Category Archives: Engagement

Diamond, Engagement

J. Lo’s Green Diamond

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Photo of a green diamond and Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez
25
Apr

Jennifer Lopez’s love don’t cost a thing, but she still got a pretty solid engagement ring from Ben Affleck! J. Lo’s newest engagement ring features an 8.5-carat ultra-rare green diamond with white diamonds. Affleck and Lopez were previously engaged in the early 2000s, so this is technically their second engagement and second engagement ring. The celebrity ring is worth a whopping $5-$7 million! If you’re like us, you might want to learn more about green diamonds and how they come to be. Read on to learn more about this beautiful phenomenon! About Green Diamonds The most common diamond colors are clear, black, and brown. Other colors are much rarer; Bennifer’s first engagement ring was a pink diamond, even more rare than the green one she dawns now. Another rare and highly sought-after color of a diamond includes blue. You may have heard of quite a famous blue diamond: The Hope Diamond. Green diamonds result from specific imperfections in the diamond’s structure, most commonly caused by radiation damage. In a clear diamond, every color gets reflected. However, in a green diamond, radiation from nearby uranium or thorium ore can hit a diamond’s carbon structure and cause light to bounce off it differently, creating a green hue.    There are reports of green diamonds in nearly every country that produces diamonds. However, according to GIA, some localities consistently dig up more of these valuable stones. These countries include Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and India. The largest green diamond is the 41-carat Dresden Green Diamond. From the Golconda mines in India, it has a clarity of VS1 and potentially internally flawless, if slightly recut.  While every diamond is unique, we love the imperfections that create a specialty color diamond. In fact, we think this imperfect diamond is the perfect choice for the rekindled Bennifer romance! What do you think?

Continue reading →
Diamond, Engagement, Gemstones, Jewelry

The Celebrity Engagement Rings of 2019

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
02
Jan

2019 was a big year for celebrities getting down on one knee. While we’re entertained by every aspect of celebrity engagements and weddings, we do pay attention to one aspect in particular: the celebrity engagement rings, of course! Here are our favorite celeb sparklers from this past year: Scarlett Johansson View this post on Instagram 11 cts light brown diamond, type 2A. A post shared by TAFFIN (@taffinjewelry) on Jun 29, 2019 at 12:26am PDT Black Widow and Jojo Rabbit star, Scarlett Johansson, will tie the knot with Saturday Night Live‘s Colin Jost. The engagement ring was designed by Taffin by James de Givenchy, and whether or not the ring was custom-made for Johansson remains to be seen. The details on this ring have been kept under wraps — ScarJo is a couple that values their privacy — however, the picture above is believed to be either Johansson’s ring or its döppelganger, according to Harper’s Bazzar. The diamond is estimated to be 11 carats and is a specialty cut with a unique smoky color, making this a celebrity engagement ring that is difficult to take your eyes off of! Hilary Duff View this post on Instagram Cheesy IM GETTING MARRIED As of one month ago post! A post shared by Hilary Duff (@hilaryduff) on Jun 4, 2019 at 12:31pm PDT This Disney star is all grown up and getting married! Duff is set to wed singer-songwriter Matthew Koma as of May 4, 2019. To match Duff’s style, Koma popped the question with a classic stunner. According to Brilliant Earth, Duff’s ring seems to feature a cushion-cut diamond that weighs approximately 3 to 4 carats set on a split shank white gold or platinum band. This celebrity engagement ring brings new meaning to the term “timeless!” Jennifer Lopez   View this post on Instagram   she said yes ♥️ A post shared by Alex Rodriguez (@arod) on Mar 9, 2019 at 5:34pm PST What do you get when you combine JLo and ARod? The powerhouse couple of 2019! Jenny From the Block is set to wed ex-Yankees player, Alex Rodriguez. They were engaged in March when Rodriguez popped the question with a whopping 18-carat high-quality emerald cut engagement ring, according to CNBC. This type of ring is what most people picture when they hear “celebrity engagement” — big and sparkly! While there’s never been an official disclosure of the ring’s price, it is estimated at $1.8 million. Katy Perry   View this post on Instagram   full bloom A post shared by KATY PERRY (@katyperry) on Feb 15, 2019 at 2:07am PST Singer Katy Perry got engaged to actor Orlando Bloom earlier this year and has a unique ring to show for it. With an estimated 2 carat ruby featured in the center and 2.5 carats worth of diamonds in a floral halo, this ring walks the line between traditional and modern beautifully. According to E!, the ring would retail at about $5 million. Bindi Irwin     View this post on Instagram   July 24th 2019 ❤️ On my birthday I said ‘yes’ and ‘forever’ to the love of my life. Chandler, close to 6 years ago I fell in love with you and every day since has been a whirlwind of adventure and true happiness. I’m so looking forwarding to spending our forever together as your wife. Here’s to a lifetime of friendship, purpose and unconditional love. — Now let’s get married already! A post shared by Bindi Irwin (@bindisueirwin) on Jul 24, 2019 at 3:30am PDT Bindi Irwin, daughter of the late Steve Irwin, is engaged! Her stunning engagement ring features a lab-grown 2.01-carat oval diamond and recycled rose gold, to express her dedication to conservation. We think Bindi would approve of our practices — our focus is on recommerce, so our metals are recycled, too! Oval diamonds are very popular for today’s bride. According to Today, they are the most popular diamond option and have been for the past few years! Hoda Kotb Photo courtesy of Today. Hoda Kotb, the Today Show anchor, is engaged to her boyfriend of six years. Kotb and her now-fiancé, Joel Schiffman, share a 2-year-old daughter, Hayley Joy. He chose a beautiful bezel-set, radiant-cut diamond with a sapphire pave halo to pop the question while they were on a beach vacation!  

Continue reading →
Engagement, Jewelry

The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
04
Dec

We think it’s high time to shine a light on the unsung heroes of the wedding industry: the bridesmaids. Not only are they the trusted confidantes of the brides, but they sacrifice their time, and a sizable chunk of money, to ensure that a wedding day is unforgettable. We’ve come up with a few ways to help offset the cost of being a bridesmaid — but first, let’s break down everything that goes into the duty. The Cost of Being a Bridesmaid Being asked to be a bridesmaid feels like the highest honor your mid-twenties can bestow upon you. Your best friend and/or relative wants you standing beside her on her big day — it’s a big deal! However, every girl has that question looming in the back of her head as she’s popping the bubbly to celebrate her hitched BFF: how much is this going to cost me? I was thrilled when my best friend asked me to be a bridesmaid. I was 23, fresh out of college, and wide-eyed. My fellow bridesmaids and I immediately began making plans to celebrate our first engaged friend. A bachelorette party in Miami! Beautiful bridesmaid dresses, the kind you’ll actually want to wear again! Professional hair and makeup for the big day! After all was said and done, and the wedding hangover subsided, I was $1,000 deep in credit card debt. Millennials, right? It’s been over a year, and my budgeting skills have improved, so I decide to create a budget to avoid going into debt for the two weddings in which I am a bridesmaid in 2020. I break out the calculator and wrack my brain for everything that goes into being a bridesmaid. The dresses, the air fair, hotel stays, bachelorette parties, shoes, gifts… the list goes on. My heart sinks when I add it all together — I’ll spend about $5,000 in 2020 on weddings. Now, that number is by no means average. All of my betrothed friends live in different states, so extensive traveling costs factor into that figure. However, I’ll still be spending a big chunk of my salary on weddings that aren’t even my own. I’m not the only millennial woman facing this dilemma. In fact, the modern bridesmaid will spend an average of $1,500 on each wedding she’s a part of. Let’s break that number down, shall we? Events Besides the actual wedding, there are a few events that a good bridesmaid should attend: the bridal shower and the bachelorette party. We all have an image of the typical bachelorette party: it includes adult entertainment and alcohol. However, if you’ve been to a bachelorette party in recent years, you know that they’re more lavish now than ever before. They frequently require extensive travel, elaborate decorations and activities; today, it has to be “Instagrammable.” The average bridesmaid should budget $537 for today’s bachelorette party. That includes travel, accommodations and gifts. As for the bridal shower, our bridesmaid can budget just under $200 for that. Clothing If the bride is nice, the bridesmaid dresses will be flattering. If she’s a bridezilla, they may look like a taffeta explosion. Either way, bridesmaids will spend an average of $165 on their dress for the big day. Don’t forget about alterations, which vary widely for each bridesmaid. That was one expense that caught me by surprise — I had to fork over $150 for mine! So, that’s about $300 on a dress our bridesmaid will (probably) only wear once. Wedding It’s finally here — the big day! But, our average bridesmaid is not done swiping her credit card just yet. She still has to buy a gift for the happy couple, travel to the venue, and get her hair and makeup done. Since our bridesmaid is in the wedding, there’s added pressure to buy a nice gift. She can budget about anywhere from $45 to $195 for the gift. Hair and makeup costs about $81. Travel and lodging will set our bridesmaid back about $317. Then, she’s ready to walk down the aisle! How to Pay for Being a Bridesmaid So, where can today’s bridesmaid come up with the cash necessary to stand by the bride on the big day? Well, she can start with Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange. We buy gold, silver, diamonds, and luxury watches — and pay cash or check for them. If your bridesmaid duties are costing an arm and a leg and you have a pile of inherited junk, turn it into cash with us. You can even get a discount when you trade your cash for an accessory to wear on the big day.

Continue reading →
Diamond, Engagement, Gift, Jewelry

Engagement Ring Etiquette: When “I Do” Becomes “I Don’t”

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
23
Apr

An engagement ring: a symbol of hope for the future and longevity in a loving, trusting relationship. Engagement ring etiquette dictates we wear it on our left ring fingers because that’s where a vein connects to your heart. This, however, is an old wives’ tale. While it’s a romantic thought, it’s a modern myth… similar to the idea that every engagement turns into forever. While it’s certainly not your intention when you purchase or accept an engagement ring, we know that plans and relationships fall through. After a particularly painful end, it may be tempting to put that ring to the side and let it gather dust. However, let us be the first to encourage you to dust off that ring and give it a new life. Whether you want to sell it for cash or get rid of its bad juju, we can help you create something wonderful with it. After all, as C.S. Lewis said, “there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” Can’t decide what to do with that old engagement ring? Let us make some suggestions: Check the Laws in Your State Concerning Who Gets the Engagement Ring. If your engagement or marriage was recently called off, look into the local laws concerning who gets to keep the engagement ring. According to Worthy, broken engagement rules vary from one state to the next in the United States. For example, Texas is an implied conditional gift state when it comes to engagement rings. This means that the ring belongs to the bride if an engagement is broken by the groom. While he can request the ring back, it is considered the bride’s legal property unless she is the one who ended the engagement. For more information, visit Nolo. Sell Your Ring So, you’ve gone through the research or spoke with your ex and the ring is yours. Maybe you no longer want it or maybe the only thing that will heal your emotional wounds is cash. This opens up a world of opportunities! If you sell it to us, we’ll give you cash on the spot for it. Whether you want that cash for a vacation or for your rainy day fund, you’re free to choose how that ring contributes to your future. Trade in Your Ring If you’ll miss the feeling of a ring on your finger, trade it in for something you’ll love. Trading in your ring at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange means you could end up with a pre-owned Rolex watch, a ring with a different gemstone, David Yurman bracelets, or even a new diamond ring. We’ll make sure you’ll leave with something that makes you as happy as that old engagement ring did. Repurpose Your Diamond Perhaps the diamond in your ring is a family heirloom or you have a sentimental attachment to it. By re-setting or re-purposing your diamond, you can keep the sentimental aspect and cleanse it of any bad memories. Whether you want to set it in a new ring or as a necklace, our full-service repair shop can create your perfect piece. At Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange, we can help you make the best of any situation where “I do” becomes “I don’t.” If you find yourself in this predicament, bring in your ring and we’ll help you decide what’s best for you!

Continue reading →
Diamond, Engagement

What’s the Deal with Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
04
Apr

Are you attracted to the lower price tag of lab-grown diamonds? Think twice before making this particular investment! We all know one of the first steps to the perfect proposal: picking out the diamond ring your partner will swoon for! And our team at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange is thrilled to help you find the right match. We also want our customers to make the most informed decision possible when it comes to this investment, because it’s a big one! Which is why we’d like to discuss one of the newest trends in diamond-buying — lab-grown diamonds. The difference between natural and lab-grown can still be a bit muddy to consumers and sellers alike. In fact, some companies have landed in hot water for falsely advertising their lab-created diamonds. Here’s what you need to know: Natural diamonds are forged deep within the earth over many years under great pressure and heat. We mine, cut and polish raw diamonds to use in fine jewelry. For years, natural diamonds have been the only choice for that signature engagement ring sparkle. They are still what you’ll see in most engagement rings today. However, some companies have started creating diamonds in laboratories. They create them in one of two ways: High Pressure High Temperature (HPHT) or CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition). The quality of these lab-created diamonds is increasing with time and reputable diamond-graders (like GIA) even grade them based on the four C’s. However, a professional jeweler can still spot the difference fairly easily. If you’re trying to find the right diamond within your budget, perhaps you’ve considered lab-grown diamonds. After all, their prices are up to 30% lower than their natural counterparts, according to Money Under 30. But, before you pull the trigger, consider your diamond’s resell value. Marriage is a life-long thing; you may want to upgrade your ring one day or the marriage may not last forever (unlike that diamond). That’s why Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange suggests investing in a natural diamond, even if you have to shell out a little more for it now. Natural diamonds hold their value extremely well. The supply of lab-grown diamonds is only going to grow, meaning the demand will inevitably go down, making them a poor investment. If you invest in a natural diamond now, you’ll thank yourself later when you need to resell and get at least 30-50% of your money back. If you go to resell your lab-grown diamond, that number decreases to the point where you’ll get next to nothing back. Still interested in a lab-grown diamond? Let us know. While we don’t typically carry them in our store, we can still help you find one with the best quality for the best price! Now that you’ve thought about how your diamond is made, check out our guide to picking the perfect diamond shape.

Continue reading →
Diamond, Engagement, Jewelry

Official Diamond Shape Guide

Posted on by dgse
25
Mar

So, you’ve decided to start looking for a diamond engagement ring. Good news — you’re in excellent hands! We’ll help you find your dream engagement ring at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange for the very best price. The first step in creating the perfect engagement ring is choosing the right diamond, starting with its shape. Choosing the diamond shape for your engagement ring is deeply personal, so take your time in making the right decision. To help you along your path to the perfect engagement ring, check out the Diamond Shape Guide from the experts at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange: Diamond Shape 101 Even if you’re just beginning your journey to your dream diamond, chances are the first thing that comes to mind is its shape. A diamonds shape (not to be confused with cut), refers to the general silhouette of the stone, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Each diamond shape has their own defining attributes that match different styles and personalities. Round Round diamonds reign supreme as the most popular engagement ring choice. They are a classic option that look gorgeous in a wide variety of settings. It makes them the perfect diamonds to pass down as a family heirloom because they stand the test of time and trends. This shape is well-suited for the woman with traditional style and who keeps their accessories simple and timeless. Princess As the second most popular diamond shape behind round, this diamond fits a wide variety of styles from contemporary to traditional. Like the round diamond, it fits perfectly many different settings. If you are on the hunt for a diamond that is easy on the budget, the princess cut is a great option since the process of cutting is simpler and keeps more of the rough diamond — and, of course, it shines just as brightly as other shapes! Emerald Emerald cut diamonds are a fabulous way to make a statement. They stand out among other cuts due to their mirror-like step facets and their elongated, rectangular shape. Emerald diamonds make wonderful solitaire options, three stone settings or settings with small accent diamonds. This diamond suits a wearer with sophisticated style and can also give an elongated effect to ring fingers. Asscher This royal shape is unique in that it is the first diamond shape to be patented — and it’s no surprise why The Asscher Diamond Company would want this cut all to themselves! This diamond shape is cut with step facets, similar to the emerald cut diamond. The “hall of mirrors” effect with the Asscher cut exudes old Hollywood glamour and royalty, so this is the perfect shape for the bride-to-be that dreams big and has a flair for vintage items Marquise This regal cut is making a comeback — and for good reason! The marquise diamond boasts a brilliant 58 facets and its slim figure can appear larger than its carat weight. Some are even opting to set it horizontally for a modern take on an antique-style shape. Setting it vertically can have a slimming effect, as well. This style is perfect for the recipient with a flair for vintage and elegant style. Oval This stone in particular is having a moment. Oval diamonds are a modern twist on the classic round diamond. Similar to the round diamond, they fit wonderfully in a variety of settings. The elongated shape of oval stones can also make a ring finger appear longer and leaner. This shape is a beautiful option for the bride-to-be with chic and modern style. Pear This unique style resembles a teardrop and, according to the GIA, “blends the best of the round and marquise diamond shapes.” A versatile shape, some romantics like to wear their pear-shaped diamond with the point facing their heart, while others find a slimming effect with the point facing the tip of their fingers. We find this cut gorgeous with a curved band shaped to hug the diamond — it makes a fabulous compliment to a stunning shape. Heart If your bride-to-be is a romantic with an affinity for pink, look no further than the heart-shaped diamond. Living up to its name, the heart diamond embodies the symbol of love and affection and therefore makes a gorgeous engagement or anniversary ring, or even as a special gift for Valentine’s Day. This diamond is cut similarly to the pear shape and features two rounded edges divided by one cleft. Here’s a little-known fact about heart shape diamonds: it is one of the most difficult cuts to create, making it all the more special!  

Continue reading →
Engagement

With This Ring, I Thee Smog

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
SIlver Ring
20
Sep

We don’t think this is a very good idea, but it’s our duty to report what’s new out there in the world of jewelry. Meet the Smog Free Ring, an unusual choice for at least a few people to seal their love with a blob of filth. The ring was created by a Dutch designer, Daan Roosegaarde, who went to Beijing a few years ago, was horrified by the pollution and created a Smog Free Tower to filter the air. They’re now sprouting in parks from Poland to Mexico. Then he had to decide what to do with the black crud that the towers collect. So he compressed the particles, encased them in a transparent cube and invented the Smog Free Ring. “In the beginning we were joking, who is going to wear pollution?” Mr. Roosegaarde told The New York Times. “It’s a new meaning of beauty. It’s not beauty like Louis Vuitton or Ferrari or Rolex, but it’s clean air. That’s beautiful.” Well, it’s not that beautiful, but it does make statements. One of them is: Be careful with the ring. Mr. Roosegaarde said that if someone somehow breathed in the ring’s contents, it could take six to eight years off his or her life. Nonetheless, he confidently carries one around all the time. “I’m single, but I always carry a smog free ring with me,” he said. “Right now it’s a proposal for a new world, not a person, but you never know when I will meet someone.” At Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange, we have a better idea. To help clean the air, take the money you save by buying a ring from us and get a bicycle or an electric car or really good walking shoes for everyone you know. You’ll help the planet and have a beautiful diamond on your finger forever.

Continue reading →
Engagement

A one-carrot gold ring? Priceless, and a little muddy

Posted on by Julianne Jacobs
Carot with ring
27
Aug

There are plenty of 14-karat and 18-karat gold rings out there, with the most special and the best deals, of course, at Dallas Gold & Silver Exchange. But it’s not every day you find a one-carrot gold ring. Yet there it was, sitting pretty in the latest crop of vegetables dug up last week from Dave and Lin Keitch’s garden in Monkton Heathfield, a small town in southwest England. “Dave dug up the carrots and left them outside the back door,” she said. “I cut the greens off and scrubbed them, and I thought, ‘What’s that? Goodness, it’s my ring’.” The ring, a gold band with a heart-shaped amethyst stone, was a present from Dave to Lin on her 40th birthday almost three decades ago. When it got too small for her, she gave it to her daughter Sarah, who somehow lost it in the garden in 2006. “We searched high and low but couldn’t find it,” Lin said. “I was gutted. I never thought it would turn up again.” Dave, an enthusiastic gardener, never stopped looking for the ring. But a carrot found it first, growing inside the ring until David harvested it for dinner. Sarah is also happy that the ring was found, although she may not get it back. “I’m deciding whether to give it back to her or not,” Lin said. “I may just clean it up and keep it in a box.”

Continue reading →