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"You took that design right out of my brain!"

July 01, 2021

5 Factors you need to consider before deciding on a Diamond or Gemstone Engagement Ring.

You've decided to propose to the love of your life. A significant decision done and dusted. Now for the ring. If you don't want something off-the-shelf, you'll have a few more decisions to make.

A ring as unique as your love is something to be cherished. This is new territory for most people and one of the central questions you'll need to answer in this case is which stone will be the centrepiece of your bespoke design?

If you're not a jeweller, this is probably new territory and it can feel overwhelming, but that's where we come in.

At Leonardo Fernandez Jewellery, we've been accused of being mind-readers. One client said, "You took that design right out of my brain!"

Helping clients unveil the ring of their dreams is part of our job description.

First of all, we understand people. We pride ourselves on our emotional intelligence and we value the sentimentality of your ring purchase. Without the passion, emotion and intention behind it, you've got a chunk of metal and a precious stone. We all know it's worth so much more than the materials it’s made of.

An engagement ring is a promise. A commitment. A symbol of lasting love.

In the past, jewellers were tradespeople but today, we are artists. You are commissioning a grand, wearable heirloom that will be a central part of your love story. Let us help you make it extraordinary.

Yes, there are practical and scientific factors to consider when choosing a centrepiece for your engagement ring, but the real question is- how does it make you both FEEL?

We'll go through some considerations now but if you come to us as a blank slate, that's okay too. The design process is something we work through with each client and because we're jewellers, not salespeople, we will educate you and help you decide what will work best for you in the end.

An engagement ring is incredibly sentimental and destined for everyday wear, unlike any other piece of jewellery (except maybe for your wedding band), so durability is an essential factor in your decision. Your stone must stand up to erosion, soap, perfumes, knocks, and the wear-and-tear of daily life.

The only two appropriate options, for everyday wear, are diamonds and sapphires simply because they are the hardest stones available. Even the most durable gems are not indestructible, so you must look after your jewellery, no matter what you choose. (We can do other stones as long as the client understands that they might be more susceptible to damage.)

Five things to consider when choosing a stone for an engagement ring.

1. Stand out or Stay Classic?

The most notable thing about sapphires is that they make a unique statement. They come in rich colours, every shade of the rainbow and tend to have symbolic meanings. Choosing a sapphire over a diamond means you can make the ring incredibly personal and distinct.

Diamonds are primarily colourless and will suit any metal or style. They come in a variety of shapes and throw gorgeous sparkle and light. It makes sense why these stones have remained a classic for so long.

2. Durability

Some gemstones last longer than others, so consider the longevity of your stone. Diamonds are the hardest mineral available but sapphires are a suitable alternative and can withstand daily wear. Other stones like opals or pearls are much softer on the hardness scale and much too brittle for daily wear.

In our experience, when any gem, besides a diamond, comes back to us, we can see the wear and tear on the stone. No matter how well the ring has been cared for. The average diamond ring, will rarely show signs of wear on the stone.

3. Timelessness

If your partner's style is timeless and classic, they will love the durability and versatility of a diamond ring. If you or your partner want to stand out from the crowd, then a gemstone is probably the best option for you. You may even want to go down the route of getting a custom design, but ensure you give yourself plenty of time because this will take longer than grabbing something off the shelf.

4. Cost

When it comes down to cost, transferring capital into diamonds and gold makes your money exist forever. You will have an incredible piece of jewellery made for you to celebrate your love, to be passed down to future generations. Ask yourself, 'what's the value of that?'

The question of value is unique to you as an individual. Generally, gemstones cost less per carat than a diamond, except for rubies; some are rare and can cost more than diamonds.

5. Colour

Rubies range from dark pink to red and sapphires come in almost every colour of the rainbow. So you will not be limited to blue sapphire or red ruby like you might think. White diamonds have a timeless sparkle that will never go out of fashion.

Whichever stone you choose, note that many of these stones are rare and unique and may be difficult to source. Give your jeweller ample time to find precisely what you want in the correct colour, size and shape.

What qualities matter most to you? Colour, Optics or Shape. If you want really intense colours? Then you may be trading off other material properties.

With a diamond, you're buying its material properties, its shape and its optics. Diamonds don't often offer colours (unless you want something costly). So with Diamonds, you get hardness, shape and optics, but not colour. With Sapphires, you get intense colour, but at the sacrifice of optics, hardness (for the most part), and possibly shape.

In the end, it's a personal decision that requires less thought and more heart.

Have questions? We have answers. Give us a call.!

Leonardo Fernadez

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One of our customers said, 'you pulled that design out of my brain!' It's our job to understand what you want, even if you've never designed jewellery before.

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