When you try to picture an impressive engagement ring, the solitaire engagement ring is what often comes to mind. A single, large stone uncluttered by added embellishments. It’s straight forward. It’s direct. There are no distractions. A solitaire engagement ring is defined by the incorporation of a sole- or solitary- diamond shaped into whichever cut you please. Add a clean, polished band to compliment the main diamond and nothing else. The elegance in its simplicity has made the solitaire engagement ring the most consistently popular style for decades. In fact, the brilliant round cut solitaire engagement ring has dominated the market ever since the diamond engagement ring was commoditized. For good reason, at that. This style of ring creates a vivid contrast. Observing eyes are drawn to one thing and one thing only: a big, beautiful diamond. In the 1950s, an alternative to the round cut solitaire was introduced into the market. The oval cut solitaire was meant to create a variation of the round cut, with an elongated shape and more curvature all the while maintaining a similar sparkle to the round cut. Its unique shape is more flattering to slender fingers and small, dainty hands.

In the 1980s, emerald cuts and square princess cuts were introduced in order to reduce diamond waste and allow buyers to get more sparkle relative to the diamond’s price. The straight edges of a princess cut were meant to combine the sparkle of an oval cut with the clean look of a square cut diamond. A princess cut solitaire combines sharp, uncut corners while maintaining maximum brilliance. The emerald cut is similar in that its shape is also rectangular. The corners are cropped and the diamond face is cut in steps, originally meant to maximize clarity and inner light of shaded gemstones. This cut allows for a deeper appreciation of diamonds with higher color and clarity grades. Ample light passes through and is reflected in abundance.

Each of these cuts can be complimented with a delicate prong setting, gripping the center stone tightly while providing gentle contrast to its luster. They elevate the diamond and secure it in place while adding a slight shine from the smooth metal texture. The shape of these prongs vary and impact the overall look of the diamond differently. Rounded prongs are smoother, subtle, and look seamless on a round cut diamond. Flat or pointed prongs come off sharper, working perfectly with the straight cuts of rectangular diamonds. If your goal is to add a modest detail to set your solitaire engagement ring apart from the rest, a lovely four-prong setting can provide the accent you are looking for.

The main allure of solitaire engagement rings lies within the beauty of quality and simplicity. An honest truth exists within the saying less is more. Clutter is often times unnecessary. Although a ring graced with a sparkling pave of diamonds on the band is dazzling, it might not be what suits her style best. Sometimes, it pays to let the center stone’s beauty be the uninterrupted center of attention. Recent fashion trends have shown that there is a definitely a desirable elegance in simplicity. Her ring should, after all, suit her style. The solitaire engagement ring offers a clean and unparalleled form of awe-striking beauty. This style is perfect for those seeking to communicate their powerfully unassuming sentiments of commitment in a way that’s deeply personal.

By the way, you should check out the most outstanding diamond engagement rings our jewelry store in Montreal has to offer, you won’t regret it!

After all the thought and effort exhausted into choosing the right engagement ring, most people would like to feel as if the daunting task is over. Plot twist, my friend. You have yet to purchase the wedding bands! Purchasing wedding rings in Montreal doesn’t have to be such a daunting task. If you think and plan ahead, this can be done quite efficiently. Perhaps even seamlessly. You might have actually considered this before splurging on your engagement ring, but usually, you want the wedding rings to compliment the engagement piece. Therefore, they will likely be chosen after you’ve committed to the big rock. The good news is that you’ve already built a relationship with your jeweler and he knows what your fiancé likes. Now you just need to let him know what you like. Hopefully there’s a little overlap between his preference and hers. Often times, though, this thought leads to a very relevant question: Should my wedding band match my partner’s? Although that is the norm, the honest answer is subjective. Yes, traditionally, weddings bands were meant to be worn as matching sets for her and him. But no, the contemporary social pressures are not so strong as to force your hand in any particular direction.

We no longer live in Ancient Times, therefore ancient traditions do not carry equal weight. If you’re attached to your Egyptian ancestry and want to honor their customs, then by all means get yourself identical wedding bands like the Egyptians did long ago. This symbolism evokes unity and shows that you are both on the same page, share similar taste and place importance on long-lasting tradition. For practical purposes, however, you may want to consider some slight variations when it comes to wedding rings for him and her.

The first difference is simply anatomical. Men almost always have thicker fingers than their female counterparts, therefore requiring a wider wedding band than she does. When you go wider, you usually go thicker as well in order to increase durability. This serves a dual purpose. Men who work with their hands can now easily wear their wedding rings daily without worrying so much about them breaking. Thus, the difference in size is both aesthetic and functional. You could see how it pays to also consider individual lifestyles when contemplating the ideal designs for both of you.

There’s also the simple question of taste. Some couples just don’t agree on everything but the biggest asset to a fulfilling marriage is the joined ability to find compromise. If your tastes are entirely different, consider matching engravings on the inside instead! This maintains a unique shared element to the marriage rings which can be heart-warmingly original. If your tastes only vary slightly, your rings can still complement each other in several ways. You can use the same alloy for both rings, such as 18K white gold, yet shape them to your specific likings. The inverse is also true, where you can decide on a similar design but choose different materials for each respective band. You can choose to incorporate a similar gemstone on either band, or wear a similar ring to hers without any stones on your version at all.

As you can probably begin to understand, the possibilities are pretty vast as far as maintaining some sort of similarity between the two without compromising your individuality. Wedding rings can be as simple or as extravagant as each of you wants them to be. One final consideration might be to buy two sets of wedding bands. This way, you have a matching set for pictures and special occasions. Otherwise, you have the option to slip into the version that you’re more comfortable with wearing on a daily basis. This way, you get the best of both worlds. Be sure to mention all these options to your trusted jeweler when shopping for your wedding rings in Montreal!

Although they have become a central part of family life today, very few people are familiar with the detailed history of engagement rings. The impactful meaning behind them is not one of pure materialism, but rather an elaborate cultural significance dating to the ancient Egyptians. There are a few similarities between the first rings ever created and the ones we see today, but these similarities are actually symbolic among the vast superficial differences. As proud players in the Montreal jewelry scene, we would like to offer you some perspective in regards to the history of engagement rings.

The first rings offered by Egyptians to their betrothed partners were actually made of braided hemp or reeds. The tradition didn’t place any importance on the material aspects of the ring, but rather it’s symbolism. The circle was symbolic of an undying commitment and eternal love – never ending, like the circumference of a circle. With time, they shifted to more durable materials such as leather, bone and ivory. Still, this change was not to place more value on the material aspect of proposal, but rather to ensure the object would last longer.

The ancient Greeks and Romans began using metal to construct the rings as a symbol of strength and permanence. They were also the first to engrave their rings. We love this concept and deeply believe that anyone involved in Montreal Jewelry should push their clients to consider customizing their tokens of appreciation in order to show how special their significant other is. The Romans also chose the ring finger to place the ring upon because they believed a specific vein -named the Vena amoris in Latin- ran from that finger directly to the heart. The tie between marriage and blood was clear to them. Marriage was not just the union of two individuals to the Romans, but also a very important union of two family names. This romantic tradition is still carried to this day.

It wasn’t until 1477 that Archduke Maximilian of Austria commissioned the first diamond engagement ring for his lady Mary of Burgundy. This completely altered the history of engagement rings, catalyzing the trend of incorporating diamonds among European aristocrats and nobility. This idea was further popularized during the Victorian era where they mixed diamonds with gemstones and the fanciest rare metals as a way to flaunt their wealth and exceptional beauty. More details about this here.

The De Beers mining company put forth the slogan “diamonds are forever” in 1947, using celebrities and diamond engagement rings as the poster for luxury and prosperity. This marketing campaign doubled the sales of diamonds in just a few years and has had a long-lasting impression on the western world to this day. Ever since, it has been common place to issue a diamond as the epicenter of the engagement ring to symbolize an American marriage that is everlasting.

The history of engagement rings shows that the symbolic value started as one of unity, endurance and commitment. As most things do as a result of a shift toward wealth in the general population, the center piece of the ring adopted a more materialistic meaning although it’s origin still comes from a place of love. With an understanding of the history of engagement rings, we can see that the size of a diamond doesn’t really matter as much as the commitment that it symbolizes. We recommend you to not stress the monetary value so much, but instead consider what your significant other appreciates when shopping for the right ring and showing her that you have deeply considered her deeper desires.

If you’re looking for an engagement ring online, look no further. Donj Jewellery has you covered.