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Jewellery Design is a very important step if you decide to go with a custom engagement ring.

We’ve said it once and we’ll say it again, again and again…your engagement ring should not only shine bright but also glimmer with every facet of your personality. If you’ve been on the fence about custom designing your engagement ring, we are here to assist you and make the process as seamless as possible. You should definitely create an engagement ring that are as unique as your relationship. After all, a ring is something you will wear every single day and it should be something you truly love and adore.

Keep reading for a 10 steps how-to guide on creating and designing your own custom engagement ring as unique and special as your relationship.

Step 1: Start the Process Early

Remember your ring doesn’t exist yet. You still have to design and create it. Customized engagement rings take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months; be sure to start the journey early.

Step 2: Collect Inspiration

One of the most important things to have is visual cues for what you could be interested in. Inspiration can be collected anywhere, but two platforms that are perfect for this are Pinterest boards and Instagram images. Get as many images as possible, because perhaps you like the band on one ring, the setting on another one, and the colour of the stone on another ring. Remember that when you’re creating your own engagement ring design, you can borrow ideas from anywhere.

Step 3: Finding the Perfect Jeweller

The jeweller you choose has to share your style and mirror you aesthetically. Ask family and friends if they have any recommendations when it comes to jewellers. You want to go through the custom ring process with a jeweller that’s reputable and has done this before. Working with a jewellery designer who designs rings that are alligning with your style and relates to your design sensibility will ensure you end up with a ring you absolutely fall in love with!

Its also very important that the jewellery design process is smooth and effortless.

We ate Ralph Jacobs want you to do your homework properly – Designing an Engagement Ring is a big step, and we would like you to make sure of your jeweller before you make any final decisions.

4. The Metal Choice

Now, the designing and creative aspects starts. When you’re creating your own engagement ring, you can honestly choose any metal you like. In addition to the classic choices, consider rose gold, palladium, titanium, and recycled metals (which are made from a blend of metals).

5. Choosing Your Special Stone

This is where the fun begins. There are so many options of stones to choose from and they all sparkle in their own unique way. The best thing to do is to choose with your heart.

Whether you choose a Diamond, a Gemstone or a Moissanite, at Ralph Jacobs, we will guide you through the process of selecting the perfect center stone and accent stones for your dream design.

Step 6: Choosing a Cut

Traditional ring cuts include round, cushion, princess, oval, emerald, pear, radiant, Ascher, marquise, or heart. For a unique look, you can also choose to leave your diamond uncut. Uncut or “raw diamonds” aren’t cut to fit any setting. They are placed on the band exactly as they were formed in the ground and how they came from the earth. It is then when the setting is made to fit the stone. Its important to choose the correct custom engagement ring that pairs well with a specific cut.

Step 7: Choosing a Setting

There are even more settings to choose from than there are cuts, including halo, cathedral, prong, tiffany, bezel, bar, flush, suspension, tension style, channel, pavé, vintage, cluster, shank, and three-stone settings. Below are some examples of different settings.

Step 8: The Wedding Band

This seems too early and eager, however, it can save a lot of time and money if you design a wedding band at the same time as you’re designing a custom engagement ring. Not only will it ensure the two pairs perfectly, but jewellers can often work out a deal when you create both together.

Step 9: Collaborate on Every Step; including Sketches

Most jewellers will present the bride-to-be with a sketch of the ring. Be sure that you are present for this and take in every moment. The sketch is presented to ensure that the ring visually satisfies the requirements. Once the sketch is approved by the bride the final step commences.

Step 10: Allow Time for Casting and Further Customization

Once you have approved the sketches of your custom-made engagement rings, the next phase is casting. The ring will be cast and cleaned, and then the stones are set. Certain customizations such as micropavé are created by hand by the jeweller in this stage. After the ring is set and polished, the statement sparkler is ready to slip onto the finger of the lucky bride-to-be.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/how-to-guide-on-custom-design/

Lets help you make the right decisions when it comes to Engagement Ring shopping.

Choosing something as special and important as your engagement ring should be a fun and carefree experience. That is why we walk you through the do’s and don’ts of engagement ring shopping.

DO:

Have the dreadful budget talk. 

This is a must! While this may not be the most romantic thing to think about, it’s important to have an idea of what you’re able (and willing) to spend before you and your partner enter the realm of engagement rings. It can all be daunting. Determining things like who is paying for what and how much you can spend will ensure there are no awkward in-store conversations or confusion.

Make it a day to remember. 

Be sure to take in every single moment whilst shopping and browsing. It can be tempting to just wander around, remember that this is a purchase that holds a lot of meaning and symbolism. Consider making it a whole date in itself – plan to have lunch or dinner, dress up, and schedule a specific day to go. This way you ensure that you won’t just have the ring, you’ll have an engagement ring shopping experience you can think back on and remember fondly.

Feel comfortable to ask many questions.

Jewellers understand that this is a big, expensive decision. You are allowed to try on as many different rings as you’d like and ask every single question about the shapes, metals, settings and carats. Just like you’ll want to likely try on lots of different wedding dress silhouettes, you should also try on lots of different diamond shapes.

Pick a colour metal perfect for your skin tone.

This is essential, because we all have different skin tones, and not every metal is as flattering on you as it is on sombody else. Try on rose gold, yellow gold or platinum bands to see what’s best, but don’t worry so much on how the diamond reflects off of that color metal.

DON’T:

Try to go everywhere in one day. 

We don’t recommend trying to see more than three stores in one day. Simply choose your top three and visit those. Having too many options can often lead to making an impulse decision, rather than choosing what you really love most.

Set hard goals. 

Many times couples enter a store looking for a specific carat weight, only to find out that it’s well over their budget. It’s important to do research to determine what you’re looking for and what you can afford with your budget, but we do not recommend setting any hard goals. You will most certainly miss out on a lot of gorgeous options if you come in with too many set goals in mind.

Bring a large group of friends with on your final decision day.

Engagement ring shopping is like wedding dress shopping. You shouldn’t be influenced away from what you truly love, after all, you’re the one who’s going to be wearing this ring. Everyone will have an opinion, but the only thing that matters is you love it. 

Expect to wear your ring the day of purchase. 

Many times, your ring will need to be resized or set before you can actually take it home. Keep this in mind when you go engagement ring shopping, so you aren’t taken by surprise when you hear there’s a waiting period.

Touch the diamond when trying on the ring.

By touching the diamond you are dulling the center stone and stand the chance of damaging the ring. Not touching it will allow you to see its true brilliance.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/10-engagement-ring-shopping-dos-and-donts/

Our top 4 tips and tricks for your engagement ring.

A little on the worried or concerned side when it comes to choosing and buying an engagement ring? You should and shouldn’t be. It is a big choice, but if you know your partner and what they are like and what they prefer, this will be a walk in the park.

We are here to give you engagement ring tips & tricks so you can buy a beautiful, affordable engagement ring.

1. A Smaller Carat

Our first advice to you is to buy slightly under the carat weight you were initially thinking of buying. Usually, carat’s appear bigger in real life than what you thought you saw or knew online. If you were looking to purchase a 1 carat diamond, invest in a .90 carat or .95 carat diamond instead. This can save you hundreds of dollars in the long run.

2. Ignore the 3 month salary rule

This is one of the biggest misconceptions in the wedding industry. People still think they have to spend 3 months’ salary on an engagement ring. It is a difficult though process on deciding how much to spend on an engagement ring or how much an engagement ring should cost, however everyone’s situation is not the same. You should spend whatever is right for you. You don’t need to spend tens of thousands of Rands to get a beautiful, sparkly engagement ring!

At Ralph Jacobs, we will take your budget and work out the best available quote – We work with various metals like 9k, 18k and Platinum and can customize the center stone with either Diamonds, Evermore Moissanite and Precious Gemstones.

3. Study up on the 4 C’s

You will have to brush up on your gemstone and diamond education. Most importantly is to familiarize yourself with the 4Cs. The 4Cs are a universal diamond language and they consist of cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Knowing this will help you determine where your opportunities are for saving money.

If you want to save on clarity grade, it’s best to go with a brilliant-cut diamond. Princess and round diamonds are the most well-known brilliant shapes. Brilliants will hide lower clarity grades because of the faceting pattern on their table.

4. Choosing Your Setting

Settings are crucial to your engagement ring, as they can enhance or limit the feel of your center stone. Choose a setting that holds your center stone up high, like a cathedral setting. A center stone set higher up will appear slightly larger than it really is.

If you choose a Round Cut Moissanite in a halo setting, your stone size can be slightly smaller. The Halo will increase the look of the center stone, and you can opt for a smaller stone.

A smart setting choice for your engagement ring that will help to save money is to opt for a halo setting. The tiny stones surrounding your enter stone will assist in making it look larger. Therefore, you can settle for a slightly smaller carat weight for your center stone if you choose a halo setting and this will cost you less.

Conclusion

Whether you are looking for the perfect Diamond Engagement Ring, or would rather opt for a sparkling Moissanite ring, using these Engagement Ring tips and tricks can save you a lot of money in the long run. At Ralph Jacobs we believe that each customer has the right to knowledge in order for you to make the right decision. Speak to on of our Sales Consultants should you need any additional info regarding a ring design. We will gladly assist in making your dream design a reality.

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/4-engagement-ring-tips-and-tricks/

March birthstones paired with the perfect metal choice.

The birthstone for March is Aquamarine. The alternative March gemstone is the earthy bloodstone and both gems are listed as official March birthstones. Aquamarine and bloodstone are very different when it comes to appearance, but they share a similar reputation for protecting one’s well-being.

At Ralph Jacobs, we design all kinds of spectacular design. The march birthstone will look perfect in 9k Rose or Yellow gold, paired with either Diamonds or Evermore Moissanites

The aquamarine birthstone evokes the colors of the sea. From deep green-blue to light, slightly greenish blue hues. The Aquamarine symbolises purity of spirit and soul. The official birthstone colour for March is light blue, just like the Aquamarine. Aquamarine crystals are generally very pale in colour to almost transparent and are rarely found naturally in darker blue shades. Light blue is also considered the Pisces birthstone colour for Pisceans born in March.

The bloodstone birthstone is typically a dark-green cabochon that contains red spots of iron oxide, the “blood” that brings health and strength to the wearer. The bloodstone works well for someone who prefers a vintage style engagement ring. The images below also show how well the bloodstone works with a golden or rose gold band. Whereas an Aquamarine pairs great with all metals.

Both of these birthstones make for a very unique engagement ring. Continue reading the blog to see some of the most fascinating engagement rings made with Aquamarine and bloodstones.

Aquamarine Engagement Rings

Bloodstone Engagement Rings

This Post was first published on https://ralphjacobs.co.za/march-birthstones-and-the-perfect-engagement-ring/