Category Added in a WPeMatico Campaign
2022 is well underway and what better way to start the new year than to set some goals – achievable goals – specifically jewelry goals. We’re all too familiar with …
2022 Jewelry Goals […]
The post 2022 Jewelry Goals appeared first on PriceScope.
Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it and around here we are in love with love – love stories, and the jewelry that is a testament to the …
Valentine’s Day Gift Inspo […]
The post Valentine’s Day Gift Inspo appeared first on PriceScope.
Portrait engraving for jewellery adds a unique effect to any jewellery item of Silver, Gold or Platinum. Regardless of meaning, our process transforms any item.
In late 2021, one of our returning clients contacted us for help with a new ring design. Our brief involved the addition of a portrait to a brand new signet ring, made in yellow gold.
The signet ring would stand as a memorial ring. Most importantly, the ring would carry a portrait in memory of a late family member. But, to be honest, we were unsure how easy it would be to engrave a photograph onto an item of jewellery.
Most of the engravings added to wedding rings and memorial rings involve laser-engraving an item. Consequently, we need to work with crisp, clear images with plenty of contrast. Some clients provide a personalized photo.
To begin with, we needed a clear graphic to engrave onto the new signet ring. Unfortunately, photographs rarely provide enough contrast to ensure a clear photo-engraving.
To achieve the artwork, a series of sketches simplified the photograph to create a suitable drawing to apply to the surface of the ring.
For many of our engravings, I use Procreate on the iPad Pro to sketch and create some of our designs. On this occasion, I created a simple sketch using linework suitable for engraving. The following image shows how the image was simplified.
The above process can be applied to any photograph to create a simple image suitable for engraving. Human portraits and pet portraits make a popular choice. In contrast, we also add fingerprints, refined in a similar way. We use the same process for photo pendants, a popular choice of Mothers Day. In fact, our engravable heart pendant and round pendant designs provide the perfect blank canvas.
For more help and guidance on our engraving services, please contact us at any time or read some of our related articles below.
The post Portrait Engravings for Jewellery – From Signet Rings to Necklaces appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.
Matte finish wedding rings provide a satin diffused sheen in contrast to the mirror polished the shiny look of traditional wedding bands.
This popular finish costs very little to apply and is available across our full collection of regular and customised wedding ring designs. Moreover, we don’t consider any item with this finish a bespoke ring. We create all ring sizes in almost every desired finish available to jewellers.
Our photograph below shows a 5mm wide Osborne wedding ring design with optional Matte finish worn on the hand. Sam chose 950 Palladium for his ring for its whiteness and lightness. However, this metal choice makes a less popular choice on account of the soaring cost of Palladium in recent years.
Sam wears a 5mm Palladium Osborne wedding ring design wedding ring with a Matte finish. Photograph Holly Cade 2018.
When it comes to customizing a matte finish wedding ring with engravings, we generally recommend applying them within the ring. Engravings work beautifully on a mirrored surface with a plain brushed finish outer surface. View more examples and get inspiration from our engraved wedding bands page. 
Our popular heartbeat wedding ring appears here with Matte finish.
Have you considered adding your partner’s fingerprint to your own wedding ring? We add fingerprints with a mirror-polish or satin finish, inside or outside the ring.
Satin fingerprint ring made as a bespoke wedding ring design
Some wedding bands combine a brushed finish with a pattern to create a unique decorative effect. The following example comes from our patterned rings with each section brushed with a matte effect.
Brush pattern mens wedding bands with a diamond-cut pattern added.
View an excellent example of both mirror and brushed finish in our video below. The clip shows our Rune engraved rings in Titanium. (We do not create Tungsten rings due to the danger of being unable to cut them from the finger in emergencies).
Both feature a matte satin centre section with polished edges for added contrast. We apply custom runes translated from a client’s wording.
A brushed or Matte finish adds a soft subtle sheen to a wedding ring. This popular ring finish costs very little and gives a contemporary feel to rings. This is especially true combined with mirror-polished edges.
Brushed wedding bands are finished with a wire-brushed texture. This alternative finish contrasts with the standard mirror-polished wedding ring finish. A ring brushed in this way, diffuses light with less reflection than a traditional mirror polish.
Perfect for plain bands, we rarely apply the effect to traditional eternity rings and engagement rings.
You might hear alternative descriptions for the brushed effect. Words such as matt (sometimes alt. matte) and satin appear on many other websites to describe the effect.
We use a spinning wire brush to apply the textured brushed effect to any item of jewellery.
Showing a geometric concave patterned wedding ring completed with a brushed effect.
The brushed matte finish is very popular. It gives an understated appearance and light is diffused by the sheen, contrasting with mirror polished edges.
Due to the even, consistent finish, the first marks, and scratches will be more apparent until the wear begins to even out. Satin finish wedding bands eventually polish naturally with wear. Mirror polished wedding bands gradually wear to a less shiny finish in the opposite way. We apply both finishes and re-finish wedding bands at any time with either type.
A pair of 6mm flat court profile wedding bands (see RWD004) with a customised brushed finish, one featuring offset double line pattern.
The brushed finish remains very popular. Grooms often choose this finish since it has a more subtle effect, not so shiny as the mirror finish. Many buyers love the feel of the a matte finish. A combination of both mirrored and satin-finished works very well for many wedding rings.
For our default plain wedding ring styles, a matte finish can be selected, costing around £10.00 for the additional work to create an even texture.
We offer further customisation through engraving which can also be selected on the product pages of our website.
18ct Rose Gold wedding ring 8mm wide with a brushed finish. The ring style is a heavy court wedding ring, with customised handwritten laser engraving to inner surface (clients handwriting)
Two colour wedding rings suit a matte finish. To explain, greater definition occurs through reduced reflection across a matte finished wedding band.
The following example of a two colour matte wedding ring was crafted in 18ct Gold. This design is available within our patterned wedding ring styles.
We apply the brushed or mirror polish finish to all precious metals. Moreover, we recommend durable precious metals over softer metals such as Silver.
Don’t worry if you change your mind, we can re-apply or reverse the finish from mirrored to satin and vice versa. We recommend a matte finish to the outside of the ring, leaving the inside polished for greater contrast.
For a heavier texture, some clients favour a frosted, or sand-blasted finish for added durability over time.
9 Carat Gold, brushed effect D shaped wedding ring
Showing the frost textured wedding ring
We apply this new finish with polished edges. Or, contact us with an alternative preference. We fully customise and add design frosted with a heavier texture as shown below.
The post Brushed Metal Wedding Rings – Satin Finish Wedding Bands appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.
Lab-grown diamonds are synthetic diamonds grown in a laboratory to replicate natural diamonds mined from the Earth. They are created using specialists equipment to convert carbon atoms into the crystal form of a diamond.
Most importantly, these cultured diamonds have the same optical, physical and chemical properties as natural diamonds.
Manufacturing processes recreate the natural conditions under which natural diamonds formed billions of years ago.
In appearance and physical composition, lab-created diamonds look identical to natural diamonds. In fact, they are impossible to tell apart. Furthermore, they provide the same high-quality gemstone, traditionally set into engagement rings.
Just like natural diamonds, polishers cut lab-grown rough diamonds into all diamond carat-weights, colours, and clarities. In fact, they are cut and polished in the same way as natural mined diamonds.
Until recently, lab-grown alternatives to natural diamonds were shunned by the jewellery industry. In fact, many jewellers stressed that they would never stock lab-grown alternatives. At the same time, many diamond merchants made similar statements.
In contrast, today many of our existing diamond suppliers now stock lab-grown inventories listed alongside natural diamond stock.
Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds with the same physical, chemical and optical properties as natural mined diamonds.
To both the expert and untrained eye, they are impossible to tell apart.
At this point, we must emphasize that lab-created diamonds are not diamond simulants.
To clarify, diamond simulants are natural or artificial gemstones with properties similar to diamonds. As a result, diamond simulants look like diamonds but are not diamonds.
The significant difference between a natural diamond and lab-grown diamond involves trace amounts of nitrogen present in natural diamonds, but absent in created diamonds. Using specialised equipment, gemmologists can determine if a diamond is natural or created.
Lab-grown diamonds make a popular choice for consumers. Firstly, grown diamonds provide an ethical choice. But, a key factor comes from their (much) lower price. Both reasons support the use of grown diamonds for ethical diamond jewellery.
The market for ‘made’ diamonds and their interest continues to increase as seen in the following chart.
Many buyers seek out man-made diamonds for two main reasons. Firstly, owing to inhumane acts surrounding conflict diamonds. Secondly, due to the environmental impact of mining diamonds.
In fact, many Millennials and Gen-Z buyers continue to move away from mainstream diamonds.
But what about the environmental impact from grown diamonds?
“A study comparing the environmental impact of grown diamonds and mined diamonds depicts that growing diamonds cause significantly less environmental impact as compared to mining diamonds. There are several aspects of environmental impact such as air pollution, water usage, energy usage, etc. There is also a significant level of human impact as well in the process of diamond production.”(Source: Frost & Sullivan).
With new technology, some of the World’s grown diamond manufacturers create diamonds with renewable energy with carbon-neutral credentials. Diamond are created using diamond seeds.
There are two main ways to create a diamond artificially. Both start the process with a seed diamond.
The seed diamond is a sliver of diamond. The first known technique used High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) with the seed added to pure graphite carbon, subjected to high temperatures around 1,500 degrees Celcius, with pressures of approx. 1.5 million pounds per square inch.
Another, more recent technique uses Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). The seed is placed into a sealed chamber filled with carbon-rich gas heated to around 800 degrees Celcius. As a result, the gases “adhere” to the seed. Carbon atom by atom, the seed grows into a rough diamond.
However, few producers comment on the carbon footprint involved in making a diamond.
A natural diamond choice we offer includes CanadaMark diamonds. We consider this the only 100% ethical natural diamond choice. In addition, the CanadaMark brand concentrates on the environmental impact as part of its mission.
To begin with, grown diamonds cost considerably less than natural diamonds. As a result, the growth of laboratory-grown diamonds posed a serious threat to natural diamond producers DeBeers. For this reason, DeBeers entered the lab-grown market.
De Beers maintains its participation aims to create a clear divide between lab-grown diamonds and natural diamonds.
But, like natural diamonds, man-made diamonds vary in cost depending on the size, colour and clarity of the diamond. Also, prices vary from supplier to supplier. Also, prices vary from retailer to retailer.
Recently, we compared the average price of an engagement ring (£2000) and how much ‘diamond’ could be purchased. Moreover, we compared two diamond solitaire engagement rings, both in 950 Platinum and both available in our showroom. To illustrate, we based the cost on our popular ‘Tiffany style 6 claw solitaire ring.” Both exampled in Platinum.
Platinum, single stone 0.40-carat diamond ring. G colour. SI1 clarity. Very Good Cut. GIA certified. £2000.
Platinum, single stone 0.90-carat lab-grown diamond ring. F colour. SI1 clarity. Excellent Cut. GIA certified. £2000.
We provide many of our diamond rings set with grown diamonds. We provide this service on request. At this time, we quote clients for any of our ring designs, made with lab-grown alternative diamond choices.
Owing to availability, we source lab-grown diamonds at the point of enquiry. At the same time, we hold the diamonds to ensure their availability.
In fact, each lab-grown diamond ring goes through our bespoke service. We source, handcraft and create each ring to order. As a guide, most commissions take 4-5 weeks to complete.
At Serendipity Diamonds, we offer clients amazing lab-grown diamonds in white, pink, yellow and blue colours in most diamond shapes.
Our lab diamonds fall within D-K colours with clarity grades between Internally Flawless and SI2.
We offer many sizes ranging from 0.01ct (1.3mm) to over 5 carats in size.
From 0.30 carats, diamonds come with a diamond certificate from the International Gemological Institute (IGI). Most include excellent or even ideal proportions as standard.
All of our lab-created diamonds are certified and laser inscribed with the certificate number. In addition, an inscription to note it as a grown diamond.
Photograph showing the lab-grown diamond inscription on the side of a recent commission.
Under a lens, our lab-grown diamonds can be identified by a unique laser inscription. Applied to the outer girdle, the certificate number and reference appear.
To the naked eye, this inscription remains invisible. But this appears under the lens of an inscription reader, loupe, or magnifying lens.
Emily, our assistant manager demonstrates the gem microscope in our Ryde jewellery showroom.
Another way to view lab-grown (or natural) diamonds involves booking an appointment in our gemmological showroom. Clients visiting our Ryde showroom enjoy the use of our gem microscope to easily view inscriptions.
The post Lab-Grown Diamonds vs Natural Diamonds – a Definitive Guide appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.
Are you shopping for a gift, an engagement ring (or part of it), or a wedding band? Looking to spend $500 or less? If so, you’ve come to the right …
Top 10 Gifts Under $500 for 2022 […]
The post Top 10 Gifts Under $500 for 2022 appeared first on PriceScope.
Learn about the meaning of Promise and Commitment rings. Discover some beautiful examples and find out how cost differs depending on your choice of ring.
Worn as a symbol of love, each piece of jewelry carries incredible meaning. Furthermore, the perfect ring carries a personal meaning, different for each buyer. Often worn as a pair, each ring symbolizes love and commitment to each other.
Our clients frequently ask, “What’s a promise ring?” The same question applies to commitment rings.
Commitment rings make a popular choice for couples rings. Furthermore, they symbolize a promise to oneself or another person. The name originates from America. In contrast, shoppers use the term Commitment ring more often.
Typically, plain or stone set, they are given to a loved one. Stone set rings might include diamond or gemstone designs. For this reason, they represent the commitment between two people in a relationship. In fact, some clients wear them as pre-engagement rings.
For young couples with little money, an engagement ring can be expensive. But, a commitment ring acts as a stand-in ring ahead of future engagement. As a result, the relationship goes one stage further. Later, an engagement ring marks a further commitment to marry.
Some buyers experienced confusion at the term, slammed in social media responses. As a result, we see an outpour of response enough to send the poor chap to a mental hospital. Consequently, we stress that any ring’s meaning remains a very personal part of any promise or commitment ring.
Many men feel that they have a financial obligation to purchase an expensive ring. But, Remember that everyone’s circumstances and finances differ. We create many rings in an affordable precious metal—for example, Sterling Silver or 9 carat Gold. Also, small diamonds or inexpensive gemstones lessen the cost.
In the UK, such rings are sometimes referred to as Commitment rings. The Promise concept comes from the US jewelry market.
The meaning varies from person to person. Our next step looks at the various purposes given to promise style rings.
Purity rings are slightly different from a pre-engagement ring. In fact, purity rings symbolize sexual abstinence in a relationship. More importantly, abstinence before marriage. Consequently, the Purity Ring is a physical reminder of the pledge to save oneself for marriage.
Example of a bespoke engagement ring/promise ring with a religious engraving and secret diamond. View details.
Purity rings connect strongly with religion. Nuns wear Purity Rings. They make symbols of betrothal to their heavenly spouse. The wearer conveys meaning.
Plain gold bands make a more simple statement. Furthermore, plain rings relate to spiritual purity and simple life.
Purity rings connect strongly with religion. Nuns wear Purity Rings. They make symbols of betrothal to their heavenly spouse. The wearer conveys meaning.
Plain gold bands make a more simple statement. Furthermore, plain rings relate to spiritual purity and simple life.
Many people believe they represent just rings for women. But, both men and women wear sentimental rings. Choose a ring design you will be happy to wear: select male or female ring styles.
Add meaning with a message and present it as a symbolic keepsake. For me, designs with a greater width work well—for example, a medium weight band with a 5mm or 6mm width—alternatively, a slimmer 3mm or 4mm wide ring.
Further to men’s commitment rings, we create many men’s engagement rings. For example, recently, a local couple commissioned two rings. In addition to a ladies engagement ring, we handcrafted a men’s engagement ring. Both rings included features of the female ring design.
We have many good ideas for unique and inspiring rings. The following suggestions are for both her and him.
Fingerprint rings make perfect commitment rings for her. Moreover, they make great matching rings.
Additionally, they make great promise rings for men. We work with every style of wedding band in most widths and sizes. Furthermore, we engrave on light, medium and heavy-weight wedding ring designs.
Try a combination of one design added to two rings. Our heart patterned fingerprint rings are just one way to romanticise your rings truly. Moreover, add two types of engraving. Interestingly, some clients choose a heartbeat and fingerprint together.
Two fingerprints in one heart pattern. A lovely idea for a commitment ring. (Find out more on our website).
The engraved signet ring is another opportunity for a truly unique ring. Add whatever you like to the signet ring. Over the years, we have laser-engraved heartbeats, city skylines, mountain ranges, infinity symbols and even logos from popular computer games.
We have both male and female signet rings in every size and shape available, with or without a fingerprint or personal engraving.
Please look at some of the unique effects we’ve added to some of our previous rings.
Two unique ideas for promise styled rings set with pink sapphires.
Solitaire rings give a classic choice. Versatile in design, most showcase a diamond or gemstone with a single diamond.
Thousands of designs exist. Some simple, some intricate. From classic six claw settings to elegant twist ring styles.
Most of our diamond rings can be engraved with a personal message—a promise between each of you, or we can apply a perfect sentimental message in any font you need.
Engraved diamond rings make amazing rings for commitment, available across so many of our ring designs. We will help you to choose a certified diamond or a diamond with information on its origin. Our CanadaMark diamonds arrive with details on where the rock originated.
Many of our certified diamond engagement rings with engravings make an excellent choice for buyers with a substantial budget looking for an expensive promise ring.
Remember that your choice of a diamond affects the value and cost of the ring. For example, carat weight, cut, clarity and colour all influence the value of a diamond.
Destiny shown engraved with a genuinely personal message in white Gold.
The trilogy or three-stone promise ring is a great idea. Three stone diamonds are more affordable than a single stone of the same carat weight. View a complete collection of 3 stone ring designs, all suitable as three-stone promise rings.
Gemstone rings make excellent commitment rings. Furthermore, they give plenty of scope across many different budgets. For example, Aquamarine makes an affordable gemstone ring choice.
Your level of commitment remains a personal aspect. The cost of the ring makes no statement on the depth of meaning. Whether you choose an expensive ring or an inexpensive ring, this is your choice.
Blue Zircon and diamond cluster ring crafted for one of our local clients.
Alternatively, Tourmaline works very well. As a suggestion, why not research your partner’s birthstone and consider a gemstone ring? Add a small gemstone to a band, or go for a large gem for the ring’s focal point.
Perhaps the best suggestion for a pink stone promise ring is the pink sapphire. With or without diamonds, pink sapphires give a vibrant burst of pink to any diamond ring.
That is correct. At Serendipity Diamonds, we add a heartbeat within a band measuring 4mm or more. We even send out a monitor to capture the rhythm of your heart. This incredible service delivers a truly unique finishing touch to your ring. Many of our clients stumble upon this service during their wedding planning. Subsequently, the time needed to plan such rings forms an important part of ring planning.
What finger do you wear a promise ring? Worn as a pre-engagement ring, it goes on the second from the left hand’s last digit.
The ring finger of the left hand eventually holds the engagement ring. The second from the last digit contains the vena-amoris blood vessel. This blood vessel flows to the heart. Discover in more detail the correct finger for engagement rings.
A custom design makes a very personal ring. It turns a plain ring, or a simple diamond ring, into a perfect ring for commitment. As a result, it adds a greater depth of sentiment. An engraved word or a phrase will give a unique look to the ring.
Consider a plain or birthstone ring with the addition of a personal message or inscription. Our laser engraving makes a welcome addition to any ring design.
Engraved promise rings make the most impact with a truly personal detail applied. For example, a handwritten message goes much further than a stamped date.
Use the internal space for a secret message to your loved one. Then, write it on paper, scan and email it to us from anywhere in the world. Then, we will apply this by laser engraving, as shown in the two examples below.
Posie rings (not Posy rings) originate as early as the 15th Century. French and English examples. Most were simple plain bands with a short sentimental inscription added.
Text appeared in English, French and Latin. Posie rings give a rustic, hand-engraved look. It is possible to replicate the look of Posie rings. This idea, seldom seen in jewelry shop windows, makes a genuinely unique Promise ring idea.
What are Claddagh rings? In fact, most jewellers sell Claddagh rings. The Claddagh ring is a traditional Irish ring representing love, friendship and loyalty. The styles, origins and customs originated in the Irish fishing village of Claddagh in Galway.
The distinctive style and availability of Claddagh ring designs make them a popular Promise ring choice. Each ring features a heart (love), crown (loyalty) and hands (representing friendship).
On a final note, a brief word on the wonderful world of marketing. Some will no doubt see promise rings as a way to market and ultimately sell more rings. The truth is that these rings have been in existence for many years in one form or another, from the betrothal rings in ancient times.
Interestingly, they soared in popularity with the growth of the internet. Commitment rings, engagement rings, right-hand-rings and halo rings—these are just a few of the styles with enormous focus online. The pre-engagement ring provides a substantial opportunity for an affordable surprise ring, allowing a couple to choose the ultimate engagement ring together.
How incredible would it be to obtain your actual heartbeat rhythm in the ring? Our latest concept helps couples add their heart rhythm to an item of jewelry.
Believe it or not, rings with a heartbeat are genuine. We use cutting-edge technology during the process. Firstly, we provide an ECG device. Clients buy this as part of the process—later refunded once returned.
For this reason, we send it out Worldwide. As a result, we offer this service for most ring styles 4mm and broader. Furthermore, we push this service out to clients in many countries—for example, the UK, USA, Canada and Australia.
Once completed, clients send back the device. Finally, we refund the cost of the ECG reader. To clarify, clients order the ECG device separately at the start.
Find out more about adding a heartbeat to your ring.
View our unusual ring designs within a collection featuring many engraved effects.
Interestingly, a branded Promise ring exists. It was introduced in recent years by DeBeers. The DeBeers promise ring features cross-over diamond shoulders. Owing to the brand name, expect to pay a very high price for the DeBeers ring.
Alternatively, anyone interested in DeBeer’s ring may seek a similar design. Or, perhaps a traditional eternity ring. Interestingly, bespoke jewelry allows anyone to create a unique ring design. This design often takes influence from other styles.
The cost of a ring varies enormously. For example, the price depends on the precious metal and gemstone content. A cheap Sterling silver promise ring could cost as little as $10.
In contrast, expect to pay upwards from $200 – $300 for an engraved promise ring.
Sterling Silver offers an affordable metal for a Promise ring. But be cautious when it comes to delicate items made in Silver. Thin Silver rings tend to bend out of shape. Besides, Silver lacks the durability of other metal choices.
Silver remains very popular for Promise and Commitment rings—especially those worn temporarily ahead of the engagement ring.
For a more durable ring, choose Platinum, Palladium or 18ct Gold. Today, Palladium is very expensive. Rising Palladium prices mean that Platinum is a better metal for a better price. 9ct Gold and 18ct Gold offer another choice. Both qualities come in Rose Gold, White Gold and Yellow Gold choices.
Both Rose Gold and Yellow Gold offer clients a warm metal colour with Autumnal hints.
18ct Gold is more durable than 9ct Gold. Many mistake 9ct Gold as more durable. 18ct Gold has a higher Gold content and is harder wearing.
Out of interest, we upgrade many clients to Platinum for a variety of reasons.
Platinum provides a naturally white metal choice for rings. We discussed many of the benefits of Platinum in some of our alternative blog posts.
A Meetaversary Ring describes a ring to celebrate the date a couple once met. Popular with younger buyers, the Meetaversary Ring celebrates a year after a couple met. Typically, this is a gift after a year from their very first date.
Perhaps, you have a good idea of how to give a ring. Or explore ideas for the perfect moment. Just ensure you have the ring before making plans.
Funnily, we found several videos on the subject. For example, the following video works a little magic into the process.
We craft most commitment rings individually to order. As a result, most designs take around four weeks to create. With this in mind, many clients keep in touch during the process. For example, some clients email for an update on their order status.
Please remember that customised rings are not eligible for returns exchange or refund. For this reason, we recommend ordering the correct size. Or, start with a plain ring to check your finger size before engraving.
Handcrafted, your completed ring arrives beautifully boxed. Also, we provide a lifetime warranty. Thus, clients do not require service plans, although we do recommend clients take out insurance for their promise rings.
The post Promise Rings and the Meaning of Commitment Rings appeared first on Serendipity Diamonds Blog.