Traditionally, the rule was to spend three months' salary on an engagement ring, but that is not an unbreakable rule. It is a combination of what you can afford and what your partner will love.

The Four C’s are Carat, Clarity, Color and Cut. This method is used to measure the value and quality of all diamonds.

Carat - Diamonds are weighed in carats. A carat is 200 milligrams, and each carat can be divided into 100 points. Therefore, a 25-point diamond is the equivalent of ¼ of a carat. Commonly, the higher the carats, the higher the price of the diamond.

Clarity - Clarity is the absence of flaws called inclusions and blemishes. Inclusions are internal flaws and blemishes are external flaws. To determine clarity, a diamond grader must consider how many flaws there are within the diamond as well as the size, position, and nature of each flaw. No visible flaws are graded as Flawless (FL). Then it moves down the scale to Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1), Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2), Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2) and Included (I1, I2 and I3).

Color - Diamonds are also graded on their lack of color. A completely clear, colorless diamond is most desirable and is graded as a D diamond. The more yellow a diamond looks, the lower the grade. The color scale goes from D to Z.

Cut - A diamond's cut is not the same as the diamond's shape. Cut refers to how the diamond is faceted to reflect light without letting light 'leak" out. This is what gives diamonds their mesmerizing sparkle. The scale for cut grades how well the facets reflect light, and it ranges from Excellent to Poor.

1. Asscher - Developed over 100 years ago in Holland by Joseph Asscher, this is a square shape with diagonally cut corners.
2. Cushion – Very common in the 19th century, it is a rounded square shape.
3. Emerald - A traditional shape, the emerald cut is rectangular with cut corners. An elongated version of Asscher-shaped diamonds.
4. Heart - Heart shapes must be created carefully to maintain balance and brilliance.
5. Marquise - This elongated shape creates the look of long, slender fingers. Another benefit of a marquise is that it looks larger than it actually is.
6. Oval - Ovals look stunning on long, slender fingers and offer a similar brilliance as the round-shaped diamonds.
7. Pear - Pear-shaped diamonds are also called tear drops. They often look best accented with other gems on each side.
8. Princess - The second most popular shape, the princess cut has been around for about 30 years. It combines the classic terracing of the emerald cut with the brilliance of the round cut.
9. Radiant - Radiant diamonds are similar to princess-shaped diamonds with the facets of a round cut. It is a versatile shape that lends itself well to multi-gem settings.
10. Round - Its symmetry creates the most sparkle of all the shapes.

Visit one of our showrooms together and a bridal experts will assist.  If you want to keep it a surprise, try the following:

• Borrow one of her rings
• Trace it
• Phone a friend / family member
• Put a string on it
• Use a ring sizing gauge
• Use some guesswork
• Err on the larger side

The best engagement ring is the one that makes you say, "Wow!". However, it goes beyond just the
wow factor. You should also consider things like your lifestyle or what shape will look best on your hand.

Proposing with a ring that has sentimental value can make your engagement even more special. If you’re proposing with a family heirloom, it’s a good idea to have it professionally cleaned, appraised, and assessed for any potential issues before you pop the question. Make sure the ring is the right size for its new recipient. If it is an antique, the ring might need a few repairs before being wearable.

You can propose with the heirloom on its own, or pair it with a brand new diamond band for a unique stacked look. Another option is to use the diamonds or stones from the heirloom ring to create a custom design that incorporates elements of the original, getting you the best of both worlds.

Talk to your partner about their metal preferences or take a peek at their jewelry collection to see what kind of metals they wear most often. Picking the right base will help ensure you end up with a perfect ring that your partner never wants to take off.

• Yellow or white gold: Classic, timeless, and very durable. White gold has a shiny silvery appearance and yellow gold is a warm buttery tone.
• Platinum: Extra strong, heavier weight, with a lustrous gray hue. Platinum is one of the most expensive metal options.
• Rose gold: Distinctively pink. Rose gold is a great choice if your partner likes unique jewelry.

Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds, but they are created by scientists in controlled conditions. The main difference is that lab-grown diamonds don’t have any of the flaws that most naturally occurring diamonds do. As technology improves, lab-grown diamonds are becoming a popular ethical, sustainable alternative to mined diamonds. Make sure to buy certified stones from reputable brands. Overall, lab-grown diamonds are a great option if you want quality and brilliance on a budget.

Explore loose lab-grown diamonds here.

Making custom jewelry allows you to reflect your partner's unique style. Schedule a consultation with a jeweler to discuss your idea for a custom engagement ring. Bring inspirational images, rough sketches, or notes to describe your vision. Jewelers can craft a ring from scratch or use aspects of existing designs you like. Another option is to customize a setting around a particular gemstone, like a family heirloom diamond.

Customization can add to the overall cost of your engagement ring, so remember to incorporate that into your budget. You should also make sure to schedule enough time — custom jewelry production can often take around 4-6 weeks, but certain designs or materials can take even longer.

Learn more here: Custom Design at TMJ

1. Durability:

White Gold: White gold is durable compared to platinum. The rhodium plating provides extra protection, but over time, it can wear off, exposing the gold underneath.

Platinum: Platinum is much softer than gold; therefore, it scratches and bends easier (on thinner styles) but it is much more difficult to break. Since platinum repairs are more expensive, it is not recommended for rings with thin or intricate designs.

2. Composition:

• White Gold: White gold is an alloy, typically made from pure yellow gold mixed with other metals like nickel, silver, or palladium to give it a whiter hue. It is often coated with rhodium, a shiny metal that enhances its white color and shine.
• Platinum: Platinum is a naturally white metal and is used in almost pure form (usually about 95% platinum with 5% other metals like palladium or ruthenium for added strength).

3. Appearance:

• White Gold: White gold has a bright, silvery appearance, largely due to the rhodium plating. However, over time, the rhodium coating can wear off, causing the gold to take on a yellowish tint, which means it may require re-plating to maintain its color.
• Platinum: Platinum has a naturally white, lustrous appearance and does not require plating. Over time, it develops a soft patina, giving it a slightly aged, more matte look, but it doesn’t lose its white color.

4. Cost:

• White Gold: White gold is typically less expensive than platinum because gold is less rare and the alloy contains a smaller percentage of pure gold.
• Platinum: Platinum is rarer and denser, making it more expensive. The cost reflects its scarcity and the labor involved in working with this harder metal.

5. Weight:

• White Gold: White gold is lighter than platinum, which can make it feel more comfortable for some people.
• Platinum: Platinum is denser and heavier, giving it a substantial feel that some people prefer in high-quality jewelry.

6. Allergies:

• White Gold: Some people may have allergic reactions to the nickel often used in white gold alloys. If you have sensitive skin, it’s important to ensure the white gold is nickel-free.
• Platinum: Platinum is hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for people with sensitive skin.

7. Maintenance:

• White Gold: It may require more frequent maintenance, including rhodium re-plating, to maintain its bright white appearance.
• Platinum: Platinum requires less maintenance over time, but polishing may be needed to restore its shine if you prefer a polished look over the patina. Repairs will also cost more than white gold.

Each metal has its own unique characteristics, and the choice between white gold and platinum often comes down to personal preference, budget, and desired durability.

Visually, it's extremely difficult to tell the difference between a lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond, even for experts. Both lab-grown and natural diamonds are made of pure carbon and have the same physical, chemical, and optical properties. However, there are some differences that can be detected through specific tools and techniques.

1. Visual Differences (to the naked eye):

• No Visible Difference: To the naked eye or with a standard jeweler's loupe, lab-grown and natural diamonds look identical. Both exhibit the same brilliance, sparkle, and fire (dispersion of light).
• Inclusions: Lab-grown diamonds can sometimes have different types of inclusions or internal characteristics compared to natural diamonds, though these are only detectable under a microscope. For example, lab diamonds may show metallic inclusions from the high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) process, while natural diamonds typically have mineral inclusions.

2. Specialized Equipment:

• Diamond Testers: Standard diamond testers that measure thermal conductivity cannot distinguish between a lab-grown and a natural diamond, as both are diamonds. However, more advanced testers, like those that use electrical conductivity, can sometimes differentiate.
• Spectroscopic Analysis: Gemological institutes use advanced spectroscopic techniques, such as UV fluorescence or infrared absorption, to identify the subtle differences in growth patterns or trace elements present in lab-grown diamonds versus natural diamonds.
• Growth Patterns: Under extreme magnification or spectroscopic tools, lab-grown diamonds may show distinctive growth patterns (such as flat crystal edges in CVD diamonds) or differences in the trace elements that natural diamonds acquire during their formation in the earth.

3. Certification:

• Laser Inscription: Lab-grown diamonds are often laser-inscribed on the girdle with their lab certification number, which identifies them as synthetic. Natural diamonds may also have inscriptions, but their certification will specify they are natural.
• Grading Reports: Certificates from gemological labs (e.g., GIA, IGI) will clearly state whether a diamond is lab-grown or natural.

4. Price Difference:

• Lab-grown diamonds are typically less expensive than natural diamonds of similar quality, which can be a clue when comparing two diamonds of the same size and quality. However, this is not a visual indicator, but rather something noticed when shopping for the stone.

In everyday use, without specialized equipment, it's almost impossible to distinguish a lab-grown diamond from a natural one by sight alone.

We recommend having your ring cleaned and inspected at least every 6 months to make sure your ring stays looking its best and any issues can be addressed before they progress further.

We are happy to offer all gemstones and can source even the most rare stones in the world! However, some gemstones are not recommended for daily wear. Our sales professionals can further educate you to help you make an informed decision on your gemstone of choice.