Issues with Buying Diamond & Fine Jewelry Online

The process of jewelry buying is fairly complicated, especially when taking into consideration all the terminology and technical aspects involved. What shouldn’t be a stressful experience is deciding where to buy, but that’s often the first issue upon which people stumble. While both jewelry stores and online shops have their advantages, both have disadvantages as well. In order to make the simple act of choosing a place to buy simpler and more enjoyable, here is a quick breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of each option and a recommendation on how anyone can skip the negatives entirely with one little trick.

The Best of In Store Shopping

Ruby Three-Stone Ring With Halo

 The benefits of heading to local jewelry stores or factory-direct stores are fairly clear. You can admire the jewelry in person, try it on and speak with a salesperson about any questions you may have about cut, clarity, carat weight or color. However the drawbacks are equally apparent. The salesperson may pressure you to buy something you’re uncertain about or unready to commit to, or he may offer inexpert advice on a certain piece. Additionally, a store has limited selection, so if you don’t find something you love, you may instead opt for something “close enough,” reducing your enjoyment of the piece.

The Best of Online Shopping

Pear and Oval-Shaped Diamond
Links Necklace

On the other hand, opening a browser and searching an online jewelry catalog means you have a nearly limitless selection of choices, an exciting prospect if you have something specific in mind. There’s also complete privacy, and you’re given as much time to ponder your choices as you’re willing to spend searching. Finally, no one is pressuring you to make a decision. As a polar opposite to in-store shopping, there’s no helpful or knowledgeable salesperson to assist you in answering questions. You cannot try on any pieces and even high quality photos hardly do diamonds justice. More worrisome yet, if you buy from an untrustworthy store, you never know what you’re going to get until it arrives.

Floral Pattern Antique Bracelet

Fortunately, there is a solution for shoppers who aren’t willing to sacrifice any benefits in their search for the perfect ring, necklace, bracelet or pair of earrings. At Ziva Jewels, we’ve combined the best of both worlds. You can browse our extensive collection online at your leisure, and once you’ve found the perfect item simply request to see it in person at a local affiliated retailer. There you may try it on, ask any questions you may have and trust the expert, no-pressure advice of our trusted salespeople. When it comes to diamond buying, you should never settle for anything less than exceptional, and our “Try Before You Buy” program and lifetime warranties ensure you never have to.

Diamond Rings by Price: $5,000, $10,000, $15,000, $20,000

Receiving an engagement ring is a once in a lifetime experience, one that you’ve likely been looking forward to your entire life. Perhaps you’ve envisioned the ideal design or saved a few images that represent your style. The only thing that may hold you back from total satisfaction is the price. But don’t worry. Stunning engagement rings are available in every price point, especially at Ziva. We handcraft gorgeous rings in all the popular styles, plus anything more you can imagine. So, feel free to let your heart decide the design and your head determine the budget. Here are some of the many options you have.

Up to $5,000

Antique Style Oval Engagement Ring
With Pear-Shaped and Round Diamond Sides

Having limited means doesn’t mean sacrificing even the tiniest bit of sparkle when it comes to engagement rings. In fact, the latest fashion for rings—vintage-inspired—is more affordable thanks to its use of smaller stones and ornate designs. Choose between colorful gemstones or an assortment of carefully placed diamonds for your $5000 engagement ring.

Up to $10,000

Engraved Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

Double your budget and you suddenly have a wide selection at hand. You may opt for better quality diamonds or larger ones at this point, but you should definitely keep your eye on the band. $10,000 engagement rings, or thereabouts, benefit from the option of engraved or decorative bands, either featuring hand carvings or Pave diamond settings. You can even find both, in modern, vintage or custom designs.

Up to $15,000

Oval Yellow Diamond Engagement Ring
With Double Halo

Boost your options yet again, and you can have a close to flawless diamond or better yet, you can have a fancy colored diamond, such as a striking canary yellow piece wrapped in a stunning Pave halo. A delicate band helps make a smaller, better quality stone appear larger, and a double halo can also add some oomph. The thing about $15,000 engagement rings, you can have almost anything you want, within reason.

Up to $20,000

Square Cushion Cut Yellow 
Diamond Engagement Ring 

While there are certainly more expensive rings out there, just ask any celebrity, $20,000 engagement rings provide a great deal of advantages, including decorative bands, cathedral settings, Pave settings and accent stones. Of course, the best part of a sizable budget is the high quality central stone, which should be nearly flawless and of enviable clarity. Or, go larger with a fancy colored and rare diamond.

Whether you dream of gemstones or custom made, minimal and modern or antique and ornate, Ziva Jewels has the perfect engagement ring for you. Never let budget limit your imagination, we can help you find the ideal design without ever risking breaking your budget.

Unique Engagement Rings: Finding The Perfect One

Unique engagement rings are all about showing off the singular beauty of your relationship. You only promise yourself to one person for the rest of your life because he or she has the perfect combination of individual characteristics that makes him or her different from anyone else in the world, different and better. For the same reasons you want a ring that stands out from the rest, one that symbolizes a special love that will last forever. Here are a few ideas for design details that are unusual, appealing and eye-catching.

A Shapely Twist

Bypass Pear-Shaped Engagement Ring

Many brides and grooms-to-be focus on the size of the diamond or gemstone when it comes time to picking out an engagement ring, but there’s a lot more to an ideal ring than carat weight. Think about whether or not you want a ring that hugs the curves of your stones, instead of acting as the foundation alone. A beautiful twisting band has an organic style that complements love’s natural progression, and it also has a style clearly distinctive from the sea of circular bands.

A Symbolic Braid

Braided Band Engagement Ring

Besides a sinuous twist, there are braided ring bands that resemble a popular symbol of eternal love: the infinity sign. A braided band often comes equipped with highlighting Pave diamonds set into it, which attract eyes to the unique setting. Many different types of gemstone cuts work with this design, and it ensures everyone who sees your stunning engagement ring understands your devotion. Also known as a criss-cross band, you can say that X marks the spot of where your new life really began.

An Ornate Pedestal

Princess Cut Engagement Ring With
Princess Cut and Pave Diamond Band

Unique and classic don’t have to be mutually exclusive. A brilliant princess-cut diamond on a circular band can transform from commonplace to out of this world with an enrobed cathedral setting of wrap-around Pave diamonds. The result is not only spectacularly shiny, but it’s also exceptionally beautiful. Although quite subtle when worn, upon closer inspection everyone will see how singular this design truly is.

Whether you prefer modern or vintage, colorless diamonds or colorful gemstones, you almost certainly desire a one of a kind engagement ring that, like your love, is wholly singular. Discover how Ziva uses a few simple changes in details, especially on the bands, to magically alter a familiar look into something truly extraordinary.

Engagement Rings: Selecting the Best Designer

Designer engagement rings aren’t just for movie stars and oil tycoons, though they have an illustrious reputation. Designer jewelry is available to most people seeking high quality fine jewelry that is distinctive, well made and gorgeous. Some people are uncertain of what qualifies as designer made, and others wonder what the differences are between designer jewelry and not. Discover the answers to both these questions and more, and find just how wonderful owning a designer piece of jewelry can be.

Designer Versus Store-Bought Versus Custom

Twisted Shank Halo Engagement Ring

There are a lot of options out there for buyers interested in investing in a one-of-a-kind engagement ring. Many shoppers head to a mall to buy a brand name diamond ring. Others opt to choose a local or family-run business that offers designer-made collections. A few choose to order a custom design from a small artisan jeweler. What are the differences between all of these? Designer-made jewelry is the only one that can offer the best of each category. Chain stores offer name recognition and quality materials, independent jewelers bring singular designs and service, but designers like Ziva Jewels use only exceptional quality materials, offer only attentive no-pressure service and happily custom make any design you desire.

Convenience, Service and Selection

Round Diamond in Square Halo Engagement Ring

Whether you’re interested in a custom design or not, you probably want access to as broad and diverse a selection as possible in order to find something that suits you. Mall stores have a very limited collection of gems, and artisan jewelers an even smaller inventory, but Ziva has an expansive online collection of hundreds of engagement rings, plus they offer a wealth of additional options through their certified retailers. As a result, clients can browse online, find a ring they adore and set up an appointment to see it in person. Our certified retailers never pressure anyone to buy, and are knowledgeable in every aspect of diamond and gemstone buying.

Respectable Ethics

Oval Engagement Ring 
with Moon-Shaped Sides in Diamond Halos

Many diamonds and gemstones come to the U.S. through shameful paths and from disreputable organizations. At Ziva, we know you care about from where your fine jewelry arrives. Manufactured and designed in the U.S. using ethical practices, Ziva’s wedding rings and fine jewelry allow you to enjoy your luxury purchases guilt-free. This makes them far more precious and more beautiful in our opinion. Always seek out a jewelry designer that follows their conscience and offers a guarantee. Ziva provides a lifetime warranty for its work, something very few other stores or designers do.

Designer engagement rings are coveted for many reasons, including their quality, singular design and exceptional customer service. Discover why designer made jewelry is the best choice by visiting Ziva Jewels or contacting us for more information.

Vintage Engagement Rings for Most Discerning Brides

Vintage engagement rings are currently the most popular designs for rings. Whether they’re inspired by Art Deco, Edwardian or Victorian designs, they seem to have found a stable perch in the hearts of many brides-to-be. But what exactly is a vintage engagement ring? What is an antique-style engagement ring? If these terms have you confused, here is a simple guide to help you understand the differences, and ensure you receive the ring of your dreams, no matter what year of make or era of inspiration suits you best.

The Meaning of Vintage

Vintage Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

 Vintage is a surprisingly broad term. Conventionally, it means the year a product or item is made. You usually see it in reference to wines, with vintages referencing the year the beverage was produced. More commonly, vintage is used to describe anything old that is popular again, such as 80s fashion. While some people may argue that vintage refers to anything at least 50 years old, it’s certainly not universally used that way. In fact, a retailer can label something vintage that was made last season, and he wouldn’t be mistaken. If you like something that’s a few years old and labeled vintage, don’t let that stop you from enjoying it or buying it. It simply helps you make an informed decision.

The Meaning of Antique

Vintage Engagement Ring 
with Round Sides in Pave Halos

On the other hand, antique has a very specific defined meaning. Anything that’s at least 100 years old falls into the category of antique. Antique items, whether they’re rings, furniture or clothing, are highly sought after, rare and expensive. They’re so highly coveted because they are a direct link to the past, and they have a romantic appeal and a traceable history that’s unique. Any jeweler or retailer selling authentic antique items should have proof of its origins and age. Without this, it’s unlikely to be true.

The Meaning of Antique-Inspired

Antique Style Emerald Cut Engagement Ring

When most couples search for antique engagement rings, they’re actually seeking out antique-style rings. What’s the difference? An antique-style ring is newly made but designed to look like a vintage piece. Sometimes manufactured as a collection and sometimes custom made, these “inspired by” designs look just like the beautiful jewels from the 17^th, 18^th and 19^th centuries, except the materials are all new. This not only makes them much more affordable, they’re far more customize-able for a completely unique ring. Ziva is happy to provide a broad selection of antique-inspired engagement rings and can custom make a piece for you too.

Micro-Pave Engagement Ring With Diamond Prongs

If you love colorful gemstones, ornate cathedral settings and intricate engravings, an antique or antique-inspired ring is the perfect choice. Understanding the difference between these two terms is essential for any shopper, no matter the style or type of ring they desire. Now that you know the terms, come check out Ziva’s stunning collection of engagement rings, or make your own!