Engagement Ring Financing: What You Need to Know

An engagement ring is no small investment. In fact, besides your home and vehicle, it’s likely the largest purchase you’ll ever make. Though most people plan for such an expenditure, saving the exact amount you need is tricky. After all, if you’ve yet to find the ring of her dreams, how can you anticipate how much it may cost? Tradition tells us that to save for an engagement ring, one should put away at least three months’ salary. But as the cost of living continues to rise, this rule has become increasingly outdated, and saving can seem downright impossible for many people. So, how does one go about finding the perfect ring without a huge wad of cash in hand? Luckily, there are plenty of options for engagement ring financing that, when done wisely, can make this expense much easier to manage.

What are Your Financing Options

If you decide to finance an engagement ring, it’s best to know your options before you buy. The following are a few different routes you can explore to determine which best fits your financial needs.

Jewelry Store Financing

Nearly every major jewelry store offers in-store financing options. Many even defer interest payments for a short introductory period, giving you time to pay off the principle balance. Applying for financing from your jewelry store is generally as simple as filling out an application and waiting for a quick credit check. Should this be the option you choose, be sure you have a ring in mind before submitting your application, as to avoid too many credit inquiries. And if there’s an interest-free introductory period, be sure to pay off your balance within that window of time to avoid being hit by a high APR.

Credit Cards

Like any large purchase, you always have the option to finance an engagement ring with a credit card. Though you run the risk of facing high interest rates, there are some cards that offer up to 18 months with 0% APR. If you break that down, a $2,500 engagement ring could be paid off in less than two years, and cost less than $150 a month. Making small payments each month is often easier for folks to manage, which is why plenty of people opt for financing with a credit card. Not to mention, most credit card companies now offer rewards programs that make them even more enticing to customers.

Personal Loans

If you’re looking to avoid credit cards and the looming threat of high interest, personal loans are yet another option for financing an engagement ring. Though very similar to credit cards, personal loans tend to have fixed interest rates. You’ll receive the entire sum up front, and can pay it back over an agreed upon length of time. Be sure to know whether you’re applying for a secured or unsecured personal loan. A secured personal loan will require you to provide some sort of collateral, while an unsecured loan will examine your credit and financial history. Also, confirm whether there are any additional costs to you, like an initiation or annual fee.

Alternative Financing Options  

If you’re weary about adding to your debt with a credit card or personal loan, that’s totally understandable. With a little planning and perseverance, you can still make the ring of her dreams a reality. Some alternative ways you can save up for the perfect engagement ring include:

• Analyzing your budget and finding ways to cut back your monthly spending
• Working a side job or doing freelance work to save some extra cash
• Using money from a retirement or alternate savings account
• Selling unwanted or unused items online or at a garage sale
• Borrowing cash from a close family member or friend

Should You Finance an Engagement Ring?

Still wondering whether you should finance an engagement ring? Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Only you know the details of your personal finances, and what you can realistically manage. Do you consider yourself financially savvy, and are confident that you can quickly pay off your balance? Then there’s no reason not to take advantage of engagement ring financing! When used wisely, these financing options can work to your advantage, and relieve the pressure that accompanies purchasing an engagement ring.

Shop Engagement Rings for Every Budget at Leo’s!

If you’re wondering where you can find affordable engagement rings in San Diego, you’ve come to the perfect place! Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Rings Store carries an astonishing selection of new, antique, and vintage engagement rings for every style and budget! Surprise her with a one-of-a-kind antique or vintage engagement ring that she can wear as her very own piece of history. Or, if she has a trendier style, a glittering Hearts On Fire® diamond is certain to take her breath away. No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you find it here at Leo’s!

source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2019/08/engagement-ring-financing-what-you-need-to-know/

Amazing Art Deco Engagement Rings

While some brides-to-be prefer a classic solitaire engagement ring, others long for something with a bit more charm and character. Hence the recent revival of magnificent Art Deco engagement rings. The Art Deco era is popularly referred to as the Roaring 20’s, a decade known for its artistic and cultural vigor, and the jewelry is no exception. Art Deco engagement rings are truly one-of-a-kind, offering distinct designs that you just don’t see every day. If an antique or vintage engagement ring is something that piques your interest, continue reading to learn more about one of history’s most beloved eras.

The Art Deco Period

The Art Deco era spanned from about 1915 to 1935, and marked a period of progress, exploration, and exuberance. The name “Art Deco” is derived from the International Exposition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts that took place in Paris, France in 1925. This World’s Fair ran for 7 months, and featured nearly 15,000 exhibits that highlighted the new style moderne of architecture, furniture, decorative art, and of course—jewelry.

Art Deco Influences

The Art Deco period drew influence from a few different art styles of the 20^th century. Besides borrowing inspiration from Aztec and Egyptian art, Art Deco designs embodied the geometric shapes of Cubism, the mechanical forms of Constructivism and Futurism, and the vibrant colors of Parisian Fauvism. Following the first World War, the economy was flourishing, jazz music was booming, and Prohibition was in full swing. The country appeared to be moving in a more modern direction, and the Art Deco style perfectly captured the spirit and enthusiasm of the era.

Art Deco Engagement Ring Elements

When shopping for an Art Deco engagement ring, there are some key characteristics to look out for. Identifying these unique design elements will help you determine which jewelry did in fact originate from the era. The following are just a few defining hallmarks of Art Deco engagement rings to help you narrow your search!

Geometric Shapes

One of the defining characteristics of Art Deco engagement rings is the use of geometric shapes. Hexagons, triangles, squares, and other linear shapes were used to create symmetrical styles that are simply striking on the hand.

Filigree & Milgrain Details

Art Deco engagement rings are often incredibly detailed, with intricate design elements like filigree and milgraining. Filigree is the delicate metal work characteristic of most vintage designs. Thanks to advancements in technology, filigree during the Art Deco era was exceptionally complex and precise. Such elaborate metal work is difficult to replicate, even with today’s techniques. Filigree is often paired with milgraining, which is tiny metal beading used as a border for various types of jewelry. Boasting such quality and attention to detail, Art Deco engagement rings are true masterpieces to cherish and preserve.

Bold Contrasting Colors

Contrary to the delicate, flowing style of the Edwardian era, Art Deco jewelry emphasized vibrant, contrasting colors that really catch the eye. Art Deco engagement ring designs commonly pair diamonds with vivid, colorful gemstones like emerald, sapphire, and ruby. This era of jewelry also saw the use of other, less common gems like coral, jade, and onyx. These precious stones were arranged in exotic shapes and patterns to create magnificent pieces of art.

Platinum & Diamonds

While colorful gemstones were certainly popular, diamonds were still the preferred centerpiece of Art Deco engagement rings. Diamonds were most often set in platinum, the metal of choice for the period. Jewelry makers favored platinum for its strength and durability, and because it was malleable enough to create the elaborate designs that were in such high-demand. White gold was also used as an affordable alternative to platinum, while yellow and rose gold were rarely used and considered to be out of style.

Diamond Cuts

• Old Mine Cut- Old mine cut diamonds were an early variation of the round brilliant cut. This diamond cut has a high crown, small table, and large culet, and most closely resembles a modern cushion cut.
• Old European Cut- Thanks to new technology, diamond cutters started crafting rounder diamonds, resulting in the old European cut. This particular shape shares more in common with the round brilliant cut, and even had the same number of facets.
• Emerald Cut- Emerald cut diamonds are a type of step-cut diamond that’s rectangular in shape with beveled corners. This type of diamond cut creates the illusion of a staircase, or hall of mirrors, for a look that’s truly mesmerizing.
• Asscher Cut- Asscher cut diamonds are another variation of step-cut stones, only with a square shape and large step facets. This diamond’s high crown produces incredible brilliance, and a kaleidoscopic effect similar to that of an emerald cut.

How to Buy an Art Deco Engagement Ring

Before buying an Art Deco engagement ring, there are some things to keep in mind. Because engagement rings from this era have intricate design elements, they can sometimes be tricky to resize. If you have your eye on an engagement ring, and are uncertain about its size, be sure to ask your jeweler before finalizing any purchase. Additionally, antique engagement rings don’t generally come with a diamond grading report, as this is a relatively new practice. Don’t immediately be deterred if your jeweler can’t provide a certification for the ring in question. The most important piece of advice for finding the perfect Art Deco engagement ring is to shop with a reputable jeweler. Not all jewelers offer the same quality and selection of antique and vintage engagement rings, which is why you should only shop with someone you trust.

Shop the Best Selection of Antique & Vintage Engagement Rings

There’s only one place in San Diego where you can find astonishing Art Deco engagement rings, and that’s Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Rings Store! Our selection of antique and vintage engagement rings is unrivaled, and spans every decade imaginable. Discover the ideal engagement ring to complement your extraordinary style without having to spend a fortune. At Leo Hamel’s, you can be confident that every item we carry is of the utmost quality, whether it’s 10 years old or a hundred. Don’t waste another minute shopping online or at a big-box jewelry store, and visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelry & Engagement Rings Store instead!

source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2019/08/amazing-art-deco-engagement-rings/

Why Diamond Certificates Are Important

Buying a diamond engagement ring is a big decision, both in terms of its financial and emotional significance. If you are searching for an ideal diamond ring, you surely know how overwhelming the process can be. Will your partner love it? Is the diamond quality worth the price? 

There are so many considerations to be made when choosing a diamond ring. This is why diamond certification is essential if you want to be completely sure your fiancé receives a gift they will cherish for a lifetime. 

Luckily, you won’t have to worry about anything if you rely on Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers for your diamond ring shopping. Our vast collection features the best engagement rings in San Diego which come with all the necessary certificates so you can be at ease.        

What is a certified diamond? 

A diamond certificate or a diamond dossier is a document obtained from a third-party laboratory which describes the characteristics of a diamond in detail. There are several laboratories which offer diamond certification, the most popular being GIA, IGI, AGS, GSI, EGL, and HRD.

Diamond certificates or reports vary among different laboratories in terms of the information they contain. Still, all labs provide information on the most significant characteristics of the diamond, including the 4 Cs (Color, Clarity, Cut, and Carat weight), the length and width as well as some details about the diamond’s polish and symmetry.  

Should you buy a diamond without a certificate?

Is diamond certification truly necessary? Well, receiving a certificate with your purchased diamond is the only real assurance of your diamond’s quality and identity. Without a certificate, you won’t have any proof that the stone you purchased is worth what you paid for it. 

The best way to go about buying a loose diamond or diamond jewelry is to ask your jeweler to present a certificate on the spot. A reputable seller should have no problem complying with this request and will take the time to explain the qualities of a diamond presented in the document. Be wary of jewelers who refuse to show you the certificate straight away, as well as those who promise to send you the certificate after you’ve purchased the diamond.  

Another thing you should keep in mind is that some jewelers will try to scam the customer by giving them a certificate that doesn’t match the diamond you bought. Luckily, you can check this fairly easily by visiting the website of your certification lab and verifying your grading report. 

Which diamond certification lab is best? 

So which diamond certification should you look for when purchasing a diamond? If you live in the United States, you will most likely come across grading reports and certificates from the following laboratories: 

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) 

GIA is a non-profit laboratory that is widely considered the gold standard in the diamond certification industry. Ever since 1931, GIA has been the most respected, consistent and exacting diamond grading laboratory. The GIA grading includes details about the diamond’s measurements, 4 Cs, evaluation date, fluorescence grade, symmetry, polish, and more. 

AGS (American Gem Society) 

The AGS certification is the second most popular diamond grading option in the United States. Often compared to GIA, the AGS is known for their 0-9 cut grade scale (where the 0 grade is considered “ideal”) as well as their sophisticated approach to diamond grading. However, keep in mind that an AGS certified diamond may be rated 1-2 grades higher than it would be if it were certified by GIA since their grading system is slightly looser.   

IGI (International Gemological Institute) 

IGI is a for-profit diamond grading laboratory that used to be a popular choice for many jewelry chains in Europe and the U.S. However, lax grading standards and factory-like work ethics has made the IGI certification significantly less reputable and less consistent in comparison to GIA and AGS. 

Looking for the best engagement rings in San Diego? Look no further!

      

The best way to ensure an enjoyable diamond ring shopping experience is to reach out to seasoned experts who can help you with every step of the process. Reputable jewelers will use their vast knowledge and expertise to help you find a high-quality diamond ring that best encapsulates the love you feel for your significant other. 

Fortunately, you won’t have to search for too long if you live near Downtown San Diego. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you can browse a vast collection of certified colorless and colored diamonds of all shapes and sizes. Visit us today!

source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2019/08/why-certified-diamond-buy-which-lab-best/

Natural Colored Diamonds: All You Need to Know

When choosing a stone for their engagement ring, most people go with the classic colorless diamond. In recent years, however, colored diamonds, also known as “fancy” colored diamonds, have become increasingly popular. If you’re considering getting one for your partner, it’s important that you learn as much as you can about colored diamonds before you decide to purchase. 

We can help! Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers can make your engagement ring shopping in San Diego effortless and highly enjoyable. With the help of our experienced and knowledgeable staff, you’ll find a ring that fits your loved one’s style perfectly in no time!      

How many colors can a diamond be? 

Natural colored diamonds can be found in a wide range of brilliant shades, from yellow, green, violet and blue to brown, orange, red, pink and black. Some of these colors, such as blue, green and red, are more expensive and sought after than others due to their rarity. 

Fancy colored diamonds can differ in tone, hue, and saturation. The GIA grading system recognizes nine intensity levels: faint, very light, light, fancy light, fancy, fancy dark, fancy deep, fancy intense, and fancy vivid. The more saturated a diamond is, the more valuable it will be. 

Brown fancy diamonds are the most popular option and are often marketed as champagne or cognac, depending on the intensity of the shade. Yellow diamonds, commonly referred to as canary diamonds, come second in popularity and are currently highly fashionable among glamorous celebrities. Fancy colored diamonds also include elegant black and deep gray stones and even fancy white diamonds that are often milky and opalescent in appearance.

Are all colored diamonds natural? 

Since fancy colored diamonds are unique products of nature, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that they usually come at staggering prices. Because of this, buying a beautiful fancy colored diamond for your fiancé isn’t a decision you want to take lightly, especially when you consider that some of the diamonds on the market are color-treated. 

A technique called High Pressure High Temperature, or HPHT for short, is commonly used for enhancing the color of natural colored diamonds, making them more valuable and marketable than they were in their natural state. Although HPHT treated diamonds are still natural, not lab-grown, the technique is controversial because it can also be used to transform significantly cheaper colorless diamonds by turning them into a more desirable shade. 

Even seasoned jewelers may find it difficult to identify proof of HPHT treatment. So, if you’re looking to buy an untreated fancy colored diamond that is truly one of a kind, you need to choose a reputable jeweler and expect the stone to come at a whopping price.

What you need to know when buying a colored diamond 

If you’ve decided to make your significant other jump for joy by surprising them with a fancy colored diamond, here are some tips that can help ensure that both of you are happy with the choice: 

• The price is your best indicator: a fancy colored diamond that wasn’t treated will naturally cost significantly more than a treatment enhanced stone. 
• Buy only GIA certified diamonds: make sure to ask for a GIA certificate if you want to be absolutely sure of the origin and characteristics of your fancy colored diamond. 
• Buy from a trusted seller: the only way to be sure your colored diamond is genuine and fairly priced is to purchase it from an experienced, reputable jeweler. 

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers: your #1 choice for engagement ring shopping in San Diego

Looking for reputable jewelers in San Diego County? You’re in luck! Our luxurious storeroom boasts a vast selection of brilliant diamond rings that feature stunning colored stones in a wide variety of shades and settings. 

No matter what kind of engagement ring you’re looking for, our seasoned in-house masters will help you find the one that truly speaks to your partner’s soul. Visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers today and let us help you find the perfect diamond ring your fiancé will simply adore!

source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2019/08/how-many-colored-diamonds-natural-what-know/

August Birthstone: Peridot

August’s birthstone, peridot, is sure to make you green with envy. A gem variety of olivine, peridot is composed primarily of two minerals, fayalite and forsterite. The presence of iron, which is rich in fayalite, is what gives peridot its signature green hue. Although peridots are one of the few gemstones that occur in one consistent color, they can be found in shades ranging from light yellowish green to deep olive. Celebrating the August baby in your life? Learn all you need to know about gorgeous green peridots here!

Where is peridot found? 

Along with diamonds, peridot is the only gemstone found within the earth’s mantle rather than originating from the earth’s crust. Peridot crystals have even been discovered in particles from pallasite meteorites that are actually remains left over from our solar system’s conception. Olivine traces have also been found in stardust, indicating that this gemstone can form even in the cosmos. Peridot is commonly mined in Egypt, China, Myanmar, the Red Sea, and Mexico. In the 1990’s, peridots experienced a revival when new deposits were unearthed in Pakistan. They are mined within the U.S. as well, specifically Arizona which is home to the San Carlos Reservation—the largest peridot producer in the world. However, its most ancient sources originate from St. John’s Island, also known as Zabargad Island, off the coast of Egypt. This gemstone is particularly revered in Egypt, where it is actually the country’s National Gem, and it was the ancient Egyptians who referred to peridots as “gems of the sun.” In fact, some modern historians believe that Cleopatra’s beloved emeralds, with which she was so often adorned, may have in fact been peridots.

August birthstone meaning  

Known to the ancient Hebrews, peridot also has biblical references and was later used by Europeans after the Crusades to embellish churches and cathedrals. Ancient lore said the peridot would bring the wearer good luck, relieve anxiety, and inspire confidence. It was worn as a talisman to ward off evil spirits, night terrors, and other dark magic. It is believed that peridots have the spiritual properties to help heal relationships during times of conflict, as it is thought to clear the mind and open the heart. Peridot is also known for relieving stress by helping one balance their emotions. It has often been referred to as the “evening emerald” because ancient miners would search for peridot in the evening when its color would shine as brightly as emeralds under lamplight.

Along with being the birthstone for August, peridot is also traditionally gifted for a 16^th wedding anniversary. It is a magnificent gem, not only for its beauty and spiritual properties, but because it is also incredibly affordable due to its abundance. If you’re looking for an alternative to an emerald, which can be rather pricey, opt for a peridot instead! The deeper green variations of peridot are hardly distinguishable from emerald.

Shop peridot jewelry in San Diego

Visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers in San Diego today to shop for the perfect peridot jewelry for your August born loved one, or maybe to celebrate 16 years of wedded bliss! Whatever occasion you’re shopping for, you’re sure to find a peridot piece they’ll love here at Leo Hamel’s.

 

source https://www.leohamel.com/blog/index.php/2019/08/august-birthstone-peridot/