Planning to buy an engagement ring for your special someone this holiday season? Here are a few tips on finding the perfect jewel without breaking the bank.

Read the Room

Do some research on your partner’s preference before you make any decisions. You can either ask them directly if you are shopping together, or investigate the type of jewelry they like and would want to wear. Keep an eye out for specific diamond cuts or band styles your partner prefers to get a feel for their perfect ring. Get your soon-to-be-fiancé’s opinion as much as possible and most importantly find out their ring size.

Set Budgets and Expectations

The ring you buy will be special no matter how much you pay and you should only spend as much as you’re comfortable with. You can plan an allocated budget with your partner, and also discuss whether you choose to purchase the ring outright or go with a financing plan. Robbins Brothers offers special financing rates to help you discover the perfect payment plan.

Get Excited!

Buying a ring may seem daunting but it can actually be an easy and simple way to show someone you’re ready to spend the rest of your life with them. Preparing for this next step can be an exciting way to psyche yourself out for the big moment and it can also teach you a lot about your partner. Whether you choose to shop with your partner or look on your own, you can use this opportunity to find out their tastes or even use it as a financial lesson on how to prepare for important purchases.

Get Informed with the 4 C’s

Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat are the 4 C’s of diamonds, the defining traits of a diamond’s appearance. Learning how to identify good examples of each of these traits is an important step in finding the right engagement ring. Please check out our guide on the 4 C’s to learn more about what to look out for. Ask to see your diamond up close before making any purchasing decisions to be sure it’s just right.

Check the Policy and Warranty

You never know what life will throw at you and while you can only hope for the best, sometimes things happen. Just in case, you should still ask about the return policy with any ring you buy. If you buy with Robbins Brothers, you have a full 30-day satisfaction guarantee in which you can return a ring for a full refund or exchange if your fiancé wants to change the style of their engagement ring.

Another important thing to look out for is a good warranty to keep your ring looking as beautiful as the day you proposed. Many warranty programs will offer an inspection service to check for any chips or cracks in the gem but Robbins Brothers goes a step further, with a lifetime diamond warranty with complimentary cleanings.

There Are No Stupid Questions, So Ask Away!

With any big purchase, you should always ask yourself the important questions but when buying a ring you should also ask a professional any and every question that comes through your head. If you have any more questions and want to ask them online, Robbins Brothers’ virtual concierge team can help you work through the process and find your perfect ring.

Trade Up Down The Line

In many relationships, an engagement ring is only the first of many rings you will buy and buying an engagement ring from a store that offers a great trade-up policy is key. Robbins Brothers’ 110% Diamond Trade-Up can mean the difference between the perfect ring now and a perfect ring a few years down the line.

If you’re looking for a more general guide on buying a diamond ring, please check out our helpful infographic here and see trending engagement ring styles for your proposal.

The post Holiday Engagement Ring Shopping Guide appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

Does the princess in your life deserve the best? If she lives up to the royal namesake, consider getting her a princess cut diamond. This shape is versatile enough for someone that loves the classic sparkle of the round brilliant diamond and appreciates the look of a modern geometric shape.

This diamond is family to a long list of square shaped diamonds which include the Asscher, cushion, and radiant. While the round brilliant diamond is still by far the most popular, the princess cut diamond is continuously in the top three best selling shapes at Robbins Brothers.

When buying a princess cut diamond, one of the more important points to consider is symmetry. All four sides should be parallel. The length and width should be the same size, or at the very least they should be very close in size. Also, if you draw a line down the middle of the diamond, the facet cuts should match on either side. This helps create a balanced look.

This diamond shape has sharp corners which helps to create modern lines. However, those sharp corners do have a tendency to chip. When setting a princess cut diamond, it’s important to have the diamond set with traditional or split-prongs on each of the corners. If prong settings are too traditional for your S.O., a bezel setting is another great option.

If cost is a factor for you, the princess diamond may be a great value. Due to the long diagonal nature of the table, it can appear larger than the round as it takes up more of her finger.

When you’re ready to shop for this special diamond, let our diamond experts help you pick out the perfect princess cut diamond for your very own “royal” princess.

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If your S.O. loves the timelessness of a round brilliant diamond, but her vibe is more unique, consider buying her an oval diamond.

Generally speaking if you are looking for more bang for your buck, buying an oval diamond will help stretch your dollar. One of the best assets of this cut is due to its shape. This shape has a larger table or surface area than a traditional round diamond so it covers more of your finger. Did you know it can appear up to 10% larger to the eye?

The oval diamond is considered a fancy shape. When shopping for fancy cut diamonds, they don’t receive a cut grade. You can still use the other 4Cs of Diamond when making your purchase decision and if you need help, our diamond experts are here to help you through your purchase decision.

Since there isn’t a standard when it comes to a cut grade, when shopping for an oval diamond, look for symmetry. The oval should have identical rounded edges and similar sides. A diamond that isn’t symmetrical will be noticeable once it’s in its setting.

And since this cut has 58 facets like the brilliant round cut diamond, its sparkle factor is off the charts!

The oval diamond is a very versatile shape and can accommodate A LOT of setting types. Between cutting an oval to be a long and slender diamond, to something with a bit more weight to the middle, this cut really allows for very unique and personal looks.

Finally, it’s important to understand the bow tie effect and what it means for this stunning diamond. The bow tie effect is something that happens with fancy cut diamonds. It can create a dark and possibly distracting area across the middle of the diamond. The key… find an oval diamond that allows the bowtie to blend in with the rest of the ring. If you don’t see it in the diamond, it’s a well cut diamond and one that will look great in whatever setting you select.

Because of the oval cut’s sparkle, whether you choose a simple or elaborate setting, or just want something that makes a statement, the oval cut diamond will lend itself beautifully to your engagement ring.

The post The Versatile Oval Diamond: A Buying Guide appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

As a universal symbol of love goes, the romantic gesture of someone getting down on one knee is recognizable as a marriage proposal which solidifies the engagement. If you are ready to pop the question to your SO, and are still searching for the perfect diamond, consider the round brilliant diamond.

The round brilliant diamond is considered the most popular diamond shape for engagement ring settings. Known for its classic elegance and beauty, it looks great in a number of settings which makes it a versatile option.

Round diamonds are purchased with the Diamond 4Cs in mind; cut, color, clarity and carat weight. While learning about the 4Cs is important, here are some additional things to consider when buying a round diamond.

1) Arguably, the most brilliant of all the diamond cuts and shapes, due in part to how the diamond facets are arranged. The round brilliant diamond can have 57 or 58 facets. However our exclusive Echo Diamond has 98 hand-cut facets! So go ahead and hold that ring up to the light, give it a twist and watch it shimmer and sparkle.

2) Diamond color is sometimes hard to see without the help of a diamond expert. So buying a round brilliant diamond that looks colorless (or white to you) may be the way to go. However, don’t be afraid to try a diamond that has a bit of color, as you may find you actually love the warmth that comes with these diamonds. The other factor that isn’t always considered is that the settings metal choice can change the way your diamond looks. Unless she has her heart set on one metal type, be sure to look at your loose diamond in different settings.

3) Inclusions are those internal birthmarks that almost every diamond has. It is what makes each diamond unique. When buying a round brilliant diamond be sure those inclusions aren’t near the girdle or surface as it can make the diamond more vulnerable to cracking.

4) If your favorite person thinks size is important, here is a trick that won’t break the bank. Add a halo to your center stone to create the illusion of a larger diamond. It’s also a ‘brilliant’ way to give your engagement ring an extra something-something.

Although we don’t know your SO, we’re pretty sure your spouse-to-be will be overjoyed when you decide to get on your knee and show the world how much you love them with a round brilliant diamond engagement ring.

The post The Round Brilliant Diamond: A Buying Guide appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

I just love TACORI! But what stylish woman in her right mind doesn’t?! The exquisite designs are in a class of their own and the people behind the brand are equally as fascinating. Just to give you a glimpse into the behind-the-scenes world of this leading bridal and fashion jewelry designer, thought I’d do a fun Q&A with one of the women in charge, my friend and well-respected colleague Michelle Adorjan, SVP of Marketing and PR for Tacori.

Tracey: What’s a typical day at the Tacori Headquarters for you?
Michelle: A typical day at Tacori is never typical! Some days, I’m meeting with our Design Team to see new styles and hear the design inspiration behind each piece. Other days, we’re planning Special Events for our clients, and still other days, I may be on Twitter or other Social Media outlets for breaking news or general inspiration.

No matter the day, I’m always trying to figure out ways to connect our customers (and future clients) with Tacori’s beautiful designs.

Tracey: Are you engaged? What type of engagement ring do you have?
Michelle: I’m happily married for almost four years! I wear Tacori – of course. 🙂

My husband actually proposed with an heirloom ruby and diamond engagement ring – his grandmother’s – so there was a lot of emotional significance to the proposal. After the proposal, he said that he wanted me to wear the heirloom ring until I had a chance to choose the exact ring style that I wanted to wear in the future. (him knowing that I’ve always wanted to wear Tacori!)

So together, he and I worked with the Design Team at Tacori to create a one-of-a-kind ring, and I wore the heirloom ring until my Tacori design was ready.

It’s truly an amazing honor to wear a piece that Tacori designed just for me, and which symbolizes the love and connection I have with my husband.

Tracey: Of all the Tacori styles out right now, which one is your favorite?
Michelle: This is such a hard question, as each Tacori design is really a small work of art. For engagement rings, I’m attracted to classic designs that have a bit of an unusual twist – something that you don’t see every day and which are really distinct to the woman who wears Tacori.

The ring that I am surprised to love is this style from our “Dantela” collection. It’s absolutely beautiful – and so unique with a pear-cut diamond!

Tracey: If a lady is unsure of her engagement ring style, what can she do to narrow down the options?
Michelle: This is a great question, and we have created an “Engagement Ring Quiz” to help! A lady just needs to answer five simple questions about her style, and Tacori helps direct her to a particular look from Tacori that she might like.

Based on feedback that I’ve seen on Twitter and Facebook, I think this fun quiz may actually be pretty accurate! You’ll have to leave a comment below and let me know if we got it right for you?
Tracey: Ha!!!! Okay will do!!

Tracey: Is it okay for a woman to let her man know the exact ring she wants?
Michelle: Absolutely! We believe that the “5th C” in the ring search is Communication! (the 4 other C’s being: cut, color, clarity, carat weight)

When a couple is planning their lives together, we believe they should absolutely be communicating together about their wants and needs. An engagement ring is an important milestone in a relationship for both him and her, and it’s an important conversation to have for many reasons!

Tracey: Is bigger always better?
Michelle: When it comes to diamonds and engagement rings, and in fact most things in life – I believe that quality is always the most important factor.

The engagement ring is a very special promise between two people, and any decision should not be about size or money – it’s about love and commitment, and those principles should guide the day.

Tracey: Thanks Michelle! As always it’s a pleasure chatting it up with you!
Michelle: Likewise! Talk to you soon. We’re long overdue for another “Coffee Break.”

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