How Does Diamond Shape Affect Its Price?

March 6, 2023March 15, 2023Diamonds

Discover how the shape of a diamond impacts its price in this comprehensive guide. From traditional round cuts to trendy radiant and marquise cuts and beyond, learn how to make the best decision when buying a diamond for your dream engagement ring or fine jewelry.

When purchasing a diamond, the shape is crucial to take into account because it directly affects the price. Due to market demand, more significant manufacturing costs, and their extraordinary brilliance, round diamonds, the most common diamond form, typically cost more than other shapes- known as fancy shaped diamonds.

Why Are Some Diamonds More Expensive Than Others?

The most common and costly diamonds are round ones. This is because cutting round diamonds produces the most waste and calls for more raw diamonds to be used. Although cheaper, princess cut and cushion cut diamonds are still in high demand because of their distinctive faceting patterns.

For elongated shapes like oval cut and emerald cut diamonds they have fewer facets but still provide excellent clarity, making them even cheaper. The least expensive possibilities are pear shaped and marquise cut diamonds because they are less common, but they are still excellent choices for people who value distinctive and attractive diamond forms.

Shape Vs. Price Chart

Check out this price comparison of 1 carat diamonds in every shape. We’ll give you the price differences between lab and earth created diamonds, all of a VS1 clarity and G color grade.

Diamond Shape	Lab Created Diamond Prices	Earth Created Diamond Prices
Round	$1,400	$5,690
Oval	$1,680	$4,320
Princess	$1,540	$4,240
Cushion	$1,590	$3,100
Pear	$1,780	$4,840
Emerald	$1,310	$3,570
Radiant	$1,490	$3,400
Asscher	$1,300	$3,770
Marquise	$1,780	$5,520

What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Shape?

Round diamonds are the most popular, and most costly diamond shape for a reason. They’re roughly about 65% more expensive than the least expensive diamond shapes. Here are some pros of choosing a round cut diamond:

Brilliance: Round diamonds are the most sparkling of all diamond forms, thanks to their extraordinary brilliance.
Versatility: Round diamonds are a timeless classic choice that goes with both old and modern settings.
Rarity: Owing to their scarcity, round diamonds are frequently regarded as luxury goods with a solid long-term worth.
Cut quality: The unique cut grading system used for round diamonds offers high accuracy and consistency in cut quality.
Best light performance: Round diamonds are cut to reflect the lightest possible, giving them an exquisite and brilliant appearance.
Round diamonds are more tolerant of defects and inclusions because of their symmetrical design, making them appear more flawless to the naked eye.

Overall, people looking for a traditional, adaptable, premium diamond with superb brilliance and sparkle should consider round cut diamonds.

What Is the Cheapest Diamond Shape?

The pear or marquise cut is often the least expensive diamond form. Because they are less common than round, princess, and cushion cuts, these diamond shapes are less expensive. It’s crucial to remember that a diamond’s price is also influenced by carat weight, color, clarity, and cut quality.

As a result, even though pear and marquise cut diamonds may be less expensive, the cost can still change depending on these additional aspects. They might, however, be a fantastic choice for individuals on a tight budget who yet desire a distinctive and attractive diamond form.

A Closer Look At Each Diamond Shape

Round diamonds are the most popular and sought-after diamond shape, and for good reason! These diamonds are the most expensive due to their brilliance, cut, and demand. Round diamonds require more rough diamond to be cut, and they also have the highest wastage during the cutting process, making them more expensive to produce.

Princess cut diamonds share a similar fire and brilliance to round diamonds. They are a modern and trendy choice, but cheaper than round cuts. These diamonds have a unique faceting pattern that makes them appear larger than they are, which adds to their value.

Cushion cut diamonds are a classic choice and have a vintage feel, especially when paired in a halo ring setting. Not only is their appearance similar to princess cut diamonds, but they’re not too far behind in price. Cushion cut diamonds have larger facets that create a distinctive, soft glow, which increases their value.

Emerald cut diamonds are always in style and rocked by some of your favorite celebrities. They have fewer facets, which means they show more clarity, but can potentially show more flaws. Their price is lower than that of round, and princess cut diamonds but higher than that of cushion cut diamonds.

Oval cut diamonds have become most popular in recent years due to their elongated shape, which makes the fingers appear longer and slimmer. Their price is similar to that of emerald cut diamonds, which are also part of the elongated diamond family.

Pear shaped diamonds are dimensional and elegant. They combine a round and marquise shape, making them a popular fancy shaped diamond choice for engagement ring shoppers. Their price is lower than that of oval cut diamonds.

Marquise cut diamonds have a bold, pointed shape that elongates the finger. They are becoming more popular as a modern-day diamond choice, and their price is similar to that of pear shaped diamonds.

To Sum It Up

The shape of a diamond affects its price significantly. As a general rule, remember that round diamonds are usually more expensive than other fancy shaped diamonds. Each diamond shape has its own pros and cons, so it’s important that you take the time to shop for a diamond shape you love with the exact qualities you or your partner will appreciate.

Have questions about picking the right diamond for your engagement ring or other fine jewelry pieces? Contact one of our experts at JamesAllen.com anytime, and we’ll be happy to offer you expert advice or a free diamond consultation.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

The author generated this text in part with GPT-3. The author reviewed, edited, and revised the language and takes ultimate responsibility for the content.

Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

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Lab Grown Diamond Rings: Everything You Need To Know

January 4, 2023March 15, 2023Diamonds, Engagement Rings

When shopping for the perfect diamond engagement ring, you have most likely come across all types of diamonds. You may have also come across lab-grown diamonds and wondered what they were. Well, you’ve come to the right place. Here is everything you need to know about lab-grown diamonds to help you decide which sparkler puts that twinkle in your eye.

What Are Lab Grown Diamonds?

Lab grown diamonds are optically and chemically identical to earth created diamonds. The only difference is their origin. A diamond seed is placed in conditions identical to those in underground mines. Then, a carbon coating is added to help the diamond crystallize as it grows.

The crystalline form of carbon we call “diamond” can be attained only through intense heat, constant pressure, and a good amount of time. Nowadays, lab grown diamonds can be fully formed in a few weeks rather than millions of years. The result is a lab grown diamond that differs from a mined 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.

How Is A Lab Grown Diamond Made?

A lab grown diamond is produced by replicating the natural process that diamonds are subjected to when their earth created counterparts are grown. Carbon is exposed to high temperatures and high pressure in a controlled environment (laboratory) thus creating a diamond.

Lab created diamonds can be made using two different methods. The first is known as the HPHT method, where a small diamond seed is placed into a piece of carbon. The carbon is pressurized and exposed to high temperatures. Finally, the pressure and heat then melt the carbon allowing a diamond to form around the initial seed.

The second is the CVD method, which also requires a diamond seed. The seed is placed into a sealed chamber that is heated and filled with carbon-rich gasses. These gasses are ionized into plasma using advanced technology that breaks down the gasses’ molecules and allows pure carbon to stick to the seed, forming a new diamond.

Fun fact: It typically takes a lab created diamond less than a month to grow. A 1-carat white diamond takes around two weeks to form, whereas fancy color diamonds like yellow and blue diamonds take between 5-10 days to form.

Pros and Cons of Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Rings

Lab created diamonds are graded and certified using the same process as mined diamonds. So what are their pros and cons when it comes to lab grown diamond engagement rings? Let’s find out.

What to Look for in a Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Price

Modern-day consumers will be happy to hear that lab grown diamonds are generally more affordable than earth created diamonds. Meaning, lab grown diamonds often cost 40 to 65% less. Experts suggest that as new technologies develop, these prices will drop even further. Want to know why? Well, the diamond-growing process is less resource-intensive than the diamond-mining process. It simply costs less to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to mine a diamond from the earth, and those savings are passed along to diamond shoppers.

Color & Quality

The color of a lab grown diamond is everlasting. The lab created diamond you buy today will look exactly the same when your grandchildren inherit it from you. Additionally, lab grown diamonds are assessed and graded according to the 4Cs: color, cut, clarity, and carat (just like mined diamonds).

Did you know you can also shop lab grown diamonds by color? Choose your perfect diamond and view it in 40x superzoom & 360° HD to start designing your dream engagement ring today. Fancy color lab grown diamonds are available in yellow, blue, pink, purple, green, red and orange.

14K White Gold Regal Frame Diamond Engagement Ring

Yellow_Diamond_Comfort_Fit_Engagement_Ring

14K Rose Gold Laurel Leaves Diamond Engagement Ring

Petite_Pavé_Green_Diamond_Engagement_Ring

Sustainability

As lab grown diamonds are not mined, their popularity is growing. Not to mention this diamond choice is guaranteed to come conflict-free. It is also easy to track the origin of lab grown diamonds.

How to Care for Your Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

Your lab grown diamond ring needs to be frequently cleaned, just like a traditional diamond ring. Depending on your ring style, definitely consider regular maintenance of your ring to check for loose stones and wear-and-tear of prongs. But on a regular basis, simply follow our step-by-step infographic to maintain your lab grown diamond engagement ring’s radiance.

Where Should You Buy A Lab Grown Diamond Ring?

Lab grown diamonds are not available at every jeweler. But fortunately, at JamesAllen.come, we stock a tremendous inventory of lab grown diamonds along with premier engagement and wedding rings. Explore your desired diamond in 360° HD views and up to 40x magnification so you can truly design your dream engagement ring.

All loose diamonds, engagement rings, and fine jewelry come with a lifetime warranty, financing options, and of course, a grading certificate.

FAQs

Are lab grown diamonds less expensive than natural diamonds?

Typically lab grown diamonds can cost roughly 40 to 65% less than a natural, mined diamond. This means customers can easily get a high-quality diamond or a larger stone with a significantly less expensive price tag. Want to know why? The difference is due to supply. Natural diamond supply is sparse, due to the hundreds of years it takes for nature to create a diamond. Yet with man-made diamonds, there is no cap on the supply, which drives the price lower and lower as supply goes up.

Are lab grown diamonds actual diamonds?

Yes, yes, and yes! Lab grown diamonds are just as real as diamonds mined from the earth. There are no optical or chemical differences between the two diamonds, plus they have the same shape, size, color and clarity grades. In fact, the only real difference is in their formation.

Are lab grown diamonds considered a good investment?

It is very common for people to mistakenly assume that lab grown diamonds are not worth anything or a good investment. However, they are diamonds and possess value, even though they are manufactured.

Can you insure lab created diamonds?

Yes! Just like mined diamonds, lab grown diamonds can be insured.

Do lab diamonds pass the diamond tester?

The answer is yes! Lab diamonds have the same carbon composition as natural diamonds. Therefore, they have the same thermal conductivity. The test results are positive when exposed to the diamond tester, since the diamonds have the same physical and chemical properties as natural mined diamonds.

14K White Gold Petite Pavé Crown Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold 1.5mm Comfort Fit Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Art Deco Inspired Floral Halo Engagement Ring

Final Thoughts

So is a lab grown diamond for you? Ultimately, only you can decide the answer to this question. But if you’re looking to maximize your budget without compromising on quality, then a lab grown diamond engagement ring may be calling your name.

Still searching for the perfect engagement ring? Don’t hesitate to reach out to us at JamesAllen.com. Our customer service team is here to assist 24/7.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Tarryn Snoyman

Tarryn is a content writer by day and a criminology enthusiast by night.

Lab Grown Diamonds Vs. Earth Created Diamonds: What’s the Difference?

December 7, 2022January 11, 2023Diamonds, Engagement Ringsearth-created diamonds, fancy colored diamonds, halo engagement rings, lab-created diamond engagement rings, lab-created diamonds, lab-grown diamonds, pavé engagement rings, solitaire engagement rings

Think you can tell the difference between earth created diamonds and lab grown diamond engagement rings? We’ll put you to the test with some of our best diamonds!

Lab grown diamonds vs Earth created diamonds

Although lab grown diamonds are created in a lab, they are real diamonds and have the same physical, chemical, and visual properties as earth created diamonds.

This striking similarity begs the question: Is it possible to tell the two apart?

You don’t need to be an expert to try and give it a go. We’re showing off some of our customers’ favorite custom-designed engagement rings. Some have lab diamond center stones, and others are set with mined diamonds. Keep scrolling to see if you can spot which is which.

14K White Gold Framed Trapezoid Three Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Two Row U Pavé Engagement Ring

Did you know that it takes earth made diamonds billions of years to form, whereas a lab grown diamond can be created in under 10 weeks? That’s right! Scientists have managed to recreate special chambers which replicate the exact environment needed for diamonds to form.

14K Rose Gold Petite Pavé Crown Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Pavé Halo Engagement Ring Accented With Rose Gold

Another fun fact about lab created diamonds is they come in every shape, size, and color as earth created diamonds. While some fancy color diamonds are extremely rare, you wouldn’t struggle to find your favorite color as a lab diamond.

14K Yellow Gold Claw Prong Solitaire Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

18K Yellow Gold Laurel Leaves Diamond Engagement Ring

Any luck differentiating between the diamonds? Don’t fret if not. Even the experts can’t tell the difference between lab created diamonds and mined diamonds with the naked eye.

Platinum Petite Pavé Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

14K White Gold Petite Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Let’s tally up your scores and see if you guessed correctly. For each set, we’ll go from left to right:

Lab grown | Earth
Earth | Lab grown
Earth | Lab grown
Lab grown | Earth

So, how’d you do??

What’s The Difference Between Lab Created Diamonds And Earth Created Diamonds?

If you found it difficult to spot the difference, just know you’re not the only one! Lab created diamonds are optically and chemically identical to earth created diamonds. The only difference between the two is their origin.

Earth created diamonds are sourced from below the earth’s surface.
Lab grown diamonds are created in simulated ‘below-ground’ conditions in a lab.

Getting The Best Diamond Ring For Your Buck

Modern-day consumers will be happy to hear that lab grown diamonds are generally more affordable than earth created diamonds, giving you a 30% larger stone for the same cost!

Why?

The diamond-growing process is less resource-intensive than the diamond-mining process. It simply costs less to grow a diamond in a lab than it does to mine a diamond from the earth, and those savings are passed along to diamond shoppers. If you’re looking to maximize your budget without compromising on quality and sparkle, lab created diamonds are a great choice for you.

Worth It? We Think So

There’s no doubt that earth created diamonds contain millennia of history, tradition, and romance. While these diamonds are the classic choice, lab grown diamonds are an affordable option and equally fresh. No matter what you decide, both diamonds hold their magnificent sparkle forever!

Final Thoughts

Were you able to tell our lab grown and earth created diamonds apart? Here’s the bottom line: Both are winners! Lab grown diamonds offer equal brilliance and sparkle as earth created diamonds. That being said, if you’re looking to maximize your budget without compromising on quality, a lab grown diamond may be calling your name.

Something sparkly catches your eye? At James Allen, we’ve got loads more jewelry up our sleeve. Browse our stunning assortment of wedding rings, tennis bracelets, men’s engagement rings, and more to spoil your significant other (or yourself!) today.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jarred Maram

Jarred is a writer by day and unofficial office ping pong champion

What Is The Best Diamond Color For Yellow Gold Rings?

September 14, 2022September 14, 2022Diamonds, Engagement Ringsdiamond color, diamond engagement rings, diamond rings, diamonds, lab created diamonds, yellow gold

Obsessed with yellow gold rings? So are we! Just remember, the diamond color you pick matters if you want your center stone to sparkle just right. Join us as we explore the best diamond color options for your dream yellow gold engagement ring.

Three yellow gold diamond engagement rings with different diamond center stone shapes

What Is Yellow Gold?

Yellow gold, or simply gold, is a precious metal that occurs naturally and is best used as jewelry and other decorative objects. This soft metal, in its purest form, can bend easily and therefore be manipulated into our favorite accessories, from gold earrings to yellow gold wedding bands, when combined with harder metal alloys.

Fun fact: the first-ever engagement ring was made from yellow gold with a simple bezel set diamond center stone.

What Does A Diamond Color Grade Mean?

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) sets the benchmark for the diamond industry. The world’s oldest, largest, and most reputable institute of gemological research and learning is responsible for analyzing and certifying the color, cut, clarity, and carat weight (the 4Cs) of all diamonds. Learn more about the 4Cs here.

The GIA color scale goes from D to Z, categorized into five groups: colorless, near colorless, faint, very light, and light. As the letter or category goes, the yellow tint increases as well. The tint is basically indistinguishable to the untrained eye, especially in lower grades. However, these same differences greatly affect how a diamond’s quality is assessed and, of course, its price.

Generally, the tint becomes more noticeable as the color grading system gets lower.

A chart illustrating the 4Cs of diamond grading

Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

Color grades D-F are absolutely colorless, setting the colorless standard. When you hear diamonds being described as ice, it is likely a D, E, or F color diamond. They are simply spectacular, and they look stunning with any metal color ring setting.

Remember that the higher the color grade, the more expensive the diamond. That being said, if you have the budget for a colorless diamond, know that it will look perfect and shine with brilliance when set in your preferred yellow gold engagement ring.

Near Colorless Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

G, H, I, and J color diamonds make up the near-colorless range. Generally, one cannot tell these diamonds have this subtle warmth unless they are placed side by side with another diamond that is truly colorless.

When viewed and graded by an expert gemologist, a near colorless diamond might appear to have a very faint yellow tint.

Although these diamonds have a slight hint of color, they’re almost impossible to detect with the naked eye. Generally, near colorless diamonds are recommended to be set in lighter metals to avoid the color reflection from yellow or rose gold ring settings. However, we know plenty of ways around this!

If you’re leaning towards a diamond in the near-colorless range, fancy shapes such as emerald, marquise, Asscher, radiant, and cushion-shaped diamonds aren’t ideal for concealing color and usually tend to have a darker appeal. For this reason, it’s best to opt for a round or oval cut diamond to set with your yellow gold engagement ring.

Faint Diamonds For Yellow Gold Rings

It’s worth noting that color is not the only thing to consider when purchasing a diamond. The other 3Cs can also play a huge role in the way your chosen color grade presents on an engagement ring or piece of fine jewelry.

Nevertheless, diamonds in the faint color grade, K, L, and M, are considered to have a faint tint. So, in short, they do show a slight tint of color. But does that mean they aren’t suitable as the center or accent stones for your yellow gold engagement ring? Not at all.

If you have your heart set on a faint diamond, it’s best to choose a diamond shape that is able to conceal or even disguise the color. Luckily you have many options to choose from, from classics like the round brilliant or princess cut, to edgier shapes like emerald and Asscher.

Try to avoid shapes like cushion cuts or radiant cuts as the color will be more noticeable, especially in a yellow or rose gold ring setting.

A finger with three different yellow gold diamond engagement rings on it

Ring Settings and Diamond Color

Whether you’re customizing your dream engagement ring online or buying it in a store, there are plenty of different ring settings to choose from. But when it comes to yellow gold rings and diamond colors, not all gold settings are going to do your chosen diamond color justice.

The Best Ring Settings For A Colorless Diamond

For colorless diamonds, your choice of ring setting is virtually unrestricted. Whether you want your diamond to stand alone in a solitaire engagement ring or you want it surrounded by diamond accents in a pave setting, your center stone will steal the show every time!

The Best Ring Settings For A Near Colorless Diamond

Near colorless diamonds are a little trickier because of their almost light yellow tint. If you’d prefer settings with side stones or a pave setting, it’s best you don’t go below H color, with an exception for round, princess cut, emerald, or Asscher, in which case you can go as low as an I color diamond.

Halo settings are even more restrictive for near colorless diamonds in yellow gold, so don’t go below H color no matter the cut.

The Best Ring Setting For A Faint Color Diamond

The best settings for faint-colored diamonds are solitaire and bezel settings, where ideally, the center stone is the only diamond. In this sense, diamond side accents will have no effect on how the center stone is presented. Often side diamonds can make the yellow tint more obvious, but when the diamond stands alone, it’s harder to identify the color.

Diamond Prices for Different Color Grades

Buying a diamond is no easy decision. You have to consider your budget, your partner’s expectations and preferences, and where the best place to buy it is.

See the chart below for some price comparisons of loose earth-created diamonds at JamesAllen. It’s important to remember that the diamonds of similar color grade, cut, and carat weight will be more than 3 times more affordable when choosing the lab created counterparts.

We’ll compare diamonds of the highest color grade to the most popular near-colorless and faint-colored diamonds.

Price comparison chart of D color diamond to other grades

Prong Metal Color

When you’re choosing a setting, make sure you take note of the prongs that will hold your diamond center stone in place. It’s not always a given that your yellow gold ring settings will also have yellow gold prongs, some may have white gold prongs. If that is the case with your chosen ring, the white metal will make diamonds with low color grades look a little off.

Pro tip: For white gold prongs, it’s best to stick to an H or I color diamond. Your jeweler may be able to switch the prongs to yellow gold instead. If you’re customizing your ring online, you’ll have a wider variety of similar settings to choose from with yellow gold prong options.

FAQs

Does yellow gold affect diamond color?

Yes, dark-colored metals like rose and yellow gold have the biggest effect on diamonds because the diamonds will reflect some of the metal’s color.

What gems go with yellow gold?

Of course! Apart from colorless diamonds, gems that are blue, red, purple, pink, orange, and green pair surprisingly well with yellow gold. The more vivid the gem, the better it looks set in yellow gold jewelry.

Do diamonds look better in rose or yellow gold?

Not all diamonds look better in warmer golds. K to Z color grade diamonds will be noticeably yellow and so expert gemologists and jewelers often recommend going with a yellow gold engagement ring setting to give your diamond ring a more vintage look.

Is yellow gold outdated?

Yellow gold continues to be a fashion mainstay year after year. Yellow gold jewelry is essentially a timeless staple anyone should add to their jewelry box.

Parting Thoughts

We hope this helped you, and if you’re still left unsure about which diamond color is the best choice for your yellow gold engagement ring, our 24/7 diamond and jewelry experts are at your service!

Visit JamesAllen.com today to find the perfect diamond for you, all viewable in 360°HD, with a real-time diamond inspection consultant. Book your free consultation today!

Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

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Fancy Yellow Diamonds: A Complete Guide

July 11, 2022July 12, 2022Diamonds, Education

Ever wondered what a fancy yellow diamond or canary diamond is? We’ve got all the answers to your yellow diamond questions, from their origins to their color grading and so much more!

What Is A Fancy Yellow Diamond?

Yellow diamonds, or canary diamonds, are part of the fancy color diamond group. Fancy yellow diamonds get their stunning golden glow from a small part of nitrogen that’s contained in their structure. The more nitrogen, the deeper the yellow shade.

Regular colorless diamonds may contain a yellow tint in them depending on their grading. However, when the color reaches a certain level and becomes the dominant color it falls into the fancy color diamond category and its value rises.

Fancy yellow diamonds come in all shades, from pale yellow to intense yellow. These diamonds may also contain shades of other colors, such as orange and brown. Diamonds with the pure intense or vivid yellow hue are known specifically as Canary Diamonds or Yellow Canary Diamonds.

What Is The Origin Of Fancy Yellow Diamonds?

Yellow diamonds get their summery color from the presence of nitrogen in their composition. The nitrogen molecules absorb blue light, making the stone appear yellow. Depending on the amount of nitrogen, a yellow diamond could range from light to vivid yellow.

A little nitrogen may put a colorless diamond in the H or L color grading, which, for a colorless diamond, isn’t attractive to diamond buyers. Whereas diamonds with more nitrogen become increasingly yellow, which turns them into an asset and a rare sought-after gem.

A collection of fancy yellow diamond jewelry

What Are Canary Diamonds?

Canary Yellow Diamonds are the most desirable and valuable type of yellow diamond. Like the canary bird, these diamonds exhibit a deep, intense yellow hue, as opposed to a dull or light yellow tinge that can be considered a negative in colorless diamonds.

Officially, canary diamonds are simply fancy yellow diamonds, graded anywhere from fancy intense to fancy vivid on the GIA color scale. Canary Yellow is a casual term used for yellow diamonds with pure yellow color.

Canary Yellow Diamonds are rare and beautiful which ultimately means they come with a higher price tag and resell value than most other yellow diamonds.

Yellow Diamond Color Grading

White diamonds are graded on a color scale of D to Z, with D being a colorless diamond and Z having a distinct yellow or brown tint. If the scale were to continue past Z—all the way to a rich, yellow color—you’d have a Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond. In other words, yellow diamonds are fully saturated with yellow and carry no traces of whiteness whatsoever.

The GIA color grading scale for yellow diamonds is:

Faint
Very Light
Light
Fancy Light
Fancy
Fancy Intense
Fancy Vivid, Fancy Deep, or Fancy Dark

An infographic detailing the yellow diamond color grading scale

Are Fancy Yellow Diamonds Expensive?

Fancy Yellow Diamonds can cost anywhere from around $2,500 per carat to $20,000 or more per carat, depending on a number of factors. For a decent quality 1 carat yellow diamond, you can expect the price to be at least $3,000-$3,500.

Factors that influence the price of yellow diamonds include:

Yellow Color Grade: “Faint” or “Very Light” yellow diamonds are much cheaper, while Fancy Intense and Fancy Vivid diamonds are much more expensive.
Supporting Colors: the highest-priced yellow diamonds are those with a pure yellow color (like Canary Diamonds) or diamonds with an orange or green overtone. On the other end, brownish-yellow diamonds are often (though not always) cheaper.
Cut and Clarity: like colorless diamonds, the 4Cs play heavily into the price of yellow diamonds.
Carat: yellow diamonds at high carat weights are much rarer than smaller diamonds, and thus command a higher relative price.

Are Yellow Diamonds Real Diamonds?

The short answer is yes! Yellow diamonds are 100% real and absolutely breathtaking. Not only are these diamonds real but they are extremely valuable and created in the same natural process as colorless diamonds.

On a side note, lab grown fancy yellow diamonds are also just as real as natural mined diamonds. Lab created diamonds are synthetically, chemically, and optically identical to earth created diamonds. Despite their differences, some may argue that the process behind lab grown diamonds is more environmentally friendly, and creates stunning diamonds that are significantly cheaper.

What Cut Is The Best For Yellow Diamonds?

While colorless diamonds tend to radiate brilliance as round cuts, a round cut might have the opposite effect on yellow diamonds. It turns out that a round cut might dilute the color of yellow diamonds, while radiant, and cushion cuts help to deepen the color of a yellow diamond.

Radiant and cushion cut diamonds are very similar in regard to how the faceting system and shape of these stones balance the vibrant color to achieve the highest sparkle possible. The faceting of these diamonds maximizes the saturation of the color while still maintaining the highest levels of fiery brilliance.

An image of a fancy yellow cushion cut diamond

An image of a fancy yellow radiant cut diamond.

What Metal Color Is The Best For Yellow Diamonds?

With a yellow diamond, you can really play around with metal colors depending on the shade of your yellow diamond. Yellow diamonds have unique opportunities to either contrast or compliment when it comes to different metal colors.

Engagement ring settings usually come in a variety of metals, including platinum, white gold, yellow gold, and rose gold.

We recommend platinum or white gold for fancy deep and vivid canary yellow diamonds. The contrast these light metals will create with the intense yellow colors ensures that your engagement ring stands out.

Likewise, combining a yellow center diamond with colorless side stones, or in a halo setting, can accentuate the main diamond and make it pop.

Alternatively, a darker setting like yellow or rose gold can make a yellow diamond appear deeper and more intense than its color grade. This can allow you to save by purchasing a faint or light-colored diamond, which will have a darker appearance when reflecting the color of its setting.

14K White Gold Bead Accent Pavé Trio Diamond Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Round Split Band Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

What Ring Setting Is The Best For Yellow Diamonds?

Our top three picks for yellow diamond engagement ring settings are halo and side stone settings.

Halo settings also look stunning with radiant and cushion cut diamonds and help to maximize the diamond sparkle and will make it appear larger.

Side stones are perfect to highlight your yellow diamond and add to the uniqueness of your ring. Side stone settings come in various chic and bold designs with many different diamond accents- also available in various diamond cuts.

14K White Gold Drifting Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Marquise Row Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Do You Get Lab Created Yellow Diamonds?

Fancy yellow lab created diamonds do exist and are found in every yellow shade and diamond size and cut. Lab grown diamonds are particularly popular in online jewelry retail stores, and are significantly cheaper than natural diamonds, as they are easier to come by.

The downside is lab diamonds are not as rare as natural diamonds and thus carry very little resale value. However, if you simply want a beautiful diamond for the lowest price, you can consider going with a man-made diamond.

FAQs About Fancy Yellow Diamonds?

Can yellow diamonds fade?

A real yellow-colored diamond’s color will never fade and it won’t require any special treatment to maintain its natural color. Of course, it’s important to clean your diamond on a regular basis to remove dirt, creams, and other unwanted materials.

Aren’t yellow-colored diamonds a bad thing?

Regular colorless diamonds that have a certain degree of yellow or brown tints in them are regarded negatively and are cheaper than completely colorless diamonds. However, once the color reaches a level where it is the dominant color, the diamond is then categorized as a Fancy Colored Diamond and its value begins to rise given its new title.

What is the price of a 1 carat fancy yellow diamond?

Depending on the color grade and cut of the 1 carat fancy yellow diamond, you can expect to pay between $2,500-$20,000. That number could greatly decrease if you chose to opt for a 1 carat lab created fancy yellow diamond.

Where is the best place to buy a fancy yellow diamond?

The best place to buy a fancy yellow diamond depends on what you’re looking for. You may get a better variety of diamond cuts and color grade options online than in-store. However, if you’re looking for a lab grown yellow diamond, online diamond retailers tend to have a larger inventory to choose from.

Are yellow diamonds rare?

Yellow diamonds make up 60% of fancy color diamonds. While they aren’t the rarest fancy color diamond, they are rare and they can be quite expensive.

Final Thoughts

At James Allen, we have over 500,000 diamonds, all certified conflict-free. We are proud to go above and beyond many of the current industry requirements and standards to ensure we are offering you the best quality diamonds from the most responsible sources.

Visit our Education Center to read everything you need to know about selecting the best center diamond for you. View your favorite diamond choices in 360° HD with a free consultation. You can even try out our engagement ring customization tool to create the ring of your dreams with your ideal yellow diamond!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

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Cover - How To Protect Your Rings While Working Out

How To Protect Your Engagement Ring At The Gym: And Other Times To Remove Your Ring

June 6, 2022July 4, 2022Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Fine Jewelry, Wedding Rings

Engagement rings are often your first piece of true diamond jewelry. But this piece presents a unique problem, you are meant to wear it every single day! Often fine jewelry is kept safe in a jewelry box, brought out on special occasions and worn with care. Even pieces meant for casual wear are kept safe.

Yellow Gold Oval Diamond engagement ring

So what are you to do when you’re a newly engaged fitness fanatic? Read on to learn how to keep your ring safe from your fitness routine and other opportune moments.

Why Do I Need To Remove My Engagement Ring?

The idea of needing to remove your ring at any time is new for many people. We don’t remember seeing our parents take them off. You also likely see other people working out with their rings on and you wonder, if they can do it, why can’t I? Yet this is not a pattern you want to repeat if you intend to protect what is arguably your most prized piece of jewelry.

Of course you want to wear it all the time; you want to show it off! And rightly so! Whether an engagement ring symbolizing your love, or a gorgeous birthstone ring and fine jewelry are investment pieces. They are bought with love and made with expertise. The best materials and the most gorgeous gemstones merit the ultimate protection. Make sure that when you do show it off, it looks its best! Buying insurance is not the only way to protect your valuables.

yellow gold emerald diamond engagement ring

Is It Safe To Wear Your Engagement Ring AND Lift Weights?

When working out, you risk chipping the band, scratching a center gemstone, or damaging the prongs, causing your diamond to fall out, and even thinning the band to the point it can break. You don’t have to be clutz or a gym novice for this to happen. So how does this happen?

It doesn’t matter if you lift heavy weights with fewer reps, or lower weights at higher reps, the pressure of the weights, no matter if it’s a bar or dumbbells, will cause your band to bend. Pavé bands are particularly at risk. When the pressure of the weights causes the band to bend, on a pavé bend, there is an increased risk of the small stones falling out.

Even if you use weight machines instead of free weights, this still applies to you. And weight machines carry an added risk…your ring can get caught in the machine. Changing the weight load, your ring can get caught between plates or even when holding on it can get caught in the crevices of the machine.

Free weights or machines, bars or dumbbells, you risk damage if you wear your ring while pumping iron.

Avoid The Avulsion

In addition to risking damaging the ring, you can damage yourself! Working on that perfect push up? Trying to get that PR on pull ups? Or working on that perfect down dog? As the ring gets pressure from the bar or the ground, you will feel your ring press against your finger, which at a minimum is very uncomfortable and at a maximum, is painful.

Along with the pain, calluses can form around your ring that can be very uncomfortable as well. Especially when they peel and harden. Even if you’re tough enough for that pain, wearing your ring can cause a ring avulsion.

What is an avulsion you ask? This is what happens when your ring finger, or another finger sporting a ring, gets caught and the ring gets yanked off so fast that you damage your finger tissues, muscles, tendons, and even bones.

Also known as “Degloving,” while ring avulsions aren’t common, they sure are painful. And working out with your rings on puts you at increased risk. Another reason to get fit with your rings safely tucked away.

What About Cardio? Is That Ring-Safe?

Cardio is not a one size fits all and can still have an impact; sticking to running or spin classes can still cause damage. Tennis players, for example, have to watch for flying tennis balls and the impact from their rackets. Using cardio equipment like spin bikes, ellipticals, stair climbers, and even when doing floor exercises, your ring will get knocked every time, which can damage your precious wedding ring.

white gold diamond tennis bracelet and pave band round diamond engagement ring

Sports like running don’t have impact concerns, but they do come with other risks. Sweat can loosen your ring and cause it to fall off; ensuring your ring is the correct size will minimize, but not eliminate, this risk. See our tips and tricks, including our online ring sizer, to ensure you get the right size.

Another risk is sweat and dirt, this can tarnish your engagement ring and other fine jewelry, and while we can advise you on how to clean your engagement and wedding rings, it is still best to keep them as clean as possible, right from the start.

Dirt and other muck will affect your ring’s appearance and take away its brilliance. The more detailed your ring, the more easily dirt will get trapped in all the nooks and crannies. And we want to make sure your ring shines bright.

Swimming is another great workout, low impact, easy on those joints, BUT pools are not ring-friendly. The chemicals used to treat pools can dull your metal, diamonds, and other precious gemstones. Another risk, is prune fingers! When your fingers shrink and get all pruney from swimming, your ring can fall off! A damaged AND lost ring? No thank you!

white gold round diamond engagement ring

What About Yoga?

You still need to be careful when participating in activities like yoga, pilates, or barre. Not only can engagement rings get damaged when knocking against the floor or the ballet bar, but they can also throw off your balance, negatively affecting your workout.

The same is true for gymnastics, stretching, and even if you’re training to be a ninja warrior. Play it safe and ensure the best workout and remove your rings during your fitness routine.

Isn’t Gold Strong?

Gold, platinum, and other alternative metals ARE strong. But so are you! And the pressure of bars, barbells, bodyweight exercises, and other gym activities will bend and scratch these metals. Even stronger metals like platinum will eventually snap under the pressure.

Other Times To Remove Your Ring

Washing your hands, especially when using hand sanitizer. Typical hand soaps and sanitizers have harsh chemicals that can damage your ring. The same is true for cleaning products, so whether wiping down the machine after using it or cleaning the house and doing laundry, those chemicals can cause damage so it’s best to put your ring in a safe place.

When cleaning your ring yourself, you want to stick to gentle soaps. See more about how to care for your ring here.

Sleeping and showering? You betcha! Your favorite body wash, shampoo, lotions, potions, and other cosmetics can cause damage. The chemicals can tarnish your jewelry, and lotions and cosmetics can also cause build-up in the crevices of a ring. Put your ring and other fine jewelry on once you’re fully quaffed but not during the beautifying process.

Experts also recommend taking your engagement ring off before you enter dreamland, as your engagement ring can get caught on your sheets or even your hair when you sleep. This can damage the prongs, causing them to loosen and thus damage your ring. Best to take off your engagement and wedding rings while you catch those Z’s.

The beach is also a hazard for multiple reasons! The saltwater is corrosive, and the sand can make your ring and jewelry dirty and actually damage your metals. Sand can also damage the prongs and cause your stones to fall out. A lost ring is not better than a damaged ring

Top Times To Remove Your Engagement Ring

Working Out
Cleaning
Showering
Applying Lotion & Makeup
The Beach
Swimming (pools & natural bodies of water)
Hiking
Sleeping

So How Do I Protect My Engagement Ring?

There are multiple products out there that claim to protect your ring. Some women suggest tucking it into your sports bra or putting it into pockets that are meant for your keys or your phone. And while these options and products work to varying degrees, none are full proof. One product may work great if you’re going for a run but may be totally useless if taking a HIIT class.

Different forms of physical activity have different risks of damaging your diamond engagement ring and other fine jewelry. Scratches, dents, dirt, they all affect it. Some products protect you from losing your wedding ring but fail to ensure it does not get dirty, some products make sure the band is protected but leave the diamond exposed for chipping. Truly the best way is to hold onto and utilize that original packaging.

Your James Allen ring box is a sure-fire way to protect your ring. Whether leaving it at home before heading to the gym or in your gym bag before heading out for a hike, your ring box and other original packaging are the easiest way to protect your fine jewelry.

You may worry, like so many of us, that you’re on the go and too busy to stop at home, but you don’t want to leave it in a gym locker. Investing in a good lock will protect all your valuables, your wallet, laptop, and other important things you carry with you on a daily basis.

Still worried? Take your ring box, put it in a locked bag or case, and leave it at the front desk or manager’s office.

Final Thoughts

We understand that when you get engaged, married, or treat yourself to a gorgeous piece of fine jewelry, you want to show it off. You want to wear it every day! You want to show your anniversary bling all the time to everyone….and you should! And while it might feel weird to take your rings off, you also need to protect them and protect yourself.

It is important to remember these pieces are true fine jewelry and need to be treated as such. They need to be cared for and protected just as much as they need to be shown off. Having a fabulous engagement ring, wedding band, and other fine jewelry does not need to interfere with your fitness routine or active lifestyle.

Protect your fine jewelry while also living your best life. Whether at the pool, the beach, hitting the weights, or going for a run, safeguard your jewelry and ensure it always sparkles brightly.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

Perfectly Trendy: Get On Board With Paper Clip Jewelry

May 26, 2022May 29, 2022bracelets, Diamonds, earrings, fine, Fine Jewelry, necklaces, Trending Ringsbracelets, diamonds, earring, fine jewelry, necklace, paper clip, white gold, yellow gold

Remember when you were bored in homeroom and you strung together with paper clips from your pencil case to pass the time. Or maybe you gave them to your friends to cement your friend clique. Either way, paper clip jewelry has come a long way! They are now THE trend so get on board! Whether a single strand or layering, paper clips have reached a new level of chic.

National Paper Clip Day

There truly is a day for everything and paper clips are no different. Created back in the 1800s and popularized in the early 1900s to the shape we know today, the paper clip was originally created to attach tickets to the fabric. Its use to keep paper together was soon discovered and thus it got its current name.

The man who popularized the paper clip’s current shape, Johan Vaaler, was mistakenly thought to be Norwegian. This led students at Oslo University to wear the paper clip during World War II as a symbol of resistance, unity, and national pride. The non-violent symbol was chosen because it represented binding things together.

National Paper Clip Day came into existence in 2015 and continues to be celebrated annually. Join James Allen as we celebrate National Paper Clip Day with our collection of paper clip fine jewelry.

Paper Clip Jewelry: Style Revamped

Whether this trend takes you back to homeroom or makes you nostalgic for the style of the 80’s, the paper clip necklace may be trendy but is anything but new. Created by Coco Chanel and made famous by none other than Jackie O herself, paper clip jewelry is actually a classic masquerading as a trend.

Paper clip necklaces have come a long way since you strung them together as a kid. Available in both yellow and white gold, as plain paper clip chains, and even accented with pearls, paper clip pieces need to be part of your fine jewelry collection. After all, if Jackie O and Coco Chanel approve, how can you go wrong?!

Join these style icons with a paper clip necklace from James Allen:

Paper Clip Chain Necklace

Medium Paperclip Chain

Why We Love The Paper Clip Jewelry

This industrial-chic style utilizes anywhere from one to multiple strands of paper clips in both slim and chunky styles. You can also jazz it up with a locket or something similar to close the piece, wear it in white or yellow gold, and pair it with both casual and fancier looks.

Traditionally, paper clip jewelry has been necklaces, but now you can find them as bracelets and earrings too! We love the versatility of this little piece of office equipment turned fine jewelry!

This fashion statement works great on its own but we love that it pairs effortlessly with diamond and gemstone jewelry. Any color, any shape, any size, it all works because the paper clip is so adaptable. Grab your own magnificently malleable paper clip pieces today!

Oval Link On Paper Clip Bracelet

Paper Clip Dangle Earrings

How To Wear Paper Clip Jewelry

You already know this style is so amazing that you can wear it alone, layered, and with multiple other styles! But another reason to love this style is that it looks good in both short and long lengths. So whatever your height or body type, there is a paper clip necklace that is right for you! Are you taller? Go for a longer necklace to accentuate your height.

Are you all about that bass? Go for a necklace that stops just below your neckline. But truly, the right length for you is the one you love best! No matter which length you choose, the paper clip is sure to flatter.

And if you’re thinking, well I can only pair this with other modern pieces, think again! The paper clip look goes great with both modern, classic, and even vintage pieces. You truly have the freedom to express your personal style with this staple.

Layered or a single strand, around your neck, around your wrist, or hanging from your ears, paper clip jewelry is a look that continues to top the trendy charts. It is no wonder that everyone, including countless celebs, are loving this look.

Paper Clip Trivia

The world’s largest paper clip is currently a stainless steel creation standing approximately 30 feet high in Miass, Russia. Before this, a red paper clip memorial in Kiplin, Saskatchewan, stood as the largest paper clip in the world.

The red paper clip stood as a monument to Kyle MacDonald, who traded his way from a single red paper clip to a house. Prior to this, the world’s largest paper clip was in Sandvika, Norway, standing five meters tall as a national monument and a reminder of the paper clip’s role in the country’s history.

Paper Clip FAQs

Is it spelled paperclip or paper clip?

You can actually spell it both ways, but the more common way to spell it is as two words: paper clip

What is the paper clip theory?

Some philosophers have hypothesized that if AI or artificial intelligence were tasked with creating paper clips, it could cause an apocalypse! This is because more and more resources would be diverted to this effort and the AI would ultimately rebuff attempts to be turned off.

Better be safe and stick to paper clip jewelry instead!

What is a paper clip used for?

Paper clips were originally created to attach tickets to fabric and then became famous for what we know today, holding papers together.

Yet they do so much more! Forms of the paper clip are used to hold bags of unfinished chips together, fresher is better for that extra crunch! Or to hold fabric while a seamstress takes in that dress, or as a symbol to attach a document to an email.

The essential technology of the paper clip is unchanged. It is both as classic in its technology as it is in fashion.

What can I use instead of a paperclip?

You can use various clips, versions of the paper clip, rubber bands, or other binders. Instead of paper clip jewelry you can wear classic style chains or ball chains.

Clip That Paper

As the world moves in a more and more paperless direction, the paper clip continues to remain relevant. The paper clip emoji or symbol is used to indicate there is an attachment or as an indication that you can attach a relevant document or picture by clicking on the symbol.

While paper clips have many uses, our favorite is of course fine jewelry. Holding papers together is well and good, but completing an outfit is the best! So celebrate National Paper Clip Day every day with one of our fabulous pieces and always be on trend.

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

Black Friday Jewelry Gift Guide 2022

October 19, 2022November 14, 2022Diamonds, earrings, Engagement Rings, Fine Jewelry, Gift Guides, necklaces, Wedding, Wedding RingsBlack Friday, engagement rings, gift guide, halo engagement rings, lab created diamonds, necklaces, pavé engagement rings, solitaire engagement rings

If you’re looking to check off your holiday gift list and save money, then it’s your time to shine…literally! James Allen’s Black Friday deals are here! Read on to check out the best bling at the best prices. Shop early, save, and, best of all, sleep in on November 25th.

James Allen Black Friday Deals

It’s that time of year again, the annual James Allen Black Friday sale! 25% off SITE WIDE! Save on everything! That piece you’ve been eyeing all year? Treat yo self! That engagement ring your love has been sending hint after hint for? Blow their mind with the bling!

Sparkle so bright they won’t remember you forgot their birthday? They’ll wish you would forget it every year! Shop early, save, avoid the chaos, and savor those turkey day leftovers.

Best Selling Black Friday Engagement Rings

A chill in the air and some ice on the finger. The most romantic time of year is upon us once again, the perfect time to pop the question or upgrade your current hardware. Whether you prefer a perfect pavé, a sophisticated solitaire, or a heavenly halo engagement ring, this is the ideal time to grab one of our 2022’s top trends.

18K Yellow Gold 1.5mm Comfort Fit Engagement Ring

Platinum Double Shank Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Petite Pavé Engagement Ring (Flush Fit)

Solitaire Engagement Rings

Oh, how we love a solitaire engagement ring! You just can’t go wrong with this timeless, classic, and simply stunning style. Not only are solitaire settings budget-friendly and allow the focus to be solely on your center stone, but they also give an understated elegance beloved by all.

Worried a solitaire is too simple? Pshaw! Go for a thick or thin band, get modern with a knife edge or a six prong shank, or amp up the style with a rope or cable band. The options go on and on!

Choose from timeless yellow gold, romantic rose gold, brilliant white gold, or go for the strength of platinum. Whichever metal or style you choose, a solitaire engagement ring will always be in style. Check out these best-sellers for inspo, and go to JamesAllen.com for more!

Halo Engagement Rings

Stand in the light of a halo when you give your loved one of our halo engagement rings. This style, where your center stone is surrounded by a literal halo of diamonds, gives your already shining ring enhanced elegance and sparkle.

Do you subscribe to the bigger is better theory? Then halo rings are for you! The halo of diamonds around your center stone will make your ring look even bigger than it is. It’s no wonder their popularity continues to grow.

After all, is more shine ever a bad thing? Take a look at some of the halos our customers just love, and check out more here!

Pavé Engagement Rings

Love the look of being surrounded by diamonds but don’t have the budget of being surrounded by diamonds, then look to the pavé! Pavé literally means to cover, as in to pave something. Pavé engagement rings feature bands that are covered in diamonds.

What is great is that the diamonds are tiny, making them affordable and allowing you to satisfy that champagne taste! All these tiny diamonds reflect light, allowing a beautiful sparkle that can be seen from every angle.

A ring that dazzles this bright is sure to get that yes! Need some inspo? These beauties are best sellers for a reason!

Fine Jewelry Black Friday Deals

Figuring out what to get all the people on your list can be a pain in the you know what! Fine jewelry to the rescue! It always makes a great gift! Whatever their style, whomever the recipient, whichever pieces are preferred, jewelry is the gift that never fails.

Gold Jewelry

There’s a reason it’s called The Gold Standard. Gold is always great; whether you prefer yellow, white, or rose, gold is the gift that keeps on going. Get in on the minimalist trend with gold pieces that you’ll never want to take off. Sport a perfect pair of gold hoop earrings, a cute cuff, an initial necklace, and a statement ring.

Speaking of statement rings, why go for just one when you can stack ‘em? Wear them on the same finger or get multiple for different fingers because when it comes to stackable rings, it’s like holiday guests, the more the merrier!

Wear your gold jewelry together, separately, or mix and match for a clean, elegant look.

14K Yellow Gold 3.9mm Paper Clip Chain Necklace

Lab Created Diamond Jewelry

Love diamonds but want to save even more? Then our lab created diamond jewelry collection is for you! Lab created diamonds are great because they are 100% real diamonds, cost less than their counterparts found in the earth, and at James Allen, are certified conflict-free.

Lab grown diamonds are also the perfect way to build your fine jewelry basics collection. Go for a timeless tennis necklace, a perfect solitaire ring, a set of cluster earrings, and a station dash bracelet to pull the collection together.

Is your best friend such a Libra? Is your sister the ultimate Gemini? Sounds like they need a piece from our gorgeous constellation collection. No matter their sign, we got the shine to match!

Complete the set with a pair of lab grown diamond hoop earrings, go for a heavenly halo ring, or choose a perfect pendant. No matter what you choose, our lab created diamond pieces are just what every jewelry box needs.

14K White Gold Straight Lab Created Diamond Tennis Necklace (5.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

14K White Gold Lab-Created Diamond Solitaire Ring

14K Rose Gold Lab-Created Diamond Sagittarius Constellation Necklace

Birthstone Jewelry

Celebrate a birthday this holiday season, no matter when you were born! Rock the wintery gem of December with beautiful topaz pieces and feel hot hot hot while sporting these icy cool blues. Choose the deep red of January’s garnet and feel regal everytime you put it on.

From the deep shades of September’s sapphires to the engaging greens in May’s emeralds, birthstone jewelry looks good every month of the year. Were you born in October but have the soul of an April baby, pair a stunning opal necklace with a diamond bolo bracelet. Throw in a ruby ring for a pop of color to honor all those July babies you know and love.

James Allen’s collection of birthstone jewelry is so gorgeous you’ll wish you had a birthday every month of the year!

14K White Gold Trellis Sapphire Inside Out Oval Hoops, 1 Inch

14K Rose Gold Imperial Ruby And Diamond Necklace

14K Yellow Gold Golden South Sea Cultured Pearl Leverback Drop Earrings (9-10 Mm)

Black Friday Wedding Rings For Women

The James Allen Black Friday sale is also a great time to get that dream wedding ring! Whether you’re looking for your perfect wedding ring for the big day, to add a beautiful piece to your wedding ring collection, or simply want to upgrade your current wedding ring, we have the style for you.

Want a classic ring to match your timeless love? Go for one of our simply sophisticated classic wedding rings. Available in yellow, white, rose gold, and even platinum, as well as different widths, and even styles (check out our knife edge for a classic ring with a twist); we’ve got the right ring for you!

Do you need a ring that sparkles as bright as your smile? Our collection of diamond wedding rings will leave you wanting for words.

Whether you want diamonds that go on and on, like our dazzling eternity rings, or maybe you want a pavé wedding ring to match your pavé engagement ring, our seemingly endless collection of women’s wedding rings has the perfect ring waiting for you.

14K Yellow Gold 3mm Traditional Slightly Curved Wedding Ring

14K Yellow Gold Seven Stone Low Dome Basket Lab Created Diamond Ring (1.50 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Black Friday Wedding Rings For Men

Your man deserves a ring that will make everyone go wow! We know this is an important purchase, one of the most important pieces of jewelry you’ll ever buy, and you don’t want to buy just any old ring.

Classic men’s wedding rings are simply timeless. Whether you prefer a slimmer 4mm ring, or want a slightly thicker 6mm band, these enduring rings are available in varying widths, metals, and finishes. From comfort fit to slightly flat or slightly curved, these stylish rings allow you to take a classic look to the next level.

Do you love the classic look but want to give it a twist? Go for a bold, black tantalum ring. Whether you prefer one with a pattern, a satin finish, or one mixed with gold, there are so many choices for men’s wedding rings that you are sure to find your favorite.

Black Titanium Satin Finish 6.5mm Comfort Fit Ring

Black Titanium And 14K Rose Gold Satin Center 7mm Ring

14K Yellow Gold 5mm Slightly Domed Comfort Fit Wedding Ring

Final Thoughts

It’s never a bad thing to be ahead of the game, at least when it comes to holiday shopping! Get that list, check it twice, and finish shopping before everyone else has even started. As they elbow their way through the crowds and set their alarms before the sun, you’ll be fast asleep, dreaming of how you got gifts everyone will love and at a discount. So head on over to JamesAllen.com because sparkle season starts now!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

The Best Jewelry Gifts For Husband Appreciation Day

April 11, 2022November 28, 2022Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Gift Guides, Wedding, Wedding Ringsalternative metals, carved rings, diamond rings, diamonds, engagement rings, fashion rings, men's engagement rings, men's wedding rings, mens rings, rose gold, titanium, wedding rings, white gold

Show your husband that every day is Husband Appreciation Day with a gift that celebrates his unique style. James Allen has a brilliant array of accessories, ensuring you will find the perfect gift for your perfect husband.

At first this might sound like one of those random “holidays,” but Husband Appreciation Day is actually a great opportunity to spoil your spouse, and give the gift of sparkle to the man who makes you shine everyday.

Didn’t know this was a holiday? No need for panic-Googling, let James Allen ease your anxiety! Read on to find the gift your husband didn’t even know he wanted! We have options for every husband, in every budget.

Whether you want your husband dripping in diamonds, or you’re looking for a more classic look, we are here to help. Whatever his taste and lifestyle, we’ve got the perfect gift.

Isn’t Jewelry A Weird Gift For Husbands?

While funny beer mugs, monogrammed boxers, or survivalist knives might be more “traditional” gifts, more and more partners are choosing to get something sophisticated that reflects their husband’s unique style.

Get them the gift that not only expresses their personal taste, but that they can sport everyday. Allowing them to feel the spirit of Husband Appreciation Day everyday.

The best gift is the one they love but would never buy themselves, the one they moon over but never buy because they don’t need it. Below we showcase a variety of pieces from traditional to luxurious, from understated elegance to show stopping sparkle.

When selecting your gift, keep in mind that many of our options, particularly rings, can be engraved with a personal message. Show your love for your pookie bear (or insert your own nickname) with a personal inscription.

No matter what you choose, any gift filled with love, to show your appreciation, will make their heart shine.

Alternative Metal Wedding Rings

Whether you want to upgrade your husband’s wedding ring, buy an additional wedding ring, or gift him a unique wedding ring, we have what you need. After all, your husband should have a ring as amazing as he is.

Alternative metal rings for men are increasing in popularity for a reason. Allowing them to express their personal style and showcase their unique taste, non-traditional rings for men for engagements, weddings, and of course for fun, come in a variety of gorgeous patterns and materials.

Centric Two Tone Brushed Band

Blackened Forrest Comfort Fit

18K White Gold Blackened Forrest Pattern Comfort Fit Ring

This is the ring your husband wears every day to show the world his love and commitment to you. Give him a ring as beautiful as your partnership. Love the rings above but need to see more? Check out more non-traditional wedding rings for men HERE.

Give Him The Classic Look

Perhaps your husband has a more traditional style. The classic partner sporting a classic look. If alternative rings aren’t his thing, we have a variety of traditional rings he will love.

Perfect for the man who prefers a simple, unadorned look. Classic wedding rings are the perfect way for your husband to be reminded of how much you love and appreciate him, every single day.

Low Dome Wedding Ring

Traditional Slightly Curved Ring

14K White Gold 4mm Traditional Slightly Curved Wedding Ring

And don’t forget you can update your classic gift with a meaningful, personalized inscription on the inside of the ring, which James Allen will add for free! Whatever you decide, adding a personal sentiment to such a special gift allows you to take your appreciation of your husband to the next level.

See the inspo below and check out more options HERE.

The Gift Of Creative Carvings

Looking for something in between alternative and classic? Carved rings are your jam! Combining classic metal with alternative design, carved rings allow your husband to showcase his unique style.

Does he already have a wedding ring? No problem! Carved rings work great as fashion rings. Available in different colors and materials, carved rings make a stunning gift. Show him you appreciate his style as much as you appreciate him.

Diamonds Are ALSO Your Husband’s Best Friend

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but husband’s are also getting in the game. From sporting stud earrings to blinged out rings, diamonds are a great way to show your husband he is more than just the apple of your eye, he is your diamond in the rough.

Give your husband a pair of classic diamond studs so he can shine bright:

Four Prong Round Brilliant Diamond Stud Earrings

14K White Gold Four Prong Round Brilliant Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (1.00 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Three Prong Martini Round Brilliant Diamond Stud Earrings

14K Yellow Gold Three Prong Martini Round Brilliant Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings (0.60 CTW - F-G / VS2-SI1)

Or give your hubs a blinged out ring to add to his sparkle:

Comfort-Fit Channel Diamond Band

14K White Gold 8mm Comfort-Fit Channel Set Diamond Band

Slope Diamond Ring

Diamonds are always in style. Whether dressing up a suit or accessorizing a more casual look, diamond jewelry can make a bold and classic statement all at once.

Diamond jewelry is no longer just for rockstars and rappers, more and more men are hoping for this dazzling trend. Explore our collections of diamond jewelry and help your husband take on the look of icons.

Because He’s Famous To You

Male celebrities have been spotted more and more wearing unique wedding and fashion rings. While your husband may not be a celebrity, show him he is famous in your eyes with a gift of superstar style.

Give your husband the style of a black ring that will have him fighting off his own paparazzi.

Black Titanium Satin Finish
Comfort Fit

Darkened Tantalum Wirebrush Finished Comfort Fit

Darkened Tantalum Wirebrush Finished 7mm Comfort Fit Ring

Love the look? Grab a similar ring or two to mix and match!

Rose Gold And Black Titanium
Satin Center

Black Titanium And Tantalum Edge Two-Tone Satin Finished

Black Titanium Center And Tantalum Edge Two-Tone 8mm Satin Finished Comfort Fit Ring

Is your husband the rock star of your life? Is he cutting edge and not afraid to break fashion barriers? Then bold rings like these are the perfect choice!

Satin Finish And Faceted Center

Tantalum Carbon Fiber Inlay

Is your husband as famous for his forward fashion choices as much as for being an incredible partner? Does your husband bend the rules of style? Then these rings for him!

Ribbed Chevron
Pattern Band

Yellow With White Gold &
Black Titanium Sawtooth Center

14K Yellow Gold With White Gold And Black Titanium Sawtooth Center 9mm Ring

Which of these amazing pieces will you give to celebrate Husband Appreciation Day? Love what you see and want to see more? Go to JamesAllen.com and start shopping today!

And check out these articles for even more inspo and tips!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first order!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

Wedding Ring Engraving Ideas

April 10, 2022May 16, 2022Celebrity Inspired Engagement Rings, Diamonds, Education, Engagement Rings, Trending Rings, Weddingdiamond wedding rings, inscription, ring engraving ideas, ring engravings, wedding ring advice, wedding ring engravings, wedding rings

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!

Why engrave your wedding ring?

It’s free
It’s personal
You can match it to your partner’s
Suits the ceremony

RING ENGRAVING IDEAS: A ROMANTIC PHRASE

Angled Common Prong Diamond

“LOVE IS A VERB”

Matching Filigree

“I KNEW I’D MARRY YOU”

Three Stone Sunburst

“I CHOOSE YOU“

Satin Finish Channel Diamond

Platinum 8mm Satin Finish Channel Set Diamond Band

“TBH, I LOVE YOU”

More Ideas:

For a lifetime
Dreams Do Come True
Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me
With You Always
Joined for Life
Yours Forever
You & Only You
Truly, Madly, Deeply
“ALWAYS & FOREVER”
“TO MY WIFE”

RING ENGRAVING IDEAS: YOUR SPECIAL DATE

This is your biggest day! Incorporate your wedding date into your ring engraving as a way to emphasize the importance of your special day.

Matching Pavé

“I FOUND LOVE 3-14-19”

Sapphire & Diamond

Platinum Blue Sapphire And Diamond Arrow Shape Wedding Ring

“1.30.19 S&H”

Hammered Comfort Fit

“I Take Thee” 9-5-22

Slightly Curved Round Diamond

“Of Course” 2.26.2021

RING ENGRAVING IDEAS: GET GOOFY

Why hide it? You’re adorable.

Cushion Outline

“MY CATLADY2”

Round And Marquise Diamond

“DO NOT REMOVE”

Low Dome Wedding Band

14K Yellow Gold 6.0mm Low Dome Wedding Ring

“BETTER THAN AVOCADO”

Pavé Knife Edge Cathedral

“LOVE YOU, DORK”

More ideas:

DIGGIN’ YOU
WOOT WOOT!
YOU’RE HOT
NO TAKE BACKS

Multilingual Engravings

Traditional Slightly Curved

Amor Vincit Omnia (Latin: Love Conquers All)

Channel Set Diamond

L’amour De Ma Vie (French: Love of my life)

More ideas:

In Omnia Paratus (Latin: Ready For Anything)
Ma Raison D’être (French: My Reason For Being)
עם כל ליבי (Hebrew: With All My Heart)
Mi Tesoro (Spanish: My Treasure)

RING ENGRAVING IDEAS: SONG LYRICS

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!

Perfectly Matched Pavé Bypass

“COME AWAY WITH ME”

Round Shaped Diamond

“AMORE MIO”

Etched Comfort Fit

“I Am The Luckiest”

“The Luckiest,” Ben Folds

Women’s Knife Edge

14K Yellow Gold 2.5mm Knife Edge Women's Wedding Ring

“Love You Forever And Forever”

“I Will,” The Beatles

More ideas

” Fly Me to the Moon,” Frank Sinatra.
” You Are the Best Thing,” Ray LaMontagne
“It Had to Be You,” Dooley Wilson
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.

Flat Comfort Fit

Song of Solomon 2:16 (I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.)

Bezel Set Diamond

Ruth 1:16
(Where You Go I Will Go)

More ideas

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!

View engraved customer engagement rings.
How to find the perfect wedding ring set.
Browse our best-selling women’s wedding rings.
The complete men’s wedding ring guide!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

Blog--Fancy-Colored-Diamonds--All-You-Need-To-Know---cover

How To Figure Out Fancy Colored Diamonds

April 7, 2022July 4, 2022Diamonds, Educationcolored diamonds, diamonds, engagement diamonds, fancy colored diamonds, fancy diamonds, lab diamonds, wedding diamonds

Fancy colored diamonds are all the rage, but what exactly are they? Are they real? Are they like regular diamonds? And just how do they get their color? Read on to get all the answers and some inspo too!

In 2021, a new record was set. The largest, most valuable blue diamond was discovered in South Africa. It is larger, has deeper color, than the previous record holder, and this gem is flawless, with the highest color rating available by the GIA. A prize offered to less than 1% of blue diamonds.

The stone took over a year to polish and facet into the 15.10-carat step-cut diamond it is today and now The De Beers Cullinan Blue diamond is valued at $48 million USD.

While THIS fancy colored diamond is out of reach for most of us here on the ground, getting your own fancy colored diamond is easier than ever. James Allen carries a variety of sizes and colors to choose from.

So get on board with the trend that is here to stay! From engagement rings to fine jewelry, fancy colored diamonds give that unique, personal edge to your bling. So get ready to sparkle, because embracing color has never been more in style.

What Exactly Are Fancy Colored Diamonds?

Essentially fancy colored diamonds are diamonds that feature a variety of colors. Diamonds normally come in an assortment of colorless options. Meaning that diamonds are either completely colorless all the way to a variety of light yellow.

How Do Fancy Color Diamonds Get Their Color?

While in traditional diamonds color is not desired, in fancy colored diamonds, color is EXACTLY what you want! From dark to light, color is what you are after. So how do they get their color?

These highly prized diamonds, similar to their traditional counterparts, get their color when they are formed. Intense heat and pressure during the diamond’s formation create trace elements that present themselves in a way to create either no color, or for fancy colored diamonds, brilliant color.

The strength of the color depends on the interaction of the trace elements. Whether you prefer a lighter pink or a brighter blue, it’s all about the carbon atoms.

The Colors Of The Rainbow

Fancy colored diamonds are available in every color you can think of: pink, blue, purple, green, orange, brown, black, and even red or gray. While traditional diamonds lose value as they gain color, fancy colored diamonds do the opposite.

The stronger the color, the higher the value. Similar to traditional diamonds, fancy colored diamonds gain value the larger the size. The most common colors are in the yellow family, which is great because they are often the most economical choice of fancy colored diamonds.

Hue, Saturation, and Tone

Hue, saturation, and tone: what are they and what do they mean? Hue is the main or strongest color of the fancy colored diamond. Fancy colored diamonds can be one color but the hue is the strongest, followed by secondary colors and tints.

Saturation is just how strong the color, or hue, of the fancy colored diamond is. As in, how saturated is the color of the fancy colored diamond. A fancy colored diamond’s saturation can go from “light” to “intense,” all the way to “vivid.”

And finally there is tone. Tone is how light or dark the fancy colored diamond appears and is decided by the amount of brown, black, gray, or white color.

Hue, saturation, and tone all come together to determine a fancy colored diamond’s grade (light, fancy, fancy light, fancy intense, vivid, fancy dark, and fancy deep). Similar to their traditional diamond counterparts, fancy colored diamonds’ value and fit are not determined solely on their grade.

Different strokes for different folks, different grades for different fancy colored diamonds, for different engagement rings.

Engaging Color, Exclusive Style

Fancy colored diamonds are just as real as traditional diamonds and can be used in just as many ways. Fancy colored diamonds are a popular choice, especially for engagement rings and wedding rings. So how do you know which fancy colored diamond is right for you?

Fancy Pink Diamonds

Let’s start with fancy pink diamonds. Fancy pink diamonds have long been a favorite for those who love a burst of color. As part of the rarest of diamond colors, earth created pink (and red) fancy colored diamonds are an extraordinary find, with reports of only approximately 30 being in existence.

Get your very own fancy pink diamond engagement ring with James Allen!

Split Prong Cathedral Engagement Ring

Fancy Blue Diamonds

Love of color is not specific to pink. Fancy blue diamonds make a beautiful, calming choice. Another rarity, fancy blue colored diamonds are thought to represent spirituality, eternity, truth, and devotion. Getting their hue from boron, with their resemblance of a clear spring sky or a sparkling ocean, it is no wonder fancy blue diamonds are so popular.

Check out this example of a Fancy Blue Diamond Engagement Ring!

Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

Fancy Black Diamonds

Or maybe you wanna go dark like the black diamond ring? Fancy black diamonds have a strong color intensity and sparkle with a metallic shine. These exotic diamonds are a darling of the fashion world.

Found only in a few locations, fancy black diamonds are thought to symbolize love and eternity, making them a fabulously unique way to adorn your finger. Get your own version from James Allen and start showing off!

Petite Pave Engagement Ring

Fancy Green Diamonds

Representing life, renewal, and growth, green is a great color for a fancy diamond. Fancy green diamonds are extremely rare, as they are created due to exposure to radiation. The radiation can come from groundwater or radioactive rocks near the earth’s surface.

Often pricier than their counterparts due to their rarity, green diamonds are a lively colorful choice for an engagement ring. And don’t worry, while the stone may get its color from radiation, it is totally safe!

Grande Falling Edge Halo Engagement Ring

Looking for another color of the rainbow to make your engagement ring stand out? Check out the many colors of fancy diamonds that James Allen has to offer!

Pros of Fancy Colored Diamonds	Pros of Traditional Diamonds
Showcase Unique Style	Plentiful Choices in Clarity and Cut
Great Investment	Numerous Affordable Options
More Rare	Classic Choice

Real Diamonds, Real Fancy

Fancy colored diamonds are not to be confused with gemstones (which also go great with diamonds). Fancy colored diamonds are just as much diamonds as their traditional counterparts.

The advantage is that you can express your personal style in a particularly unique way using color. Check out these examples below or create your own!

Pavé Knife Edge Lotus Basket Engagement Ring

Presentation Solitaire 6 Prong Engagement Ring

And let’s not forget fancy colored brown diamonds, better known as chocolate diamonds.

Bead Accent Pavé Trio Diamond Engagement Ring

In addition to their rarity and value, fancy colored diamonds are extremely popular. At once elegant and trendy, fancy colored diamonds allow you to add an extra level of personal expression. But don’t be fooled by the name, fancy colored diamonds are also good to wear everyday!

Pair with white gold, yellow gold, or platinum, James Allen as a variety of fancy colored diamonds to create the perfect engagement ring. Start shopping today!

Check out our other helpful blogs:

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

Inspired By Nature: Celebrate Earth Day In Style

April 21, 2022July 4, 2022Diamonds, earrings, Engagement Rings, Fine Jewelry, necklaces14K yellow gold, 18K yellow gold, diamond engagement rings, diamonds, earrings, engagement rings, fine jewelry, men's wedding rings, Pavé, ring styles, rose gold, solitaire, wedding rings, white gold, yellow gold

Earth Day is more important with each passing year. A time to stop and appreciate our planet and all its beauty. All the colors of the rainbow, all shades and textures can be found in every corner of the planet. Want to don jewels of all the hues of mother earth? Read on to see how!

Earthly Greens

The color green symbolizes nature and serenity. It is also said to bring good luck! Coming in a variety of shades, green can be as rich as freshly cut grass, as subtle as green tea, and as dark as a mighty evergreen tree.

You have multiple options if you want to dazzle in green. First gemstones, look no further than May’s birthstone, the Emerald. Harnessing more than just the luck of the Irish, sporting emeralds will give you a downright royal look!

However, May’s birthstone is not alone in rocking the lucky green! Fancy colored diamonds also come in this luscious color. Fancy green colored diamonds, which are thought to represent prosperity and abundance, are not only another great way to sport this look, but fancy green colored diamonds make beautiful, stylish, and unique engagement rings.

See options for emeralds and fancy green diamonds below!

Emerald And Diamond Earrings

Double Row Pavé Emerald Ring

Grande Falling Edge Halo Engagement Ring

Bringing to mind images of grassy knolls, tall trees, and commanding plants, green is a color that reminds us of the serenity and power of the earth. Such a dynamic color, you can also adorn yourself in green by wearing the gemstone peridot.

Practically screaming the freshness of a summer’s day, peridot gemstone jewelry is the perfect birthstone for August. Grab some peridot pieces today and always have that summer feeling.

Oval Peridot Birthstone Necklace

Peridot Line Bracelet

Ocean Blues

Producing images of the sky above and the sea below, blue represents loyalty, wisdom, and sincerity. The color also brings to mind ideas such as freedom and intuition. Like water, which covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface, with ocean’s holding almost 100% of the Earth’s water, blue has a myriad of shades.

Some of blue’s many shades can be found in fancy blue colored diamonds, as well as the gemstones aquamarine, blue sapphires, blue topaz, and tanzanite. Its many shades allow it to create varied looks; from incredibly luxurious to sparkling fun, and everything in between.

Tapered Baguette Diamond Engagement Ring

Cultured Akoya Pearl And Sapphire Drop Earrings

The flexibility of blue’s multiple shades also allows it to pair well with yellow, white, and rose gold. Whatever shade, whatever metal, whatever stone, James Allen has a blue approved by mother earth, ready to add to your collection.

Sapphire Threader Earrings

Aquamarine Birthstone Necklace

Teardrop Blue Topaz And Diamond Halo Ring

Oval Sunburst Halo Tanzanite And Diamond Ring

Sun Rays

When you think yellow you think sunshine, happiness, and warmth. Symbolizing youth, energy, and optimism, yellow can be found in the gemstone citrine, a fancy yellow colored diamond, and of course, yellow gold.

The sun provides solar energy and the light and heat that makes life possible. Showcasing the brightness of the sun, and the yellow of a sunflower, these citrine and yellow sapphire gemstone pieces, yellow pearls, and yellow gold fine jewelry are giving us life!

South Sea Pearl Drop Earrings

Love Knot Bolo Bracelet

Yellow Sapphire Cushion Cable Halo Tennis Bracelet

Duo Ship Wheel And Compass Necklace

Fancy yellow colored diamonds are all the rage. It is no wonder more and more celebrities are being spotted sporting fancy yellow colored diamonds. With their timeless, gorgeous, and unique style, fancy yellow colored diamonds are a perfect choice to create a jaw dropping engagement ring.

Falling Edge Pavé Diamond Engagement Ring

Octagon Citrine And Diamond Necklace

Whichever your shade of yellow, James Allen has the piece for you to start shining like the sun!

Textures Of Nature

Planet earth is an amazing marvel, featuring every texture you could ever imagine. Tree bark, mud, mountains, and stone; the earth’s textures are something to be celebrated everyday. See how bamboo brings the feeling of tranquility and nature to these engagement and wedding rings.

Organic Bamboo Engagement Ring

Organic Bamboo Diamond
Ring

Playing with texture is a great way to bring depth to your look, but textures are not limited to textiles! Inspired by the different textures of nature, James Allen has a plethora of choices for rich textures when it comes to rings, especially engagement and wedding rings.

The style of these rings allows them to work fabulously as fashion rings too!

Tantalum Edges Split Wood
Ring

14K Rose Gold And Grey Tantalum Edges Split Wood Texture Center 8mm Ring

Cobalt Bark Pattern Comfort Fit Ring

Cobalt Bark Pattern 6mm Comfort Fit Ring

And since more and more men are complimenting their looks with jewelry, options are more important here than ever! Through alternative metals and styled carvings, these rings bring the feeling of nature simply by slipping them on your finger.

Blackened Log Knot Pattern Comfort Fit Ring

Grey Tantalum Tree Line Comfort Fit Band

Two-Tone Fractured Wall Pattern Comfort Fit Band

Moon Rock Texture Center And Tantalum Edges Ring

14K White Gold Moon Rock Texture Center And Tantalum Edges 8mm Ring

In particular, alternative and carved rings for men showcase textures and patterns found throughout nature. Checkout some options below! Unsure if a textured look is right for you? See our pros and cons chart below to help you decide!

Textured & Alternative Rings

Pros

Unique, Non-Traditional Look
More Affordable
More Scratch-Resistant
Hypoallergenic

Cons

Problematic To Resize
Heavier Than Traditional Gold Rings
Can Be Problematic Around Water
More Susceptible To Cracking

Pollinated Perfection

One of the most beautiful and fascinating things in nature is pollination. This essential part of plant reproduction sees bees and other insects fertilizing flowers. This captivating process is crucial as it leads to the creation of fruit and other foods humans and animals eat, as well as numerous products we use.

In short, the earth would not survive without pollination. It also allows very cute insects to create very beautiful flowers 🌺 and gorgeous fine jewelry. These pieces will remind you of insects, flowers, and other critters, but without allergies!

Bee Stud Earrings

Pavé Multicolor Ring

Rainbow Hoop Earrings

Mini Turtle Necklace

Not into the insect look? Check out these adorable pieces that will give you a constant reminder about your furry best friend and other adorable animals.

Kitty Cat Stud Earrings

Gold Paw Print Bolo Bracelet

Taurus Zodiac Signet Ring

Mini Elephant Necklace

Earthly Style

Our planet is filled with natural inspiration and Earth Day is a good reminder that it is our job to protect it. The textures, colors, and creatures are fascinating works of mother nature and beautiful influences on style.

The calming colors and rich compositions, combined with the meaningful symbolism makes all the workings of earth the ultimate style guide.

So rock those nature-inspired styles and tag @JamesAllenRings to show off your earthly inspo!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

The Best Engagement Ring For Each Diamond Shape

March 28, 2022September 8, 2022Diamonds, Education, Engagement Ringsengagement rings

Have your eye set on a particular diamond shape and you are looking for the best mounting to make it shine? Read on for the best engagement ring setting for any diamond shape.

Over time, popularity shifts between which diamond shapes are going to offer the most finger space coverage and sparkle. No matter your preference, there’s a unique diamond for everyone and yearly engagement ring trends to help sway you.

You can choose one of two ways to design your custom engagement ring at James Allen: 1) you can start with a setting and then choose a diamond to match, or 2) you can start with a diamond and then choose a complementary setting.

If you’re the latter, this is your how-to guide. Each diamond shape has its own unique qualities and it’s crucial to know how to best show them off.

Deciding Your Diamond Shape

If you’re looking for an elongated shaped diamond for your favorite engagement ring setting, it’s sure to provide two elegant optical illusions.

Because these shapes look larger than they really are, they are quite easy on your wallet. You can definitely spend less and still get a sizable diamond to flaunt. In fact, a 1-carat oval diamond has 10% more facets than a 1-carat round brilliant diamond. And the more facets your diamond boasts, the more it glitters.

These diamonds look larger than their carat weight.
They seem to lengthen the wearer’s finger.

How should you complement the length of a marquise, pear, or oval shape in your ring setting? Tapering.

Ring shanks that widen and taper into the diamond, whether via split bands or side stones, provide an elegant transition that also emphasizes the stone’s breadth.

Marquise Cut

The pointiest diamond shape of them all isn’t for the faint-hearted. This boat-shaped diamond is bold and growing in popularity as a must-have for 2022. Marquise cut diamonds are known for their historical heritage and go back centuries — once being modeled by royalty.

This cut is not only perfect for most diamond engagement rings but compliments other gems like sapphires, rubies, and emeralds.

Our recommendation: Marquise cut diamonds shine their brightest when centered in a bypass shank pavé setting.

Bypass Pavé Kite-Set Engagement Ring

“if the value of the ring was measured in beauty alone it was worth every penny” -Adam S.

Pear Cut

Go asymmetrical! This shape combines the best of two worlds: round brilliant and marquise. The curve of a round diamond gradually leads into the pointed elegance of a marquise. A pear cut diamond can offer more finger coverage and give the added illusion of a larger diamond than a round cut diamond with the same carat weight.

Our recommendation: Pear cut diamonds are best set in a north-south orientation and receive that “wow” factor when complemented by side-stone ring settings.

Laurel Leaves Engagement Ring

“I am really happy with how my ring turned out. This band is dainty and classic looking. It pairs perfectly with my pear diamond.” -Elvia D.

Oval Cut

Oval cut diamonds are a popular shape with many advantages.

They have no sharp corners, meaning they’re less prone to catching on clothes.
They have all the beauty of the classic round diamond with the perks of a lengthened shape.
Each diamond has a unique length-to-width ratio, meaning you can find a unique shape that suits your style.

Ovals that are longer are considered more elegant, while wider shapes display less of a bow-tie effect. Generally, the appearance of a bow-tie shadow in an elongated shape is considered less desirable, but it’s really up to the personal taste of the wearer. Finally, this diamond has no sharp corners, making it a better investment if you’re afraid of chipping.

Our recommendation: 2022 has deemed oval cut diamond solitaire engagement rings a fan favorite. Hop on this growing trend and slip on a classic in yellow or rose gold.

Classic Split Shank Solitaire Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Classic Split Shank Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

“This ring is comfortable, the band is thin and petite just how I wanted it. The diamond is SOOOOO SHINEY!!!! Of course the pictures cannot do it justice. Pure perfection here.” – Kylee B.

Square Shaped Diamonds For Engagement Rings

Squarish shapes are some of the oldest diamond shapes, and they still hold that classic charm. The following four shapes benefit from angular settings that mirror their straight edges.

Lines, squarish side stones, and edged bands all enhance their angular facets.

Princess Cut

Princess cut diamonds, like round cuts, typically contain 58 facets that function to maximize light dispersion for optimal fire and brilliance. All of these facets pack a massive amount of light into a neat little square.

Our recommendation: Princess cut diamonds are for the bold and royalty needs a strong entourage— so the only setting worthy of this firey brilliance is a side-stone setting with stunning diamond accents.

Blossom Tree Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Blossom Tree Diamond Engagement Ring

“The rose gold blossom band is wonderful and with the diamond they all glitter and sparkle together so much, that it can’t help but draw everyone’s attention!” -Stephen L.

Emerald Cut

An emerald cut diamond’s limited facets tend to reveal inclusions, making it the perfect cut for flaunting a diamond’s clarity. Aim for an emerald cut stone with minimal inclusions. Emerald cut diamonds also reveal color more easily than other shapes do, so choose a high color grade if you’re setting your diamond in white metal.

However, setting a “warmer” diamond in yellow or rose gold will make the diamond appear more colorless; you can opt for a lower color grade and invest your money in clarity.

Even though an emerald cut diamond is squared, it’s also elongated. This means that its length creates the optical illusion of elegantly “lengthening” the wearer’s fingers.

Our recommendation: Emerald cut diamonds make a statement on their own and so we say keep it simple with a small twist. Set your emerald diamond at an east-west orientation in a timeless solitaire setting.

East-West Knife Edge Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold East-West Knife Edge Cathedral Solitaire Engagement Ring

“Would highly recommend this unique east-west setting. I love it!” -Julia W.

Radiant Cut

Made up of a staggering 70 facets on their pavilion and crown, radiant cut diamonds can disperse more light than other square and rectangular-shaped stones. Practically, this translates into way more brilliance and fire than is found in traditional step cut diamonds.

Radiant diamonds tolerate a good amount of inclusions; in fact, when it comes to clarity they’re pretty much the opposite of emerald cut diamonds. If you’re thinking about purchasing a radiant diamond, save money on clarity and invest in the most colorless diamond you can.

Our recommendation: Radiant cut diamonds have a softer side than most square-shaped diamonds. You can make sure your diamond is the center of attention by having it set in an unforgettable channel setting.

Bow-Tie Channel Set Engagement Ring

“It was one thing to be impressed enough on the online shop with how the ring would look, but when it arrived and I saw it with my own eyes I was lost for words!” -Baxter W.

Asscher Cut

The Asscher cut is the even-sided cousin of the emerald cut. It’s all the beauty of an oblong emerald cut, concentrated into a squared shape. The many, close-set concentric facets give off a “hall of mirrors” effect which is undeniably eye-catching.

These stunning diamonds are clear and bright, often sparkling the way they do because of their centralized facets.

They won’t give the same finger coverage as a pear or oval shape, but their unique pattern is enchanting for anyone looking to wear vintage glamor.

Our recommendation: Asscher cut diamonds are the embodiment of art deco making their ideal ring setting a vintage design or a channel setting for the minimalist wearer.

Thin Channel Set Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Thin Channel Set Round Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring

“I don’t know what I can say. The product in my hand is way better-looking than the model picture.” -Mattias R.

Round Shaped Diamonds For Engagement Rings

Rounded diamonds are some of the most agreeable shapes in that they suit nearly every setting. Their soft edges work well in a range of styles, but they’re the best set off in settings that hug their curves. Go for halos and other settings that surround your main diamond with accent stones.

Cushion Cut

A squarish shape with rounded corners, the cushion cut diamond has been beloved for over a century! It’s a descendent of one of the first widely popular cuts from the 18th century, the old mine cut.

However, cushion cut diamonds contain more delicate facets and a lower crown. This shape is experiencing a resurgence in popularity as couples throwback to the classics.

Their soft pillow-like appearance is a pleasant contrast from our other favorite fancy shaped diamonds, which sport sharper edges. We highly recommend this shape if you’re looking for a delicate temperament diamond.

Our recommendation: Cushion cut diamonds look exceptional in halo settings which will, without doubt, create an enchanting display of glittering brilliance.

Cushion Outline Pavé Engagement Ring

“The cushion frame, the diamonds on the top and around its edge, really gives it originality and intriguing appeal. It showcased my diamond’s brilliance while adding a lot of pop to my fiancé’s finger.” -Ryan L.

Heart Cut

This romantic shape isn’t for the faint of heart. Heart shaped diamonds put a modern twist on the classic round brilliant cut. With a round diamond’s beloved facet pattern, and a cheeky heart shape, these stones are made for ring shoppers who have no problem progressing tradition.

Our recommendation: There’s no denying that a heart cut diamond makes a statement no matter the chosen ring setting. However, a halo setting is the only way to truly amplify this unique diamond shape.

Shared Prong Marquise Halo Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Shared Prong Marquise Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

“Amazing shopping experience and a beautiful selection. My fiancé loves her ring!” – Joseph L.

Round Cut

Boasting 58 glittering facets and in a perfectly symmetrical cut, the round brilliant diamond is, by far, the best-selling diamond shape on the market. After all, how do you improve on perfection? Its peerless charm suits every ring setting.

There’s a reason it’s the most popular center stone for engagement ring buyers. You will never go wrong with a timeless round cut diamond in any ring setting you choose because it shines just as bright in a simple solitaire setting as it would be surrounded by side stones or adorned in a pavé halo.

Our recommendation: If you choose to go with a round center stone, you’ll give yourself the best opportunity to pick any ring setting that truly speaks to your unique personality and style.

Pavé Rope Engagement Ring

“Simple elegance. My now fiancée wanted something that was not just a ring, but that would not overtake her finger!” -Adolfo L.

Need a hand to find the perfect diamond shape to go with your ideal ring setting? Inspect the diamond of your choice in 360° HD and 40x zoom with the guidance of a professional gemologist!

Our Real-Time Diamond Inspection is a game-changer for online ring shoppers.

Make The Most Of Your Diamond Shape:

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Sarah Axelrad

Sarah is a stickler for grammar and prefers to use the Oxford comma. She enjoys her career as a writer since being a professional snowboarder/powerlifter/pastry chef didn’t pan out.

Simulant Diamonds vs. Lab Created Diamonds: Everything You Need To Know

January 6, 2022January 8, 2023Diamonds, Education, Top postscubic zirconia, diamond pendants, diamond stud earrings, engagement rings, lab-created diamonds, moissanite, simulant diamonds, tennis bracelets

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.

Pair of tweezers and various fancy shaped diamonds

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.

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.

Four Prong Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Bezel Lab Created Diamond Tennis Bracelet

Lifespan

Lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds:

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.

Laurel Leaves Diamond Engagement Ring

Nine Stone Shared Prong Contour Diamond Ring

Color

Lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds

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.

Kite Set Solitaire Lab Created Diamond Pendant

Four Prong Basket Solitaire Lab Created Diamond Pendant

Sparkle

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.

Shared Prong Marquise Side Stone Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Shared Prong Marquise Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

Five Stone Shared Prong Contour Diamond Ring

Ideal Size

Lab created diamonds and earth created diamonds:

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.

Three Prong Martini Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings

14K White Gold Three Prong Martini Round Brilliant Diamond Stud Earrings (1.00 CTW - H-I / SI1-SI2)

Halo Lab Created Diamond Stud Earrings

Cost

Earth created diamonds

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.

Comfort Fit Bezel Set Solitaire Engagement Ring

Seven Stone Low Dome Basket Diamond Ring

The Low-Down

Choose a classic earth created diamond if:

You love diamond’s sparkle
You’ll wear your diamond jewelry often
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.

Keep up on your diamond reading:

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Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

Unique Christmas Gift Ideas for 2021

November 15, 2021May 10, 2022Diamonds, Fine Jewelrydiamond necklaces, emerald jewelry, gemstone bracelets, gemstone earrings, gemstone jewelry, gemstone rings, jewelry sets, matching jewelry, opal jewelry, opal necklaces, pearl jewelry, pearl jewelry sets, ruby bracelets, ruby jewelry, sapphire jewelry

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.

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Diamond Jewelry Sets

Pierced Diamond
Dangling Earrings

Pierced Diamond
Row Necklace

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Ruby Jewelry Sets

Ruby & Diamond Crested Hoop Earrings

Ruby & Diamond Crested Bangle Bracelet

Imperial Ruby
Pendant Necklace

Imperial Ruby & Diamond
Pavé Ring

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Pearl Jewelry Sets

Pearl & Sapphire
Teardrop Earrings

Pearl & Sapphire
Teardrop Necklace

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Emerald Jewelry Sets

Sunburst Emerald &
Diamond Stud Earrings

Sunburst Emerald &
Diamond Ring

Yellow Gold Oval
Emerald Stud Earrings

Yellow Gold Oval
Emerald & Diamond Ring

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Opal Jewelry Sets

Opal & Diamond
Beaded Halo Ring

14K Yellow Gold Opal And Diamond Beaded Double Halo Ring

Opal & Diamond
Beaded Halo Necklace

14K Yellow Gold Beaded Double Halo Opal And Diamond Necklace

Unique Holiday Gift Ideas:
Diamond Jewelry Sets

Petite Star
Diamond Earrings

Graduated Star
Diamond Necklace

More Gift-Wrappable Ideas

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Rachel Hoar

Rachel is an unabashed linguistics fanatic who can identify the ancient Greek root of any word. She promises not to spray you with Windex.

Summer Proposal Spots And Sparklers To Match

July 12, 2021July 4, 2022Diamonds, Engagement Rings, Proposalengagement moment, engagement rings, halo, Pavé, proposal location, proposal spot, proposal spots, solitaire, summer proposal

Planning on proposing this summer? We’ve covered your proposal spot AND an engagement ring to match!

Summer Proposal Ocean-Island Spot And Diamond Engagement Ring

If popping the question to your SO is on the to-do list this summer, you’ve come to the right place. We’re turning up the heat with proposal spot ideas so you can start the season off with a bang. From intimate beaches to exquisite European settings, read on for our top summer proposal locations with the perfect rings to match the occasion.

Hit The Beach: Twisted Pavé

Summer’s in the air and it’s the perfect time to hit the beach with your special someone. But there’s a twist – we’re talking about these stunning white and yellow gold pavé engagement rings of course! If your favorite dates include fun in the sun, the beach is your go-to proposal spot this summer.

Planning Tip: If you’re set on a beach proposal, make sure you know which setting your partner will enjoy more. Find a quiet spot closer to sunset if your SO is the shy type.

Next, keep the ring in its ring box. We can’t stress this enough. If that beauty falls into the sand or heaven fordid, the water, we’ll start crying for you. Get one of your friends or another beachgoer to capture your “yes” moment on camera, and don’t forget your sunblock!

Twisted Pavé Halo Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Pavé Halo And Twisted Shank Engagement Ring

Pavé Twist Diamond Engagement Ring

European Style: Vintage

Now’s the perfect time to surprise your SO, together with a gorgeous European backdrop. From the cliché’ Paris proposal to the French Riviera or a Tuscan getaway, there are plenty of options and sparkle to choose from. With this type of proposal spot comes a more traditional approach and we’ve got the perfect choice – vintage engagement rings.

Planning Tip: A European-inspired proposal may take a little more effort when planning. Keep in mind you aren’t a local, so it’s important that you scout the location, know its peak hours, and double-check the weather report beforehand. The more sure you are of the tiny details, the less stressed you’ll be to pop the big question.

Summer Proposal And Diamond Engagement Ring In Front Of The Eiffel Tower

Vintage Infinity Engagement Ring

Milgrain Navette Engagement Ring

Get Lost In Nature: Side-Stone

If you’re the outdoorsy type, this may just be your dream proposal spot this summer. Feel the thrill of the wild on a safari, take a hike or find the perfect sunset to set the tone. Talk about a cliffhanger? Keep it simple with a side stone engagement ring and let nature do the rest.

Planning Tip: Safety first is our main tip here. Being in nature can be both beautiful but also unpredictable. If you’re planning a summer proposal that involves mountains and wild animals, make sure you have a first aid kit for minor bumps and scrapes, lots of snacks (so no one gets Hangry), and let your safari guide know in advance about your plan- chances are they’ll help you make it extra special.

Summer Proposal At The Top Of A Mountain Range

Diamond Chevron Knife Edge Engagement Ring

Shared Prong Marquise Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Shared Prong Marquise Side Stone Diamond Engagement Ring

Greek Getaway: Solitaire

We reckon an island vibe is an almost sure-fire way to get that ‘YES!’. Seriously, is there a dreamier place for your summer proposal than Santorini? Pair a gorgeous white gold engagement ring with the ethereal beauty that is Greece and you’ll think you’ve landed in heaven.

Planning Tip: Okay, so this proposal spot makes us all kinds of jealous. Make it truly exotic by finding the perfect setting. Here you have anything from white sandy beaches to Ancient Greek monuments to choose from. Go the extra mile and do it somewhere “wow.” Find a local photographer beforehand, so there’s someone there to capture your special engagement moment.

Summer Proposal In Greece At The Ocean Side

Knife Edge Solitaire Engagement Ring

Bezel Set Solitaire Engagement Ring

Desert Adventure: Halo

This one is for the adventure seekers and risk-takers! If your partner fits the description then a desert backdrop may just be your calling. The ring of choice? Be bold with yellow gold engagement rings and choose a halo setting. Once her eyes lock on one of these dazzlers, you’ll never be ‘deserted’ again 😉

Planning Tip: We know this one isn’t for everybody, but a desert proposal can be EPIC. It can be done in broad daylight after a day of excitement. Try planning activities like dune bashing, sandboarding, hiking, or quad biking.

If you’re feeling a little romantic, find a glamping spot and propose to your love under the sparkling desert night sky. Research which clothing will be best for the desert’s unique weather conditions.

Summer Proposal In The Desert With A Diamond Engagement Ring

Pavé Halo Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Pavé Halo And Shank Diamond Engagement Ring (Round Center)

Double Halo Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Octagonal Baguette And Round Double Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Proposal plans sorted? Check out the articles below to get more inspiration!

Subscribe to our email list for access to secret sales, practical ring-buying tips, and $100 off your first purchase!

Jessica Thomas

Jessica feels too much anxiety trying to come up with a cool bio. Read her awesome blog post instead.

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Fancy Shaped Diamonds: Discover Your Unique Style

June 22, 2021July 4, 2022Diamonds, Engagement Ringsdiamond cut, diamond shape, diamond shapes, engagement rings, fancy shaped diamonds, proposals

Are you gearing up for that special proposal or perhaps ready to invest in new sparkle? Take a peek at our fancy shaped diamonds, and see our top picks!

A fancy shaped diamond is a perfect choice for anyone who wants to dazzle with a trendy yet timeless diamond. If you’re not sure what these diamonds look like, don’t panic. We’ve taken the time to explain why we love our favorite diamond cuts and why you’ll fall head over heels for them, too.

We’ve covered just about any style, from elongated shapes like marquise and oval to square favorites like cushion and Asscher. Each diamond cut comes with its own pros and cons, but we’ll let you be the judge of what shape intrigues you most.

Oval Cut Diamonds

The oval cut is considered to be the second most popular fancy shaped diamond, after the classic round cut. This cut proves to be elegant in every way that matters and can often appear larger than it is because of its elongated shape.

Its slender body often helps to make the hand and fingers appear slimmer, a tidbit we surely can’t ignore, right, ladies? Finally, the diamond has no sharp corners, making it a better investment if you’re afraid of chipping.

Infinity Solitaire Engagement Ring

How to promise forever? With a sleek and timeless infinity solitaire engagement ring, of course.

Split Shank Ribbon Engagement Ring

It’s the ribbon of pavé circling the center diamond for us.

Emerald Cut Diamonds

Emerald cut diamonds are a stunning choice for those who want clean-cut lines and symmetry. Stonecutters created this fancy shaped diamond by using the same cut as emeralds. This diamond, as a result, has a large surface area with pristine clarity, a feature that will make anyone wearing it the emerald green-envy of their friends.

One of the most famous emerald cuts sits on the hand of Queen B herself, and who doesn’t want to feel like they’re mirroring Beyonce’s style?