At JamesAllen, engagement ring engravings are free at checkout! Looking for the right words? Get inspired by dozens of our favorite engagement ring inscriptions so you can create your moment in your own words.
Engrave Your Engagement Ring
Every couple has their own special way of communicating with each other, filled with tokens of love and had-to-be-there private jokes. We’re all about those love languages! Whatever proposal you plan will be a personalized tribute to your shared language – so why not personalize your engagement ring too? With a special inscription, you don’t have to go all-out on custom engagement rings to get personalized bands.
Engagement Ring Engraving Ideas
At a loss for words? We’ve got the inspiration for your perfect engagement ring inscription. They are chock-full of awe-inspiring personalized messages for you to take your pick of.
Get inspired by our customers’ unique engagement rings! Consider engraving your engagement ring or wedding band with your anniversary date, the place where you fell in love, your initials, a romantic quote, or a phrase with a special meaning that only you two understand.
INSCRIBE A ROMANTIC PHRASE
Sometimes the biggest emotions are best expressed in the fewest words. We love the power of these abbreviated love letters!
Nothing beats the classics! Some timeless melodies just get better with age. Take a page out of a songwriter’s book and borrow a romantic lyric for yourself.
More inscription ideas
time after time (Cyndi Lauper, ‘Time After Time’)
my love has come along (Etta James, ‘At Last’)
How sweet it is (James Taylor, ‘How Sweet It Is’)
all of me (John Legend, ‘All of Me’)
INSCRIBE A BIBLE VERSE
More inscription ideas
1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
1 Corinthians 13:13: “Three things will last forever — faith, hope and love — and the greatest of these is love.”
INSCRIBE YOUR PROPOSAL DATE
Your engagement ring engraving will always bring you back to the moment you proposed, tears, joy, and all.
As romantic as they are simple, engagement ring engravings of initials or names put your soulmate-status in writing.
Inscribe a Goofy phrase
It’s what’s on the inside that counts! Choose to inscribe your ring with a reference that holds special meaning for the two of you, whether it’s a sports term, internet speaks, or Irish Gael.
…AAAND SCENE.
Do Not Remove
MY LOVE BUN
My Lobster
Put My Back On!
You + Me = Duh
Hot Wifey (Hubby) Award
Happy Now?
You Wore Me Down
SUCKER
Finders Keepers
To Love, Honor, & Irritate
Matching Phrases
You two already finish each other’s sentences, so why not finish each other’s wedding rings? Get all matchy-matchy with complementary engravings. This is particularly good for couples who have distinct styles of wedding rings, but still want to match each other.
To Infinity…
…And beyond!
∞
+ 1
Free Engagement Ring Engraving
Personalization + no extra cost – why wouldn’t you engrave your ring for free as an extra meaningful touch?
Choose your font: either block text or cursive script
Type a phrase up to 20 characters in length
Engagement Ring Engraving: Get the Message
Make your engagement ring just that much more special with a custom engraving, in a custom font, for absolutely free! Just add your text at the checkout, and your personalized ring will arrive, word-worthy and ready-to-wear.
Wondering how to choose an engagement ring? Get to know any ring like the back of your hand with our Virtual Engagement Ring Try-On.
It looks beautiful on the site, but how will it look on your finger? Here’s how to find out, using only your smartphone!
At James Allen, we believe your ring-trying experience should suit your lifestyle. It’s only natural to want to try before you buy, especially with a purchase as important as an engagement ring. So what could be better than trying on an endless selection of rings at any time or place?
Our nifty Virtual Engagement Ring Try-On lets you actually wear your favorite James Allen rings with some convenient point-and-click smartphone magic. This innovative feature eliminates much of the guesswork commonly associated with ring shopping…, and it’s super addictive!
You’ll find yourself trying on rings while waiting in line for coffee while watching Netflix on the couch, or at 2am when you can’t sleep. Your ring, your schedule, your convenience.
FYI: This is an engagement ring-only, smartphone-only feature. Wedding rings and laptops need not apply.
Brick-and-Mortar Try-On vs. Virtual Try-On
Make an appointment with a jeweler
vs.
Open JamesAllen.com on your smartphone
Drive to a jewelry store
vs.
Browse rings in your spare time
Try on a limited ring selection
vs.
Take your pick of hundreds of rings, on demand!
Field the expectations of a commissioned salesperson
vs.
Try on rings without the pressure of a salesperson
Struggle to remember which rings you liked best
vs.
Compare and revisit your favorite rings as much as you’d like!
It’s pretty clear what the best choice is. Now open your phone, follow along, and let’s get started!
How It Works
Ready to get your engagement ring on? Grab your phone and follow these three easy steps. Will this work on your desktop? No. This is a smartphone-only feature.
Step 1: Tap the ‘Try-On’ Icon
If a certain engagement ring piques your interest, go to its product page to virtually try it on. Click the “Try-On” icon to get started.
Step 2: Snap a Shot of Your Hand
You’ll be prompted to take a photo of your hand. In this photo, you’ll be able to superimpose your chosen ring. You can resize, rotate, and even change out various diamond shapes! You’ll get an accurate idea of how nice your hand looks, be-sparkled.
Step 3: Share Your Bedazzled Hand!
Send to your partner, get second opinions from friends and family, or post to your followers on social media to brag that you’ve found the one! It’s super simple to loop others in on your ring decision.
The Real Benefits of the Virtual Ring Try-On
The beauty of an on-the-rack item isn’t a guarantee of its suitability off-the-rack. There are quite a few aspects of an engagement ring that can only be taken into account by slipping it onto your actual finger. Here’s what you can learn via the Virtual Try-On:
Which Metals Suit Both Your Skin Tone and Diamond Color
Should you choose white gold or platinum? What about 14k or 18k gold? White metals suit cooler skin tones and colorless diamonds. On the other hand, warm metals like yellow gold or rose gold look incredible on warmer skin tones, and are great at hiding less-sought after yellowish diamond tones.
Which Diamond Shape Best Complements Your Finger Length
If you’d like your fingers to appear longer, go for elongated and tapered shapes like oval, marquise, or pear. If you’re a fan of chunkier, bolder styles, then you’ve got to try on Asscher, emerald, or princess. And if more delicate, rounded styles look perfect on your digit, you can’t go wrong with a heart, cushion, or classic round brilliant.
Which Styles are too Simple, Which are too much, and which are Just Right?
This is all up to your individual taste! You’ve got complete freedom to try on, test out, and push your ring-style boundaries.
Get started on your search by browsing these rings on your smartphone!
How To Find Your Ring Size
Found your ring? Now find your ring size! James Allen offers free ring sizing for up to 1 year after your purchase. If you live in the United States, you can even get your ring resized locally at a location near you.
You have 4 ways to ensure that your ring will fit you properly:
Step 1: Use a Ring That Fits
Hold your good-fitting, non-engagement ring up to your screen and adjust the circles on the screen to fit around it. Click “apply,” and we’ll tell you your ring size!
Step 2: Measure Your Finger
Use a length of ribbon or twine to measure the circumference of your finger. Type in your finger measurements in either inches or millimeters, and we’ll calculate your ring size.
Step 3: Convert From Other Units
If you know your Australian, British, Canadian, or German ring size, tell us, and we’ll convert it for you.
Step 4: Request a Free Ring Sizer
Starting from scratch? Request a free ring sizer, and we’ll send you a plastic ring sizer in the mail!
Write Your Own Inscription
This is love, in your own words. To top off the ring shopping process, engrave your ring for free at checkout! Choose from two different fonts: script or block letters.
Don’t forget to get the inscription inspired! Before you inscribe, be sure to have a look at dozens of our customers’ real-life engraved rings!
Ah, the beauty of a simple engagement ring! If you do it right, you don’t have to go over the top. After all, diamonds are the only way to achieve incredible sparkle. Simple engagement rings come in a huge range of designs. You can be assured that less is more.
What makes an engagement ring “simple”? For the most part, it means that it’s free of the more glitzy ring features such as pavè, engraved designs, halos, and multiple accent stones. Simple engagement rings are all about clean lines while also incorporating a limited amount of diamonds and gemstones. The most popular simple engagement rings are often solitaire rings, meaning that the band is completely stone-free except for one striking center stone. However, this is not always the case.
This is the fun part: there are SO MANY types of simple engagement rings! Check them out below, and don’t forget to add your favorite to your wishlist on JamesAllen.com.
Back To Basics:
The Benefits of Minimalist Engagement Rings
Maintaining fewer diamonds is easier.
More diamonds mean more sparkle, but it also means more maintenance: accent stones trap dirt and require regular cleaning, and the multiple prongs require tightening by a jeweler twice a year. The bottom line is: simple engagement rings are perfect for the no-fuss wearer.
All eyes on your diamond!
Go all in on an eye-popping center stone. It will take center stage! There’s little to distract from your sparkling stone. Plus, with the money you save on accent stones, you can invest to the fullest in your dream diamond.
Your wedding ring has more pairing options
A simple engagement ring complements absolutely any style of a wedding ring. Your wedding set will look fabulous no matter which wedding ring to choose. Keep it simple? Glitz it up? Add gemstones? Play with diamond shapes? Yes yes yes yes. Flex your creativity!
Easier on the wallet
Less overall glitz means that there’s less upfront cost. There’s no need to spend a large part of your ring budget on a diamond-studded band. This frees you up to invest the lion’s share of your money in an incredible center diamond or gemstone! Pro tip: go for a lab created diamond to get a 30% larger diamond while staying in-budget!
We’ve put together a walk-through of our best and most creative simple engagement ring styles.
Solitaire Engagement Rings
Everyone loves the classics. And with good reason! Solitaire engagement rings are said to be the most simple engagement rings yet they remain perfectly elegant and timeless. The rings highlight the single-center diamond or gemstone like no other.
Unique Diamond Shapes
Diamonds come in a variety of stunning shapes, so if you’re thinking of adding some kind of wow factor to your simple engagement ring – this may be the way to go! While round and princess-cut diamonds are usually the most popular shapes for engagement rings, this may not appeal to every person.
A simple band or ring setting will easily compliment any diamond shape. Whether it be cushion, emerald, oval, Asscher, marquise, or pear, pick the one your heart desires.
Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring
Three stone engagement rings are the perfect way to keep it simple while still getting your diamond fix. The elegant combination of a large center stone and two smaller, identical side stones is undeniably minimalist. And yet, all those facets sparkle bright! This engagement ring style is proof that simple doesn’t need to be boring.
Now you may be thinking, how does this three stone engagement ring avoid overwhelming the eye? Well by sticking with a simple round cut diamond, you get a symmetrical, straightforward, and stunning ring.
Bezel-Set Engagement Rings
Did you know that bezel-set engagement rings are the second most popular ring setting? Why, you ask? Well, this is mainly because of its simplicity and modern look. It is also known to be the perfect ring for people who lead an active lifestyle. Rather than the diamond being held in place with prongs, the bezel setting features a center stone that is tightly held in place by a metal rim that completely envelopes the edges of the stone.
This type of setting provides excellent security and protection for the center stone, all while making the ring appear super trendy and stylish. What’s more, the bezel setting is so versatile that it perfectly accommodates every diamond shape. Did we mention bezel set engagement rings will never snag on fabric?
All bezel, all the time. This simple engagement ring is the best sidekick and will accompany you throughout all your adventures.
Gemstones
These simple engagement rings are rich in gorgeous hues. For anyone who thinks “simple” is a synonym for “plain,” our gemstone engagement rings will prove otherwise.
Gemstone engagement rings aren’t a new trend. In fact, for centuries we’ve seen the most glamorous royals and celebrities styled in all kinds of gemstone jewelry. Unlike diamonds, unique gemstones come in a variety of colors, so regardless of the setting or style, gemstones make stunning center stones. Ever considered a sapphire engagement ring?
Split Shank Engagement Rings
Looking for a simple, yet unique engagement ring? You’ve come to the right place! There are various types of split shank engagement rings, but the most common is where the shank (band) splits into two. This creates two separate metal pieces that stem from the center diamond. This type of simple engagement ring has a distinctive style that allows people to choose just how “simple” they want their dream ring to be. With this type of ring, you can design something minimalistic or something incredibly elaborate.
Its sophisticated look has won over many A-list brides including Beyoncé, Megan Fox, and Blake Lively.
Swirl And Twisted Bands
A simplistic design but not too basic. These bands aren’t packed with diamonds, but they are packed with plenty of personality! Swirl and twisted bands typically features a prong setting where the metal band is crafted in a way that gives off a half-circular “swirl” effect around the center stone.
The result is a modern and unique look that boasts a highly secure setting. Whether you’re looking for an engagement ring that is striking and minimalistic or a ring that features a thin dual band that is elegantly twisted together to achieve a natural “woven” look, the options are endless.
FAQs About Simple Engagement Rings
What is the most important factor to consider when selecting a simple engagement ring?
When shopping for a simple engagement ring, the 4Cs should be prioritized by the color of the diamond.
Can I add stones to my simple engagement ring later on?
Yes. The classic solitaire setting is the perfect fit for a simple engagement band, especially if you intend to set diamonds later on. Experts suggest that if this is something you are considering, make sure the band is thick enough to accommodate diamonds later.
Can an engagement ring be a plain band?
Yes. Engagement rings can be any type of ring type or setting. It is most important to choose a style that you or your partner will enjoy wearing.
Obsessing over one (or more) of these simple engagement rings? Share your thoughts on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, or TikTok.
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Make your day unforgettable with a free wedding ring engraving.
Amidst the hectic, public extravaganza that is your wedding, a meaningful wedding ring engraving gives the person you love a little extra attention. And DYK? You can engrave your wedding ring for free at checkout.
WEDDING RING ENGRAVINGS: WRITTEN IN THE STARS
But out of everything you could say, what’s the right inscription for you? Take a look below at our customers’ words for some amazing wedding ring engraving ideas!
Engraving song lyrics is a wonderful way to honor you and your partner’s favorite song or to memorialize the lyrics of the first song you’ll dance to as a married couple! Warning: be ready to cry!
it’s always better when we’re together” “Better Together,” Jack Johnson
Bible Verses
By inscribing a bible verse in your rings, you can say a LOT in just a few characters. These ancient texts hold rich messages that have been beloved for thousands of years. Imbue your bands with an additional special meaning by connecting it to the verse that most resonates with you.
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Ephesians 4:2
I thank my God every time I think of you. Philippians 1:3
Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate. Mark 10:9
God has poured out his love into our hearts. Romans 5:5
I have found the one whom my soul loves. Song of Solomon 3:4
Love Writ Large (and small)
How will you and your partner engrave your rings? This is an excellent chance for you both to eloquently personalize them in a way that honors the nuances of your specific relationship.
Whether you follow in the footsteps of the greats or you break with tradition, choosing your wedding ring engravings wisely will not only add another layer of excitement to your big day, but it will also help you start your marriage off on an extra-special note.
Searching for more wedding ring engraving ideas? Read more below!
Hey, what are you waiting for? Aquamarine jewelry, that’s what! Learn more about the meaning behind these March birthstone jewelry pieces and find the perfect aquamarine gift for a March birthday.
What Is The March Birthstone?
Aquamarine, the March birthstone, evokes the clarity and serenity of ocean waters – literally. Its name comes from the Latin “aqua marinus,” which means “water of the sea.” Aquamarine is a blue variant of the beryl family, which includes other distinctly colored gemstones like pink morganite, golden heliodor, and green emerald. Why the spectrum of hues?
Each color variation is thanks to specific trace mineral and metal content; in the case of aquamarine, iron ions (Fe2+ and Fe3+, to be precise) tint the otherwise colorless beryl to a clear, watery blue. This blue gemstone ranges in color across the spectrum, from pale to deep azure. What’s consistent, however, is this gemstone’s exceptional clarity.
Aquamarine Birthstone SymbolismAnd History
What better way to celebrate the first month of spring than with a slice of clear blue sky? Aquamarine jewelry symbolizes tranquility, serenity, and good luck. Ancient Greek sailors used to carry aquamarine aboard their ships to ensure smooth journeys at sea – and protect them against drowning. Nowadays, it’s still a symbol of protection, with many people carrying it with them for good health. They’re perfect for those days when you need to shout, “SERENITY NOW!” That’s because the March birthstone has historically been worn in order to soothe the wearer’s temper and to nurture love.
What Is The March Birthstone Color?
Aquamarine naturally occurs in hexagonal facets, which catch a spectacular amount of light. Its blue is exceptionally bright. Plus, it’s a 7.5–8 on the Mohs scale, making it a perfect choice for strong, durable birthstone jewelry that stands up well to daily wear. So whether or not you’re a March baby, the aquamarine is a stunning blue gemstone that deserves to be a centerpiece of any jewelry collection.
Celebrity Aquamarine Jewelry
And don’t forget about the celebrity endorsements. Celebs have been rocking aquamarine jewelry since – forever! Lucille Ball flaunted a 40-carat multi-faceted aquamarine ring from Desi Arnaz. Jessica Biel’s now-husband Justin Timberlake proposed with a whopping 6-carat center diamond accented with two aquamarine side stones. And Princess Diana was an ardent fan of the March birthstone. She had a jaw-dropping collection of aquamarine jewelry, whose standouts included pear-cut aquamarine earrings, a huge emerald-cut aquamarine ring, and a pearl and aquamarine bracelet.
Lucille Ball’s 40-carat aquamarine ring
Princess Diana’s pear-cut aquamarine earrings
Aquamarine is a beautiful accent stone, but it deserves to take center stage in its own right. At James Allen, we believe people don’t wear aquamarine enough! Its “pale blue” hue, despite its name, is anything but lackluster. It’s radiant! Aquamarine’s distinct color, combined with its characteristic light-grabbing hexagonal faces, means that this bright and vibrant jewel is perfectly suited to be worn as a center stone.
So here are just a few of our most eye-catching, aquamarine-forward pieces. Happy March!
This simple aquamarine ring makes for an exceptionally sweet gift for your favorite March birthday. It leans into the marine theme with a rippling white gold band. Can you even look at this birthstone ring without dreaming of ocean surf crashing on a white sand beach? No, no you can’t.
This ring is the definition of understated glitter. An elegant oval-cut aquamarine is set in the sideways “east-west” position, which though less common than a vertical setting, is not at all less lovely. Two tiny diamonds, nestled in the crooks of the split shank, beautifully set off the brilliance of the center aquamarine.
There’s a reason that the simple pleasures in life are enjoyed more often. And this simple pleasure comes in yellow gold! This is a piece that’s classic enough to match with any of your existing rings, perfect for stacking, and will handle anything your life throws at it. The double-floored basket allows light to hit this 0.25-carat round-cut aquamarine center stone from every angle: top, side, and bottom. Meaning, this delicate blue gemstone will positively glow on your finger.
Place this slender, goes-with-anything 0.10-carat aquamarine birthstone ring on your finger for some extra confidence before you head out the door in the morning. Its thin band makes it ideal as a stacking ring. Mix and match it up with other metals, stones, and styles for an impressive ring stack.
These round 0.5 carat aquamarine studs get their extra pop of sparkle from two delicate diamond pavé halos. Their rounded-back lotus mountings are extremely comfortable, allowing you to look fabulous all day without even noticing you’re wearing them.
These earrings bring out the sparkle in any eye, especially baby blues and gorgeous greens. The gentle blue of the gemstones perfectly complements cool-toned eyes. Wear aquamarine on your lobes whenever you want to bring out the marine undertones of your irises.
This necklace is all aquamarine. Simply set in white gold, this oval-cut gemstone is the star of the show. And simply put, aquamarine jewelry makes for an unforgettable March birthday gift. This pendant’s split bail ensures that its center stone lies flat around the wearer’s neck. Pretty and stable, this necklace is utterly wearable.
Why be shy about it? Your aquamarine is stunning and you know it. This necklace shows off this blue gemstone as it deserves to be seen – front-and-center and surrounded by a floating halo of diamonds! This is a pendant necklace that’s covered in sparkle. And it’s not afraid to flaunt it.
Have you ever wondered how a James Allen engagement ring gets made? How the exact diamond that you choose is precisely set in any one of our 500+ unique ring settings? Get ready for a step-by-step look at the crafting of your dream engagement ring.
A James Allen engagement ring is a feat of logistical and artistic execution. From the sourcing of the diamond, to the manufacturing of the setting, to the hand-setting of every unique stone, each ring requires precise craftsmanship performed in a precise order.
Choosing The Diamond
The crafting of engagement rings all starts with a diamond – over 300,000 loose diamonds actually. Our hundreds of thousands of diamonds are one of two types: 1) earth-created diamonds are guaranteed to be sourced from a conflict-free mine, and our 2) lab-created diamonds are regularly manufactured in advanced labs around the world. After multiple inspections and expert cutting, each diamond is then shipped to James Allen headquarters, where our technicians photograph it with our proprietary 360° high-definition cameras in order to provide our customers with a better-than-loupe inspection ability. Each diamond comes with its own GIA certificate, inspected by a nationally accredited gem-grading laboratory.
Choosing The Setting
Each of our over 500+ settings is, like our diamonds, photographed in 360° high-definition. Created by our in-house designers, you won’t find these settings anywhere other than JamesAllen.com. They’re both unique and customizable. All of our settings can be set with a stone of any carat weight, and nearly all of them can be set with any of a number of stone shapes. Whether you’re choosing a 2-carat princess-cut diamond or a 0.5-carat pear-shaped sapphire as your center stone, James Allen engagement ring settings are up to the job.
Computer Imaging
In order to accommodate our customers’ unique stones in the settings of their choice, our jewelers utilize computer modeling. For each setting, they virtually adjust its base and prongs to the precise measurements to snugly hold the ring’s dedicated stones. This assures that, in every engagement ring, every diamond and every mounting are perfectly matched.
Smoothing The Setting
The initial setting, though created to a customer’s specifications, is rough. Our jewelers smooth out the rough edges, ensuring that the mountings are ready to receive their jewels!
Setting The Diamond(s)
Taking the chosen center stone, a jeweler carefully mounts it in the prepared setting. If the ring has side-stones, a halo, or a diamond-encrusted band, the jeweler will also match the accent diamonds in terms of clarity and color, ensuring a sparkling uniformity.
Hand-Polishing
After all the sparkling diamonds are mounted in the custom setting, a jeweler polishes the completed ring. This adds the final touch of shine and removes any lingering rough patches in the metal.
Laser Engraving
Would you like to take your James Allen engagement ring’s customization all the way? Then our jewelry team will add a romantic laser engraving to the inner surface of your engagement ring! Choose your desired text and tell us your font preference: block or cursive. Next, our laser engraving machine will create an extremely precise inscription on any jewelry metal. And it’s durable! Your engraved phrase will withstand a lifetime’s worth of wear.
How much does this cost? Nothing! At James Allen, ring engravings are completely free at checkout.
When you buy a James Allen engagement ring, you’re getting the product of a long line of expert craftsmanship. Each ring is an unparalleled work of art, thanks to the combined efforts of an entire team of jewelry experts.
Don royal purple with the February birthstone: amethyst! This unusually-hued gemstone will make any wearer into an instant queen.
Amethyst jewelry is the go-to purchase for February birthdays and Valentine’s gifts. The February birthstone is stunning yet graceful, rewarding those bold enough to wear it with plenty of turned heads!
What is the Birthstone for February?
It’s amethyst! Amethyst is a violet type of quartz, the crystalline mineral silicon dioxide. This is a great jewelry gemstone, as it’s not only gorgeous, but also sufficiently resilient to withstand day-to-day wear. It rates a 7 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness, indicating that it’s pretty difficult to scratch. Amethyst is a jewel that’s ready to keep up with your active lifestyle.
The History of Amethyst
Amethyst isn’t only good in the form of birthstone jewelry. This gemstone takes its name from the ancient Greek belief that it could protect its bearer from poison and drunkenness: a- (not) + methysko (intoxicating). Not only was amethyst worn as talismanic jewelry, but it was also carved into cups to prevent over-tipsiness.
With all due respect to the ancient Greeks, we disagree. Amethyst is positively intoxicating!
How to Style Amethyst
Purple can be a tricky color to style, and a trickier one to style well. When it comes to amethyst, it looks best when paired with certain colors of clothes.
similar shades of purple
neutral shades: black, white, gray, silver or gold.
As for who can wear amethyst, everyone’s in luck. Amethystian purple hedges both cool and warm tones, and as such it complements any complexion. Jewelry-wearers of the world, rejoice! This is your sign to rock amethyst jewelry.
Who Wears Amethyst?
Perhaps because of its royal connotations, but most certainly because of its beauty, amethyst is a solid favorite among red carpet celebrities. And as you can see, stars like Diane Kruger and Zoe Saldana are also fans of pairing their jewels with purple fabrics.
The Value of AmethystBirthstone
Amethyst is valued primarily by the quality of its color rather than its carat weight. Meaning that you can score a heftily-sized gemstone for a much more reasonable price than other jewels.
Amethyst Stone Meaning
The February gemstone is also rife with meaning. In the past, Tibetan Buddhist monks considered it holy and carved prayer beads from it and English royalty reserved it for themselves due to its sacred properties. And amethyst became the February birthstone thanks to the legendary St. Valentine, who donned an amethyst ring as he performed illicit marriages; this eventually led to the modern-day practice of gifting amethyst jewelry on Valentine’s Day. Modern-day lore claims that it is a powerful protective stone with cognitive and emotional stimulating properties.
Amethyst Rings
Deck your digits with a purple ring or two (or three), so you can punctuate every gesture with lavender. Choose a small stone for everyday wearing and stacking, or pump up the purple and go crazy with an oversized amethyst cocktail ring.
“Perfect in every way. I chose this for my 9 year old daughter, and she was beyond bedazzled with it. The metal and the gemstone are beautiful.” – Johanna T.
Frame your face with two delicate purple gemstones. Amethyst earrings look particularly lovely on wearers with blue and brown eyes. And of course, they’re absolutely plum-colored stunning on those with violet-colored irises!
A single amethyst worn around the neck is known to protect its wearer from boring jewelry choices. Flaunt your unique personal style with a unique purple gemstone, set in precious metal.
If you’re a February baby, or you’re looking for the perfect February gift, you are in luck! Amethyst is strong, affordable, and complements every complexion. Take your pick of any of the amethyst fan favorites listed above.
If you’re looking for an affordable alternative to a traditional diamond, you’ve come to the right place. We’re explaining the pros and cons of real diamonds and diamond simulants, so you can choose the right stone for you.
Note: At James Allen, we sell only U.S. Federal Trade Commission-certified true diamonds, which include both lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds.
What’s A “Real Diamond”?
The term “diamond” refers to a very specific stone: the crystalline form of carbon. While other forms of carbon exist, what makes a diamond special is its particular atomic configuration.
A carbon atom can bond with a maximum of 4 other atoms – and in diamond, all the available spots are taken by…other carbon atoms! That’s right, it’s carbon all the way. And this results in an extremely stable, super hard, super sparkling stone.
Lab Created Diamonds
The crystalline form of carbon we call “diamond” can be attained only through intense heat, constant pressure, and a good amount of time. Nowadays, we can achieve that in a lab in specialized machines that knock a few billion years off the cooking time. The result is a lab-made diamond that differs from an earth created diamond in name only.
If you were to look at both types of diamonds through a professional jeweler’s loupe, or if you were to inspect both diamonds on a molecular level, you would see no difference. The same result was achieved through very different processes.
Lab grown diamonds and earth created diamonds are optically and chemically identical, the only difference being their relative origins. And this difference in origin leads lab grown diamonds to flaunt a much lower price point.
Simulants, however, are not diamonds. They’re different minerals that bear a resemblance to diamonds. We’ll dig into two of the most popular diamond simulants: cubic zirconia and moissanite.
Diamond Simulants: Cubic Zirconia and Moissanite
Diamond simulants are various types of man-made stones that are synthesized for the purpose of being diamond lookalikes. These clear, sparkling stones mimic the beauty of a diamond, but at a much lower cost. However, they do display marked differences to both lab created and earth mined diamonds in non-visual traits.
Why does this matter? It’s important to remember that clarity is only one characteristic of jewelry stones. Color, resilience, and sparkle vary between these different stones; stones’ specific characteristics can greatly affect how you wear them in jewelry, and their lifetime cost to you.
Cubic Zirconia
What is cubic zirconia?
Cubic zirconia is arguably the most popular diamond simulant. It’s a man-made, crystalline form of zirconium dioxide.
How is cubic zirconia made?
In a laboratory, zirconium oxide powder is melted into various stabilizing agents at a super-high temperature of nearly 5,000 degrees F. When left to cool, this mineral mixture forms crystals, which can then be cut and polished into jewelry-grade stones.
Moissanite
What is moissanite?
Moissanite is a form of silicon carbide crystal that’s synthesized in a lab. The result is a clear stone that, on the surface, bears a striking resemblance to real diamonds.
How is moissanite made?
Moissanite occurs naturally, but it’s incredibly rare. Thus, all the affordable moissanite on the market today is created in a lab.
How to distinguish between a real diamond and a simulant diamond:
Durability
The standard measurement to determine a stone’s strength is the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. It describes a mineral’s resistance to being scratched and is measured from 0 (maximum softness) to 10 (maximum hardness).
Lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds:
Diamonds are the toughest stones out there. They score a maximum of 10 on the Mohs scale, meaning they can withstand absolutely anything you throw at them in your daily life. This durability is one of the reasons diamonds are the go-to stone for engagement rings, which are worn daily for decades at a time.
Because diamonds’ structure never changes, they can be passed on as family heirlooms. Both lab grown diamonds and earth created diamonds will last for, well, forever.
Moissanite
While moissanite isn’t the hardest mineral out there, it’s close. It scores a 9.25 on the Mohs scale. It’s more susceptible to scratching than diamonds are, but it still holds up extremely well to daily wear-and-tear.
Cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia is moderately hard. At an 8 on the Mohs scale, its resilience is comparable to that of other jewelry stones like emerald, beryl, and amethyst. Because it’s scratch-resistant, but not scratch-proof, cubic zirconia (particularly much-worn stones like those in engagement rings) often acquires many tiny scratches that cloud its appearance. When this occurs, a professional jeweler can recut the stone to restore its clarity.
How long do diamonds last? Well, you’ll never have to throw one out due to deterioration. As the famous De Beer’s slogan correctly claims, “A diamond is forever.” The oldest diamonds found have existed for nearly 4 billion years, and they’re holding strong.
You can rest assured that any diamond you buy, whether earth mined or lab created, can be comfortably passed down through the generations.
Moissanite
Though not as long-lasting as diamonds, moissanite will comfortably last for decades without any significant degradation in quality. However, since it’s a relatively newly recognized mineral, its exact lifespan is unknown.
Although discovered over a century ago, jewelry-grade moissanite crystals only began to be synthesized in the 1970’s and only became widely available in the 1980’s. Meaning, many couples getting engaged today with moissanite engagement rings were born before moissanite engagement rings became a thing.
Cubic Zirconia
Cubic zirconia is made for short-term wear. With daily wear, you can expect them to last less than 5 years. This means cubic zirconia is a great “for the time being” stone; you can wear it as a placeholder until you replace it with your dream diamond.
Be advised that contact with common chemicals will cause cubic zirconia to lose its shine, making it wearable for shorter periods of time. So make sure to remove cubic zirconia jewelry before doing daily tasks like putting on lotion, using cleaning supplies, or using hairspray.
Colorless isn’t the only option! Due to trace elements in their composition, diamonds can display a range of colors. Plus, diamonds’ color is permanent. It won’t change at high temperatures or fade over time.
Moissanite
Moissanite exhibits “thermochromism,” meaning that it is sensitive to a color change at temperatures above 150° F (65 C). These are usually temporary, but these heat-sensitive color changes can sometimes be permanent.
Cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia doesn’t change color when exposed to heat, but under UV radiation it can turn color, albeit temporarily. Most commonly, it turns yellowish, light green, or white. Indoors your stone will remain clear, but if you go outside on a sunny day it may change hue.
A diamond’s sparkle is largely thanks to two qualities: brilliance and fire.
“Brilliance” is a specific term describing a gemstone’s ability to return white light. It’s measured by the refractive index; a higher refractive index indicates a greater amount of white light reflected. The more white light reflected, the brighter the gemstone appears to the human eye.
“Fire” refers to a gemstone’s ability to return colored light, and is measured by the dispersion score. The higher a gemstone’s dispersion, the more it will display a rainbow of colors.
Lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds
Diamonds have a refractive index of 2.42 and their faceting pattern returns light remarkably. They’re strikingly bright, but not too much so. Its dispersion is relatively low, at 0.044, so diamonds remain quite bright, with only minimal colorful sparkle. The combination of this brilliance (reflected white light) and fire (refracted color) give diamonds a truly balanced and unparalleled sparkle.
Moissanite
Moissanite actually has a higher refractive index than diamonds, at 2.65, and thus appears incredibly bright under natural light. However, moissanite has crazy high dispersion: 0.104. This is why it reflects back a ton of colored light, leading to a “rainbow effect” that tends to overshadow its brilliance.
The rainbow effect tends to make moissanite look fake to the well-trained eye, and is especially noticeable under natural light and in larger stones. In short, moissanite can often appear “too sparkly” under certain lights.
Cubic zirconia
With a refractive index of 2.15, cubic zirconia is the least brilliant of the bunch. Its lower score means that it reflects less light back to the eye, appearing duller than both diamond and moissanite under identical light.
It has a slightly higher dispersion than diamond, around 0.058, but isn’t very noticeable. Under natural light, it will appear quite white, but it will definitely lack the sparkle of either diamond or moissanite.
Diamonds come in every carat. At James Allen, we sell loose diamonds in a huge range of carat sizes: from petite diamonds in 0.20 carats, all the way to large diamonds that are upwards of a whopping 20 carats. Diamonds’ stunning bright white brilliance and minimal color dispersal look amazing in any carat weight.
Moissanite:
Moissanite’s intense rainbow effect increases as the stone get larger. For this reason, it’s best to avoid large moissanite stones in jewelry. Stick with the smaller sizes; under 1 carat is best. Think: diamond for center stones, and moissanite for accent stones.
Cubic zirconia:
Cubic zirconia comes in as wide a range of carat sizes as diamonds do. While you can find cubic zirconia in as large a carat as you’d like, it’s best to choose an average-sized carat (around 1 carat) both to maximize the amount of light that hits the stone and to avoid the relatively dull shine that becomes obvious in larger stones.
Traditional diamonds are the most expensive choice. The process of discovering, mining, and shipping earth created diamonds is resource-intensive; the high cost of bringing them to market has helped diamonds achieve their luxe reputation.
Lab created diamonds
For when you want a real diamond, but want to pay 30% less. Because the process of creating a diamond takes significantly less time and resources than mining a diamond from the earth do, lab made diamonds cost significantly less than earth mined diamonds.
Moissanite
This is quite affordable compared to diamond, but it’s the more expensive of the diamond simulants. Moissanite costs about half of what a traditional diamond under 1-carat costs. As a traditional diamond increase in carat weight, comparable moissanites become relatively more affordable.
Cubic zirconia
Cubic zirconia is the most budget-friendly choice. It costs next to nothing compared to a traditional diamond. While a colorless, eye-clean 1-carat diamond could cost thousands of dollars, comparable cubic zirconia will cost only a few dozen dollars.
You admire the billions of years of history contained in each stone
Choose a modern lab created diamond if:
You love diamond’s sparkle
You’ll wear your diamond jewelry often
You want a large diamond at a lower price
Choose moissanite if:
You’re on a budget
You like small-carat stones
You’ll wear your jewelry intensively
Choose cubic zirconia if:
You’re on a budget
You’ll wear your jewelry carefully and not every day
You’re saving up for a more expensive stone
Choosing the stone that suits your lifestyle is an important part of designing meaningful jewelry that will last you throughout your life. And if you choose to buy either lab-created diamonds or earth-created diamonds, you can choose from 1000’s of beautiful options at James Allen.
How do you tell your partner exactly what engagement ring you want without sacrificing the element of surprise? We’ve got the pro tips you’re looking to drop a hint.
So your engagement is in the air! Maybe you’ve talked about it at length, maybe you just know that the time is nigh, but however you know – you need a ring to get it done.
Many people, although they know exactly which ring they want, aren’t sure how to get the message across to their partner without spoiling the surprise. That “OMG!” face just can’t be faked, after all!
It’s a tricky tightrope to walk between planned and unplanned. On the one hand, it’s crucial that both partners are on the same page regarding wanting to get married. On the other hand, popping the question – as the phrase implies – is an exciting, explosive event. To many, it’s just as crucial to creating the toe-tingling, je-ne-se-quois atmosphere of an unexpected proposal.
Most of the below tips can be dropped subtly or obviously, and we’ll tell you how.
Use James Allen’s Drop-A-Hint Feature
Good for when:
You know exactly what you want
JamesAllen.com comes with a ready-made suggestion feature. Above each ring on the site is a small heart-shaped icon. Simply click on this “Drop a Hint” icon and you’ll be prompted to choose a platform over which to send your hint: Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Gmail. Or, you can simply copy the link and send it however you’d like.
“Everyone was impressed with the ring. It was simple but elegant. The tension band highlighted the diamond.” -Karine I.
Try James Allen’s Wishlist Feature
Good for when:
You and your partner are looking for a ring together
You love more than one ring
“Photos don’t ever do rings justice, but let me say this ring sparkles even in the darkest of nights. You will have heads turning.” -Monica L.
Sometimes it’s hard just to pick one ring! If you’re in love with more than one exquisite sparkler, here’s what you should do:
Create a JamesAllen.com account
Browse ring candidates
Click on the heart icon beside the “select this setting” button on any ring page to add that particular model to your wishlist
Give your partner your JamesAllen.com password
They see your wishlist and surprise you with one of your dream rings!
Pro tip: This is a way to get the best of both worlds: you get a ring you love + you don’t know which one you’ll get! Surprise ensured.
Save specific rings to your “Engagement Ring” Pinterest board, just as you would on your James Allen wishlist.
Save engagement ring characteristics on different boards, and then let your partner choose the ring themselves.
Let’s focus on option #2. For each characteristic, make a titled board. For example, you may want a yellow gold solitaire engagement ring with a high, diamond-encrusted basket. In this case, you’ll make 4 boards: “Yellow Gold Rings,” “Solitaire Engagement Rings,” “Rings with High Baskets,” and “Rings with Diamond Baskets.”
“Beautiful, blindingly shiny! The pave on the basket is so unique, we love how it lets the solitaire diamond take center stage when viewing the ring from the top, but adds extra sparkle from the side.” – Joshua L.
“As it glistens on her hand, she smiles. This ring was everything she wanted, and it makes me happy to see her happy. Looks great, fits great, and putting it on for the first time is unforgettable.” -Marcus S.
Don’t forget to get your partner to follow you on Pinterest! Either tell them up-front what your profile name is, or get a good friend to tip them off.
Are you and your partner both on Instagram? Or do you have a good friend who can pass along your messages? Whenever you see a choice engagement ring on IG, tag your special someone.
Pro tip: Here’s a good start: follow @jamesallenrings on Instagram. Every James Allen post includes the specific model name and number so your follower(s) know exactly what to look for.
“These diamonds dance with the light with the slightest movement of my finger! The triple white diamonds on each side are the perfect compliment to the yellow diamond. The package box my beautiful ring came in is like none I have ever seen!” -Debra H.
“My ring is even more stunning in person compared to the photos online. I whole-heartedly recommend this style for someone who loves antique/traditional styles but still wants something different.” – Anne S.
The Double Date
Good for when:
Your partner’s perceptive
You’ve got mutual friends with good taste.
Go out on a double date with engaged/married friends, preferably ones who are in on your drop-a-hint plan. Now it’s go time: strike up a conversation about engagement rings! Compliment the ring they chose, ask them what they like about it, and most importantly: talk about the specific elements of their ring that you love. Your partner will definitely get the hint.
Feel free to punctuate this conversation with heavy winks and emphatic throat-clearing.
Protip: this doesn’t necessarily have to be a date with an engaged friend. It also works with a mutual friend, so long as you talk about engagement rings in general.
“The diamonds in the channel are the perfect petite size but still dazzle. Paired with the main stone it turned out better than I had hoped. She fell in love with the ring. Couldn’t be happier.” – Edgar L.
“This ring is gorgeous! The diamond sits up much higher than I thought it would. It looks fantastic though. The way the ring is put together, with the diamond sitting so high, really makes the diamond stand out.” – Amber L.
Tell a friend
Good for when:
Your partner is well-meaning, but not so perceptive.
Enlist a good friend’s help to drop a hint! Tell them exactly what you want. Include links, photos, and celebrity engagement ring examples, as well as a sub-list of ring elements that you definitely don’t want in your ring.
“I love how the princess cut diamond is put cocked, it makes it look so different than other rings I’ve looked at!” – Kay M.
Write a list
Good for when:
Your partner really doesn’t want to make a mistake!
Ok, so your partner needs a little help. Writing a list is a good way to drop a hint and let your partner know the nuances of your ring preferences. This is more than a simple collection of rings; writing a detailed list lets them know where they have a bit of wiggle room to be creative.
Elements of a good engagement ring list:
Specific ring models. You can rank your list of preferences or let your partner know that you love them all equally. Either way, be sure to specify your level of desire for each ring.
A list of must-have ring elements
A list of must-NOT-have ring elements
Protip: Accompany your list with a little love note and get creative with how you deliver it; text, email, or a hand-written letter! No miscommunications, no way.
“Spoiler Alert! This ring is bold and makes quite the statement. IF you like flashy rings, this is perfect for you. I am very happy with it, just know it’s a lot of bling!” – Maxine L.
“I really love this ring, simple but stunning. I just can’t stop looking at it, especially those 4 perfect heart prongs around the middle diamond.” -Jane O.
Ring In The New
Choosing a ring while keeping the mystery alive is no easy feat. But there are ways to do it – and well. Use some of JamesAllen.com’s built-in features to virtually wink-wink at your partner, use social media, recruit friends, or write an old-fashioned list!
And if you’re really in a pickle, don’t hesitate to reach out to our legendary customer service team. They’re available 24-7 and have a trove of ring ideas.
Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!
Celebrate the month of December with its icy blue birthstone. Though topaz comes in a range of colors, the blue variety is the wintry birthstone. From pale blue to a deep, sapphire-like azure, topaz’s tones are perfect for any December birthday or simply any cool-hued adorer.
What is Topaz?
Topaz is a silicate mineral that in its purest state is totally colorless. It’s the trace minerals that give it such a vibrant range of colors, from deep blue to pink, orange, and even purple.
The index of refraction for topaz is somewhat low (around 1.62), meaning that their many facets sparkle less than gemstones with a higher rating. Topaz tends to look best in oblong cuts that complement its naturally-occurring columnar shape. For that reason, topaz often appears in jewelry in baguette-, pear-, and oval shapes.
Topaz is an ideal jewelry stone thanks to its high rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale. It scores an 8, which is near the maximum solidity of 10 (a grade claimed by the rock-hard diamond). Practically, this means that topaz is quite impervious to daily wear in all situations. There’s no need to fret about scratching or chipping topaz; it will accompany you throughout your day, no worries.
One of the cooler characteristics of Topaz is its pleochroism: depending on the angle that light hits topaz’s facets, the gemstone may appear to vary in color. This gives blue topaz an incredible variety of aquatic shades.
The History of Topaz
In the past, the most famous variety of topaz was actually yellow. The Bible mentions topaz; although it probably referred to a different yellow stone, the name topaz went on to refer, generally, to any yellow semi-precious stone. Eventually, in the mid-1700’s, topaz started referring to the mineral we now know and love.
The most popular type of topaz nowadays is the blue variety. Though blue topaz occurs naturally, the popularity of blue skyrocketed in the 1970’s when gem treatments were developed. Gemologists discovered that they could take colorless topaz, expose it to certain types of radiation, and then heat it up. The result was a gorgeous blue gemstone whose popularity immediately shot through the roof.
Famous Topaz
By far the most famous topaz in existence is the Marbella Topaz, a whopping 8,225 carat faceted blue topaz currently owned by the Spanish government. Yep, that’s a comma – not a full stop. How big is 8,225 carats, you ask? Well, it’s akin to wearing a grapefruit on your finger. A bit heavy, but oh-so breathtaking.
Cate Blanchett has been known to sport blue topaz on the red carpet – a gemstone that perfectly highlights her icy blue eyes. By wearing her topaz jewelry as close to her eyes as possible in the form of earrings, she maximizes the blue-on-blue effect.
And onto another (C)Kate! Kate Middleton’s circular topaz and diamond earrings have made multiple high-profile appearances, and seem to be one of her favorite pieces. The cool tone highlights her green eyes, and the bright white jewelry metal pops against her paler skin.
How to wear topaz
Blue is a beautiful catch-all. If you love blue, topaz is for you, since it comes in every shade – from pale aquamarine to a dark sapphire, topaz has it all.
Pale complexions: if you have a pale complexion, dark blue topaz will look stunning on you. Especially topaz set in white jewelry metal like white gold or platinum.
Dark complexions: complement your dark complexion by choosing an eye-popping pale topaz set in warm gold.
Blue & green eyes: Choose topaz in the same shade as your irises to make your baby blues (or green) really pop.
Outfit coordination: topaz looks lovely when paired with its complementary color, orange. Practically, this means you can increase topaz’s visual impact by wearing golden or amber-color fabrics alongside your gemstone.
December Birthstone Gifts: Blue Topaz Rings
Blue topaz jewelry is perfect for December birthday gifts, 4th, and 19th wedding anniversary presents. Not only is it more affordable than other blue gemstones like sapphire, but it also features a unique variety of hues. And why blue topaz rings? They’re easy to wear, will stand up to anything you put them through, and will always be close at hand for you to admire.
Topaz has a history of mind-strengthening powers. Well, at least according to a host of old European folklore. An English superstition states that topaz can cure insanity, while in the Middle Ages it was worn to protect against the evil eye and mind-weakening curses. If you agree with our predecessors, wearing blue topaz earrings close to your noggin will keep you up to speed.
Statement pieces? Oh yes. Topaz’s relative affordability means that you can go big on the carat weight without going over budget. Plus, a blue topaz pendant completes any outfit with a vivid burst of color. Whether you give it as a present, or you adorn and adore yourself, topaz is a winning December purchase.
Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story remake is coming out in December 2021 and we are snapping with excitement! Although the 1961 original was historic, it’s undoubtedly time for an update. With critics raving about this sublime version, it’s time to weigh in with matching sparkle.
Classics persist through the ages and are reborn through the ages. West Side Story most definitely proves this rule, with the Broadway run re-envisioned in the 1961 movie, and now the 2021 cinematic remake. West Side Story itself is a modern reimagining of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.
In West Side Story, love, tragedy, anger, class tension, and disenfranchised rage are put on display in a rumbling, technicolor flurry. A powerful production deserves worthy statement pieces. At James Allen, we were inspired by the gorgeous costumes, iconic soundtrack, and ageless story to hand-pick the perfect engagement rings for Broadway fans.
Read on for West Side Story-inspired lookalike engagement rings!
Maria’s Dress | Ruby and Diamond Sunburst Halo Engagement Ring
Perhaps the most iconic costume in West Side Story is the dress Maria wears to the neighborhood dance: a simple white dress accented with a bold red ribbon. We’ve got the perfect complement to her outfit: this white gold ring with a ruby center stone. An engagement ring is a perfect accessory for this outfit because 1) it’s at the dance that Tony and Maria have their first encounter, and 2) Maria’s outfit is made by Anita, her best friend, a talented wedding dress seamstress.
2021 Anita | Bird of Paradise Engagement Ring
In Spielberg’s version, Anita struts through the neighborhood dance in a gorgeous bright yellow dress with a red ruffled petticoat. There’s no better ring to match her twirling antics than this yellow gold bird of paradise engagement ring set with a beautiful ruby center stone. Round and marquise cut diamond dot its unique asymmetrical halo.
1961 Anita | Amethyst and Diamond Engagement Ring
In the 1961 movie, Anita, played by Rita Moreno, is instantly recognizable in her purple mermaid dress. She leads the pack in every dance, swirling her skirts in an unforgettable purple vision. This 1.8-carat emerald-cut amethyst will, like Anita, mesmerize a crowd.
Tony & Maria meeting | Intertwined Bypass Engagement Ring
Tony and Maria’s first meeting at the neighborhood dance is magical. Almost instantly, they lock eyes and are besotted with one another.
The Challenge Dance | Double Halo and Shank Pavè Engagement Ring
The Challenge Dance in the gym starts out as a get-together dance. Glad Hand sets the kids up in two circles: “Boys go on the outside, girls on the inside…when the music stops, each boy dances with whichever girl is opposite.” What better to wear to a Challenge Dance than a blingy double-halo engagement ring that resembles the dual-circled dance floor?
Puerto Rico in America | Red, White, and Blue Engagement Ring
Here you are free and you have pride! This patriotic ring’s red, white, and blue colors represent the national flags of both Puerto Rico and the United States. This white gold setting, rubies, and a stunning sapphire make this ring one that you’ll feel proud to wear throughout the country.
Rita Moreno’s Valentina | Vintage Navette Engagement Ring
In Spielberg’s remake, Doc no longer runs the local drugstore; rather, his place has been taken by his widow, Valentina. And Valentina is played by Rita Morena, who won the best supporting actress Oscar for playing Anita in the original 1961 film! We’ve chosen an intricate vintage ring to honor this timeless Hollywood legend. A beaded navette pattern gives off an effortlessly French air, and a pavè halo adds even more sparkle.
Maria and Tony’s Balcony Scene | Bypass Solitaire Engagement Ring
Oh, the world is wild and bright with this dual-leveled bypass ring. The center diamond’s offset mounting resembles the couple’s late-night meeting on the balcony: with Tony professing his newfound love from the alleyway to Maria, who lovingly looks down upon him from her second-floor apartment and responds in kind.
Sharks vs Jets | Half Bezel-Set Pavè Engagement Ring
This symmetrical half bezel-set ring brings to mind the confrontation between the Sharks and the Jets. The half-bezel setting is designed almost as if the side stones are pushing the pavè half-halo up and over the center diamond like a cresting wave.
West Side Story is all about simmering class tensions that can’t help but boil over when confronted with the love of a young couple, and this seemingly overflowing diamond engagement ring captures the story’s teeming emotions.
Something’s Coming, Something Good | Petite Pavè Engagement Ring
Like Tony, we can’t help but burst with optimism at this petite pave ring. It’s one of our most popular styles, with over 1000 five-star reviews! Its band twinkles thanks to its French Cut pavè settings, which feature tiny v-shaped slots along its edges that expose each diamond to even more light. And more light = more sparkle.
Anybodys | Two-Tone Solitaire Engagement Ring
A tomboyish outsider for most of the play, Anybodys tags along with the Jets until she’s officially welcomed into the gang after a post-rumble act of bravery. Anybodys is tough, persistent, and plucky, deserving of a unique engagement ring that can withstand Jet-worthy hijinks.
This two-tone ring, with white gold on the outside and yellow gold within, suits the code-switching Anybody’s comfort across the neighborhood’s borders. Sure, she says “I ain’t never gonna get married. Too noisy.” But everyone deserves some sparkle, and diamond rings aren’t only for engagements.
We’ve got one question for you: Why wait? You know what you want, and you know why you deserve it. So treat yourself to the perfect holiday jewelry.
The holiday season is rife with expectations, hopes for the perfect present, the perfect moment with family, the perfect break from the year-round grind. This holiday build-up is super common, but unfortunately, it’s often followed by a subsequent holiday disappointment. Our expectations can often get the better of us.
Which begs the question: when it comes to your dream end-of-the-year reward, why should you have to cross your fingers and hope?
Our thoughts at James Allen are- go ahead and get it for yourself!
If you’ve had a big year, a difficult year, an achievement-filled year, or a year with a bit of extra cash waiting at the finish line – gift yourself! Buy yourself the holiday jewelry holiday you’ve been jonesing after the one on your Pinterest board, the one that keeps popping up in your Instagram ads, which one? That one.
We’ve arranged a selection of our most popular pieces. They’re divided into 3 categories, depending on how much you want to spend to treat yourself: quick bite, solid purchase, and splurge.
Holiday Jewelry: Quick Bite
These bite-sized, petite fine jewelry pieces are ideal treats that you can enjoy daily. Their minimalistic designs go with nearly anything that you can throw at them. Wear them with any color clothing, stack them, wear them to a meeting or to a bar.
This necklace will be with you forever and ever! You’ll love showing off this simple, 14k gold infinity symbol that hangs gracefully from a 16-inch chain.
Whatever your name is, we’ve got initial bracelets for you! Wear one, match a few for your initials, or spell your entire name! How do you want to celebrate yourself? Wear one for a sweet piece, or stack them to create your unique set.
In these lovely bright gemstone earrings, 34 petite red rubies are set in white gold. No ruby goes to waste: these “inside-out” earrings are set with rubies such that all of them “point forward” and none of their shine goes to waste.
This rose gold bangle is asymmetrically studded with marquise-shaped rubies and dozens of delicate accent diamonds. Wear this if you really want to up your outfit with the gemstone embodiment of a smoldering side-eye.
CLASSIC. Just, simply, a whole lot of high-quality diamonds set in white gold. The white gold four-prong setting enhances the shine of the 49 sparkling diamonds.
A kite setting bears a striking resemblance to a navigational compass rose – and with this diamond necklace, you’ll always find your way back to yourself. Pick the diamond or gemstone, that most delights you, and have it specially mounted in the metal of your choice.
Two high-clarity princess-cut diamonds shine in these yellow gold stud earrings. The open-sided, double-leveled setting ensures that the maximum amount of light will strike the two diamonds’ many facets and produce immense sparkle.
This luxe rose gold eternity ring is embedded all around with diamonds weighing 0.5, 1, 1.5, or 2-carats. The crescendoing fishtail setting elegantly displays the dozens of diamonds that line this ring’s entire circumference.
Treat Yourself to A Summary
Here’s a rule for the holiday season that you can take with you into the new year: Gift Yourself! Gift-giving among friends is nice and all that, but it’s truly gratifying to dream up and buy yourself a perfectly glittering present – no wait required!
Not only do you deserve it; you also deserve to celebrate yourself. It might be your favorite new tradition: wrap up some holiday jewelry for yourself at JamesAllen.com today!
A GIA certification is an official document detailing the nitty-gritty of your unique diamond. Why’s it important? Read on to find out.
First of all, what’s a GIA certification?
A GIA certification (so named because it’s issued by the Gemological Institute of America) is a type of diamond certification: a document that describes in detail all the unique characteristics of your diamond. An official GIA inspector analyzes your diamond thoroughly and records its physical attributes in the certificate. The 4 C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight) are covered exhaustively. No two diamonds will have identical GIA certificates.
In short, you can think of a GIA certification as your diamond’s “birth certificate.”
“What I’m most pleased with is how sparkly the diamonds are. I’m so glad I chose the 3 prong martini style, they don’t stick out or droop. They fit as flush to the ear as possible if that’s the look you’d prefer.” -Joyce J.
“I absolutely love my new earring studs! I was able to style them exactly how I wanted using the stones and metal I wanted. Couldn’t ask for a better experience.” -Matt T.
Is a GIA certification important?
Well, yes and no.
Yes: The GIA certification allows gemologists to identify, price, and appraise your diamond. By documenting its one-of-a-kind characteristics, a diamond certificate ensures that your stone is unmistakable.
No: You wear a diamond for the sparkle, not the certification. The GIA certification often comes in handy at the beginning of your diamond’s life – as you buy, appraise, and insure your diamond – then usually spends the rest of its days in a file cabinet.
To really understand the aspects of your diamond described in the GIA certification, you have to see them with your own eyes. With James Allen’s Diamond Display technology, you can view your diamond in 360° HD and up to 40x magnification. Then you’ll truly understand your diamond’s features.
“More incredible than I could have hoped! I have to say, I am so impressed! This design is just perfect and really lets the diamond “shine,” literally and figuratively.” – Maggie L.
“The stone is so beautiful and sparkly. I love how it is set so it shows off the shape of the pear. The workmanship is great and it was shipped quickly. I am so happy with my Diamond pendant” -Lenora L.
Your GIA Certification
The good news is that every James Allen diamond comes with an official certification. We provide reports from the industry’s leading labs including the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Your diamond may come with a diamond certification from the GIA, the American Gem Society (AGS), or the International Gemological Institute (IGI). These labs adhere to the highest grading standards, and only issue diamond certifications certified by professional gemologists.
To get your diamond’s certificate, simply ask our customer service team! Your grading report is complementary with your diamond.
“I am very happy with this ring setting. It feels very dainty and sort of vintage. I love the small details of this setting that make this ring feel unique, like the milgrain beading around the center stone.” -Noel B.
“I got my ring several months ago and I still get excited every day when I see it. The ring is gorgeous and sparkly and exactly how I hoped it would look when I bought my stone!” Katrina H.
Earth Created Vs. Lab Created Diamonds?
Lab created diamonds and earth-created diamonds both come with diamond certifications. That’s because lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds are, well, diamonds. And since both grow organically (one underground, one in a lab) they both form their own unique, gradable characteristics. In fact, even professional gemologists can’t reliably tell the difference between earth-created and lab-created diamonds.
“I bought this bracelet as a present to myself. I extensively researched the difference between lab grown and earth diamonds and since there is no physical difference and I wanted the bigger diamonds I chose lab grown.” -Katrina D.
“I have always been in search of a nice diamond bezel bracelet: something that sparkles and doesn’t get caught in your clothes. This bracelet just exceeds my expectations! The diamonds sparkle, the bracelet is smooth, and overall the design is very nice! I NEVER take it off!” – Beth L.
Still Have Questions?
At James Allen.com, our customer service agents are available to you 24/7. Feel free to contact us, and one of our non-commissioned diamond and jewelry experts will help you find the diamond of your dreams.
Looking for the perfect holiday gift for that special someone? Or maybe you’re looking to reward yourself with some end-of-year sparkle? James Allen is here with the best holiday gift ideas for 2021.
The 2021 gift-giving season is a complicated one. Supply chain issues and shipping delays have made it even more difficult to find – and receive – great gifts in time for the holidays. But no worries! Below you can find a list of unique Christmas gifts that, yes, will ship in time for you to put them under the tree.
For the 2021 holiday season, we’re focusing on gemstone jewelry sets. Gemstone holiday gifts are particularly popular this year, and as you read on you’ll learn why.
What Are Jewelry Sets?
What’s a jewelry set? It’s a pair, or trio, or quartet of matching or complementary jewelry pieces. Any combination of earrings + necklace + ring + bracelet counts as a jewelry set.
Why Should I Purchase Jewelry As a Set?
Purchasing a few pieces of jewelry at once is a greater commitment than purchasing them one at a time. So why do it?
Because wearing matching jewelry makes a much larger visual impact than wearing disparate pieces. Jewelry sets look extremely professional, put-together, and they take the stress out of coordinating your jewelry “wardrobe.” Just throw on the matching set and you’re good to go!
It’s a versatile purchase. Any jewelry set can be worn separately for any occasion.
Gifting a jewelry set is guaranteed to drop some jaws. Unwrapping multiple pieces is an experience that any gift recipient will remember for ages.
How Should I Gift a Jewelry Set?
Holiday jewelry sets are a way to take your gift-giving to the next level. We recommend gifting them one of two ways.
Option 1: gift the whole set together. You can wrap them in a single package or draw out the excitement by wrapping each piece individually. Now that is an unforgettable Christmas jewelry gift!
Option 2: gift the set gradually over the course of a year. For example, gift the necklace during the holidays, then give the matching earrings on Valentine’s day, and finish with a bang by wrapping up the matching ring as a birthday present.
The Pros of Colorful Jewelry
Diamonds are a classic choice, and purchasing them as a set is a great way to ensure their wearability across a variety of wardrobes. However, don’t be afraid to go for nonstandard pieces or ones that feature a bit more color.
While the disadvantage of colorful gemstone pieces is their suitability with only certain outfits, the main advantage is the statements that they make. As a rule, matching gemstone pieces make a greater impression than matching colorless pieces thanks to the striking effect of their unique hues.
The Affordability of Gemstone Jewelry
Another advantage of gemstone jewelry sets as Christmas gifts is their relative affordability to more expensive stones. Usually, your budget will go further when you buy gemstone jewelry as compared to diamond jewelry – meaning that for the price of one diamond piece you can often buy a couple gemstone pieces.
When is an engagement ring more than an engagement ring? When it’s part of a stackable wedding set! A wedding set can contain more than an engagement ring and a wedding ring – and we’ll show you how to create your custom wedding stack with stackable wedding rings!
Here’s how to stack the deck in your favor: start with your engagement ring. Have a good look at its characteristics and choose a matching wedding ring. In many cases, this is where the complementary calculations stop. However, most people, over the course of their married lives, mark special occasions with meaningful rings. And these subsequent, stackable rings can become part of an incredible ring stack that will be all yours.
Engagement ring + wedding ring + …?
Which stackable wedding rings will make their way into your stack? You’ve got options.
Anniversary rings
What’s the most obvious continuation to a wedding stack? An anniversary stack! An anniversary ring can look however you’d like, but traditionally each diamond on an anniversary ring represents a year of married life. Have a look at our full anniversary ring gallery and see which setting you love best.
Graduation rings
Do you know what complements a shiny new diploma? A shiny new ring! It’s actually becoming quite popular to celebrate a graduation with an engagement-style ring: a metal band with a stunning center stone.
Marking the birth of a baby
You’ve brought an actual life into the world. Wow. You’re kind of a hero. New mothers deserve new sparkle, that’s what we always say. Choose your baby’s birthstone or a diamond representing the baby’s order: 1 diamond for your first child, 2 for your second, etc.
Birthday rings
30? 50? 77? Which birthday is particularly significant for you? Mark the occasion with a ring in your birthstone or your favorite metal!
Memorial rings
Keep the memory of a loved one present and close to your heart with a meaningful ring. It could be their birthstone or a particular pattern that reminds you of them.
Accomplishment rings
You’ve gotten a raise, you’ve beaten an illness, you’ve achieved a long-held personal goal. Celebrate yourself, or recognize a loved one who’s done something incredible that doesn’t deserve to go overlooked.
How do I stack my wedding set?
There are quite a few ways to wear a wedding set, and the same goes for the rings you stack onto it.
If you wear your wedding and engagement ring together, you can place your subsequent rings on either side of your stack.
If you wear your wedding and engagement rings on opposite hands, then you can add rings to either hand according to whatever looks best.
Of course, you can also add rings to fingers that aren’t sporting your two stunners, but then it wouldn’t be a ring stack, would it?
Open Ring Stacks
If you’ve got a ring with an elongated center stone like marquise, oval, or pear, then open stackable wedding rings are quite a fitting option. The end of your engagement ring stone will nestle smoothly into the gap of your open ring.
This is the blingy choice! Choose the single band as your wedding ring, and save the double for your next special occasion – or vice versa. No matter what, your wedding stack is going to pop.
Curved stackable wedding rings look amazing with uniquely-shaped engagement rings. And you can keep adding curved wedding rings, either identical or in variations, to your stack throughout the years.
