Pave Set Diamond Rings by Goldfinger Rings

Pave setting diamonds is very popular and there are two types of setting pave and micro pave but you can choose whether you want a single row or double row of pave set diamonds on your ring.  Pave setting can be side by side or alternate but a good pave set ring will look mainly diamonds with small metal pips in between each stone.  Micro pave can only be used for very small diamonds.  A good setter will know just how much metal to put around each stone to get the best effect but still keep the diamond secure.  Goldfinger Rings  hand sort each diamond so that each stone is the same size so our setter does not have to use more metal to make each stone look the same.

Goldfinger Rings also set the diamonds into a solid ring, which means no holes underneath, this keeps the diamonds clean and means you will not get soap stuck underneath your ring which can cause skin irritation.  If a diamond is symmetrically cut it will get its sparkle from the top of the stone because the light bounces into the stone hits the side walls and bounces out again this is why we can set the diamonds into a solid ring and not lose any of the brightness we all love about diamonds.

 

A solid ring also means the ring is stronger and can be sized without the risk of losing the diamonds and you can have a full 26 character engraving message if you wish inside the ring.

PALLADIUM WEDDING RINGS

I know from talking to couples at Wedding Fairs that you have been getting some conflicting information so I thought I would do a short article so you can learn the truth.  There are 2 grades of Palladium metal two have a 950 hallmark and one has a 500 hallmark.

The best Palladium is 950 Palladium with .05% Ruthenium and this is the only Palladium that Goldfinger use to make their jewellery.  This Palladium scores the same as Platinum on the Mohs hardness test.  Hardness tests are not about scratching as every metal will scratch with daily wear and tear but about how easily they dent.  Mixing Ruthenium with Palladium is the only truly successful combination.  Ruthenium is part of the platinum group of metals and by using this mix you are maintaining the purity and integrity of the metals.

The other 950 Palladium has a .05% silver mix and this Palladium is not as hard.

The 500 Palladium is 500 Palladium and 500 silver mix and this is definitely not as hard as Platinum.

I have spoken to a lot of customers who have been told that Palladium is very soft and will dent more than Platinum and the truth is that Palladium with silver is softer but if you buy the Palladium/Ruthenium mix it is a really good metal.  Especially as it is so much cheaper than Platinum but is a naturally white metal, hypoallergenic and scores the same on the hardness scale as Platinum when you try and dent it.  Platinum is a denser metal but both Palladium and Platinum are a naturally white metal.  Platinum and Palladium look very similar when held together and the only difference will be the weight.  Platinum is far more expensive because it is rarer and the price is decided by the stock market.

 

Some jewellers have not worked with Palladium very much and will not recommend it for that reason but Goldfinger Rings have been working and selling Palladium for a very long time.  Please check out www.goldfinger-rings.com/learn about metals.

If you are looking for a Palladium engagement ring, wedding rings, eternity ring call Goldfinger Rings or check out our web site www.goldfinger-rings.com

Blog: Rose Gold

Rose Gold is all the rage at the moment with so many designers doing their ranges in Rose Gold like watches and bracelets but many ladies and Gents are wanting Rose gold wedding bands, so we at Goldfinger Rings have put together a blog to tell you all about Rose Gold.

What is Rose Gold - Coloured gold’s are produced by alloying other metals that impart their colour characteristics to the gold as all gold starts out as yellow gold and the alloys are added to get the desired colour for example rose gold is alloyed with copper and silver to give its distinct colour.

Compare Gold’s – Rose Gold is approximately the same hardness as yellow and white gold so you can wear Rose with any colour gold in the same carat. Rose gold prices are normally the same price as white gold which is a little more expensive than yellow due to having more expensive alloys in their mix.

Rose gold is achieved by adding for example in 18ct (yellow) gold 75% pure yellow gold is added with 20% copper and 5% silver. Rose gold does not need anymore care taken than yellow as the hardness is comparable.

Why buy Rose Gold – The current fashion is to have Rose gold rings, watches, bracelets etc. All the Celebs are buying  their jewellery in 18ct blush rose gold at the moment things like rings and watches covered in diamonds and  Rose gold is stunning , Why not try a Rose gold ring with a white gold ring together as a lovely contrast. When Rose gold is first made it will seem quite red however because of the copper content with time it will oxidise and achieve its wonderful patina of a rose appearance commonly referred to as old gold.

 If you are wanting the darker Red gold then the best gold to buy would be 9ct Rose gold as it has more copper in the alloy mix.

If you want the blush Pink gold then 18ct Rose gold is the best gold to buy as it has less copper and more silver in the alloy mix to give that beautiful blush pink colour.

History of Rose Gold - Rose gold first became fashionable in Russia in the 19^th century then spread in its popularity through Europe during the Victorian era. In the 1920s Cartier introduced it iconic Trinity Ring of the coloured gold bands yellow, Rose and white, commonly know as the Russian Wedding Ring.

Things to think about – Gold is a wonderful metal, which ever colour you choose, other precious metals such as platinum and palladium are harder and both of these are hypoallergenic. Most chemicals that would damage precious metals would also affect your skin however a little known fact is that chlorine eats away at gold even chlorinated swimming pools can damage gold jewellery if constantly exposed resulting in metal loss especially around stone settings.

If you want to buy a Rose gold ring you must remember that if you are wearing it next to other ring you must buy the same carat gold i.e. 9ct with 9ct, 18ct with 18ct ,so that one will not wear the other away over the years.

How to choose diamond Engagement Rings

 Choosing a diamond for your engagement ring is very difficult because it really is all about the cut, clarity, colour and carat size of the stone all of these factors will affect the budget for your ring.

Carat and Cut

The carat size is a weight which means you can have a small top spread and deeper stone or a wider top spread and shallower stone but a 1ct diamond with the perfect dimensions will always cost more than a 1ct stone that is wider or shallower.  The perfect dimensions mean the stone will have more sparkle and fire and this is what everyone loves about diamonds.

Colour and Clarity

You can also put two 1ct stones side by side which both have certificates that are 1ct, colour G, clarity VVS1 and they will look noticeably different and this is because of the person who cut the stone the better the cutter the more sparkly the stone.  You can also choose a higher colour and lower clarity or a higher clarity with a lower colour but the two stones can look very similar to the naked eye.  This is why it is better to talk to an expert.  Certificates can guide you but certificates are only an opinion and some companies are more critical than other certification companies and some jewellers even write their own certificates.  This is why diamonds will be more expensive with a certificate that is checked to a higher standard.  GIA America is considered one of the best certificates.  This is not to say other companies are not grading nice diamonds, but as my diamond merchant likes to say “there is no such thing as a perfect cheap diamond”.

Diamond Shapes

There are many different cuts of diamond, brilliant cut (round diamonds), princess cut (square diamonds), marquise cut (boat shape diamonds), pear shape, heart shape, baguette shape (rectangular shape diamonds, oval shape, cushion shape, emerald cut and trillion shape (triangle shape diamonds).  All these designs can be set as a single stone or as a diamond cluster design or set with other coloured precious stones.  We have even seen diamonds cut into an 8 pointed star and a horses head or the whole ring made out of a rough diamond although I think this might be uncomfortable to wear all the time.

Engagement rings can be claw set, rub over set, pave set, tension set or channel set depending on the design you choose and the size of the stones.  If you can speak to the person actually making your engagement ring you can make sure you get the design you have always wanted and the best quality stone to your budget.

Make sure your engagement ring is suitable for your life style and made from a solid mount which gives the ring maximum strength and durability and you will be able to happily wear your ring for a very long time.

Channel Set Diamond Rings

One of our most popular designs is channel set diamond rings and we pride ourselves on the quality of our diamonds.  Kerry hand sorts each diamond so that each stone is the same size and you then achieve a fabulous straight line of beautiful stones.  If you look at some channel set rings you can see gaps and different size stones which spoils the look of the ring and some even have different qualities of diamonds which detracts from the sparkle.  These at first may not be noticeable but over a short period will become very obvious on a ring you wear every day.

Goldfinger Rings also set the diamonds into a solid channel, which means no holes underneath, this keeps the diamonds clean and means you will not get soap stuck underneath your ring which can cause skin irritation.  If a diamond is symmetrically cut it will get its sparkle from the top of the stone because the light bounces into the stone hits the side walls and bounces out again this is why we can set the diamonds into a solid channel and not lose any of the brightness we all love about diamonds.

A solid ring also means the ring is stronger and can be sized without the risk of losing the diamonds and you can have a full 26 character engraving message if you wish inside the ring.

Do You Know Your Birthstone?

Within the Gregorian calendar, different precious stones have been attributed to each month of the year - known as Birthstones. These beautiful stones have, throughout history, been attributed various qualities such as warmth, hope, health and prosperity but to name a few.

Now for those of you born in the month of March, the Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone for you.

Aquamarine, a part of the beryl family, is beautiful in colour, ranging from rich blues to green hues. Aquamarine is said to be a symbol of happiness and everlasting youth, as well as faithfulness, understanding and love.

Aquamarine is also very hardwearing, scoring highly on the Mohs hardness scalewith a score of 7.5 – 8. Diamonds score 10 on this scale, so Aquamarine is not far behind the hardest stone in existence. 

This also means that the stone usually has very few flaws and is hardwearing, whilst also being a reasonably priced precious stone. The stone can be used in all types of jewellery ranging from small stones for eternity rings, pendants or earrings, or within large stones in an eye-catching engagement ring.

Aquamarine has also traditionally been credited with the following properties:

• As a good luck charm for sailors
• Any person who wears Aquamarine will be able to conquer all wickedness
• Any person who sleeps with an Aquamarine stone underneath their pillow, will have pleasant dreams

For more information, please contact our experts on 01403 733638 or email us atgoldfingerrings@gmail.com.

If you want a handmade quality birthstone item of jewellery for yourself, or for someone special, please don't hesitate to contact our experienced designers and manufacturers to talk through your requirements. We can create bespoke, unique jewellery to suit you!

Is An Invisible Set Diamond Ring The Right Choice For You?

If you love diamonds as much as we do then you’ll know that on some occasions, one diamond just isn’t enough! Diamonds are a girl’s best friend after all. If your idea of the perfect ring is one with as many diamonds on it as possible, that doesn’t cost the earth, then an invisible set diamond ring is ideal for you. 

Invisible set diamond rings are achieved through “invisible setting”, first introduced in France more than two centuries ago. A highly precise procedure, the result creates a beautiful display of small diamonds around a singular ring. The technique places each diamond into a metal framework, which holds the diamond firmly in place, securely attaching it to enable it to withstand the pressure of everyday use. The metal framework securing the diamonds is invisible so the end result is a solid surface of beautiful sparkling diamonds that sit side by side.

Here at Goldfinger Rings, we hand pick each diamond to ensure that the each one is the same size. We are able to set each diamond into a solid ring whilst still showing off their sparkle and brightness. By setting the diamonds into a solid ring, it maintains the rings strength and enables it to be sized without the risk of losing the diamonds.

There are a many advantages to choosing an invisible set diamond ring aside from simply displaying more than one diamond. If you can’t afford to spend money on one big expensive diamond, the technique of invisible setting can create the illusion of a large central 1 carat diamond by using several smaller 0.5 carat ones to create it. Alternatively, you may want a large central gemstone, which surrounding smaller diamonds will enhance beautifully.  Furthermore, invisible setting can be flexible, providing you with the opportunity to create a completely unique ring by choosing the exact quantity of diamonds and their size. 

As well as invisible setting, we also offer a personalisation service with the option to have a message engraved on the inside of the ring making it a truly special gift. 

For more information and to view our invisible set diamond rings, please visit ourdiamond rings page. Alternatively, call one of our expert designers on 0207 405 7590 to discuss your personal needs.

Taking Care Of Your Jewellery

Enjoying the sparkle and shine of your perfect piece of jewellery is a lot of fun. But unfortunately almost all jewellery is susceptible to the elements, and can become damaged and dirty over time - so how do you keep your jewellery looking it's best?

Maintaining the sparkle in a piece of jewellery that was first there when you purchased it, is something we all have to make an effort to do. Unfortunately jewellery is not self-cleaning!

Jewellery, especially wedding rings or engagement rings, can be easily damaged or dirtied through every day wear and tear. However, there are many ways to put the sparkle back into your jewellery you once fell in love with, in a few quick and easy steps.

Here's a couple of general tips firstly to prevent wear and tear:

• Take care wearing prong or claw set jewells with loose clothing or delicate items - these can easily get caught, damaging your clothing and gathering fibres in the jewellery itself.
• Try to protect your jewellery as much as possible from every day scratches, heavy knocks and chemicals during everyday wear.
• Remove your jewellery during household work such as DIY, gardening, cleaning or similar activities where it could become damaged.
• This includes wearing jewellery when washing up, or in the shower, bath, hot tub or whilst swimming. Chemicals such as chlorine can especially damage stones and even precious metals.
• Be careful not to spray anything on your jewellery such as hairspray or perfume - this can stick to your jewellery and cause it to lose both it's smoothness and shine.
• You should also store your jewellery pieces separately where possible, as this helps to prevent scratches.

No matter how much care you take to keep your rings clean, unfortunately they will inevitably attract dirt from your skin and general environment. There are however, numerous quick and easy ways to keep your jewellery clean.

Firstly when cleaning jewellery, care should always be taken to ensure you are cleaning your jewellery in a safe place. So stay away from sinks or anywhere you can lose it!

How you do clean your jewellery is of course dependent on metal, stone and design.

Cleaning your jewellery...

Grime and dirt can accumulate quickly on jewellery through daily wear, resulting in your diamond or precious stone losing a bit of it's signature sparkle. To give it a quick clean you should use a thick, soft cloth to give it a gentle scrub which should restore some of its shine. You should never ever use any harsh material such as scouring pads! This will badly scratch most soft metals which includes silver and gold.

If you want a deeper clean, it is also worth giving your jewellery a longer clean at home. There are many ways to do this which are simple and do not take much time at all. You may decide to buy a specialist cleaning item, but you should always make sure that you read the label very carefully to ensure that you are using the right product for your metal and/or stone.

If you do not want to buy a commercial product, you can easily clean your jewellery with everyday products. Using Fairy Liquid is an easy way! To clean silver, gold or diamond jewellery, fill a bowl (remember to avoid any open plugholes!) with warm water (not boiling), add a pinch of Fairy Liquid and leave your item to soak for 30-40 minutes. Then take a clean, soft bristle toothbrush or soft cloth to clean around the piece of jewellery. Dry the piece with a soft, dry cloth and you should be left with a nice sparkle.

Stay clear of using anything else to clean your jewellery i.e. vodka or vinegar, as some of these can (despite popular belief) damage gemstones or erode metals.

It is also a good idea to have a professional jeweller take a look at your jewellery once in a while. They will be able to clean your jewellery professionally, whilst also inspecting it to make sure nothing needs adjusting or replacing.

How To Choose The Perfect Wedding Ring

Choosing your wedding ring can be a daunting task. You may have no idea what you want, or       exactly what you want, but that does not mean that there aren’t important considerations to take into account before you purchase this piece of jewellery that will be with you for a lifetime.

All in all, you will want a ring that is comfortable, timeless and suitable for your lifestyle. Size, metal, pattern, stone, cut and shape are all equally important considerations when it comes to choosing your wedding ring.

Find the perfect style & shape for your wedding ring

Ensuring that you are buying the correct sized and shaped wedding ring is especially important if you are buying with the intention to wear with your engagement ring.

If your engagement ring has a diamond, as is traditional, it will typically not sit well against a straight-edged wedding ring. You may therefore require a shaped (or fitted) ring. These can be bought off the shelf on our website if you have a clear idea of what you need. We also provide free home appointments for this exact reason. We provide a unique measuring service that allows us to take exact dimensions from your current engagement ring and be able to create a shaped wedding ring that compliments it perfectly. Unlike most jewellers, we are even able to do this without taking your ring away!

N.B. We do also offer this service for customers who buy from our online store, and in this case we will need your engagement ring for 4 days.

Symmetry between your engagement ring and wedding ring is the desired effect here. And as we women spend a considerable time admiring our rings, this is very important! Therefore choosing a shaped wedding ring from Goldfinger Rings may be the perfect solution.

Also...

Did you know that you can get numerous styles of plain and patterned wedding bands? If you look along the circumference of your ring you may notice a subtle shape around the edges.

• Court

• D Shaped

• Flat 

•  Flat Top Court

These shapes have subtle, but important differences. We offer all of these shapes on almost all rings on our site. If you would like more information on what might be best for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

Choosing the perfect wedding ring material

 

It is a general rule that you should choose the same metal as your engagement ring, when buying your wedding band. But why?

It is important for colours to match not only in colour, but also in hardness. This is especially important as teaming a harder metal ring with a softer one, will cause increased wear and damage. 

Suitable materials for your wedding ring:

Gold – gold is a traditional choice, as it’s style seems to be timeless. However, gold is a soft metal and therefore susceptible to damage such as scratches.  Gold metals are therefore made in combination with other materials, to harden the ring. The amount of gold within the ring is measured using ‘Carats’. Therefore, the more carats a gold ring has, the softer it will be.

Silver – Silver is a less common choice, but can be practical as it can be significantly cheaper than other metals. However, silver is softer than gold in general, so the ring will sustain damage over a long period of time.

Palladium – Palladium is one of the rarest metals available. However, it is a fantastic, desirable choice for a wedding ring due to its light weight, and durability. It does not require any other alloy due to its natural strength, and will remain in near perfect condition for many years.

Platinum – Platinum gives a beautiful finish, with a colour similar to silver or white gold. Platinum is a popular choice for a wedding ring as it is less vulnerable to everyday wear and tear.

We also offer 'Two Colour' rings on our site, which can be a beautiful alternative to a plain band.

You may also want to choose matching bands for both you and your partner, so thinking about a metal that is suitable for both of your lifestyles is very important.

These are just a few considerations you need to think about when researching and buying your wedding rings. If you would like to speak to one of our experts about choosing a metal, style, shape, size, design, stone or anything else, please contact us on 0207 405 75900207 405 7590, or email goldfingerrings@gmail.com. Or select a ready made ring from our online selection.

We have over 40 years experience in hand crafting all kinds of jewellery, and our experts will be able to help you with any enquiry.

If you are looking to create your own bespoke ring, or have any specific requirements, we also offer this service.

Welcome to the brand new Goldfinger Rings blog!

In case you aren't familiar with what we do, we are Goldfinger Rings. A family run business specialising in beautiful jewellery, handmade with care. 

We have been making Wedding and Engagement Rings for over 40 years for happy couples across the UK. We design and craft off-the-shelf or bespoke rings, designed alongside you, and we endeavour to make your dream ring a reality. We have become one of the UK's leading specialists in gold, platinum and palladium wedding rings, and provide an extremely high level of service including free home design consultations and wedding ring fittings.

If you would like to know more about us or buy one of our beautiful rings, pendants or bracelets please visit our brand new online store www.goldfinger-rings.com.

If you would like some more advice, or to book one of our free home visits, please call us on 0207 405 7590 or email us on goldfingerrings@gmail.com where one of our experts will get back to you.

Keep checking our blog for tips, tricks and guides to buying your perfect wedding jewellery, including what stones to choose, what metal is right for you and how to design your own stunning piece of jewellery.