What to Look for in an Engagement Ring in Sterling Heights, MI

What do engagement rings in Sterling Heights, MI symbolize? Traditionally, giving someone an engagement ring is a symbol of the love, caring and devotion you and your romantic partner share. It’s also a promise that marriage is coming soon. However, the shape and design of the engagement ring carry a variety of symbols that may be acknowledged by a couple. Ultimately, you want to do your best to select the perfect ring to represent your special relationship.

Know that it’s okay to go out on your own and choose a ring to give to your future spouse. Likewise, it’s perfectly fine to shop around for the perfect engagement ring together. Either way, there are some things you should look for when shopping for the perfect engagement ring. Check out our tips below:

  • The shape of the stone: While the four Cs of rings—cut, color, carat and clarity—are important, the first thing you need to know is what shape you and/or your partner favors. In fact, the shape is the factor that matters most. When we say “shape,” we are talking about the geometry of the stone, not the cut. The cut of the stone refers to the angles of the facet in the ring’s stone.
  • The setting: The most important thing after the shape is the setting. The setting is the metal framework that holds the stone securely in place, so it comes as no surprise that a quality setting is the thing that can set the tone for an engagement ring. For instance, a classic round stone gets a fresh pop of life in a bezel ring setting, while the look of an oval stone is transformed to appear more traditional when in a four-prong setting. The key to the perfect engagement ring? Selecting the right combination of shape and setting.
  • The type of metal: Luckily for you, you have a selection of metals to choose from for your engagement ring band. A popular choice is platinum. This metal is durable, and because it’s a pure metal, it’s a great choice for someone with sensitive skin who can only wear hypoallergenic materials. Gold is another wonderful and beautiful option, available in white, yellow and rose. Know what color of gold looks best on your partner by asking them or inspecting the jewelry they wear often.
  • Your partner’s style: If you and your partner won’t be shopping for an engagement ring together—if you want it to be a surprise—then you’ll need to do some spying. Seek help from their siblings or best friend, just as long as they can keep it a secret. Alternatively, snatch a look at their favorite pieces of jewelry to find out if they like platinum, yellow or white gold, round or oval cut stones. Also, pay attention to whether they prefer vintage or more modern style jewelry.

Choosing the perfect engagement ring is not that difficult when you know what to look for ahead of time. For a selection of beautiful engagement rings in Sterling Heights, MI, pay a visit to Howard’s Fine Jewelry!

50 Percent Off the August Birthstone: Peridot!

You’ve probably seen diamonds, rubies and jade stones on rings and other types of pieces of jewelry, but what about peridot? Peridot is a gem that is yellowish-green in color and a transparent type of olivine. And even though it’s a birthstone, it is not worn as much as some other birthstones. In fact, many people with August birthdays don’t even know what peridot is until they perform an internet search for their birthstone!

Let’s get to know this pretty little gemstone a bit better. Below are some interesting facts about August’s birthstone. You’ll find peridot pieces available for 50 percent off at our jewelry store in Sterling Heights, MI this month!

  • Peridot or chrysolite: Chrysolite is another name for peridot. This stone’s two names are used interchangeably when referring to gemstones in jewelry. Interestingly enough, during Ancient Greek times, “chrysos” meant “gold,” and “lithos” meant “stone.”
  • It is found in varying shades: As far as gemstones go, peridot is one of very few stones that exist in only a single color. In this case, all peridot gems are green, but they’re found in different shades, ranging from pale green to bright lime green to olive green. The most sought after peridot gems are the ones that are sparkling lime-green, free of any yellow or brown hues. All shades of peridot green look beautiful paired with platinum or silver metals, which creates magnificent pieces of jewelry.
  • It’s mined worldwide: Peridot gemstones were made famous in Egypt, but it is not mined there exclusively. In fact, many peridot mines can be found in the United States (Arizona, Arkansas, Hawaii and Nevada), as well as in other countries, including China, Brazil, Australia, South Africa, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
  • Cleopatra wore peridots: Egypt was the primary source of peridot gems during ancient times. As such, it makes since that the Egyptians would cast a spotlight on peridot. The stones were often made into talismans to ward off evil, but are most famously known for being the gemstone worn by Queen Cleopatra. Like many other people, you may have thought she wore emeralds, but they were in fact peridots. This belief was ingrained into minds because travelers at the time did not know of peridot, regularly mistaking the stone for darker green emerald gemstones.
  • On display at the Smithsonian: Did you know that the Smithsonian Museum houses the world’s largest known peridot gemstones? One famous peridot is a 46.16 karat gemstone mined and fully extracted in Pakistan. Another large peridot that’s a part of the Smithsonian’s collection weighs 34.65 karats. It is a necklace with a modified triangular step gemstone that was found in Arizona on the San Carlos Apache Indian Reservation.

Peridots are commonly used for rings, pendants and earrings, and they can be cut into shapes ranging from oval to teardrop. In honor of August’s birthstone, Howard’s Fine Jewelry is having a sale on peridot jewelry. Ask us about how to get 50 percent off a lovely peridot piece! You are also welcome to visit our jewelry store in Sterling Heights, MI anytime for a close-up look at our selection of fine jewelry.