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The Making of A James Allen Engagement Ring

February 3, 2022July 4, 2022Education, Engagement Ringscrafting engagement ring, custom engagement ring, customize your engagement ring, diamond rings, ring settings

Have you ever wondered how a James Allen engagement ring gets made? How the exact diamond that you choose is precisely set in any one of our 500+ unique ring settings? Get ready for a step-by-step look at the crafting of your dream engagement ring.

A James Allen engagement ring is a feat of logistical and artistic execution. From the sourcing of the diamond, to the manufacturing of the setting, to the hand-setting of every unique stone, each ring requires precise craftsmanship performed in a precise order.

Choosing The Diamond

The crafting of engagement rings all starts with a diamond – over 300,000 loose diamonds actually. Our hundreds of thousands of diamonds are one of two types: 1) earth-created diamonds are guaranteed to be sourced from a conflict-free mine, and our 2) lab-created diamonds are regularly manufactured in advanced labs around the world. After multiple inspections and expert cutting, each diamond is then shipped to James Allen headquarters, where our technicians photograph it with our proprietary 360° high-definition cameras in order to provide our customers with a better-than-loupe inspection ability. Each diamond comes with its own GIA certificate, inspected by a nationally accredited gem-grading laboratory.

Choosing The Setting

Each of our over 500+ settings is, like our diamonds, photographed in 360° high-definition. Created by our in-house designers, you won’t find these settings anywhere other than JamesAllen.com. They’re both unique and customizable. All of our settings can be set with a stone of any carat weight, and nearly all of them can be set with any of a number of stone shapes. Whether you’re choosing a 2-carat princess-cut diamond or a 0.5-carat pear-shaped sapphire as your center stone, James Allen engagement ring settings are up to the job.

How to select on ring setting on JamesAllen.com

Computer Imaging

In order to accommodate our customers’ unique stones in the settings of their choice, our jewelers utilize computer modeling. For each setting, they virtually adjust its base and prongs to the precise measurements to snugly hold the ring’s dedicated stones. This assures that, in every engagement ring, every diamond and every mounting are perfectly matched.

Smoothing The Setting

The initial setting, though created to a customer’s specifications, is rough. Our jewelers smooth out the rough edges, ensuring that the mountings are ready to receive their jewels!

Setting The Diamond(s)

Taking the chosen center stone, a jeweler carefully mounts it in the prepared setting. If the ring has side-stones, a halo, or a diamond-encrusted band, the jeweler will also match the accent diamonds in terms of clarity and color, ensuring a sparkling uniformity.

Hand-Polishing

After all the sparkling diamonds are mounted in the custom setting, a jeweler polishes the completed ring. This adds the final touch of shine and removes any lingering rough patches in the metal.

Laser Engraving

Would you like to take your James Allen engagement ring’s customization all the way? Then our jewelry team will add a romantic laser engraving to the inner surface of your engagement ring! Choose your desired text and tell us your font preference: block or cursive. Next, our laser engraving machine will create an extremely precise inscription on any jewelry metal. And it’s durable! Your engraved phrase will withstand a lifetime’s worth of wear.

How much does this cost? Nothing! At James Allen, ring engravings are completely free at checkout.

Engraving machine engraving an engagement ring

Check out some of our finest engagement rings:

Twined Rope Solitaire Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Rope Solitaire Engagement Ring

Emerald Side-Stone Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Three Stone Pear Shaped Emerald Engagement Ring

Vintage Glamour Halo Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Vintage Glamour Halo Diamond Engagement Ring

Tapered Sunbeam Halo Engagement Ring

14K Rose Gold Aureola Diamond Halo Engagement Ring

Channel-Set Engagement Ring

14K Yellow Gold Engraved Channel Set Round Shaped Diamond Engagement Ring

Petit Pavé Engagement Ring

14K White Gold Petite Pavé Engagement Ring

Scattered Blooms Engagement Ring

Two-Tone Tension Engagement Ring

14K Two-Tone White And Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Swirl Tension Setting

The Bottom Line

When you buy a James Allen engagement ring, you’re getting the product of a long line of expert craftsmanship. Each ring is an unparalleled work of art, thanks to the combined efforts of an entire team of jewelry experts.

Tips On Creating Your Dream Ring:

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Adam

V2 Blog James Allen X Swns Engagement Ring Story Blog Cover

Are You A “Normal” Ring Shopper?

September 20, 2021February 26, 2024Education, Engagement Rings, Weddingcustomize your engagement ring, engagement ring shopping, lab-created diamonds, ring shopper, SWNS

Want to know how you compare to other ring shoppers? We can tell you thanks to this survey collaboration with SWNS.

A picture of an engaged couple. The woman has her arms wrapped around his neck and is showing off her diamond ring.

When do I know I’m ready to get married?

Half of Americans in a relationship knew they wanted to marry their partner the moment they met. In fact, that statistic holds up across genders! 46% of women and 47% of men immediately knew that their partner was the one.

What about those who are skeptical of marriage? A third of respondents say that their current partner made them want to get married – that’s a quarter of women and half of men.

What does this mean for you? Well, there doesn’t seem to be much of a correlation between how long a couple dates and the strength of their marriage. Whatever feels right is right for you. It doesn’t particularly matter whether it takes months or years for you two to arrive at the altar. Your journey is your own, but the destination is the same for each married couple.

A statistic answering the question: "When do I know I’m ready to get married?"

After the wedding, should I wear my wedding ring, my engagement ring, or both?

If you’re asking yourself, “How should I wear my wedding ring set?” then we’ve got news for you: there are no absolute rules regarding how to wear your rings! After the wedding, most Americans wear their wedding ring closest to their knuckle, paired with their engagement ring just over it.

Other ring options:

Wear your full wedding set, but swap the order: the engagement ring closest to the knuckle, with the wedding ring further down on your finger.
Wear only your wedding ring

If you like your wedding ring best, or if your engagement ring tends to get in the way in your day-to-day life, then you may want to wear your wedding ring exclusively.

Wear only your engagement ring

Do you like your engagement ring more than your wedding band? Then leave your wedding band at home! You’re still celebrating your relationship, just with more emphasis on your sparkling center stone.

Wear your wedding ring and engagement ring on different hands

This can be a great choice for those whose wedding ring and engagement ring don’t sit flush. Or, on the other hand, your local tradition may dictate this. In Spain, for instance, the engagement ring usually goes on the left hand, while the wedding ring usually goes on the right.

Wear your wedding ring and engagement ring on different fingers

Other than for style reasons, this choice is common for those whose fingers have changed size, particularly post-pregnancy. If this strikes a chord, remember that James Allen offers free ring resizing either via mail or in select Jared jewelry stores.

Wear your wedding ring and engagement ring on the right hand

In some cultures, right > left. In fact, Catholic and eastern European tradition dictates that the wedding and engagement ring both be worn on the right hand.

All in all, only about half of respondents constantly wear their wedding rings and engagement rings together. The other half either wear only one ring or forgo wearing rings altogether.

The bottom line: you do you, boo.

How long should I save up for an engagement ring?

This is totally up to you. A quarter of Americans say they don’t believe there’s a set amount of time, while 65% of Americans believe you should save up for a year at maximum.

However, there’s no majority consensus. How do people determine how much a ring should cost?

You can set your ring budget by the amount of money you can save in a certain number of months
You can determine a budget independent of time constraints
You can find your dream ring and save up until you have enough to purchase it

The time necessary to save up money is heavily dependent on both your budget and the price of your desired ring. And if your budget is inflexible, here are some options for lowering the overall cost of your ring!

Important: James Allen offers special financing options if you can’t fully afford your ring right now, but still want to get engaged ASAP!

How much should my engagement ring cost?

Just 15% of Americans believe an engagement ring should cost over $5,000. Why is this important? It means you shouldn’t feel pressured to buy an expensive ring.

If you want to splurge on an impressive ring, go for it! You can always add more diamonds to the basket and shank, upgrade to a more pricey diamond, or choose platinum as your ring metal.

On the other hand, you should know that smaller budgets are extremely common. Additionally, many people’s dream rings fall well within their ring budgets!

If you’re operating within a smaller budget, have a look at our favorite affordable engagement rings. You and your wallet will fall in love!

Is it important to buy an expensive engagement ring?

71% of Americans don’t really care about the cost of the engagement ring.

What seems to be most important is that the ring suits the recipient. If your dream ring is priced higher than your current budget allows, there are plenty of ways to adjust your ring’s cost without compromising on appearance.

Ways to reduce the cost of your engagement ring:

Choose a lab grown diamond, which can cost up to 50% less than a traditional natural diamond.
Go for slightly under full carats. For instance, the price difference between a .95 carat diamond and a 1.00 carat diamond is significant, but the size difference is not noticeable to the naked eye.
Choose an elongated diamond shape, which appears large for its carat weight.
Want a white jewelry metal? Go for white gold rather than platinum.
Compromise on color. The less colorless a diamond is, the more affordable it is. Save money on a diamond with a slightly yellow tint, then pair it with a yellow or rose gold setting. The warm jewelry metal will mask the diamond’s color and no one can tell the difference!

A statistic answering the question, "Is it important to buy an expensive engagement ring?"

Should we share the cost of an engagement ring?

4 out of 10 couples share the cost of their engagement ring. An engagement ring is a big purchase! Not only can sharing the cost be a practical decision (and perhaps one that would allow for a more expensive ring), but taking this important journey together can bring a couple closer to one another.

Whether or not you share the cost of an engagement ring, here’s why we recommend designing your ring together.

A statistic answering the question, "Should we share the cost of an engagement ring?"

Should I get a custom engagement ring or a pre-set engagement ring?

36% of ring shoppers prefer a customized engagement ring, while 26% would rather go with a pre-set ring.

Any of James Allen’s rings can be customized with your unique gemstone and jewelry metal. For additional customization with unique baskets, halos, and shanks, visit the Ring Studio.

A statistic answering the question, "Should I get a custom engagement ring or a pre-set engagement ring?"

What’s the perfect proposal?

Ring in the champagne glass? “Will You Marry Me?” written in the sky? An impromptu proposal at home?

71% of Americans prefer a traditional proposal, in which a partner gets down on one knee and pops the question. It’s traditional, but there are a thousand and one ways to do it! Customize your proposal to your hearts’ content.

Which proposal will suit the two of you?

Just the two of you vs. alongside friends and family
A destination proposal vs. a proposal at home
Simple vs. extravagant
Impromptu vs. planned

Check out our Engagement Moments for proposal inspiration from real-life James Allen customers. And for some currently relevant inspiration, have a look at our list of 9 COVID-friendly proposal ideas.

More ring-shopping guidance to browse:

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Adam

Introducing The Ring Studio: Customize Your Engagement Ring

June 15, 2021July 4, 2022Education, Engagement Ringscustom engagement ring, custom ring, customize your engagement ring, customize your ring, design a ring, engagement rings, the ring studio, unique engagement rings

Finally! Full creative control over the entire ring design process! Create a custom engagement ring, from scratch by hand-picking the style and metal of a ring’s head and shank, complete with your specific center stone. Or, tweak a James Allen design you love to make it even better.

At James Allen, you can choose from over 500 unique engagement ring designs. Every single design allows a degree of customization: you choose your ring metal and your specific center stone. However, sometimes that’s just not enough! If you haven’t yet found your ideal ring, we’re giving you the chance to fulfill your ring dreams. That’s why we’ve developed The Ring Studio.

The Ring Studio is an area of JamesAllen.com that allows you nearly unlimited customization options. You’ve got two ways to customize via The Ring Studio: Start with a setting or create a custom engagement ring from scratch. This means using a ring design that’s 90% of the way there, and then perfecting the remaining 10%. Or build it from the ground up! Choose your head, your shank, your metal, your diamond shape, and even your diamond carat.

For the first time, customize your dream engagement ring, even further.

The Ring Studio: Start With a Setting

Every ring setting you see with a rainbow icon can be further customized in The Ring Studio. Click on the icon, where you’ll be taken to The Ring Studio. One by one, you’ll be able to adjust every aspect of your design.

Choose from up to 14 styles of baskets, 12 styles of ring bands, and every metal and stone shape we offer.

As you make your changes, your ring will be updated in real-time. You’ll be able to view it from every angle, spin it in 360 degrees, and zoom in to view the finer details. Take a good look. Be 100% sure that your ring is 100% what you want!

Remember: Some baskets, bands, and stone shapes aren’t necessarily compatible with one another. For example, only certain stone shapes will fit into certain baskets. If your heart is set on a specific combination that’s not available in the Ring Studio, contact our 24/7 customer service team to request a custom ring. They’ll do everything they can to achieve your specifications.

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty! How precisely does The Ring Studio work?

Step 1: Select A Head

The head holds your diamond firmly in place. Start by selecting your preferred metal and style.

Step 2: Select A Shank

Choose a shank metal and style and combine it with the head of your choice!

Step 3: Finishing Touches

Complete your ring by previewing your preferred diamond shape and size.

A preview of your preferred diamond shape and size

Once you’re satisfied with everything about your ring, scroll down and choose “Select This Setting.”

Now it’s time to choose a center stone. Choose a diamond, gemstone, or go with a recommended diamond for the custom engagement ring you’ve designed.

Solitaire Engagement Ring Embellished With a Falling Edge Pavé Halo Head

Petite U Shaped Pavé Engagement Ring Embellished With a Scalloped Six Prong Head

The Ring Studio: Create A Custom Engagement Ring From Scratch

This is the time to build your ring up from scratch! You get full creative control of your ring by choosing the style and metal of its head and shank – in addition to your chosen center stone. Start wherever you’d like, either with a head, shank or diamond. And go from there!

We recommend beginning with the aspects you love the most, and then adding ring elements that complement them.

Choose the head that you’ve had your heart set on, and select your preferred metal and style. then play around with your shank.

If a certain shank strikes your eye, try out every one of our 14 available baskets until you find the one!

Love the knife-edge pavé band? And a pavé basket? Now’s the time to play around with the diamond shape and carat that will look best with your lovely pavé-covered ring.

Knife Edge Pavé Engagement Ring Embellished With a Vintage Basket Head

Round Diamond & Sapphire Marquise Shape Engagement Ring Embellished With a Single Row Sapphire Pavé Halo Head

James Allen’s Classic Customization FTW

Like what you see? Skip the Ring Studio and go with James Allens’ always-popular ring design process. There’s a reason we’re an industry leader. What we do – what we’ve done for years – works. Need a little inspiration? Check out our collection of customer-created 3 carat diamond rings and imagine yourself with big diamond sparkle!

Rope Solitaire Engagement Ring Embellished With a Classic Pavé Basket Head

Round & Marquise Shape Diamond Engagement Ring Embellished With a Four Prong Signature Head With Diamond Bridge Accent

Choose a Setting

Browse over 500 ring designs. Take your pick from a huge range of solitaire, pavé, channel set, side stone, three stone, tension, halo, and vintage styles.

Choose a Diamond

Pick your diamond by its shape, color, clarity, cut, carat, and desired price range.

Get excited by our collection of earth-created and lab-grown diamonds in 10 fancy colors.

Lab-grown diamonds and earth-created diamonds are optically and chemically identical, the only difference being their relative origins. And this difference in origin leads lab grown diamonds to flaunt a much lower price point: they’re nearly 30% more affordable!

Choose a Ring Metal

Your Options:

Yellow gold (14k or 18k)
White gold (14k or 18k)
Rose gold (14k)
Platinum

Choose the ring metal that best suits your lifestyle. It’s important to choose a metal you love, but it’s got to love you back.

Yellow Gold:

Why it’s awesome:

Its warm tone masks the slight yellowish hues of non-colorless diamonds. Meaning, you can save a buck on your diamond by choosing yellow gold.

What to watch out for:

Yellow gold is a relatively soft metal, so the more you wear your yellow gold engagement ring, the more tiny scratches it will accumulate over the years. You can remove these via regular buffing with a jewelry polishing cloth. Your local jeweler can quickly take care of any more serious scratches.

Find out whether 14k or 18k yellow gold is the ring metal for you.

White Gold:

Why it’s awesome:

This is the affordable white ring metal! It displays a similar sheen to platinum, without emptying your wallet.
It’s extremely malleable, making it the perfect vehicle for engravings and filigrees.

What to watch out for:

White gold receives its silvery lustre via rhodium plating. Over time, this plating wears down in spots to reveal the yellow gold alloy underneath. To preserve the color of your white gold, you’ll need to take it to a jeweler every 5 years or so for replating.

Here’s how to decide between white gold and platinum!

Rose Gold:

Why it’s awesome:

It’s more durable than both white gold and yellow gold, while boasting a similar price point.
Like yellow gold, its warmth hides the yellowness of less expensive diamonds; you can spend less on a diamond and none will be the wiser!

What to watch out for:

Rose gold receives its unique coloring due to its copper content. While copper contributes to rose gold’s affordability and durability, it’s not hypoallergenic. Anyone with copper allergies should avoid rose gold.

Platinum:

Why it’s awesome:

The most durable metal, platinum will stand up to most anything you throw at it. Plus, it won’t ever tarnish!

What to watch out for:

Platinum’s uncontested strength and sheen means it’s also the most expensive ring metal.

Channel Set Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring Embellished With a Four Prong Signature Head With Sapphire Bridge Accent

Sleek Accent Diamond Engagement Ring Embellished With a Single Row Pavé Halo Head

Final Thoughts:

An engagement ring is a piece of jewelry you’ll be wearing for the rest of your life – so make it exactly what you want to wear 24/7. Create a custom engagement ring of your very own, one that you’ll be delighted to wear day in and day out. Design your ring the classic James Allen way or use The Ring Studio to take your ring customization to the next level.

Are you ready? Make your ring yours, your way.

More Engagement Ring Customization Inspiration:

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