and instead of taking her real wedding diamond ring, she always takes a fake one just in case it gets lost or stolen. I thought this was a really great idea, and is a sure way to avoid ruining a holiday if the worst case scenario does happen. Of course wedding rings can not only get lost or stolen whilst away on holiday, often they can get easily damaged, or tarnished especially perhaps in exotic climates perhaps. There are a few helpful pointers to follow if you're going to buy a fake engagement or wedding ring to take on holiday with you. First, you want to make sure you don't go for anything too ostentatiousness, i.e. something with a huge stone as the center piece, instead go for something subtle and bearing close resemblance to an actual ring. As a general rule, if at quick inspection it might fool a jeweler, then its sure as heck going to fool everybody else, including a thief or opportunist. Then go for a setting fairly typical of the kind of real engagement or wedding ring you've chosen. E.g. a nice subtle setting, something that shapes the stone well, and doesn't show it off too much. So when choosing fake rings, don't worry about the size of the gemstone in the center, concentrate on all the usual elements: make sure you go for something with a nice classic cut such as diamond emerald cut or the solitaire cut, go for band made from strong durable material (enough to withstand some wear and tear and least), and finally the rule of thumb should be when choosing fake engagement or wedding rings - understated rather than overstated is always the way forward.

Jade engagement rings

If you've visited south east asia, you'll know just how important jade is to the local populace. Jade is a rich, luscious green gemstone, and is composed of two minerals: Jadiete and Nephrite.
Jade from the earliest civilizations was mined and carved by the Maori of New Zealand, the ancient Aztecs and Mayans. In India, in the past, people of only the highest integrity and moral fibre were allowed to wear jade jewellry. Jade, of course is also important to Chinese cultures, taking the same character for nobility, and even today Jade is thought to ward of sickness, bring good fortune and protect the bearer from evil. Today the most highly prized jade continues to be 'The Imperial' or 'old mineral' jade.

In engagement rings jade can be cut and carved and set in a variety of engagement bands, including diamond and solitaire cuts. Although gemstone is not an official birthstone it can still make a great alternative for diamond engagement rings, and hopefully bring some prosperity and luck to the marriage!

Airport Security Staff playing Cupid for valentines day

Just uncovered this interesting story, about how surprises weren't spoiled during routine airport security searches by airport staff in Manchester over the valentines weekend:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5guOHJNaKZk7tzaqklhr2nOFU798A

Did you pop the big question over valentines day? If so we'd like to see your pictures of the engagement rings, and how it went. please send any pictures (preferably less than 50K) to: Email me

Haiti Earthquake Appeal

It's probably stating the obvious, but for the people of Haiti the last thing on their minds are diamonds. However, this doesn't mean that extravagant and lavish events that are commonplace in many countries can't in some way contribute to helping the people of Haiti after the devastating earthquake. Last weekend, jewellery from celebrity jewelry went to a good cause. Jewelry designer Raju Rasiah decided he would donate all his jewellery that stars wear to the Golden Globes and SAG Awards through his web site to the Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund. The Golden Globes, despite the weather saw stars turn out in their dozens. Many stars wore Rasiah’s pieces such as Cheryl Hines, Kate Flannery, Eve LaRue, and Stephen Lang. Pieces such as a $15,000 ring with diamond carats and 12-star sapphire were worn by Hines to the SAG Awards. Rasiah hoped that the ring would raise between $20,000 and $35,000 dollars for Haitian relief appeal.

Cheryl Hines

Help the people of Haiti
Please make your donation today to the Red Cross.