There you are, you’ve finally decided to pop the question. All that’s left is to purchase a ring and plan how you’re going to ask. You thought the hard part was to commit to a relationship, but then you go into a jewelry store and you ask them to show you engagement rings. First question they ask you is what style/setting would you like. Seems simple right? With so many choices of styles and settings it can become overwhelming. First you must choose the setting, which is really important because that’s what the diamond will be sitting on. Then you have too decide on a diamond cut and shape.

Below is a list of different engagement ring styles and settings to help make this magical time easier and more smooth.

Prong Setting:

Prongs are a metal claw that grip the diamond and keep it in place. Prong settings come in different shapes and counts. Some are round, pointed, flat, or v-shaped. With mostly four or six prongs holding onto the diamond. This setting is the most traditional and known setting. It is the most simple and famous of all, showcasing a diamond that is tightly held in place. This setting is a great choice with an eternal look. The only downfall of this setting is that the prongs may become less tight with time, which means that this type of ring requires upkeep to make sure everything is in tip top shape,

Tiffany Setting:

The Tiffany setting is a 6 prong setting solitaire that has been trademarked, which makes it impossible to purchase from anywhere besides their store. Of course you can find different variants of the same design at other jewelry shops, but nothing that is an exact replica.

Pave’ Setting:

Pave’ is a French word, which means “to pave”. This is an accurate description of this ring setting. This setting makes the diamonds look like they are a trail of endless sparkle. This is a great choice if you want the beautiful sparkle of diamonds, at a lower cost. Since the diamonds are smaller it is a more affordable ring. You get the shine without wiping out your bank account clean.

Halo Setting:

This setting is the exactly what you would imagine. A group of small diamonds surrounding a larger diamond in a circular shape. This setting is a great option if you have a small center diamond which will accentuate the larger diamond, making it seem larger. This is a great way to purchase an affordable ring that sparkles with a less carat diamonds.

Channel Setting:

This setting has no prongs or anything to hold the diamonds. They diamonds are placed between a metal channel. This is a great way to showcase the diamonds no stop around the ring without anything separating them.

Bezel Setting:

A bezel setting style ring takes the diamond and surrounds it with a metal creating a smooth edge around the diamond keeping it safe and secure. This type of setting is the second most popular setting after pave’. It has a unique look that even with the toughest of tasks is safe.

Tension Setting:

This unique setting style ring is called the tension setting because of the pressure the metal band places on the diamond keeping it firmly in place. This style uses lasers to ensure the placement of the metal on the diamond. Even with this technique to hold the diamond in place, more measure of placing prongs or bezel on the sides of the diamond are used.

Cathedral Setting:

This setting and style copies that of a cathedral, with the way a cathedral uses arches framing the diamond and making sure it is the focal point of the ring. This setting and style portrays a sense of elegance and classical grace. This type of ring uses different types of setting like prongs, bezel, and/or bezel.

Bar Setting:

As you have noticed most of these settings can be defined by their name. Bar Settings set diamonds between bars of metal. This setting is a great choice for affordable rings, as well as safety. The metal bars hold the diamonds securing them in place. This setting is very close to the channel setting. The only difference is that this setting leaves two sides of the diamond exposed unlike the Channel setting that covers all sides of the diamond.

Flush Setting:

This setting is perfect for men, or highly active individuals. With this style the jewelers take the diamond and fit it into the ring, by drilling a hole into the ring for the diamond to sit in. This setting is simple with a classic look, that ensures the highest level of safety in knowing that it is doubtful that the diamond will ever fall out. With that being said the visibility of the diamond does decrease since part of it is inside the ring.

Three Stone Setting:

The three stone setting ring which is commonly know as the trilogy ring or trinity ring is really special in what it represents. The three diamonds represent friendship, love, and fidelity. Again with this ring there are more options that a single diamond solitaire ring that is much more expensive. You can mix and match different stones as well as different diamonds, while still keeping it easy on the pocket.

Antique Setting:

This setting is specific to certain eras of time. There are different styles that are portrayed through the different artwork that is shown on the ring. The ring will have delicate metalwork that gives it a vintage look. The rings have a certain Jene Sequa to shows character and elegance.

Cluster Setting:

With the cluster setting small diamonds are “clustered” together to look like a large diamond. This can be done with a finish larger stone in the middle or with just a cluster of different diamonds of equal size. This is a great setting since with a lower cost you can look like you have a ring that has a large size diamond that is uniquely presented.

Split Shank Setting:

This whole article we have been talking about diamonds and what they are sitting on. The shank on the other hand is the part of the ring that encompasses your finger. Most shanks are usually round, however they do come in other creative shapes as well. A split shank is a ring where the shanks split in the middle before encompassing the diamond. This provides a unique style to the ring.

Great proposals are all about the two people getting engaged. What is amazing for one couple is simply not going to work for the other. While it is possible to go over the top with just about any proposal, it is always better if it means something and relates to the history of the couple. Tailoring a proposal is all about customizing the proposal instead of using the one-size-fits-all approach. Everyone has heard about the dinner proposal or dropping the ring in her drink approach. Those are fun, but they are the same as everyone else. This is a story that is going to be told for decades to children, family and relatives over and over, so it is important to make it as special and unique as possible. Of course you must first be 100% certain your are ready for enagement and marriage.

Ready to get engaged? Make it a special event! Here are a few suggestions as to when and how to pop the question…

1)     Make it a surprise!  Everyone loves a surprise and your gal is probably no exception! This may or may not help you to decide to do it on Valentine’s Day, or her birthday, your anniversary of your first date, etc. If you feel that she strongly suspects it on a certain day; perhaps do it a week or a day early.

A proposal is all about surprising the other individual. If they see it coming, it ruins part of the fun. One individual can say they are going on a business trip and have to leave for a week or longer. After a few days, the person staying at home needs to receive a phone call, asking if they’d like to do just about anything (it doesn’t matter what) with a friend. The friend then drops the person off in a park at night but only sees the flickering of torches. When they approach, they can see the other person, standing at the end of the torches, music playing while they stand on a carpet, waiting for the individual to walk to them so they can propose.

2)     It is important to decide the “flavor” of the proposal. You want this to be memorable for both of you; how do you want those memories to feel? Intimate? Large, loud and proud? Wild and crazy? Warm and fuzzy? Think about the best times in your relationship and take a cue from that.

3)     One thought is returning to the scene of your first date.  If it was a restaurant; try to arrange for the same table. If your first date was at a sporting event with 60,000 other people and you want an intimate proposal; then scratch this idea.

4)     Looking for an idea that is very romantic and yet fun? Take a romantic walk in the city; first arrange with a street artist to meet at a certain location and time. Have a romantic drawing done; when he shows it to you both there are two word bubbles. Yours reads “Will you marry me?” Hers is blank waiting for her answer.

5)     Do you want the proposal to be noticed by everyone in the place? Take her out dancing but speak to the DJ ahead of time. Arrange that during “your song” he will pass you the microphone so you can “pop the question” while everyone turns and stares.

6)     Prefer the other extreme? Do it at home just the two of you. Perhaps turn out all the lights and have a trail of candles and rose petals lead her to you.

7)     Playful? How a about a game of charades? Or hangman? The answer of course being the question “Will you marry me?”

8)     Jokingly? You could get a ring sizer. Ask her to check her size. She will already be thinking “I guess he is getting ready to shop for a ring” but of course she won’t expect a ring at that moment. When she says “I think this one fits”; say “Here’s another one to try on.”

9)     Romantic? Take a late night walk on the beach. Arrange to find a message in a bottle along your walk with your proposal inside. Extra points if you can write it as a love poem.

10) Social media proposal? Video your proposal and post it on YouTube. You can even get family and friends involved; have them leave well wishes on the video before you show it to her.

11) The movie loving couple is the couple that just likes to get out and see everything that hits the theater. Regardless of what it is, they are the couple who knows the plot line of every movie and what is coming out soon. It also makes for the perfect proposal location. To do this, the person proposing needs to reserve the theater for just the two of them. There are a few ways to go about doing this. They can pay the purchase price to buy out the theater, or they can find out if there is a block opening in between showings and try to work something out here. The individual then needs to create his or her own little movie trailer of the two of them. It is best if it includes the green “Approved for All Audiences” tag at the beginning of it, so it looks authentic. So, when the couple sits down and nobody is in the theater, then a trailer or two plays before the created one, it is truly going to take the other person by surprise and be an incredible story to tell.

Gentlemen; whatever way you go with your proposal; remember a couple of things. First, ask for permission from her father. I don’t care what your ages; respect goes a long way! Secondly, even if you go with an outrageous proposal in front of a stadium full of people; remember the romance! Get down on one knee, pull out the diamond engagement ring and speak sincerely from the heart. And arrange for someone to take pictures; doesn’t need to be professional. The staged “engagement photos” can come later; get some candid natural shots…

AUGUST BIRTHSTONE COLOR

It is sometimes called the evening emerald for its light green color.

It was once believed that the green peridot crystals found in volcanic ashes were the tears of the volcano goddess, Pele.

BIRTHSTONE FACTS & FOLKLORE

Peridot has been found in volcanic lava in Hawaii and in meteorites that have fallen to Earth.

In the 1700s, a meteorite that landed in Siberia contained many peridot crystals that were large enough to be used for jewelry.

When set in gold, this gem was said to protect the wearer from nightmares.

Peridot is believed to help depression. If you dream that you find a peridot while digging in the garden, you will have an unexpected visitor.

PERIDOT GEMOLOGY

Peridot is a rare gemstone that only occurs naturally in one color. It is a form of Olivine (think olive green), a mineral composed of magnesium and iron. With the inclusion of outside elements, certain gemstones can occur in every color of the rainbow. The August birthstone, however, only comes in subtle shades of green. It will never be blue, red, purple, orange, or anything else! It is unique in its specificity.

All peridots came to exist on Earth in one of two ways: they either formed deep underground at high temperatures or caught a ride on flaming meteorites (called pallasite meteorites). Peridot from asteroids is extremely rare and valuable, but lucky for us, the United States has a steady supply of peridots made underground. Brilliant Earth sources our stunning peridots from the San Carlos Reservation in Arizona, where Native American community members revere the land and use low-impact mining techniques. These gemstones provide Native Americans with safe, secure livelihoods in an otherwise isolated area.

PERIDOT BIRTHSTONE HISTORY AND MEANING

Peridots have been steeped in myth for thousands of years. Pliny the Elder (23-79 AD), an ancient naturalist, first recorded the existence of peridot on a small island off the coast of Egypt. He originally called the stone “topazios” and described it as a gem that was commonly green but also occurred with yellowish tones. He named that island Topazios, after the gem, but it was later renamed St. John’s Island or Zabargad. This island was closely guarded by the ancient Egyptians because it was thought to be the site of priceless treasures. It is widely believed that some of Cleopatra’s famous emeralds were actually peridots!

The Egyptians called peridot the “gem of the sun,” and some thought that it protected against nightmares. It was also believed to bring the wearer confidence, power, and general good luck and health. Peridots are also closely connected to the Hawaiian culture—they are thought to be the tears of the volcano goddess Pele. The sand on the Big Island’s Papakolea Beach is a rare and beautiful green hue due to a high content of crushed olivine.

AUGUST BIRTHSTONE JEWELRY

Peridot ranges in color from yellowish lime green to deep, earthy olive tones, making them a very sought after jewelry choice. These gemstones are a wonderful option for those who love green gemstones but are looking for an option at a lower price point than emeralds. Certain shades of peridot can easily be confused with emeralds! When set against lustrous sterling silver, peridots can show off their fresh, vibrant sparkle.

If you are looking for a piece of unique jewelry for someone born in August (even if that’s you!) consider our Silver Peridot Twist Pendant or our Silver Peridot Stud Earrings.  One famous fan of peridot earrings is the Duchess of Cambridge, or Princess Kate, who has frequently been seen in a pair of peridot, blue topaz, and diamond earrings.

VINTAGE PERIDOT JEWELRY

Vintage peridot jewelry is frequently found from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Nouveau eras. King Edward VII (for whom the Edwardian era is named) declared it his favorite gemstone, which made it a popular choice for his subjects. Art Nouveau era jewelers favored colorful, semi-precious stones such as peridot.

CARING FOR PERIDOT

Peridot is durable enough for everyday wear in jewelry, but should be treated with care to avoid scratching. Clean your peridot with mild soap and warm water.