Everyone thinks about that perfect moment. That moment when two people decide to spend the rest of their lives together. Such a special occasion deserves a beautiful and special ring.

When it comes to the engagement ring, there are many things to consider. What kind of diamond should you pick? What type of quality do you want when constructing the ring? What design do you choose for your engagement ring? So many questions but hopefully we can help you out.

When looking for that special diamond to put in a ring that symbolizes a union between two people you want to make sure that it is the best. There are four things to look for when deciding on a diamond and they are the 4Cs, cut, color, clarity and carat. You want to make sure that the diamond that you pick has minimal to no inclusions. Although almost all diamonds will have natural inclusions, the bigger they are the more the inclusions will interfere with the light that passes through the stone, diminishing its brilliance.

When it comes to the color of the stone, the less color the better unless it comes out of the ground a defined color like red, blue, pink, green or yellow. A diamond that is one of these colors is incredibly rare. Diamonds are measured in carats. Some people like huge diamond rings but beauty is within the eye of the beholder. Yes, the bigger the carat the bigger the diamond, but a beautiful diamond ring, big or not as big, is still gorgeous and symbolic of commitment and love. Last but not least of the 4Cs is cut which to me, is the best part of the ring design. The cut of a diamond gives that ring its unique look. A diamond can be cut into many shapes but four of the most common are brilliant cut, oval, pear and marquise. Each cut allows light to pass through the diamond differently, making that ring sparkle in such a unique way that it will make heads turn.

When choosing the metal for your engagement ring, it’s all in what you prefer. A lot of engagement rings are made of Gold or Platinum. The Gold can either be white, yellow or rose and either 18kt, 14kt or 9kt with 18kt being the preferred choice. If you decide to choose Platinum just note that it is significantly more expensive than Gold.

Now, when deciding on a ring design there are some things that you should consider. Is the ring practical to wear? Will it withstand everyday wear? Will it hold the stone securely? Do you love it? Even though these questions seem obvious you must remember that this ring is going to last forever and you want to love it forever as well.

Many beautiful things happen in the month of September. The weather changes and fall comes around. The color of leaves begins to manifest into a golden hue, and the air even has a different feel, changing from a hot and humid temperature to a crisp and cool aura. One of the most gorgeous symbols of September is the Sapphire stone.

Sapphire is the stone for the 5th, 23rd and 45th wedding anniversaries. This clear turquoise gem is not only striking in color but is considered a symbol of wisdom and purity. The Sapphire does not have to be designated to beautiful earrings and elegant necklaces. This would also be the perfect stone for an extraordinary engagement ring. Prince Charles proposed to Princess Diana with a Sapphire engagement ring. Their son, Princess William proposed to Kate Middleton with that same stone and with their royal wedding being one of the most talked about weddings in years, that blue, Sapphire ring is one of the most noted engagement rings in years as well. Kings and queens preferred the Sapphire gem to any other stone because it represents truth, sincerity and faithfulness.

The Sapphire stone is extremely sturdy, coming only in second to hardness next to the Diamond and it is also the most spiritual of gems because according to tradition, Moses was given sapphire tablets to write the ten commandments on.

A beautiful sapphire engagement ring shines in a crowd and simply radiates the love between two people. Any girl would be lucky to receive a piece of Sapphire jewelry because love, tradition and deep meaning run throughout this unique and beautiful stone.

A watch is not just something to tell time, it is a piece of jewelry. Its elegant band and beautiful face can represent a special occasion such as an anniversary. The restoration of watches is important because many people want to keep their same watch because it means something to them as opposed to buying a new one. We love repairing a piece of jewelry, especially something that carries a lot of meaning to someone. It is not always about purchasing a new piece of jewelry but doing what you can to save a piece that is timeless.

With twenty one years of experience, our master jeweler puts a lot of knowledge into repairing watches and bring timeless pieces of jewelry back to life. Fixing a broken watch is a wonderful gift that shows how much you care. It is the perfect “special occasion gift” or to just simply say “I love you”.

Watches never seem to go out of fashion and it seems as though they age like wine, the older the better. Keeping an old watch is like holding on to precious memories and to keep that ancient watch working is keeping memories alive and ticking.

Jewelry is passed down within families, so keeping those pieces vibrant is a wonderful gift for future generations.

Hail to the new Halia line! This unique line allows mothers and daughters to document a special moment for each other through a gorgeous and affordable charm. You can create necklaces, earrings, bangles and bracelets.

There are sterling silver bracelets to put the charms on or colorful bands for younger girls. This wonderful jewelry line makes for a sweet present from dad or a special gift for the wife. You can find any charm that you want from 14K gold pieces to sterling silver and enamel. These charms will have more meaning than just a regular piece of jewelry.  Daughters will remember picking out the charm with their mother or father and possibly making a bracelet that they will pass down to their daughter one day.

Charm bracelets are supposed to be storytellers. They show off your style and tell a small tale of what was happening at the time you chose that specific piece for your bracelet. There are so many pieces to choose from like diamond charms, hand carved gems, 14K gold pieces, and sterling silver charms. Tell the story of your life through unique and beautiful charms and give your jewelry a personal and classic touch.

There are a variety of techniques used by jewelers to enhance the appearance of lesser value gemstones. These techniques are deceptive to the consumer. However, all of these techniques are considered legitimate if they are introduced to the buyer prior to the purchase. When purchasing jewelry, keep in mind these tricks of the scheming trade that every jewelry buyer should be aware of:

• Painting – Is used underneath the gemstone to increase its color. For example, a speck of paint placed on one spot of the gemstone will reflect throughout the entire stone.
• Foil Backing – This is also used underneath the gemstone to add brilliance. It is often found in jewelry with closed back settings.  You will often find the foil technique in antique jewelry.
• Crackling – By applying thermal shock they crack synthetic gems.  The technique is often used on lab-made stones to create the flaws found on natural stones.
• Assembled Stones – This technique is when two or more stones are glued together to form a bigger and better looking gem.  Several types of composites can be made. Assembled opals are usually disclosed to the consumer and are not considered deceptive to the consumer. However when this technique is used on Sapphire or Ruby it is often used to deceive the customer.

While these fake stones are used to lower the cost of great looking jewelry it’s important to know that the jeweler should always be upfront about the different techniques used.  Spotting a fake stone can be difficult, that is why you should always purchase jewelry from a reputable jeweler like Monahan’s of Jacksonville.  We are an honest establishment that will always reveal to the consumer what treatments a gem has received.

They’re beautiful, rare, and last a lifetime. As girl’s best friend, it might appear that we’ve learned all we can about these beauties. However, there’s more to diamonds than meets the eye. Here are 5 facts you may not have known about diamonds:

5. DeBeers is forever – Before 1990, DeBeers owned 90% of the diamond market. As a result, you didn’t even have to buy a diamond from DeBeers to earn them your business.

4. The word diamond translates to literally mean “indestructible.”

3. In the 13^th century, Louis IV of France initiated a law that mandated only Royalty could wear diamonds. In other words, you had to be a princess to don a diamond.

2. The first diamond engagement ring ever recorded was given to Mary of Burgundy by the Archduke Maximilian of Hamburg in 1477.

1. In history, the strictly religious Puritans did not believe in engagement rings and found them to be “frivolous.” Instead, engaged women were given silver thimble to use while sewing and mending clothes. After the wedding, the thimbles would be converted into a modest wedding ring.

Impress your lovely lady with your abundant amount of facts about her favorite stone. Even better, do so while shopping for a beautiful piece of diamond jewelry for her. Visit Monahan Jewelry today to browse our incredible selection of jewelry.

GIA, or The Gemological Institute of America, is the world’s primary influence in gemology, diamond grading, jewelry education, and research. The Institute sets the standard, which is why we offer them. Although the diamonds are not necessarily more valuable, they have been thoroughly authenticated by an incredible amount of research.

The GIA is a non-profit, research and education institution that strives to uphold the integrity and high standard of the diamond industry. Established in 1931, GIA created the innovative 4Cs of diamond value guide (carat, color, clarity, and cut). Additionally, it is the birthplace of the International Diamond Grading System™.

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She’s exciting, she’s fun, and she’s everything you have ever wanted. All that’s left is to make her yours by proposing to spend the rest of your life together. Now, how to pop the question? It’s a question she should only say yes to once in her life, make the moment as amazing as she is. Here are some ways to make it happen. Whether you’re looking for something classic, cheesy, or out of the ordinary, here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Take out a full-page advertisement in a local magazine or newspaper that she reads often.
2. Work with the divers at your local zoo, aquarium or museum to show a handwritten “will you marry me?” sign against the glass.
3. Send your lovely lady on a treasure hunt. Start with a clue at home that takes her to all of your favorite memorable spots in town. As she arrives at the last clue, be there kneeling on one knee.
4. Gather friends and loved ones for a party. Have each member of the party wear a t-shirt bearing one letter of the phrase, “Will you marry me?” When your girlfriend arrives, request a group pictures and let the t-shirts speak for themselves.
5. Tie a red velvet ribbon from one spot in your home to another. Attach little notes that describe your favorite qualities about her and/or perfect moments in the relationship. Be at the end of the ribbon holding the ring when she gets there.
6. Create your own podcast where you tell her the things you love about her the most and propose at the end then slip the mp3 into her iPod.
7. Create a personalized fortune cookie with your own proposal message.
8. Write “Will You Marry Me?” on the underside of a kite then take flight one breezy day.
9. Plan a trip to the beach and arrive a few hours before her to write a proposal in the sand with large white rocks.
10. Purchase an animal that she’s always wanted, like a bunny, kitten, or puppy. Loosely tie the ring on a collar around its neck. Or choose an option with less maintenance, like a stuffed animal.
11. Meet for a drink at a posh hotel bar. When it’s time to pay the bill, mention that you’ve already reserved a room for the night. When she opens the hotel room door, greet her with roses, candles and champagne already set up. The perfect night for a perfect proposal.
12. Make your own message in a bottle. On the night before an organized beach day, write a love poem on parchment paper, then roll it and place in an antique bottle with a cork. Bury the bottle in a well-marked spot in the sand near your towels. Then, find the bottle with your special someone and have the ring ready.
13. Make your own romantic comedy. Choose one of her favorite movies, like Sixteen Candles and re-create the end scene with your own improv – a marriage proposal.
14. Draw a bath for your lady after she’s had a long day of work. In the middle of the bath, place a floating candle or rubber ducky with a ring on top of it. (Make sure the bath is well plugged!)
15. Turn off all the lights in your home, then make a trail of candles that leads to a circle of candles with the ring in the middle.
16. While she’s sleeping, go into her jewelry box and replace her everyday ring with the engagement ring.
17. Upload a proposal video on YouTube then tell her you have a hysterical video you want to share with it and let the surprise take over!
18. Take her to a jewelry store to try on engagement rings. When she complains that you’re ruining the surprise, get down on one knee and say, “What about this one?”
19. Make her a romantic dinner and at the end of it, place her dessert on the dining room table – four cupcakes with the words “Will you marry me?” on each.
20. Present her with a large box. As she opens the large box, she’ll find increasingly smaller boxes until she gets to the smallest box of all – the jewelry box that holds the engagement ring.
21. Rent a billboard sign that’s on her way to work.
22. During the holiday season, put the ring around the hook of an ornament and hand it to her while decorating the tree together.
23. Ask the cast of your local high school’s play to organize a “dry rehearsal.” Ask her into attending the “opening night,” where the school kids come to center age and ask her in unison if she’ll marry you.
24. Surprise her while she’s out of town at a business trip. Wait for her at her hotel room, or even better upgrade her room while she’s at her business gathering.
25. Wake her with breakfast in bed and drop the engagement ring in a glass of mimosa.

Colored diamonds are becoming quite the look for fashionistas everywhere. From movies to the red carpet, celebrities have completed their looks with stunning colored diamonds, especially black. As colored diamonds grow in popularity, their prices have hit new highs as well. As a result, the colored diamond is not only essential for any wardrobe; it is also a smart investment.

Colored Diamonds on the Red Carpet

The rise of the colored diamonds began at the 2010 Oscars when they appeared as often as fashion tape. Amanda Seyfried donned a brown diamond ball ring, Rachel McAdams strutted her stuff with natural, multi-colored diamond earrings, and Mo’Nique completed her outfit with a gorgeous yellow diamond jewel. If that weren’t enough, “Sex and the City 2″ gave colored diamonds even more of a glam name with the breathtakaking 5-carat black diamond that Big presented to Carrie, “because you are not like anyone else.” And with that famous movie line we see the true beauty of the colored diamond – it separates itself from others with a gorgeous hue and creates a personal look for the receiver – a way to show him/her that the beauty of the diamond is as unique as the person wearing it.

Diamonds with Character

Due to their deep, opaque color, the black diamond has a lot of character. The dramatic look and elegant status, it makes for an extravagant gift for your special loved one. Contact us today to learn more about our selection of colored diamond jewelry. From pink and yellow to brown, blue, and black, our collection of diamonds are designed to awe.

A diamond is an investment that requires maintenance, cleaning, and care to keep its dazzling sparkle. Although it is one of hardest known natural materials, it can be quiet vulnerable to cracking, breaking, or spoiling. If you do not clean your ring properly or maintain it to a correct standard, it can damage the diamond.

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