It is no secret that the most popular and common jewelry are rings. They can be seen on the fingers of almost every woman - graceful and massive, gold and platinum, with and without stones. And how many more rings are stored in the caskets:
Today, our story will be devoted to diamond rings. You will learn how to choose the right product for you - and what to look for so that the joy of a purchase lasts as long as possible. Separately, I will talk about the company, thanks to which most brides receive rings with these precious stones as a gift.
Size matters
Before you choose any of the rings, you need to decide what kind of stone you would like to see in it. Round diamond cut or oblong marquise? Emerald cut, "princess" or "heart"? For products that you plan to wear constantly, round stone is best suited, since its faces are the flattest, and therefore it is durable. This is especially true for colored stones having not so high strength. A diamond cut stone is good because it is considered a classic and does not go out of fashion - for jewelry for many years, for example, a wedding ring, this is perhaps the best choice. It can be worn with clothes of any style and for any reason. If you expect that the ring will be worn only from time to time, then you can pay attention to the amazing "marquise" or romantic "heart".
Based on how your ring will be used, it is worth choosing the method of fixing the stone. For a product that will be used continuously, “blind” fastening is best suited. With this fastening, the stone is fixed on all sides and only the upper part is visible. This is the most reliable way of fixing, its drawback is the limited rays of light refracted in the stone, which reduces its luster and play. On the other hand, many stone defects are hidden. For this reason, this method is used for diamonds with not very high characteristics.
From the point of view of beauty and favorable supply of stone, it is considered ideal to fix it with metal teeth - krapans. This method provides maximum access to light and the stone looks in all its splendor. This tack is good for large stones with high characteristics, but not as reliable as "deaf". For this reason, it is used most often for rings that are used from time to time or for a short period of time, for example, for engagement.
There are a number of other fixation methods. For example, “rail”, when stones following one another, usually square or rectangular, are fastened on both sides by strips of metal.
The “Fadan” fastener resembles a “rail”, only stones inserted into a kind of channel are fastened with small blocks. An “invisible” fastener is a kind of fadan, with the difference that the fasteners do not go to the surface of the stone, giving the impression of a solid diamond surface.
Each of these clips has its own advantages and disadvantages. But in any case, when buying a ring, you should make sure that the stone is firmly fixed and periodically check how it holds.
One of the most important (and usually not the most pleasant) moments to consider when choosing a ring is the budget. Realistically evaluate the amount you are willing to spend. Based on this, you can determine what size stone and what characteristics you can buy. The price of stones of the same size can vary several times due to the mismatch of their characteristics. (For more information on how diamond parameters are determined, see Russian Emirates magazine No. 3/3 2004, pp. 69-71.) The price range is very large: you can choose a stone that fits into almost any budget.
The decoration should not only like, but also give pleasure in the process of wearing, and therefore - perfect fit. How to determine the size? Any seller of a jewelry store will measure your finger himself, but if you buy a ring as a gift, you must take care to take the measurements in advance. If you don’t have a special device (caliper or set of measuring rings) at hand, do not get upset. You can find out the size using an ordinary thread or a thin strip of paper, wrapping them around your finger. Where the two ends come together, make notes. Then measure the distance between them, and multiply the result by 3.14. So you know your diameter.
In Russia, the designation corresponds to the diameter in millimeters. Sizes taken in different countries can be found in the table. There are a few things to consider. The measurement should be carried out at room temperature and at the end of the day, when the thickness of the finger increases slightly. Please note: the wider the ring, the larger its size. If the joint is much wider than the finger itself - measure the diameter of the joint.
The ring should not only like: it is important that it looks good on the hand. Even the most beautiful, but massive ring will not suit the owner of thin fingers. Do not try to buy a ring just because it is fashionable or the same as your girlfriend. Choose a jewelry that will emphasize your personality and match your style.
The lord of the rings, or diamonds are forever
The female half of humanity imagines an engagement ring, most likely in the form of a gold or platinum ring with a diamond. This has become a kind of tradition: the groom in black, the bride in white, a ring with a stone. And if you think about it, this is not such an ancient custom. You can, of course, remember that for the first time a diamond ring as a gift for an engagement was presented to Mary of Burgundy by her fiance Archduke Maximilian of Austria in the time immemorial 1477. However, it is unlikely that the custom to give such rings has gone since ancient times.
The idea of measuring carat love was born in the late 1940s in the bowels of the De Beers advertising department. Taking into account the fact that people buy expensive jewelry mainly as gifts, the company came up with the slogan "A diamond is forever" - "Diamonds are forever." And under this motto in 1948, an unprecedentedly expensive advertising company began. The main idea that was inspired by customers was as follows: a diamond - the most durable and beautiful stone - is a symbol of eternal love. The ring, decorated with them and given to the bride as a gift, demonstrates the seriousness of the groom's intentions.
Invented various legends telling about the amazing properties of diamonds. For example, that Amur’s arrowheads, which no woman can resist, are made of diamonds: The company's efforts were not in vain: first in America, and then in Europe and a number of other developed countries every year more and more newlyweds gave preference to diamond rings.
Today, about 80% of rings for special occasions are items with these precious stones. So brides have someone to thank for the rings with amazing diamonds. First of all, of course, of his chosen ones, and secondly, the company De Beers.
In general, the activities of this company and the role it plays in the diamond market are mixed. On the one hand, controlling up to 60% of diamond production and sales and being almost a monopolist, De Beers has a strict regulatory policy. Its essence can be illustrated by the capacious phrase of the founder of the company, Cecil Rhodes: "If there are only four people left on Earth, diamonds need to be sold only for two."
On the other hand, the company does a lot to popularize diamond products. Advertising campaigns are held, exhibitions are organized, and all kinds of design competitions are held, the most significant of which is the Diamonds International Awards.
At one time, representatives of the USSR (Gustav Grandman, 1978), and later Russia (Elena Opaleva, 1996) became laureates of this prestigious award, presented since 1954. In 2000, with the support of Damas, one of the winners was the designer from the UAE, Tamjid Abdallah, who presented an original mask for the competition. The jury was impressed by the modern interpretation of the traditional form for the East. I don’t think that even the most ardent supporter of the struggle for women's rights has refused such a decoration.
Dmitry Kuznetsov
