Ring shopping got you stressed? Tired of the same old engagement traditions? It's time to rewrite the rules! Discover the secret ingredient to a stress-free proposal that's anything but typical – a placeholder ring!
Find out how a stand-in ring can make your proposal stress-free and oh-so-magical.
You've found the person who completes you, who makes your heart race, and who you can't imagine spending your life without. You're ready to take the leap and put a ring on it, but you find yourself getting caught up in all of the "shoulds" and expectations around what the ring should look like.
Congratulations, lovebirds! You've reached that oh-so special moment where you're ready to take the plunge into the crazy word of love and togetherness. Amidst the whirlwind of wedding chaos, one important decision stands out: finding the perfect engagement ring.
So, let's talk engagement rings. Silver may not always be the first metal that comes to mind. We're usually all about that gold and a big sparkly diamond. But hey, why not take a minute to appreciate the charm of silver?
With silver, you can have your cake (or should we say, your ring?) and still have some cash to spare. Think, more money left for dreamy honeymoon adventures, a fabulous celebration with your loved ones or that farmhouse you’ve been eyeing.
For all you wild and free souls out there, craving something different from the traditional gold or platinum options, silver engagement rings might be right for you. Be sure to read this comparison of silver vs white gold before you settle on a silver engagement ring!
So, let's dive into the world of silver engagement rings that will make your heart skip a beat.
Here are my 8 favorite picks - all under $300 - and why I’m kind of (a lot) obsessed with them.
A burst of joy and personality - of light and dark. The way dreams are wild things not to be tamed.
A little bit classic, a little bit rock 'n' roll. Elegant, sophisticated, yet unmistakably bold.
Bold, daring, and unafraid to stand out. For the rule-breaker, the trendsetter, the fiercely independent souls who carve their own paths.
Perfect for anyone who nails the 'I just threw this on' look every time.
She's the one who captivates your heart and leaves you breathless. With her unique style and magnetic presence, she deserves a ring that matches her one of a kind spirit. That's where the four rose cut diamond ring comes in. Its intricate design and delicate details make it a true work of art.
Perfect for anyone who’s ever been caught smiling at their own daydreams. A little sunshine on your finger.
If your love makes your heart race, this ring will keep pace.
For the lovers of all things minimalist. It’s simple, it’s elegant, it’s ethically sourced and made. It’s so very you.
Updated February 2023
Is your white gold jewelry slowly fading to a yellowing shine? Don't stress. It's not that your sebum or sweat is staining it, nor is it because you got a low quality piece of bling. If you’ve been wondering if white gold can turn yellow or what makes white gold turn yellow, you're not alone!
TLDR; it's normal, because gold is not white, but a golden color.
If you’re wondering why your white gold wedding band or the prongs of your engagement ring are turning yellow, keep reading for the longform answer.
Pure gold is always yellow. In fact, white gold does not exist in nature. There’s no such thing as pure white gold.
Jewelers refer to gold in its pure form as 24 karat gold. Pure gold is too soft to be used in jewelry. That’s why it’s mixed with other metals that make it durable enough to be worn daily. These metals include copper, silver, nickel, palladium and zinc. The addition of other metals changes the color of the gold.
At Gardens of the Sun, we mix our own gold alloys with ethical gold, and add metals like copper and silver to it. We use 18 karat gold, which means that 18 out of 24 parts is pure gold. That’s 75%, and that’s also why in some countries, it gets a 750 stamp rather than an 18k stamp. The remaining 25% is where the mix of metals comes into play. A higher amount of copper will turn the gold to rose gold. Mixing it with silver, nickel or palladium will turn it to pale gold - or what we like to call white gold.
Back in the day, people used nickel to give white gold its shiny white metal look. However, many people (myself included!) are allergic to nickel and most quality jewelers won't use nickel anymore. Likewise, Gardens of the Sun does not use any nickel in any of our jewelry.
At Gardens of the Sun, we used silver and zinc as the base alloy for our 18 karat white gold until late 2022. White gold based on zinc or silver still has a distinct golden glow.
In late 2022, we shifted to using palladium for our white gold. Palladium gives the gold a gray tone and less of a warm yellow hue. When using traditional artisanal smithing methods, it can be challenging to get the temperatures high enough to properly melt the palladium. When palladium isn't melted properly, it can affect the quality of the finished jewelry. We found a solution to this only in 2022.
Just like how there are many shades of white, white gold can have different colors. The color of white gold depends on the alloy, both which other metals it’s mixed with, and how many of these other metals are used.
For white gold as well as yellow gold and rose gold, 14 karat gold tends to be less golden in color than 18 karat gold, since it has a lower gold content.
Natural white gold isn’t exactly white. Historically, jewelers want white gold which can match the color of platinum - a rare metal with a hefty price tag. But white gold based on zinc or silver still has a distinct golden glow. So to achieve this white metal look, white gold is often plated with rhodium.
When someone says white gold fades or tarnishes, they’re most likely referring to the rhodium plating fading to reveal the white gold underneath. And this white gold can look yellow - which is the reason why your jewelry was rhodium plated in the first place.
White gold itself does not change color, and the color will remain the same.
Most white gold jewelry is rhodium plated. As the rhodium plating is only a thin top layer, the rhodium plating tends to fade over time. This is especially true around prongs and corners, which get the most wear and tear.
Since the top layer has eroded, there’s no way to clean white gold that has turned yellow back to white gold. In fact, by obsessively cleaning and polishing it you would remove more of the rhodium plating, and reveal even more of the underlying yellow toned gold.
White gold doesn’t turn yellow because of oxidation and tarnish. It turns yellow because that’s its natural color.
So, it’s not ‘bad’ at all if white gold turns yellow! In fact, some people are loving this natural look more.
Bad news is: you can’t prevent white gold from turning yellow. The breakdown process is normal and inevitable. But you can slow down its process by taking good care of your jewelry. Try to avoid getting your white gold jewelry wet, soapy or dirty. Take it off before showering, swimming or splashing around in the ocean. Or you can opt for an alloy that’s less yellow to begin with.
Whether or not white gold turns yellow depends on the base alloy, so the gold used underneath the rhodium plating. White gold itself does not change color, and the color will remain the same. So to prevent white gold changing color, choose a white gold alloy that's more white than yellow to begin with, and that does not need to be rhodium plated.
The first thing to do is ask your jeweler what kind of alloy they use for their white gold. If it’s a silver-based alloy, your jewelry will likely turn yellow over time. If it’s a nickel-based alloy, be aware it may trigger allergies. If it’s a palladium-based alloy, your white gold is unlikely to turn yellow.
In case you’re wondering whether you can turn yellow gold into white gold, or whether you can change white gold to yellow gold, the answer lies in the plating.
It is possible to add a yellow gold, rose gold or rhodium plating to any piece of jewelry you already own, unless there are very fragile gemstones that may not be able to withstand the electroplating process.
Keep in mind however, that over time the plating will wear off, and that this is not a permanent solution.
Creating white gold jewelry involves either additional steps (rhodium plating) or more expensive metals (palladium) that may be harder to work with. If your white gold jewelry contains palladium, remember palladium is a rare metal, and with a price tag. More expensive than a silver or nickel based alloy. Moreover, palladium is harder to work with than gold, so it’s more labor intensive. That’s why white gold is more expensive than yellow gold.
If your white gold is rhodium plated, there’s additional labor and materials involved in the rhodium plating process.
You can expect to pay more for a white gold ring than a yellow gold ring of the same quality.
We partner with 25 artisanal indigenous women miners in Indonesian Borneo. We pay them a premium for their pledge against the use of mercury and cyanide. Plus, the miners operate legally without deforestation.
These women are our partners, not our employees - meaning they can make more profit for themselves on top of a stable income. In fact, studies by Yayasan Tambuhak Sinta, the University of British Columbia and Canadian International Resources and Development Institute found this partnership has created access to finance, increased income and more gender equality, women’s leadership and governance.
In the process, your gold jewelry avoided releasing an estimated 44 kg of mercury into the world.
Read more about our ethical gold.
White gold is a popular choice of metal for engagement or wedding rings:
It suits both warm and cool-toned skin
Looks great with any gemstone color, especially white gemstones and diamonds come out best against white metal
It’s chic and elegant
Rhodium plating gives your jewelry a more scratch resistant layer
Are you looking to get that white metal glow back? This is not something you can fix at home. There's no other way around it - your white gold jewelry will have to be re-plated to get that platinum shine again. It's not a complicated process and your local jeweler should be able to do it for you, either in-house or at one of their partners.
If you purchased your ring from us, you're welcome to send it back and we'll gladly dip that piece in rhodium for you. In fact, we've done it for many of our clients. You can purchase a rhodium plating here.
Just about everyone wants a natural diamond, but not everyone wants the same style or cut.
Let's just say - we like our diamonds with a bit of character. And old cut diamonds tell tales with every facet in a way mere modern cut diamonds can't match. Antique diamond cuts often have imperfect facets and quirky, asymmetrical features so common in diamonds measured by eye and cut by hand. These aren’t your grandmother’s rocks!
If you ask me, old cut diamonds are the way to go – but not because they’re old! When you choose an old cut diamond, you know your jewelry is bound to impress throughout the generations. So if you’re looking to inject some soulful chutzpah into your jewelry collection, look no further than old cut diamonds.
Of course, these beauties come with questions - are they better than newly cut stones? Are they worth the hype? What's so special about old cut diamonds? Are those twinkles enough to make me swoon? See what we mean with one glance...go ahead, take the plunge - you won’t regret it!
So what are antique cut diamonds?
Antique cuts are the very first cuts that were created to cut diamonds. It’s a term encompassing centuries of cutting technique evolutions, underpinned by the use of hands - instead of machines - to perform the cutting. They differ quite a bit from today’s diamonds because they were not created using all the technology and knowledge we have developed in the past decades.
Diamonds that entered the market in the new millennium are most likely laser cut. Machine cut stones tend to all look the same. Instead, the facets in antique diamonds are bulkier, larger and more asymmetrical. They don’t sparkle or shine as much as the diamonds do today and that’s exactly what we love about them: their imperfections. They have this nostalgic feel and a glow that makes them incredibly glamorous.
That brilliant cut diamond you’ve seen on Google, Pinterest or in the window of your local fine jeweler? That’s a modern cut diamond. They’re created with factory-like precision, tighter light patterns appearing like flashes of colors, and greater brilliance.
Most antique diamond cuts offer a very romantic and soulful appeal. Their most distinguishing characteristic is that they’re not as blingy or sparkly as most modern cut stones. Many antique diamonds were meant to be viewed in the candlelight, offering a soft glow and romantic feel.
Different types of antique cut diamonds
(and their history!)
Antique cut diamonds were cut under low lighting conditions and by hand, giving them larger facets and more weight. With the invention of electricity and new cutting tools, the faceting process was improved, giving diamonds the reflection and brilliance they’re so famous for today. Diamond cutting went through subtle changes over the centuries, like smaller and more facets, the shrinking of the culet and the widening of the table.
Let me walk you through how diamond cuts evolved throughout the millennia.
There are a range of cutting techniques that fall under antique cuts. Let’s start with the oldest one: the polki diamond. Polki diamonds supposedly go back 2,500 or even 3,000 years to India, the motherland of all diamonds long before Western cutting methods were seen there. They often retain their original rough form and have an unfaceted, polished surface. Polki diamonds are often described as uncut, because of their polished planes rather than facets. The stone is generally small with a flat bottom, similar to diamond slices, but much thicker. Though they lack brilliance and fire, polki cuts do give a soft sheen.
Polki diamonds ooze a raw, rustic, old-world charm. They tend to be cloudy, included, lower color grade and without the faceting that gives diamonds their brilliance and appeal. They’re less valuable than ordinary cut diamonds.
Is polki diamond jewelry worth buying? The diamonds themselves don’t have much resale value, it’s the jewelry that’s time-consuming and needs a lot of skill. Polki diamonds are often used in multiples rather than a solitaire like the modern brilliant cut diamond. And since each stone has a unique shape, each setting is crafted individually.
Once it was understood that only diamonds can cut a diamond, the process of changing the shape of a diamond began. By the 1500s, people started cutting rose cut diamonds, which have flat bottoms and a domed top. Kind of like an upside down stone, or a crown without a pavilion. Since there’s no pavilion, if the diamond has good clarity you can look right through the stone. Rose cut diamonds glow more than the minimalist and rough polki cut diamonds. But they’re still far from the brilliant diamond cuts we know today. Nowadays, rose cut diamonds are popular for their multifaceted tops, excellent finger coverage and availability of shapes.
The single cut diamond is one of the earliest and most basic of cuts, dating back to the 1600s. The single cut was a big step forward in diamond cutting and is a very simple form of the round cut diamond. It has an octagonal girdle (the side edge of the diamond). The single cut is also known as an “eight cut” and sometimes referred to as “huit huit”, from the French “huit”, meaning eight. That’s because it’s designed with eight facets on the crown, eight facets on the bottom half of the diamond, and generally an additional single table facet on the top of the crown, making it a total of 17 facets.
Single cut diamonds can be identified by their large, flat table (the surface on the top of the stone). These days, single cut diamonds are generally used as side stones or low-cost diamond jewelry like watch dials, tennis bracelets, earrings and gemstone jewelry. They complement colored stones like emerald, garnet, ruby and kyanite, because the single cut reveals a whiter color that helps accentuate these stones more fully, without all the distracting fire of a modern diamond.
Fast forward two centuries later, cutting skills and techniques had evolved, but lighting conditions hadn’t. Diamonds were still cut by hand, with cutters using only their eyes and dim light or daylight to measure the precision of their work.
To level up the refraction factor, jewelers started making the bottom part of the diamond longer and the culet slightly more pointy. This way, light could travel further and bounce back and forth inside the diamond, creating ‘fire’. This was the first attempt to create a diamond cut shining for centuries. Shape consistency and symmetry was of less importance than play of light.
The first generation of brilliant cuts is the old mine cut, popular in the 1700s. The old mine cut still has a larger and wider culet, because no technology existed to make a pointy tip (yet). It also has a shorter bottom half, imperfect facets and asymmetrical features, all thanks to the hand cut nature of the old mine cut. The result is more sparkle and brilliance than a rose cut diamond. If you look at an old mine cut diamond from the side, you might find the girdle to be thick and occasionally unpolished.
Old mine cut diamonds come in many shapes and proportions. Most old mine cut diamonds have a pillow cushion shape, as the cut follows the shape of the octahedral diamond crystal to retain as much of the weight of the rough as possible. Old mine cut is the nomenclature given to all older diamonds with a brilliant cutting style, no matter their shape. Their shapes can range from almost square with rounded corners, to oval and to pear. Irregular shapes are also found, these are called a crude old mine cut.
Enter the late 19th century for the second generation of brilliant cut diamonds: the old European cut (old Euro cut or OEC). This Art Deco darling has a smaller culet than the old mine cut, but it’s still very much noticeable and far from the pointy modern diamond. You get better refraction of light and more colors, but with its deep pavilion, small table and tall crown, it’s still unlike the brilliant cut we know today. If you see it from the top, you’ll see a rounded crown instead of the cushion shape of the old mine cut. From the side, you’ll find the girdle to be smaller than the old mine cut. In other words, we’re getting closer to brilliant cut diamonds!
What’s all this talk about the culet?
The culet is the bottom facet of a diamond, and the culet size is the quickest way for a jeweler to identify diamonds as a modern or an antique diamond cut.
In days long gone, no technology could make the bottom of the diamond have an exact pointed tip. As a result, old mine cut and old Euro cut diamonds have a facet rather than a culet point. The facet allows for rays of light to shine through the diamond, creating a subtle refractive color.
How do antique cut diamonds compare to modern diamonds?
You might see antique diamond cuts and find them no different than any other diamonds you see in the market today. In some ways, you’re right: the look from the top of these antique cut diamonds vs the modern cut diamonds may not look very different to the untrained eye.
But for professionals, there are a few obvious clues. First, it’s the culet at the center. Today’s machines can map diamonds and determine their shape. Jewelers use cutting wheels to shape the culet of modern round diamonds, resulting in an exact pointed tip. Professional jewelers will see the culet on antique diamond cuts because they’re larger, whereas modern cut diamonds are pointy (so pointy, you can’t see them with the naked eye).
Antique diamond cuts also have less facets than a modern brilliant cut, which has very precisely measured facets. Turn the ring or stone around, and you’ll see the sides and bottom are cut differently, so they refract light differently.
The most notable difference between antique cut diamonds and modern cut diamonds is its lightplay. Antique diamond cuts tend to have a candle like shine - think mellow and soft - whereas modern cut diamonds have more fire and brilliance.
The main difference between polki and rose cut diamonds lie in the pattern of facets. Polki diamonds tend to have a handful or less of large, flat facets. They’re not necessarily faceted, but polished to retain their natural structure, often into an irregular and asymmetrical form as the cutter strives for the maximum size. Facets in rose cut diamonds have more of a pattern and more of a crown.
Although both may be imperfectly shaped, you’ll find rose cut diamonds tend to be less asymmetrical than polki diamonds, which fully follow the raw diamond’s shape.
The shape of the old mine cut vs cushion cut can be confusing. Both cuts have slightly rounded, curved sides with a pillow-like appearance, and the old mine cut is considered the precursor of the modern cushion cut. But, where the cushion cut only comes in square and rectangular shapes, the old mine cut may also be pear, marquise or triangle shaped.
The key difference between the two is the way they are cut. The old mine cut uses primitive processes under low lighting conditions, resulting in wonky shapes and uneven facet sizes. There were no standards for the shape, and cutters attempted to save as much of the diamond weight as possible. As compared to the modern cushion cut, old mine cut diamonds have a smaller table, taller crown, deeper pavilion, chunkier facets and open culet rather than a pointy tip.
Modern cushion cuts aim for symmetry, color retention and play of light, meant to sparkle under electric light. The culet got so small to the point it disappeared, the table got wider, the crown lower, the pavilion more shallow and the facets smaller and more elongated. It’s significantly lower profile than the old mine cut.
Both the old mine and cushion are brilliant cuts, but they react to light differently. The different facet shapes and sizes makes the old mine cut show larger face-up patterns of light and dark and less brilliance than the modern cushion cut.
Placed next to a modern diamond, the proportions of an old mine cut diamond can look overly large and bulky at first glance. It’s only under candlelight that you see its soft, romantic glow.
The main difference between the single cut and modern brilliant cut diamond is in the number of facets. This affects the appearance and price of the diamond. A single cut diamond only has 16 to 18 facets, whereas a full-cut diamond has 57 or 58 facets. The high number of facets maximizes light reflection, giving the diamond more brightness and brilliance as compared to a single cut diamond. Needless to say, a full cut costs more time, and so more money.
The modern cut makes the diamond look significantly nicer than a single cut - to the point I’ve heard a gemologist say the single cut is an insult to a diamond’s beauty and brilliance. With modern day technology it’s not that much costlier, so these days only some melee diamonds (these are small diamonds, usually under 0.12 ct used as sparkly accents) still use the single cut to save money.
In terms of looks, the light reflection in a full cut diamond is much higher than in a single cut, so a single cut diamond has less brilliance and shine.
While single cut diamonds have a decidedly vintage look and were very popular between the 19th century and mid 20th century, they are rarely used as the center stone these days.
The Old European cut has a smaller table, higher crown with a steeper angle, deeper pavilion and a larger culet than the modern round brilliant cut. The modern round brilliant cut is designed to push its fire and brilliance up through the middle of the stone. The Old European cut looks less brilliant from the top down view, yet offers more brilliance and fire from the side.
Can antique cut diamonds be new?
An antique diamond cut may be a newly mined diamond cut in an antique style. If you're looking for an actual antique diamond make sure the stone is called antique not just antique cut. By definition, antique describes an object having a high value because of considerable age or belonging to ancient times. Officially in describing jewelry any piece older than 1920 or 100 years old can be deemed antique. An antique diamond would be one cut prior to the 1920s.
Since we source many of our diamonds directly from artisanal miners in Borneo, we sometimes get a say in deciding the diamond cut. We commission a local cutter to cut each rough stone based on our cutting preference, and that includes antique cut diamonds (yes, *happy gasp*).
So should you purchase a truly antique diamond ring or an antique cut diamond ring?
Since true antique diamond rings are expensive, price would surely be a considerable factor. But unlike antique cut diamond rings, true antique pieces are rich with stories. Whether they are actual historical pieces (like, they’re owned by Princess Diana) or a hand-me-down from your dear grandma, there’s nothing else that can replace a true antique jewelry piece.
The problem is, with antique jewelry pieces, you might not get the best ethical stories. They can be made with conflict diamonds or mined by miners who weren’t well-paid. They can be guilty and you might not want to associate yourself with its dirty past. Getting antique cut diamond rings that are actually ethical means you’re getting the aesthetics and the ethics at the same time. You’re starting anew and you can hand down jewelry rings that are actually clean!
Are antique diamond cuts cheaper than modern diamonds?
True antique diamond cuts (that means they could be centuries old) will gain value over time and become more expensive. Especially now that we’re seeing a surge for antique cut gemstones, their price is predicted to increase over time. Jewelry from the 17th century are considered extremely rare and valuable. They are a piece of history, and this will be reflected in the price.
What are the best settings for antique cut diamonds?
Here’s our ideal antique cut ring design. The antique diamond cut is set in a solitaire ring with basket prongs or an open bezel to allow more light entering the stone from below. Then add three side stones to enhance the overall brightness.
Are antique cut diamonds right for me?
With mysterious stories behind them, nothing says timelessness like antique diamond cuts! Ready to make an impression for generations to come? Well, there's only one way to find out… you be the judge!
You want more colors and lights
Our polki cut diamond, a nod to the oldest diamond cutting technique.
Cutting techniques were used to maximize color and lightplay, not brilliance. They have larger facets and diffuse more light, so what you’ll get is a more mellow glow and softer brilliance. In other words, antique diamond cuts give a softer, more romantic feel. Plus, they’re designed to perform well under dim lighting, like for that proposal dinner.
You want less waste
Design your own ring with this old cut diamond from Borneo.
Older diamonds tend to be chunkier with less faceting, and thus, less cutting. When cutters facet a stone, they’re essentially polishing bits off the diamond. Back then cutters and traders tried to minimize their waste and maximize what they have, leading to chunkier diamond cuts. These days diamonds are cut with higher standards of precision, so that more of the diamond is polished off. The remaining diamond dust may be sold for industrial uses.
You want a piece of history
Oval old mine cut diamond hailing from Kalimantan, Indonesia.
What can I say - I’m a sucker for anything with an interesting story. With post consumer antique diamonds, be happy you’re owning a heritage piece someone else used to so cherish. With newer diamonds cut in an old style, be happy you’re owning a piece with a long history to tell.
You want one of a kind jewelry
A play on the unique characteristics of each stone.
Nowadays, computers offer cutters a preview of the best faceting to work on for each stone to maximize its brilliance. This technology also guarantees cutters with more precise and uniform results. On the other hand, antique cut diamonds play on the unique characteristics of each stone. In other words, you’re owning a piece no one else has.
You want more charming everyday jewelry
Glows like a candle and fits all occasions, day to night.
More glitter doesn’t necessarily mean more happiness. Being the humble sister of a more flashy diamond, antique cut diamonds don’t call for attention. They blend into the design, using it to make the piece standout as a whole, as opposed to making itself the spotlight. Just a tad of glow can do wonders, and that’s the magic of antique cut diamonds.
Think antique cut diamonds are right for you - and for the Ring?
We think so too.
Chinese New Year isn’t just a celebration, but a moment to welcome prosperous days ahead with various lucky foods. To match the vibe of the night, wear these gemstones to amplify your luck for the rest of the year.
2023 is the Year of the Water Rabbit, representing hope. The Chinese New Year starts on 22 January 2023 and ends on 9 February 2024.
The Rabbit is a symbol of longevity, peace and prosperity in Chinese culture - a harbinger of tremendous luck and good fortune. Likewise, Rabbit years are believed to bring happiness, prosperity and a dash of luck. The Water Rabbit energy is expected to bring shower the world with new opportunities.
Non-judgmental, empathic and open-minded, the rabbit is also alert, agile and resilient. Rabbits rarely let anything stand in their way. They’ll find their way over, around or under any of life’s roadblocks. In Chinese philosophy, rabbits are also a symbol of patience. So, bide your time until the moment is right to act in 2023, and you may well experience some lucky breaks!
This year, tap into your personal power and confidence, and trust that like a rabbit, you can achieve your goals despite the challenges along the way.
This is the year to bring your intellectual mind up front and center. Think: plenty of reading, taking a contemplative and introspective deep dive, replenishing your creative well, and starting new intellectual pursuits. Because rabbits, however tame and gentle they may seem, are calculated with their movements and can jump at exactly the right opportunity.
Plus, we’re still swimming through the water cycle and rabbits are the only animal associated with the Goddess of the Moon. Talk about forces of beauty and femininity aligning this year!
Let’s hope to it.
There’s power in wearing the right gemstone to keep attracting goodness into your life. So take advantage of your skills (and luck!) as you enter the Year of the Water Rabbit.
Red is always favored for ushering in the Chinese New Year. It’s said the yang chi of the color red gets activated, attracting good fortune. Aside from the lucky color red, 2023’s lucky colors are neutrals, soothing blues and raspberry blush.
Depending on where you’re at in life, different gemstones can amplify your luck factor. These are the 2023 lucky charms. Which one do you vibe with most?
How would we start the Year of the Rabbit without any bunny jewelry? Gathering luck depends on having a clear vision for the near and future - all the good and the bad. Lucky for you, rabbits have a keen pair of eyes and clever ways to handle tough situations.
Gemstones:
Lucky charm for:
turning uncertainties into opportunities
manifesting that promotion you’ve been longing for
bigger picture thinking
The Chinese knot is a decorative element used to mark important celebrations. Created by a single thread, the knot is believed to bring longevity, blessings and joy. Sometimes hung at the front door, Chinese knots are talismans to ward off evil spirits and welcome good energy.
Gemstones:
Lucky charm for:
maintaining friendships and family ties
turning your house into a home
empowering others who’ve been through the same struggle
Three hessonite garnets represent three lucky Chinese coins, an element of Feng Shui, meant to attract wealth. The Chinese coins are sometimes tied together with red ribbon to symbolize vitality, protection and energy.
Gemstones:
Lucky charm for:
mastering the art of persuasion
taking an unusual path to escape a creative rut
taking risks with confidence
For a simple lucky charm, this Chinese coin is enough to work wonders. The foundation to many auspicious ornaments and once actually used for transactions. Traditionally, Chinese coins have a square opening representing the Earth and have four characters inscribed on one side of the coin and two on the other side. Coins symbolize good fortune and prosperity.
Gemstones:
Lucky charm for:
having an open-mind to learn ancient wisdom
taking pride in your skin color, eyes and lips
rewriting your life’s narrative in a more positive light
Birds are said to be messengers that connect Heaven and Earth. They are powerful symbols often found as embellishments in ancient Chinese palaces. But they’re not just noble beings, they’re also a mighty force, as seen from the phoenix, who arise from the ashes.
Gemstones:
Lucky charm for:
making lives from your own ashes, like a phoenix
using freedom for good cause
bringing wisdom into the smallest details in your life
For decades, a perfectly clear, perfectly white and perfectly cut diamond was the end all be all of wedding and engagement rings. Heavily included diamonds were considered undesirable: they went to the pile for industrial use. Think diamond drills.
Then came millennials, with our penchant to love and accept ourselves, flaws and all. And with it, a big dollop of individuality and a healthy respect for the world that we live in. Couples started looking for something different. Something that wasn't tainted with reports of blood and violence. Some moved over to coloured gemstones like sapphires. But then a cool rebel emerged from the shadows: the salt and pepper diamond.
Clarity characteristics (the geek term for "imperfections") are natural. These imperfections are generally called inclusions or blemishes. Most diamonds have flaws and imperfections, they're like fingerprints or that birthmark on your chin. They’re what makes one diamond different from another. Most of the diamonds you’ll find at Gardens of the Sun have visible inclusions, symbolizing a love for imperfections and celebration of differences.
With a similar hardness as their clear counterparts, salt and pepper diamonds are an increasingly popular choice for alternative engagement rings. Salt and pepper diamonds mean different things to many people - that’s the beauty of owning such a unique diamond. Spotted with a galaxy of black stars, or inclusions in cool shapes, salt and pepper diamonds range from opalescent whites to silky grays to stormy almost-blacks, and anything in between.
Their quirky looks help couples match their unique love story with a similarly unique diamond, turning their “flaws” into their biggest asset. More and more brides break traditional norms and choose to embrace what matters to them.
Are salt and pepper diamonds real?
A BIG YES!!! Salt and pepper diamonds are 100% natural. Made on Earth. Formed over billions of years. Genuine and untainted.
A better question to ask is: Why didn’t we know about salt and pepper diamonds earlier? Well, that is pure marketing at play. We’ve been taught to value clear diamonds as the highest of the highs, when in reality, diamonds come in shades far more rich and complex.
In love with a black-speckled diamond? Read on to fall in love with a non-traditional engagement ring.
So, what is a salt and pepper diamond?
Most diamonds us common folks can afford have flaws, imperfections or inclusions. These inclusions vary in color, shape and sizes. They can be carbon spots, crystals, feathers or clouds.
As you can see from the photo above, salt and pepper diamonds usually contain a mix of black (pepper) and white (salt) inclusions. The pepper inclusions make a diamond look darker, the salt inclusions make a diamond look cloudier and hazier.
These inclusions grow and form alongside the diamond. Over billions of years, the crystal is exposed to carbon, minerals and even other diamonds. Together, these elements create lasting marks, called inclusions. The inclusions in salt and pepper diamonds are more plentiful and noticeable than traditional diamonds.
Don't get me wrong, I’m a huge fan of diamonds. But I love them opalescent, with random inclusions, funky patterns and streaks of colors. While inclusions are usually a no-go, salt and pepper diamonds are the exception.
Why are there so many different variations?
What makes salt and pepper diamonds so attractive is that no two are alike. Salt and pepper diamonds symbolize the ‘wild child’. They’re fun and their flaws work to benefit the overall appearance of the gem - quite the opposite of the traditional diamond. If black diamonds feel too powerful to you, you might want to find your lifetime companion among the salt and pepper range.
What color is a salt and pepper diamond?
The amount of salt and pepper inclusions in a diamond affect its color.
Mostly salt? Icy white diamond.
Only a sprinkle of pepper? Light salt and pepper diamond.
A lot of pepper and some salt? Dark salt and pepper diamond.
Mostly pepper, no salt? Black diamond.
Salt and pepper diamonds don’t need to be on the grayscale. We’ve even seen some green salt and pepper diamonds and yellow salt and pepper diamonds!
What are alternative names for salt and pepper diamonds?
It may seem odd that all salt and pepper diamonds are lumped together under one name when in reality, each one is so vastly unique. Jewelers often use the name galaxy diamonds, celestial diamonds, storm diamonds, or icy white diamonds to categorize their diamonds based on the look and inclusions (basically icy white diamonds mean more salt than pepper; storm diamonds mean more pepper than salt). But remember that this naming system isn’t formally or universally recognized!
When talking about salt and pepper diamonds, we’re going into uncharted territory; there’s no formal institution that assesses and grades salt and pepper diamonds. So all those names above are more like terms of endearments, and not all jewelers will use those terms in their practice.
Are salt and pepper diamonds rings low quality?
Just a decade ago, salt and pepper diamonds were considered low quality just because of their colors and flaws. These days, these inclusions have become fashionable and they fetch higher prices. Salt and pepper diamonds may be flawed, imperfect diamond engagement rings are on the rise.
How much is a salt and pepper diamond worth?
Salt and pepper diamonds are cheaper than their sparkling counterparts with less inclusions. The price of a salt and pepper diamond depends on the carat weight, cut and clarity (yes, some salt and pepper diamonds are much more heavily included than others!). There are also some price differences in origin, for example salt and pepper diamonds from Canada and Indonesia are more expensive than those from less ethical origins, like Russia.
According to Ashkan Asgari, founder of Misfit Diamonds, the average retail price range for salt and pepper diamonds ranges from $856/ct to $2,000/ct.
Our salt and pepper diamond jewelry starts at $154 for a custom small diamond ring or $260 for a rose cut salt and pepper diamond necklace, and goes up all the way to $3,299 for a ready to ship salt and pepper diamond engagement ring or up to $4k for a custom salt and pepper diamond ring.
Are salt and pepper diamonds certified by GIA?
Salt and pepper diamonds aren’t certified or graded by the GIA, because GIA doesn't have a system for assessing and grading them. There’s no indication it’ll happen anytime soon.
This is because the 4Cs (color, clarity, cut, and carat weight) grading system created by GIA don’t apply to salt and pepper diamonds the same way. These diamonds tend to be rose cut with unique shapes, various colors and heavily included clarity. Of course, weight and how well a diamond is cut still matter.
Gardens of the Sun does offer gemologist lab reports for our higher value Borneo diamonds, also those with pepper inclusions or full salt and pepper diamonds.
Are salt and pepper diamonds ethical?
The ethics behind salt and pepper diamonds are similar to clear diamonds. A few clients have asked us whether salt and pepper diamond rings are more sustainable.
Let me tell you this. The diamonds come from the same mines, so the most important question to ask a jeweler remains the same: which mine or country was the diamond mined? You see, countries like Russia are origins you’d like to avoid.
Moreover, mining salt and pepper diamonds requires no less destruction than clear diamonds. Some jewelers may try to convince you there’s less waste, because salt and pepper diamonds are less rare than clear diamonds, or how they’d otherwise be discarded for industrial use. But these diamonds are still used, and mines are still dug.
But the good news is, with salt and pepper diamonds valued more now than a decade ago, artisanal miners can expect a higher income from selling salt and pepper diamonds.
Where do you source your salt and pepper diamonds from?
Our salt and pepper diamonds are primarily sourced from Australia, Botswana, Canada and Indonesia.
Since our new sourcing policy came into effect in November 2018, we source most of our non-melee diamonds from Kalimantan, which is the Indonesian part of Borneo island. The included diamonds here have a slightly different makeup from the salt and pepper diamonds on the international market. They tend to have mostly black inclusions, and hardly any “salt”. This means predominantly clear or colored diamonds with black beauty marks.
Are salt and pepper diamonds durable?
You’re not the first one to ask whether salt and pepper diamonds are as durable as a traditional diamond.
The quick answer:
salt and pepper diamonds are not as strong and durable as clear diamonds.
Like clear diamonds, salt and pepper diamonds rank 10 on Mohs scale. That means salt and pepper diamonds don’t scratch easily and are harder than your hardest gemstones.
But since salt and pepper diamonds have inclusions, they can still chip. And they chip more easily than clear diamonds.
Salt and pepper diamonds are filled with internal inclusions, but they can also have pits and other surface reaching flaws. These inclusions make them technically more weak than a clear white diamond.
How to clean salt and pepper diamonds ring?
There’s no special treatment for salt and pepper diamonds, other than cleaning them regularly to show their glow. The best way to clean a salt and pepper diamond ring is to wash it with lukewarm water and mild soap. Avoid steam cleaners and ultrasonic cleaners. White diamonds, which have high clarity, can easily go into those cleaners, but the inclusions in salt and pepper diamonds make them more fragile.
What’s the best cut for a salt and pepper diamond?
Salt and pepper diamonds are often rose cut, which means it has a flat bottom and larger surface area. You’ll find salt and pepper diamonds cut into various fancy shapes from kite, geometric, triangle, to oval. Rose cut allows the inclusions to be center of the show, but the cut also minimizes reflections and sparkle. So don’t expect salt and pepper diamonds to have brilliance like clear diamonds, especially if they’re rose cut. They’re meant for a different purpose and style.
Do salt and pepper diamonds sparkle?
Salt and pepper diamonds have less reflections and refractions than clear diamonds because of the inclusions. The higher the inclusions, the less it sparkles. BUT salt and pepper diamonds still shimmers and glows when cut properly. It has a muted glowing effect, rather than a brilliance.
What are pro's and con's of salt and pepper diamonds?
Unique, wild and mysterious
More unique cuts
High resistance to scratches
Less brilliant
May not be a lasting trend
May be more fragile because of inclusions
How do I choose a salt and pepper diamond ring?
Picking a salt and pepper diamond is like a Rorschach test. No two salt and pepper diamonds are the same. So the best way to pick the diamond is to ask yourself what you see in the diamond. Is it a twig, a cloud, a galaxy, or an amorphous something stirring inside you?
In the end, as with any piece of jewelry, it’s about how the diamond makes you feel. Then go with the diamond that makes you feel all the good feels.
Because they’re so unique, picking a salt and pepper diamond is not like picking a brilliant cut sparkling white diamond, where you’d go for a high quality cut, graded clarity and avoid inclusions, while trying to get the best possible price for that mix of criteria.
Salt and pepper diamonds don’t have such grading. They’re often rose cut in uncommon shapes, so that the finger coverage can differ visibly, even if both diamonds are the same weight. On top of that, no two salt and pepper diamonds are alike.
We often suggest clients choose a diamond that speaks to them.
For someone on a smaller budget but with a larger ring size, go for a more shallow rose cut diamond. This diamond will have a larger surface area than a brilliant cut diamond, so at first glance your ring will show more diamond.
For the setting, we recommend a bezel setting. Salt and pepper diamonds often have natural pits and cavities at their edges - a testament of their imperfections and inclusions reaching the surface. A bezel setting tends to cover such imperfections more than a prong setting would. A bezel setting also offers more protection than a prong setting.
We’ll let our clients do the talking. After all, they’ve been in your shoes.
“I had Meri make a three piece custom engagement ring for my fiancee. We haven't seen anything like it and we couldn't be more pleased with it. It was a stunner when I proposed to her.”
E.W.
“Gardens of the Sun speaks volumes to us in its different approach to diamond expressions (salt and pepper diamond slice) and sustainable approach to the jewelry industry.”
J.P.
“I drove three hours to our nearest “big city” and began visiting the jewelry stores looking for my dream engagement ring. I found the staff less than helpful. Some were downright rude when I asked about diamond slices, salt and pepper diamonds, or non-traditional engagement rings. Some claimed to never have heard of these terms. Some were very insistent on their cookie-cutter, crystal clear, generic diamond rings. I tried them on and hated them. I hated the way they looked, like something picked from a generic superstore that a million other women would have on their finger. The kind of ring that if you dropped it in the case, you wouldn’t even be able to tell which was yours, they were all so similarly bland. And I hated the way the sales staff made me feel. Like I was crazy for wanting something different. That what I wanted was “cheap” or unheard of or ugly. One store actually suggested that I go to one of the local, independent jewelers to see more non-traditional or vintage styles and take a picture of their work, so I could bring it back and have this store copy it. The unethical suggestion left a dirty taste in my mouth, and I left the “big-city” frustrated and discouraged.
I’ve seen your photos of the ring, from before it was dipped to make it white gold, and I could not possibly have imagined a more perfect ring. I never would have thought to design this myself, could never have envisioned it, and yet somehow, you made this dream come true. I feel like this ring is meant for me in the way that I feel this man is meant to be my life partner. It feels like a little piece of my soul, spun out and magiced into a physical object. And I cannot wait for it to arrive!
I am loving the ring and receive so many compliments on it. My favorite one is when people say, “It looks so YOU!” I love that our ring and our story is unique to us!”
A.H.
An engagement ring is a symbol of your love, so why should it look like everyone else’s? Salt and pepper diamonds bring a more personal touch to the traditional engagement ring. One reason to choose these diamonds is that they're rife with symbolism. Like your partner, no diamond is perfect. Your salt and pepper diamond ring reminds you to look past the flaws and focus on your love.
Another big selling point is that salt and pepper diamonds are less costly than a traditional white diamond. So your budget may go a lot further with a salt and pepper diamond. You can choose to stay within a budget and use that hard earned cash as down payment for your first home together, or the adventure trip of a lifetime (Bali is a good place to start).
But what probably counts the most... Like that stray dog that nobody wants at the shelter, or that weird curved zucchini at the farmer's market. Just as good, but for some strange reason, unloved. Until you came along and found that the zucchini was perfect for your dinner plans. Different, but in a spectacular way that found its way straight to your heart.
Whether you’re after an existing Gardens of the Sun design or you want to build your own ring, we have a variety of choices for our salt and pepper diamonds and salt and pepper diamond engagement rings.
Have a look at our collection of salt and pepper diamond jewelry!
Does your engagement ring or bridal stack feel a little tight?
You might take this as a sign that you need resizing. But before you decide to resize it, here are a few things you should know.
Before you settle on your engagement ring, wear a ring in the same width and size as your engagement ring for a few days. See how the ring feels over time. When you wake up, after a meal, after a workout…
This is because your finger size changes all the time, even if just by a fraction of a millimeter. It shrinks, then swells, following your diet, the seasons and everyday activities. What you eat or drink affects your finger size, and so does the weather. Cold temperatures will cause your finger to slightly shrink, while hotter temperature will cause your finger to slightly swell. In the long run, body weight, daily activities and overall health can affect your finger size.
Here are more factors to consider when measuring your finger size:
The width of the ring
Wider rings cover more finger area and make your finger feel tight. Consider going half a size up for a wider band.
Ring stack
Ring stacks basically have the same effect as a wider band. Consider going half a size up if you plan to stack your wedding band and engagement ring.
Finger shapes
Do you have tapered fingers or knotted fingers? Be sure to read our blog post on Figuring Out Finger Types to see how your finger shape affects your ring size and the shank shape that works best for your finger type.
Your finger doesn’t bulge
Leaves only a faint indent marker
Not too tight around the knuckle
You can turn it around clockwise and counterclockwise with ease
You can move it upward and slide it off, but not too easily
Has a little wiggle room
Your ring shouldn’t come off easily, but putting it on shouldn’t hurt either. It’s normal to wrangle your ring off your finger, and as long as it doesn’t hurt, you’re probably okay.
When you’re purchasing new shoes, it’s commonly advised to go shopping in the afternoon. This is the time of the day your feet swell most, after hours of going about your day and carrying your body weight.
It’s a bit more complicated with finger size. Since your finger size will change slightly throughout the day and throughout the year, measure your finger at different times in the day to find the best fit throughout your day.
Laser resizing or soldering the band again will make your ring slightly more fragile right at the spot where it’s been resized. Although generally speaking, quality metals can handle multiple sizing, on the long run you don’t want to do it more often than necessary.
(Beware: this post might cause an irresistible itch for multiple piercings)
If you’re into ear parties, ear chains are the easiest way to amp up your ear game. It’s a simple add-on for instant upgrade, perfect for the day to night shift.
So what’s an ear chain?
Ear chains are chains to connect earrings - whether front to back or to connect different earrings. Some ear chains are connected to the ear nut, whereas other ear chains are fully separate and can connect any stud earrings you already own.
Who can wear ear chains?
Do you need to have multiple piercings in a single ear to wear ear chains? Absolutely not. You can wear an ear chain front to back. But, if you have multiple piercings, you will have more styling options to wear the ear chain.
Are ear chains and threader earrings the same thing?
Both have chains as their focal point, but ear chains and threader earrings are different. Threader earrings are meant to go through your ear. Ear chains are meant to be paired with existing earrings, and go below the ear.
Ear chains
Hexagon Threader Earring
What’s the length of an ear chain?
We offer ear chains in different lengths. Shorter chains are like that cute wooden bridge above trickling water you often find in children’s picture books.
Shorter chains are meant to connect two close piercings.
Longer ear chains can connect the furthest piercings together, crossing the entire landscape of the ear. They’re more of a statement.
Best worn with stud earrings. If you have more than one piercing on your earlobe, this is your chance to show off your studs!
Choose studs with bold shapes and colors to accentuate with your ear chains
Wear only on one side, or both
Here are our top 4 looks for ear chains!
Like a good story, ring stacks are a form of art. Think of rings as different characters to write a story with. Wear and stack your rings in different ways to create entirely new looks.
With so much versatility in the ring stacking game, we summarized the best tips and must-haves to build a ring stack. This quick guide will get you started.
Pro tip:
Move your rings around on other fingers. See if the rings fit on your thumb or above the knuckle. Your finger size changes from day to night and over the years. Plus: your fingers have different sizes. A reason not to worry if your ring feels a bit loose or tight!
Can you stack too many rings? Yes and no. While it’s perfectly fine to stack 10 rings at a time on different fingers, stacking all of them on one finger is definitely too much. So spread your rings across all ten fingers so the two sides feel balanced (and the two hands feel loved!).
Balance: which fingers to stack your rings on?
Wear rings on up to four fingers of your hand at a time, leaving at least one finger bare. Most prefer to leave their pinky or thumb free of rings. For just the right amount of balance, experiment with an uneven number of fingers to wear your rings on, like three, five or seven fingers out of ten.
You can create balance by:
Wearing rings on an uneven number of fingers
Wearing ring stacks of different heights on the different fingers
Creating negative space
Try:
Have one finger as a focus finger with a high stack, then wear only 1 or 2 rings on your other fingers
Wear rings on an uneven number of fingers, like three, five or seven fingers out of ten
Leave one or more fingers bare
Wear plain rings as a breather
Play with the space and gaps between rings - rings don’t necessarily need to sit against each other perfectly
Avoid:
Having your rings climb up to the knuckles or creating a muffin top - keep your blood flowing, please!
Symmetry
Balance: how many rings do you stack?
When deciding how many rings to stack on one finger, think about both the total width of the rings and the height of the rings on your other fingers. Ideally, on each hand you have one finger with a stack higher than the other fingers. The exact height of this stack depends on how many you can stack without creating that uncomfortable “muffin top”.
Montana sapphire and diamond ring (the horizontal) and the oxidized silver and gold turtle band (the wide)
Tourmaline ring (the base) and curved nesting band (the accent)
Montana sapphire and spinel ring set (the base and the crown)
Mixing the metal colors of your rings is one way to show some grunge. Mixing metals is all about rocking contrasting shades. And when you’re intentional about mixing different metals, it becomes a statement on its own. Back then, mixing metals was considered tacky, but if you work with simple textures and minimal gemstones, it can look sophisticated and effortless.
Does stacking rings damage them?
Stacking rings doesn’t damage them when done correctly. Although we suggest mixing up the metal colors we recommend staying with the same karat or gold content. That way, your rings won’t rub down on each other. If you stack a 14k gold ring with an 18K gold ring, the 18 karat ring will get scratched, since it's softer.
Try:
Pick one main metal as the dominant color
Wear rings of different widths and with different textures
Keep gemstone colors to a minimum
Consider the metal color of your bracelets, necklace and earrings too
Avoid:
Wearing metal rings with different gold content or gold quality (read more about gold karat here) together regularly. Over time, rings made of harder metal (say, 14k gold) will scratch the softer rings (say, 18k gold) and turn the metal dull.
Wearing different metal colors on fingers too far apart, because the contrast - which is the whole point of mixing metals - won’t be as obvious
Not considering your skin undertone, outfit, or other accessories you’re wearing
"Don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Stones don't all have to match, nor does the metal. Mix gold and silver. Have fun!"
- Liana Wheeler Bruno
When it comes to ring stacking, deciding the colors to wear is like acknowledging the feelings you have for the day. Do you feel colorful, radiant, and energetic or do you feel more reserved, introspective and calm? Express your emotions with the colors of gemstones of your jewelry.
Try:
Choose one pop of color and see how it makes you feel
Match the color with your outfit or other jewelry you’re wearing
When wearing multiple colors, keep a focal point. Whether it’s a stack of colorful rings on one finger or choosing that cocktail or solitaire ring as the centerpiece
Wear neutral gemstone colors, like clear, white or gray
Wear gemstones in line with your intentions and emotions
Avoid:
Colors you don’t like (though this might be obvious, you may tempted to wear colors on the edge of dislike, just because the colors look good on our skin - you don’t have to)
Wearing too many colors on different fingers - that’s just noise, my friend
There's one simple rule when it comes to the position of your rings: stack in triangles.
Try:
Wear a low stack left, a high stack middle and a low stack right
Wear a high stack left, low stack middle and high stack right
Wear one ring left, one knuckle ring on the left and a single ring right
Avoid:
Taking this too seriously; your triangle doesn't have to be perfect or symmetrical
We explained before how building a ring stack is kind of like writing a story. The rings represent the different characters in your story. These are the main characters in your story:
1.
The base
The main character in your story and the focal point in the set.
2.
The accents
The helpers to complement your centerpiece.
3.
The wide ring
The balancer to round up the look and add more edge.
4.
The horizontal
The dainty pop of color or texture in between.
5.
The crown
The optional wingman to your centerpiece.
6.
The sideline
the character on the sideline (like literally, we’re talking about the rings on other fingers)
Now let’s see where to wear each ring, aka what role each character plays in the story.
1.
The base
Got a diamond ring inherited from your grandma? Or a green sapphire ring? An amethyst cocktail ring? Whether it’s your engagement ring or not, your solitaire ring or cocktail ring is the centerpiece of your ring stack. If the solitaire ring is meaningful to you, that’s an extra reason to feature it as the focal point of your stack.
Alone, they’re fab - in a stack, they're a mood.
Quick tips:
Ask yourself this: which ring you absolutely want to wear today? Which one calls out your name and is a must-wear for the day? That will be your base ring.
2.
The accents
Curved bands are a must-have in your jewelry box. They’re details, visually more interesting than a plain straight band, complementing any gemstone rings you have rather than taking away the attention from them. Curved bands are like a gentle hug to a solitaire gemstone ring.
Plus there’s a certain feeling of pleasure when rings you got at different points in life somehow fit seamlessly together!
Now let’s talk about hexagon rings. No joke, we’re talking about art here. Some artwork looks great as is, without any embellishments. Some pop out that little bit more with the addition of frames. That’s what these hexagon rings are all about. Their shape is great for framing rings with gemstones while adding a little negative space to allow your stone to breathe.
You can pretty much pair these with any shape of gemstone; geometric, rounded, marquise, oval, or even rough and uncut stones.
Quick tips:
Add stones (one or multiple) to your curved nesting band for oomph
Pair your shaped band with a straight ring for a more unorthodox look!
"Love your crooked knuckles and calluses. As our hands age, we often resist drawing attention to them. Celebrate them and all they did to get you here. That's the art. Now cover them in rings that make you smile."
- Dennie Theodore
3.
The wide ring
Chunky rings are statement pieces - yes, even if they’re stoneless, they’re not necessarily plain. They’re perfect for stacking because whatever you put on top of them, people will immediately take notice of. Their contrast to dainty rings makes them look kinda badass.
Chunky rings also look great next to a stack of rings. The variations in size creates a difference in heights (climbing up your finger), and asymmetry catches the eye. It’s a fun challenge to balance out your chunky ring vs your stack of rings.
“I have a habit of wearing multiple rings all at once, and at least one of them would be on the chunkier side. Rings upwards of 4mm in width. I always need something a little more delicate to stack my rings with to balance out the look.”
- Atri Priyamanaya
Quick tips:
Add one or two chunky rings with different textures to your collection
Stack wide bands with a daintier ring or wear it on its own, next to a ring stack
4.
The horizontal
A single stone or a line up of hidden gems? Or maybe both in the same stack?
We can’t resist a little color, and these are as subtle as they get. Dainty rings with gemstone accents are muy importante to have in your arsenal if you like stacking rings. They serve as quick winks of color to compliment your outfit or your moods. They can accentuate your stack of plain silver rings.
“I mostly wear individual rings, but every now and again, I like to pair my rings. It’s nice to be able to have something that can be worn both ways.” While she has one or two rings with sizable stone centerpieces, she always seems to go for rings of the daintier variety. “My favorite is my amethyst hidden gems ring. It has a splash of color, but it’s subtle. It’s the right size for everyday wear.”
- Cecilia Evita
Quick tips:
Play around pairing different gemstone shapes. If there’s a gap between the rings, let them be. Mismatch or match your ring stack any way you want.
Add a pop of color with any Hidden Gems ring
5.
The Crown
Unlike nesting bands which tend to go below, a crown ring sits on top of another ring. They're called crown rings for obvious reasons: they’re ornate, colorful and a showstopper! With its pointy center up, the crown ring can make your finger look more slender. When paired with another ring, you’ll create a killer duo.
To stack a crown ring without looking ‘too much’, start with something minimal and simple. Let the crown ring be the centerpiece. Pay attention to the width and the shape of the band. Make sure it complements the crown ring’s band. We think a seamless set works best with crown rings.
Quick tips:
Since the crown ring already has so much going on, be very careful about mixing metals. You want to avoid your hands looking cluttered and incoherent.
Pairs well with a base ring or a solitaire
6.
The Sideline
Let’s talk about the other fingers. Now that we’ve given so much love to one of your fingers, you might be wondering: how about the other ones?
A quick tip is to create another stack or put a single ring on the second to next finger. So if you’re wearing a stack on your ring finger, adorn your index finger with another stack or a single ring.
Even better: wear double rings. Yes we know this ring can look a bit intimidating, but far from it, it’s actually pretty damn versatile. Few reasons why: it serves as a visual trick to cover more room on your finger, it has more than enough breathing space, and it balances the stack next door. When your towering stack feels somehow heavy, add a ‘sideline’ on another finger, and voila: an instant upgrade to your look.
Quick tips:
Like a skyline, the height of your ring towers on different fingers is better when varied.
Make room by creating a stack with gaps. You don’t want it to look (and feel) crowded!
There’s no exact science to ring stacking - that’s why it’s an art. It’s very much subjective. The emphasis is on instinct, because when you put on your rings for the day, it represents how you feel and which gemstones speak to your particular needs and mood at that moment in time.
Having the choice of select staple pieces will help you balance out your choices and create a number of looks. Imagine how many ring combinations you can create with just three or four rings.
The secret sauce is always confidence. Confidence in your choices, confidence in yourself. With that, you can pretty much put on any combo of rings and look fabulous.
From mismatching to stacking, here’s how to include earring styling in your arsenal.
There’s a reason why mismatched earrings are still on everyone’s radar. You’ve probably seen them on red carpets, flashing on the ears of Zoe Kravitz, Scarlett Johansson and Blake Lively, dangling at different lengths. Or maybe your bestie just recently got a tragus piercing? Did everyone suddenly get multiple piercings?!
Mismatched earrings are a thing right now and let us tell you why. You’ve got two ears, so why repeat the same look twice? Your ears aren’t twins, but sisters. So let’s treat them as such.
You can style this unique (and slightly weird) part of your body with a ton of love and colors. We have more than 20 single birthstone earrings for you to match and mismatch.
(Updated September 2022)
No, really. What is it? Read our guide on what it means, how to give one, wear one, and honor one.
Promise ring, pre-engagement ring, commitment ring…you say toe-mah-toe, I say toe-may-toe. Whatever you call it, this post-modern pre-engagement trend is on the rise, and we absolutely love the idea. More opportunities to celebrate love? Count us in!
So what’s the purpose of a promise ring? A promise ring is just that – a ring that symbolizes a promise, just not THAT promise (as in, marriage).
The beauty of the promise ring is that its meaning is entirely up to you. Some couples use the promise ring as a pre-engagement ring or as an alternative to the wedding ring (because you may or may not want to get married, but having a beautiful ring anyway; why not, right?). Others use it to signify an important milestone in their relationship or a promise they’ve made together.
It makes total sense – couples these days might already be living together, happily choosing to marry later in life or not at all. So, a token of commitment in the form of a thoughtful ring that was born out of an intimate promise between two loved-up people? Yes, please!
Here are some examples of what a promise ring can be for:
Knowing you’ve found true love
Commitment to be besties forever
Father to daughter, mom to son
Renewing your commitment
Abstinence until marriage
Long distance relationships, eg during a semester abroad
While an engagement ring is a precursor to marriage, a promise ring represents a promise or commitment you make to one another - and that promise can be something entirely different or very close to marriage.
Promise rings are simpler in design and have a lower budget. A promise ring can be a beautiful way to test the waters for a proposal, plus you’ll get a hint of what her or his finger size is.
Contrary to popular belief, promise rings and eternity rings aren’t quite the same.
The two love rings are both symbols of life-long commitment, but a promise ring is given as you make that promise or commitment, and an eternity ring is usually given to celebrate that commitment. It’s for couples who’ve gone through the first decade of a marriage with turbulence, tensions and excitement in all its glory.
A promise ring doesn't have to cost much. It's a symbol. It's the thought that counts. Get her something she'd love to wear, rather than thinking about the price.
If you’re looking for a budget friendly option, look for promise rings made from recycled silver, then customize it with her birthstone.
That being said - don’t wait to make this purchase an ethical one! Ethical rings have a lot of stories to tell. Whether it’s a recycled silver or artisanal gold or a gemstone sourced from known origin, ethical promise rings do exist and they can be at a budget too. Scroll down for some examples of promise rings under $100.
Great question. Depending on where you are in the relationship, a promise ring doesn’t have to be a ring. A silver pendant necklace or birthstone bracelets are great pieces to show your promise too. Since it’s the unofficial-official piece, you can choose any piece of jewelry as your promise piece. In other words, it’s all in the story (your story) behind each piece of jewelry.
If you know her design sense pretty well, then why not? Custom made or not isn’t just the question for you, the giver. Sometimes, problems arise when the receiver doesn’t quite like the design of the ring (Errr.. awkward?). The safest bet? A silver ring with her/his birthstone. Add engraving inside the ring for a secret message and extra flare!
Anyone who wants to celebrate their union! A ring is a symbol of love, and not necessarily marriage.
We've designed promise rings for couples in long distance relationships, people who are focusing on their careers and delaying engagement, those who choose to not get married, those who’ve been dating since they were high school sweethearts and those in ethical non monogamy or polyamorous relationships.
We even created promise rings for best friends who made a vow of parenthood. Making a promise to become parents together, and with each other, if they don't meet a suitable partner by the time they turn 40.
Ummm, duh! A promise ring for him is absolutely okay and normal. Why the wait, right? If you have a promise to stay loyal to him, then check out our friend’s story of a lady proposal for some inspo!
Scroll down for some ideas for a promise ring for him.
We go by the ‘never too late’ rule. So, we don’t believe there's an age limit for a promise ring.
That being said, it’s always wise to discuss what a promise ring will mean for you and your partner before buying the ring. If your partner is in her 30s and wants to eventually (soon-ish) tie the knot with you, it might be better to consider saving up for an engagement ring (if that’s what she prefers). If both of you are globetrotters in your 50s cringing at the idea of settling down but can’t get over the idea of being apart, then a promise ring might be for you.
In the end, a promise ring should work for you, and for your love.
Miley Cyrus. Not. Although she did play a big part in making it so popular.
The promise ring reminds us of the good ol’ American tale of the guy giving his high school sweetheart his class ring. But actually, the idea of the promise ring goes way back. Posy rings – engraved with lovely poems – were common in 16th century England. And acrostic rings – spelling out names of loved ones in gemstones – were all the rage in Victorian times. The concept of a ring to symbolize love and loyalty dates back to Roman times, when brides-to-be would wear bands around their left ring finger.
Whatever your heart desires. We’re not exactly traditional here at Gardens of the Sun, and we’d never tell anyone how their rings should look, but even in mainstream thought, promise rings are a free-for-all. The more pragmatic folks out there tend to pick a promise ring with their engagement ring and wedding band in mind (nothing that would clash). And some couples see the promise ring as a chance to get creative and make it a fashion piece. Bands with a mosaic or a cluster of stones are popular as they signify fruitful years together. We think the Hidden Gems, Particles and Soul Searchers collections make great promise rings.
Some people wear promise rings on the left ring finger (if not engaged or married), because of the myth there’s a vein that runs from that finger straight to the heart. Others wear them on a chain or on their little fingers (pinky promise, get it?).
Promise rings are usually worn on the opposite hand of your wedding ring. So you might find the finger size for the promise ring and wedding ring to be slightly different.
That being said:
people have stacked their love rings on one finger over time. So in case you’re feeling dizzy about ring sizing, don’t be. You don’t need to get the sizing absolutely accurate the first time.
Giving a promise ring would be similar to making someone a promise. Do it over a candle-lit dinner, in front of the TV, at a baseball game, while you’re hiking in the desert, through a love letter, on Zoom – the point is, each couple expresses their love and enjoys their time together differently, so that should inform the whole process.
The main thing is, there’s no “on one knee” expectation with the promise ring. It’s whatever floats your love boat.
We love the promise ring because it reminds us to stop, slow down, step back and talk about important and intimate commitments with the person we love. Sometimes we get so caught up in the wedding whirlwind that we forget about the most important thing: the true promise we make to each other.
Well - your promise! Frankly, your speech can be as simple as “I promise to … ” Though this (boiling down your feelings to a few powerful statements) isn’t an easy task either. Our point is to keep it bare minimum without unnecessary romantic frills.
Our tip? Set aside a night to distill your thoughts and take inspiration from the greatest love poets like Rumi or Kahlil Gibran. Or dive deep into co-creating your dream relationship, by setting relationship agreements.
If both of you are lovers of ethical rings created with meaning, Gardens of the Sun is where you’ll find your promise ring. We have a knack for designing rings from scratch and we LOVE love stories. So chat us up. Or maybe you’ll find a promise ring for her from our selection below?
Want to personalize your promise ring? Create a trinity promise ring with gemstones representing your birth months and the month you first met or got together.
Take the quiz to find out which gemstones should go into your trinity ring!
Like a stardust, she’s a glitter in your world. Just a small speck of her is enough to brighten you up inside out.
Nothing says I love you, all of you, like the wabi sabi ring and the shadow band.
Even though these are ‘technically’ wedding bands, fret not! A promise ring can be anything you make it out to be. These understated ring bands can be a low-key love statement or a classic timeless piece. Plus, each has a band wide enough for personalized engraving!
Promise ring for him or her: Shadow Band in Silver
She’s fossilized underneath fluorescent lights. Like opal, she dances with light. This opal ring is for those who love good stories. Sitting neatly in line are fossil opals from Australia, known to be found among ancient bones. Just like this ring, your love knows no expiration date.
She’s dainty and smart, a collection of deep-sea wisdom and ancient tales. Pearl is the oldest gemstone known to humans, and comes with legends galore. This ring doesn’t need to make bold statements; because her gentleness already comes in volumes.
This is the ultimate ring to keep your seven chakras in sync. With one color representing each chakra, this is a token for a safe spiritual journey within. Use this as a unisex promise ring to keep your spiritual worlds close to your hearts.
She’s a cocktail of happy thoughts and wise musings. Iridescent and patterned like dancing light on the sea bed, the pearl and moonstone pair is an ocean of calm for you to tap into. This necklace is perfect for the tree huggers and nature-lovers who are such champs at living in the moment.
Rough and far from perfect. She knows this well, and so do you. This ring doesn’t need all that brilliance to stand out from the crowd. Juicy and sweet, this deep-pink garnet is a star in her own show.
Emerald crystals from the Panjshir mines in Afghanistan are the show-stopper in this quirky silver ring. One half hippie, one half city chic, and all around stunner. The promise ring for the adventurous soul who loves to experiment with styles.
This promise ring is for the fierce and the feminine, and for those who can carry the two energies with ease. A pair of moonstone and aquamarine, the most lucid gemstones of all. This is a perfect ring for those who aren’t in a rush because they want their love to grow to its full bloom.
She can be all glitz and glamor. The same way she can be wrapped cozy in her pajamas on a Saturday morning. This ring is perfect for those searching for that sweet balance, so that their love lives can land safely at home.
She doesn’t need all the sparkly diamonds. She lets herself just be. Side by side, these two stones are like twins with their own unique destinies. Each stone a uniquely different diamond, this ring symbolizes a love gone through ups and downs.
Create a custom three-stone promise ring. The trinity ring represents past, present, future. Or you, me, us. It’s symbolic - which is exactly what a promise ring is meant to be.
Create a combination of your birthstone, their birthstone and the month you first met or first got together. And if you need some help combining the right colors and shapes, our team will happily create a mockup for you before we craft it.
She’s royalty, surrounded by lore and legend, but she hides it in her smile. You know it’s there, though.
It’s a knowing smile, grounding and still. Wise and focused. Because she knows.
She knows her powers, she knows her purpose. She reminds you of yours.
She’s an old soul, and she’s been there before.
Sigh. Where to even start? Sapphire is the gem of gems. The holiest of the holies, it’s a magnificent stone of wisdom, royalty and faith. Its true colors shine within kindness and hope – that’s the stone’s real secret sauce.
Sapphire was the original love rock. Not diamonds. In the early days, engagement and commitment rings would feature a sapphire. The diamond ring was actually a marketing ploy - a very successful one, but that’s another story. It’s not like the sapphire to hold grudges though. The gem lends its power to help transmute negative thoughts into higher purpose.
Just take a look at Lady Di’s legendary 12 carat oval Ceylon sapphire. This engagement ring was a witness to her defiance. Her first rebellious act out of many.
Here’s why: the sapphire was a ready-stock ring.
Although she herself was royalty, Lady Di’s sapphire ring was not the one and only. Like, anyone could buy it (assuming they had $60,000). Over the years, sapphire became her confidant whenever she needed to make a statement (a deliciously bold statement, mind you). If there’s anyone who understands the healing power of a sapphire, it’s Lady Diana.
the Latin sapphirus, Greek sappheiros, and Sanskrit sanipryam, meaning ‘blue stone’. See, the sapphire knows its shit because it’s been around
Sapphire is powerful both when you’re at your highest and at your lowest. It gives you buoyancy through challenging times. It keeps your head high for hopes and your feet on the ground as you meddle in uncertainties and handle difficult truths. Sapphire is a powerful stone to gather strength. A piece to believe in yourself. A piece to truly show up.
Use sapphire to get you out of a rut and be a maverick of your own kind. Sapphire belongs to the highest of the high. But as powerful as it is, use it with care. Because remember: you already have everything in you to overcome challenges and move forward.
Birthstone for: September
Sapphire zodiac sign: Virgo (23 August-22 September)
Sapphire chakra:
The fifth chakra - the Throat or Vishudda chakra.
The center for everything communication. A well-balanced throat chakra enables you to listen intuitively to the body and mind, so you can release the tension with a clear communication and conscience.
The sixth chakra - the Third Eye or the Ajna chakra.
The center of perception and command, the third eye helps us understand our passion and gain clear inner vision. It keeps us from feeling overwhelmed and getting lost in our own thoughts.
How sapphire fits into your life:
Mark your 5th anniversary
Your king or queen
The person who introduced you to the Indigo Girls – if that person is us, this is a sign, get yourself a sapphire piece, stat
Vibes:
Wisdom
Royalty
Loyalty
Faith
Fortune
Truth
Fullness of self
Use for:
Life, with a capital L
Times of change
Going on the 5-2 Diet, the I Quit Sugar diet, the No Complaining diet or whatever other self-disciplinary action you’ve taken upon yourself
Asking for a raise
Asking for marriage
Asking for the truth
Getting to know the real you and learning how to be your own best friend and lover
Tough Love level:
9 Mohs scale of hardness with excellent toughness. Sapphire is perfect for everyday wear. This is because sapphire is less likely to chip or crack than a diamond. It also doesn’t scratch easily.
Common treatments:
Sapphires are commonly heated to enhance and bring out its more desirable color. Avoid beryllium treated and lead glass filled sapphires. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and cauton:
Both treated and untreated sapphires are generally very durable and can be cleaned with an ultrasonic or steam cleaner, with the exception of lead glass filled sapphires. Still, the safest way to clean sapphire is with warm, soapy water. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash.
Sapphires and rubies are are both corundum. They're basically the same gemstone, except for the pinkish red being called ruby.
Pure corundum is colorless, and it's trace minerals that create that gorgeous array of colors.
The blue sapphires that first come to mind when thinking of sapphires, are because of the presence of titanium. Pale yellows and greens contain trace amounts of iron, purple sapphire comes from the presence of chromium, iron and titanium, and pink sapphires get their color from trace amounts of chromium.
Different sapphire colors also come with different meanings.
Black sapphire grounds you with earthly wisdom. It’s a stone to understand our deepest remorse and anxiety, and help us to frame them with a more positive light.
White sapphire strengthens the spirit with its crystal clear intention and 20/20 vision. It helps you avoid mindless distractions so that you can focus on achieving your goal.
Orange sapphire enlivens the heart with an endless flow of creative juice. It strengthens your creative muscle as well as your spiritual one, and helps you to create a true-to-self piece of art.
Yellow sapphire is a playful stone to bring lightness to anything you do. It’s a stone for feeling enough and creating abundance from what you already have.
Violet sapphire connects you to your spiritual self. So anytime you feel spiritually jaded, use violet sapphire to awaken your kundalini energy to gather lightness and peace.
Pink sapphire is a stone of youth and vitality. It helps you to find joy in mundane activities and keeps you from feeling bored and dull.
Green sapphire is a stone for compassion and fertility. It also helps you to attract abundance and growth.
Blue sapphire is the sapphire of the highest order. It’s the ultimate stone of loyalty, royalty, and wisdom.
Red sapphire (ruby) is a love stone. It’s the stone to turn love into action.
In the past, the term ‘Russian gold’ meant the gold is rose gold. But nowadays, Russian gold and diamonds can only mean they’re mined in Russia, now leading the war against Ukraine.
As the world watches the atrocities taking place in Ukraine, knowing where your gemstones and precious metals are sourced is more important than ever.
If you only have a few minutes, these are the four major takeaways of how Russian gold and diamonds might help finance the war in Ukraine:
Major trading countries like India, Belgium, China and the United Arab Emirates continue to trade with Russia.
Russian diamonds are still considered conflict free by the narrow terminology used by the Kimberley Process, meaning they can still be traded legally.
Despite sanctions, Russian diamonds can be imported as Indian goods or Belgian goods if they’re polished there.
Russia is responsible for a third of the world’s diamond supply - over 90% of which are mined by Alrosa (watch this name).
As financial sanctions against Russia prevent it from accessing most of its assets, Russia is turning to its gold and diamond reserves to finance their military aggression against Ukraine.
That's right, Russian diamonds are now blood diamonds.
When there’s obvious secrecy among jewelry industry leaders who might be covering footprints by Russian jewelry traders, there’s something juicy to uncover. Let’s spill the juice.
Many countries, including the USA and the UK, have placed sanctions for trading with Russia. But in practice, Russian gold is still entering Western markets, thanks to a hard-to-police global web of middlemen.
Recycled gold is under scrutiny, because it may contain gold of Russian or other dubious origin. It’s easier than it should be for scraps to be turned into recycled gold and become de facto responsible Chain-of-Custody certified gold.
The NGO Swiss said said a jump in Swiss gold imports from Dubai in March raised questions over whether Russian gold was finding its way via Dubai. The CEO of a major Swiss gold refinery confirmed it’s safe to assume gold from Russia ends up in western supply chains via Dubai.
When major jewelry trading countries are still supporting Russia, evading the label ‘Russian gold’ or ‘Russian diamond’ is actually not very difficult. So in practice, Russian diamonds are still entering jewelry supply chains. Let me explain how Russian diamonds can easily and legally circumvent sanctions through hubs like India and Antwerp.
Russia’s diamond supply chain consists of roughly four parts:
Mining
(in Russia and Africa)
Trading
(within Russia, in the largest diamonds hubs Belgium, India and UAE, and to a lesser extent also Israel and China)
Cutting and polishing
(mostly in India)
Retail
Major jewelry producing and trading countries, including China, India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), voted against or abstained from voting on the United Nations General Assembly condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This means these countries don’t have sanctions against Russia. This offers the opportunity to import Russian gold and stones, polish them or use them to create jewelry, and then export them to other countries. This way raw materials from Russia can be transformed, no longer fall under sanctions and enter markets like the USA, the UK, Canada and New Zealand legitimately. And as long as Russian diamonds are labeled “conflict free” (more on this later), India can continue to import these diamonds freely.
Here’s what the supply chain loophole looks like right now. Russia exports its rough diamonds to India, where they are cut and polished. Then, processed diamonds and finished jewelry are exported as an Indian product, not a Russian one. US customs considers cutting gemstones or turning gold into gold jewelry a “significant transformation”. Meaning they could be brought into countries like the USA legitimately, even if the raw materials originally came from Russia. So polished diamonds can be legally imported as an Indian product, not a Russian one.
The true origin of gold and diamonds can be hard to discern when they travel through so many hands and countries. It also offers jewelers the opportunity to easily and legally circumvent sanctions by buying Russian stones processed through India. Or Belgium. Or China. Or UAE.
Even if it’s legally traded as Russian diamonds, these gems don’t fit the industry’s (KP) narrow definition of “conflict diamonds”, which refers to diamonds used to fund rebel groups. But these diamonds clearly fit the spirit of the term.
You’ve probably heard of De Beers, the largest diamond producer by revenue. Alrosa is a competitor of De Beers, and the world’s biggest diamond producer by volume.
Alrosa is the main player in the Russian diamond mining industry. It’s one third owned by the central government and another third by regional governments.
Alrosa’s human rights violations go way back. And they happened not just in Russia, but in Africa. Alrosa has a 41% stake in the Catoca mine in Angola, one of the world’s largest diamond mines, producing over 7 million carats of diamonds, worth USD 800 million, each year. In 2021, a massive tailings leak at the Catoca mine impacted aquatic life and took 12 lives in the neighboring Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Little action has been taken to address the water contamination that hundreds of thousands of people depend on.
Alrosa is also the majority owner of Luaxe, another Angolan diamond deposit valued at $35 billion. Moreover, Alrosa has signed deals with Zimbabwean and DRC’s state-owned diamond mining companies for joint exploration and production.
In short:
there’s little transparency around the exact amount Alrosa contributes to the Russian war chest, but there is an undeniable link between Alrosa and the funding of the Russian regime.
It’s often said:
follow the money. In this case, the same goes for people’s names. Because Russia’s gold and diamonds are controlled by Russian oligarchs, it’s not so hard to trace the connection between the jewelry industry and Putin’s war.
The five largest diamond mines in Russia are owned by Polyus, Kinross Gold and Nordgold.
Up until the family was sanctioned, Polyus was majority owned (76%) by the Russian oligarch Suleiman Kerimov and his family. Kerimov has been subject to US sanctions since 2018 for being a Russian government official, and sanctioned by the UK government and the EU this year on account of being a member of the inner circle of oligarchs close to Putin.
Kinross is a Canadian based mining company with Van Eck Associates, Black Rock Inc. and Renaissance Technologies Corp as its largest shareholders.
Nordgold is majority owned by the now sanctioned steel tycoon Alexei Mordashov and his family. The Panama Papers and Pandora Papers found that Mordashov contributed generous amounts to Putin’s associates and to fund Putin's pet projects.
Russia generates money from diamonds not only as a shareholder, but also as a diamond trader. The state-owned Gokhran buys and sells diamond production from Alrosa, as well as metals like gold, to manage global supply and pricing.
Although the Russian diamond industry provides an important source of revenue, it’s considerably less than what Russia gets through its oil and gas exports for instance. For example, in 2021, the EU imported an estimated € 99 billion of Russian energy. Yet, the diamond industry is still a lucrative way to fund government operations, presumably including the military.
Fun fact:
Did you know Alrosa was part of the Responsible Jewellery Council’s Board? Yikes, I know. While by now Alrosa has stepped down from the Board, it remains a member and has kept its “responsible” certification.
The Kimberley Process (KP) was set up in 2003 in the wake of devastating civil wars in Angola, Sierra Leone and Liberia, which were largely financed by the illicit diamond trade, as an international effort to keep diamonds connected to conflict out of the supply chain. It operates under a UN mandate and includes all major diamond mining, trading, manufacturing and consumer countries, along with industry and civil society observers. All countries participating in the scheme must meet certain minimum requirements to ensure no conflict diamonds enter the legitimate trade.
At the time of writing, the KP has issued no public warnings on Russian supply. It’s unlikely the KP will take any action on Russian diamonds in the near future, for four reasons.
Now bear with me, as the four reasons work together.
The first shortcoming is the narrow definition of conflict diamonds. Objectively, Russian diamonds are conflict diamonds: they’re funding an armed conflict against a neighboring country. However, Russian diamonds don’t fit the narrowest definition of “conflict diamonds” used by the KP, which refers to diamonds used to fund rebel groups only. Officially labeling Russian diamonds “conflict diamonds” would require widening the definition.
Several KP member countries and the KP Civil Society Coalition have been calling for such a change for years. Prior to a crucial KP meeting of diamond producers in June 2022, Ukraine proposed to widen the definition of "conflict diamonds" to include government actors. It also proposed to expel any member country infringing on another member's sovereignty by majority vote. However, these discussions were removed from the draft agenda of the meeting after objections from Russia, Belarus, Central African Republic (CAR) and Kyrgyzstan. So the second reason is that the complications of the Russian invasion in Ukraine isn’t even up for discussion at the KP.
This brings us to the third reason, which leads to the first and second shortcomings. Decision-making in the KP is based on consensus. This means a decision can only be taken if every single participant agrees. This consensus also goes for organizing a meeting, like the Extraordinary Special Session dedicated to the financing of Russia's war against Ukraine, that the KP Civil Society Coalition has called for. Even if Russia didn’t participate in decision-making, several KP member states would be unlikely to agree on excluding Russian diamonds from the KP.
The fourth obstacle is the power Russia holds within the KP. Russia chairs two KP working Committees most likely to take action on this matter - the Committee on Participation and Chairmanship (CPC) and the Committee on Rules and Procedures (CRP). Britain, the European Union and the United States have asked Russia to step down from its Chairman position, but to date, Russia continues to chair these committees.
The countries that objected to the discussion about labeling Russian diamonds as conflict diamonds, have close political ties with Russia. For example, Russia recently deployed military contractors to Mali to help the government fight Islamic insurgents and has advocated for CAR to lift partial restrictions on its rough diamond exports.
How the KP continues to legitimize the flow of Russian diamonds (one third of the global supply) with conflict-free certificates affects the reputation and credibility of this regime. Or as the KP Civil Society Coalition stated in the June 2022 meeting, “the fact that the Kimberley Process (KP) is unable to even discuss whether it should continue certifying Russian diamonds as conflict-free, reaffirms what we have been denouncing for years: that the world’s conflict diamond scheme is no longer fit for purpose.”
Decisions about boycotting diamond-producing countries are complex, with millions of international jobs and livelihoods depending on the flow of diamonds. With Alrosa out of the game, diamond cutters, polishers and traders are having difficulty sourcing stones. Gujarat, India's diamond polishing hub in Surat, is already seeing a reduced supply of raw diamonds. Large cutting facilities are cutting down to just 3-4 days of work, and smaller ones shutting shop. Sanctions can have a significant impact on the diamond business beyond Russia alone.
A ban on the trade in Russian diamonds - removing a third of the global supply - will endanger many Indian and Belgian jobs in the diamond trading and polishing industry in the short-term. Sources within the Belgian government believe sanctions on the diamond trade would hurt Europe more than Russia, with a quarter of EU’s diamonds coming from Alrosa, and a ban simply forcing the industry to relocate to another country, like India. As a result, the EU is still importing Russian diamonds.
Even if in the long run, it’s a positive drive for change to improve transparency and traceability in the diamond and jewelry industry.
You’re probably wondering if De Beers can’t just sell more diamonds. However, De Beers doesn’t produce many of the smaller diamonds Alrosa is known for.
Diamond prices have been going up since the war began. Faced with increased costs, jewelers may care about price more than origin. Some jewelers, like Tiffany & Co. and Signet Jewelers, have stopped buying new diamonds mined in Russia. However, Belgian and Indian traders are still buying diamonds from Russia. There’s obviously a concern for Russian diamonds to be passed off as diamonds of different origin, as is already happening with other conflict diamonds. With Russian production being more geared towards smaller diamonds, it becomes even easier to mix or confuse their origin.
The situation with Russian diamonds is that they really became conflict diamonds overnight. What happens with Russian gold, diamonds and gemstones already in circulation?
Most jewelers don’t know or don’t mention the exact origin of their gold or diamonds. So for many jewelers, little will change other than increased prices of gold and diamonds. They might not know their jewelry contains Russian stones or gold, and in turn, also not be able to tell you.
Since November 2018 Gardens of the Sun only purchases diamonds and gemstones from known origin. This includes a few diamonds, citrine and topaz purchased in 2019 and 2020.
We decided to use our Russian gemstones and diamonds for a dedicated sale, and donate 25% of sales of the jewelry using these stones to the Ukrainian organization Sylni. This charitable foundation helps survivors of wartime sexual violence, whether it's medical expenses, psychological support or legal assistance.
Never has it been more important to exercise due diligence and maintain meticulous documentation around gold and diamond purchases. We set up our systems well before the war started. And we continue to raise the bar on supply chain transparency.
No diamonds or gemstones purchased from Russian origin since mid 2020.
Only purchase diamonds from known origin since November 2018.
Reduce our purchases of diamonds cut in India, where diamonds from Russian origin may be mixed in with diamonds of other origin.
We don’t call diamonds ethical unless we know for a fact no harm took place in the communities that mined or cut that stone. The term conflict free as used by the Kimberley Process, is based on a narrow definition that still allows Russian diamonds to be labeled conflict free. So the term conflict free diamonds can mean entirely different things in the same industry.
Continue to educate ourselves around issues in the diamond industry.
Support diamond mining communities outside of Russia. As these communities are strengthened, not only will they benefit immediately, but the global diamond trade will be less and less reliant on its connections to Russia.
We have a fully traceable supply chain for our gold, which is single mine origin and we can say with 100% certainty does not contribute to conflict in any way. In fact, it creates access to finance to minority groups.
We like to believe the majority of consumers who wear diamond jewelry or gold jewelry, do care that the jewelry they cherish doesn’t contain the blood of Ukrainian citizens killed or tortured by Russian soldiers.
We believe this includes you.
The Global Gold Transparency Initiative has called jewelers to check their sources of gold by asking refiners and suppliers. Yet in an industry that relies on trust, few jewelers can truly be sure.
To be absolutely certain you’re not supporting Russian diamond and gold trades, ask your jeweler these questions:
Have you purchased any diamonds from Russian origin after Feb. 24, 2022?
No, we've stopped sourcing from Russia since February 24th, 2022.
We don't know the origin of our diamonds. But we can assure you they are conflict free in line with the Kimberley Process.
Yes, we continue to source diamonds from Russia.
Do you know which country the diamonds you purchased since were mined?
Yes, our diamonds are mined in [country] and [country].
(They’re supposed to tell you exactly which countries their diamonds were mined, ideally even where they were polished)
We don't know the origin of our diamonds. But we can assure you they are conflict free in line with the Kimberley Process.
Do you know where the gold you use was mined?
Yes. We have a fully traceable gold supply chain for our gold, use only FairTrade gold or use only FairMined gold.
No, we get our gold from a reputable seller.
No, we use recycled gold.
Should I boycott diamonds?
You might be wondering if you should still buy diamonds if there’s such a high chance you’ll end up supporting the war. A boycott isn’t a viable alternative, since there are plenty of artisanal miners all over the world who mine diamonds for their livelihood.
It’s better to purchase your diamonds carefully and from known sources, like Australia, Botswana, Canada or Indonesia.
Should I buy lab created diamonds instead?
Lab created diamonds come with their own range of issues. You decide what matters to you, and you can decide whether a natural or man-made diamond suits your values more. We’ve made a quick overview for you to compare natural vs lab-created diamonds here.
Should I still buy gold jewelry?
Gold jewelry can still be a beautiful investment, with which you support small businesses and makers.
If you can, opt for gold jewelry that uses ethically sourced gold, like Gardens of the Sun mercury-free gold from indigenous women miners (fully traceable to the mine), FairTrade gold or FairMined gold. Recycled gold may still use Russian gold.
When you’re ready to order your first jewelry online (or plan to “accidentally” leave a browser open to hint to your partner about your dream ring), you could go to a jeweler to get yourself sized.
But hey, we all love pajamas and some of us have a little more social anxiety than others, so what about the other options? Do you really need to leave that cushiony, dented spot on your sofa?
There are so many options online on how to find your ring size these days, and it’s natural to wonder if they’re really that accurate. We’ll tell you the best way to measure your ring size from home, and why. We compare different methods for how you can measure your ring size. And we’ve ranked them for you to see the easiest way to measure your ring size at home.
This ring size guide not only shares different ring sizing methods, but also a verdict of whether ring sizers are accurate and pro tips to find your ideal ring size.
We ranked 6 ways to determine ring size, based on accuracy and cost. Keep reading to find out why some ring sizing methods may not be as reliable as you might think.
Finger sizing gauges are used to determine finger size. It's like a keychain full of rings, with rings in whole and half sizes.
Finger sizing gauges come in metal and plastic, and give you a very accurate idea of what a ring will feel like on your finger.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
Best option for ring sizing at home, if you don't mind investing.
eco friendly
Don't want to invest that much? We made a paper ring sizer! This is a pocket size set of cards with cut-out holes of sizes 3-14, so you can determine the ring size you need within seconds.
You can easily measure the different sizes of your 10 fingers and feel how a ring would slip on and off your knuckle (which, if you’ve been reading this article, is important!).
Plus, because it’s made from premium heavyweight paper it's both sturdy and can be used time and time again.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
Great way to measure your finger on your own, plus plastic free!
Like clothes, different countries or regions have their own way of sizing things. American, Australian, UK and Hong Kong ring sizes all use different measurement systems. You can convert your size, but with rings a single pesky millimeter makes a difference.
Gardens of the Sun uses US sizes, so when you look for a ring sizer, make sure you have the right one! Like this one for instance.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
Works pretty well, but the downside is plastic waste.
Find our free printable ring size guide here.
Print out the sizer and make sure the page scaling is set to none. And then double check with your bank card or an old school ruler to make sure your print out is the right size.
You can use the paper ring arrow (cut it out of the sheet) or take a ring that fits well and match it against the ring size circles on the sheet.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
There’s room for error as ring sizing by paper can be subject to slipping, crumpling, and misreading. But if you’re careful, it should give you a fairly good idea of your size.
You can grab a piece of string, wrap it around your finger and then measure the string against a ruler.
Ring sizing is very detailed, and this method... not so much. A single millimeter off, and the ring will be half a size too small or too big. You'll very likely end up with a ring that doesn't fit the intended finger.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
Don't waste your time.
A popular, but very unreliable approach. While it’s tempting to take the most popular ring size and go a size up or down from there; it rarely works. Don’t do it. Finger sizes don't correlate well with a person’s height or weight.
Guessing too big could feel a bit insulting, and guessing too small can hamper a nice moment. And in both cases, you'll need to exchange or resize the ring.
Accuracy:
Price:
$$$
The verdict:
Don't guess. There are way better options to find your ring size.
Although a finger sizing gauge is exactly the same tool your local jeweler would use, your jeweler would be able to help you find out what ring size fits you most comfortably. We’re sharing some tips with you so you can find out your ring size at home (but with the eye of a professional).
How should a ring fit? Take these considerations into account for accurate sizing of your finger:
Ring doesn’t come off easily
Ring must be able to pass the finger joint
Ring stays upright and doesn’t turn freely
The correct size should be just loose enough to pass over the finger joint and settle at the position on the finger where the ring will be worn
Your ring size can change throughout the day and throughout the seasons, so try to measure at different times of the day
There's no standard way to size fingers.
US ring sizes starts at 1
UK uses the alphabet from A to Z
Hong Kong starts from 1
Take one of the smallest ring sizes: around 14 mm in diameter and convert it to different standards.
In the USA it would be a size 3, in the UK an F and in Hong Kong a 6.
When buying a ring, make sure to check with your jeweler which country's ring sizing standard they use.
The average size for a woman's ring finger is US size 6. Most engagement rings we sell are between US size 5 and 7.
For everyday rings, you'll mostly find rings in US size 5 to 9. A jeweler like Gardens of the Sun may also offer rings in smaller or larger than average sizes.
The average size for a man's ring finger is US size 8.5. Most men's wedding bands we sell are between US size 7 and 11.
Is it better to buy a ring too big or too small? It's better to buy a ring slightly too big, for a few reasons.
Most people gain weight over the years.
You can ask your jeweler to add little dots inside of the ring band so it fits more snug, these can be polished off again if necessary.
You can add a ring guard on the inside of your ring to make it fit more snug.
In short, it's better to buy a ring a size too big, since there are a few ways to make it fit like a smaller ring without major alterations.
Does your ring size change? Yes, most people will find their ring size changes over time and throughout the day. For example:
As you gain or lose weight
During pregnancy your fingers tend to swell due to water retention
In warmer or colder climates you fingers can swell or shrink slightly
At different times of the day
After eating very salty food (again, water retention)
After strain (like carrying a bag of groceries up the stairs)
So if you're planning to measure for an engagement ring or wedding band, it's best to measure your ring size a few times during the day for the most accurate measurement.
Yes, when stacking rings you'd best size up. This is because ring stacks add weight to your finger and may give muffin top if you stick to your regular ring size. Wider rings also fit differently than dainty rings for the same reason. So size a quarter size to a half size up when you're planning to stack your rings, or if it's a wide ring.
Keep these tips in mind when deciding your ring size:
Each finger has a different ring size. The ring finger on your left hand is likely a different size from the ring finger on your right hand!
Ring sizes may change, throughout your day and over a lifetime
Average engagement ring sizes are US size 5 to US size 7
Wider bands (4mm and up) fit more snug than daintier ring bands. For wider bands, size up around half a size.
Planning to stack your rings? Together they'll be wider. Size up a quarter to half a size when you stack your rings.
Rings with open bands, are slightly adjustable. Depending on the metal, you may shape or form the ring ever so slightly to adjust the fit.
Struggling to find her ring size? Consider a stand-in ring or placeholder ring for your proposal.
If you end up with a ring that doesn't fit, it's not the end of the world. You know we want you happy, and we're here to help. Email us and we'll make sure you end up with a ring to not only admire, but actually wear!
Speak the truth of life, thus the wisdom is spinel. Spinel is an underrated gemstone, a rags-to-riches story, once smuggled in wars, then sitting on the top of the British imperial crown. Spinel has plenty of stories to tell, and its origin story birthed the science study of gemstones.
Spinel used to be the stone of the kings in South Asia, equal only to ruby. Once abundant in Central and Southeast Asia, spinel was the treasure trove of many kings and emperors. Thanks to its flaming red crystals, spinels were called Balas rubies and joined the hallowed cardinal gems. As if this wasn’t enough, spinel climbed up the hierarchy and became the stone to crown many European kings. It wasn’t until mineralogist Jean Baptiste Louise Rome de Lisle came into the scene with his microscopic study of gemstones that he unveiled the truth: spinel needs its own name; its own identity.
As spinel was written down in gemology history, so was the scientific study of minerals.
Spinel is a gemstone that fancies life in all of its spectrums, in all of its colors. It’s a rare gem and often of gem quality. So anyone who owns a spinel has a special something; you just need to know how to appreciate it.
the Latin spina, meaning ‘arrow’ or ‘thorn’, because spinels in their raw form are sharp crystals; or the Greek word for "spark"
Spinel is great for anyone who’s up for starting small to take on something big. Like rallying against injustice, starting a rehabilitation project or setting up a business to give back to your local community. Spinel is like a sprinkle of salt in your cookie dough: a little goes a long way.
Granted, it’s always a special kind of trip with spinel. Life in technicolor; a juicy story of various kinds. So whenever you feel like your boredom takes a downward turn into an excruciating existential crisis, holding a spinel in your hand helps you to turn it into a creative endeavor like no other.
Birthstone for: August
Spinel zodiac sign: Cancer (22 June-22 July)
Spinel chakra:
The fourth chakra - the Heart or Anahata chakra
Located in the center of the chest, heart chakra opens you up for compassion and forgiveness. When your heart chakra has arrived in its sweet spot, it’ll help you navigate difficult conversations and have kind disagreements with each other.
The first chakra - the Root chakra or the Muladhara chakra
Spinel can activate different chakras according to its colors. But most importantly, it connects well to the root chakra aka the first chakra. This is where your energy begins before traveling upwards. A balanced root chakra helps you in finding the right start.
How spinel fits into your life:
August babies
Your spouse on your 22nd anniversary
Your friendly neighborhood healer
Vibes:
Grounding
Vitality
Kundalini
High energy
Prosperity
Confidence
Life force
Vibes:
Spring cleaning the soul
Powering your big marathons and small victories
Healing what ails you
Coping with ugly feelings that come up when you Google your own name and inadvertently go down a rabbit’s hole of awful reviews, negative messages and bad photos
Grounding when you’ve skipped time zones
Preparing for a big presentation
Saying bye to anxiety
Setting up a new business
Tough Love level:
8 Mohs scale of hardness with good toughness. Spinel is considered to be a tough gemstone, great for everyday wear.
Common treatments:
Rarely treated. Occasional heat treatments to alter color. It may also be fracture-filled to improve clarity. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and cauton:
Generally safe to use ultrasonic and steam cleaners. But, for treated or included spinel, it’s best to clean spinel with warm, soapy water. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash.
Spinels were once thought to be rubies or sapphires because of their intense colors and brilliance. When it was discovered to be a different gemstone than corundum, its popularity plummeted. Nowadays, spinel is sought after for its range of rainbow colors, each with its own meaning.
Red spinel was once thought to be ruby. To this day, it remains to be the most expensive variety of spinel.
Pink spinel fuels love and compassion. It’s also a potent stone to keep you young at heart.
Green spinel is a health elixir. It’s a good stone for when you’re feeling dull and scattered because something is blocking your metabolism.
Blue spinel is a rare wonder. It’s one of the few naturally-occuring blue gemstones that doesn’t require treatments. It’s a gem in high demand.
Violet spinel magnifies spiritual development and helps balance your seven chakras. Purple and violet spinel comes in a range of color intensity.
Yellow spinel is a stone for detoxifying bad thoughts and bad juju. Yellow spinel is rare in nature, so beware of synthetics!
When you’re thinking of her, you’re thinking of a shooting star. Not just how she lights up the sky with fire, but how she came from a distance, with light years of stories to tell. She steals the night. And she knows.
Peridot’s basic form, the olivine, comes from meteorites and comets formed billions of years ago. Some of that stardust must have rubbed off on those born under its spell, because those born under the warm August sun are the embodiment of a peridot’s magic: gentle, fiery, layers of flavor, scintillating, brimming with life.
The sun is Peridot's mothership, its energy source. The gemstone has been said to drive away dark forces. Despite its green glow, peridot is actually Kryptonite for the green-eyed monster; cleansing the mind of envy and jealousy. She wards off bad thoughts and helps you transform anxious thoughts into a self-love poem. She helps you age with grace and confidence so you’re always young at heart.
Holding a peridot is said to help you garner the forgotten wisdom of the universe, and propels you to think big. No more getting sucked into the unnecessary details of life, like perfecting a skin care routine, nailing that minimalist 20-piece wardrobe, or being overly obsessed with ticking off all to-do lists. Peridot has traveled far and vast, and knows how to enjoy the ride.
Use the peridot as a talisman, a physical reminder of just how precious you are, how you radiate warmth wherever you go. It’s all about the good vibes with this stone. Good vibes and a better you.
Peridot, in its basic form Olivine, has been discovered on the moon and also found in a comet dust. It’s literally out of this world.
Anytime you feel like you’re about to enter that dark vortex, bring peridot into your everyday life. It’s a stone to lift you up whenever you feel small, cornered or dull. Peridot brings positive energy to the surface and gives you the power to keep on shining.
Birthstone for: August
Peridot zodiac sign: Cancer (22 June-22 July)
Peridot chakra:
The fourth chakra - the Heart or Anahata chakra
A balanced heart chakra can prevent your creative self from going overboard and becomes a controlling freak (ouch!). As you accept your place, you welcome others’ space and creative ideas, too. Your heart chakra regulates your emotions so that you can keep your cool at the most heated time or to practice being unbothered by little foibles of life.
The third chakra - the Solar Plexus chakra or the Manipura chakra
The color of both sun and leaves, peridot is life’s juice to deflect allergies and infections. Located in our core center (or tummy), the chakra controls our immune and digestive system. A balanced solar plexus chakra will help us overcome the urge to snack out of emotional impulses.
How peridot fits into your life:
August superstars
Your better half on your first anniversary, or your 16th
Those born under Scorpio and Libra
Vibes:
Transformation
Detox
Wellbeing
Rebirth
Healthy
Thoughts
Healing
Fearlessness
Joy
Use for:
Protection against the Evil Eye or your friendly neighborhood Gossip Girl
Making friends with those butterflies in your tummy
When you need to remember where you’ve misplaced your wallet or your mind
Reminding yourself of how amazing you truly are
Getting over a break-up
Company on those 12-step programs
Amplifying your sauna, hot yoga or Reiki sesh
Tough Love level:
6-7 Mohs with fair to good toughness. Use a bezel setting if you’re planning to wear peridot as an everyday ring to protect it from scratches.
Common treatments:
Peridot is rarely treated, but when it is, it’s usually oil treatment or fracture filling. Both treatments are to fill tiny voids and pits in the stone. Ask your jeweler if any treatments have been done since treated peridot should avoid sudden changes in temperature, harsh chemicals and ultrasonic cleaners. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and cauton:
Heat can fracture peridot. So avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners to clean your peridot jewelry. The safest way to clean peridot is with warm, soapy water. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash.
Peridot is one of the few gemstones which displays only one color, although it comes in a range of color intensity.
Light yellowish peridot is a fun and playful gemstone color for spring.
Light green peridot only has a faint yellow tint, the color of a warm jungle.
Olive green peridot has a more mature charm with its subdued tone.
Vivid green peridot gives a verdant jungle vibe and is perfect to pair with an elegant-chic outfit.
Dark brownish-green peridot is a tad darker than olive green peridot.
Friendship is a privilege that shouldn’t be underestimated. Simply put, good friends are good for you.
Social interactions trigger all those feel-good vibes in your brain’s endorphin system.
There’s actual science behind this!
If you have enjoyable friendships and an active social life, you’re less likely to develop serious illnesses later in life and more likely to live long. Friendships may even be more effective at extending your life span than exercise!
The crucial point here is the nature of those relationships, and how they make you feel loved, cared for, and listened to.
Here’s what science says:
Friendships can be a stronger painkiller than morphine and fulfilling relationships increase your pain tolerance (Johnson and Dunbar, 2016)
Friendships help keep your mind sharp and reduce your risk of dementia (Holwerda et al., 2014)
Having friends can help you better cope with stress and reduce your cortisol (stress hormone) levels (Ozbay et al., 2017)
The quality of your friendships impacts cardiovascular diseases, your blood pressure, cancer recovery and wound healing(Umberson and Montez, 2010)
Your social circle may shield you against depression, boost your self-esteem, and give support when the rain starts to fall (Harris and Orth, 2019)
Good friends keep you from doing things that are bad for you, like smoking and heavy drinking (I’ll leave the late nights out in the middle here) (Ong et al., 2016)
Distance doesn't have to dampen a friendship (Griffin, 2006)
For women, friendships are more important than family(Chopik, 2017)
So, now you know what your friends can do for you...
Let’s talk about how they impact our every day!
We asked our Instagram fans what friendship means to them.
A selection of our favorites that gave us all the feels.
Friendship is choice.
A choice to love someone not because of obligation.
It’s deciding to trust and extend yourself to be as accountable to them as they are to you.
Friendship is a celebration of your similarities and differences to others, and loving them for the ways your minds meet and the way they are astoundingly different.
To me, friendship is like ice-cream. Sounds stupid, but hear me out.
When I was about 5 years old, vanilla ice-cream was probably the best gift my tastebuds had ever received. Just plain ol vanilla ice-cream.
Plus it was like we had a never-ending supply of the stuff. But at that point I had no idea how incredibly diverse the world of ice-cream was.
Peanuts??? In ice-cream??? FRUIT??? Wow. Crazy.
Then when I was 7, I tried mango ice-cream for the first time.
Let me tell you, it was like my mouth had met it's soulmate. That perfect mix of sweet n smooth just clicked with me.
The way I see it, when you're so young and you're so new to the world, you're happy to be friends with everyone.
But there's always those few pivotal moments that define who you wanna surround yourself with and who you wanna be.
I've tried endless amounts of ice-cream flavours and of course I like some more than others, just as I've met endless amounts of people and like some more than others.
Sometimes I discover a new flavour that I obsess over, but then grow tired of.
But mango is always the flavour I go back to.
Friendship is like a mountain.
Stays there, is there when you need support, beautiful and endless.
Though when you think on it. To reach the top you have to put effort and dedication into it.
When you’ve climbed the mountain the view and pay off is very rewarding and amazing.
Real friendship means you can keep it real with me. When you don't have to go around the truth in fear of hurting my feelings but telling me straight up in the most loving way you know how.
Friendship is when you love someone and think about them no matter how busy life gets.
When they make you laugh so hard you pee your pants (no joke this has happened to me too many times).
Friendship is not caring how you look or feel because your bestie will take care of you no matter what.
True friendship also means you have no shame, whether I'm talking too loud or dancing too hard you're right by my side getting turnt with me haha.
True friendship to me is when you know the real me the chaotic me and still choose to love me ⚡️
Friendship is that person that loves you endlessly, even when you're wrong, who shows you the right path and patiently waits till you find your way. It’s a forever kind of thing.
Friendship to me is the ghost on your front porch, no one can see them but you know they're there to keep you company if you make time to sit with them on the steps.
References
Chopik, William J. (2017). Associations among Relational Values, Support, Health, and Well-Being across The Adult Lifespan. Pers Relationship, 24: 408-422.
Griffin, E. A. (2006). A first look at communication theory. Boston: McGraw-Hill.
Harris, Michelle & Orth, Ulrich. (2019). The link between self-esteem and social relationships: A meta-analysis of longitudinal studies. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. 10.1037/pspp0000265.
Holwerda, T.J., Deeg, D.J., Beekman, A.T., et al. (2014). Feelings of loneliness, but not social isolation, predict dementia onset: results from the Amsterdam Study of the Elderly (AMSTEL). J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2014;85(2):135-142.
Johnson, K., Dunbar, R. (2016). Pain tolerance predicts human social network size. Sci Rep 6, 25267.
Ong, Anthony & Uchino, Bert & Wethington, Elaine. (2015). Loneliness and Health in Older Adults: A Mini-Review and Synthesis. Gerontology. 62. 10.1159/000441651.
Ozbay, F., Johnson, D. C., Dimoulas, E., Morgan, C. A., Charney, D., & Southwick, S. (2007). Social support and resilience to stress: from neurobiology to clinical practice. Psychiatry (Edgmont (Pa. : Township)), 4(5), 35–40.
Umberson, D., & Montez, J. K. (2010). Social relationships and health: a flashpoint for health policy. Journal of health and social behavior, 51 Suppl(Suppl), S54–S66.
Getting ready to propose? Here’s the first challenge: find her ring size.
If you’re already getting antsy about keeping a secret, there are plenty of easy ways to find out her ring size without breaking a sweat. And without her knowing!
We're giving you several options to find her ring size, depending on whether you have any help from accomplices, whether the ring can leave the house or not, and even some sneaky ideas for when she doesn’t wear rings!
Keep on reading, or take the quiz, to find out how to get your partner's ring size, without asking.
If you can get your hands on one of her rings you can take it to a jeweler and get it measured. You'll need to make sure that the ring actually fits her properly and that it's worn on the correct finger (left ring finger for engagement rings in the US), as all fingers are different sizes. There even tends to be a size difference between the left and right hand!
If she doesn't wear a ring on that finger you can settle for an estimated measurement for another finger, but keep in mind the ring may need to be resized.
Put the ring on yourself and mark it
When she does wear rings, but you are unable to take her ring to a jeweler without her noticing it’s missing, there are several ways you can estimate the size without taking the ring out of the home.
Good times for these are when she takes off her rings before she goes to bed, before she has a bath or before she dyes her hair.
You can try the ring on yourself and mark where it falls on the inside of your finger. Then you can print our free ring sizer on thick paper or use our paper ring sizer and find the size that falls in the same spot.
Check the ring on a ring sizer
Check the ring directly against our free ring sizer printed on thick paper, or use our paper ring sizer.
Do make sure she wears this ring on the same finger you'd like to get her a ring for! It's very common for the ring finger on the left hand and on the right hand to be different ring sizes.
The secret soap test
Alternatively, you can try the soap bar imprint. Basically, steal her ring and press it into a bar of soap to make an impression of the size. If it has a large stone, make sure you get an imprint of the entire ring band.
Then carefully rinse it off, put the ring back where you found it and hide the soap (because leaving the soap out with the ring imprint may spark questions).
All you have to do is match the inside of the band to a size chart like this one here to get a starting measurement for her finger.
Can you not borrow one of her rings, not even for a second?
Pop a math quiz
Tell her that you just read that if you take your shoe size and divide by two and then add two, you get your ring size. Have her walk through the calculations to see if it's correct for her and hopefully she'll tell you her actual ring size. This equation doesn't actually work, but you'll get her talking without directly hinting that you may be buying her a ring.
Clean her ring
Score a point by noticing the gemstone on her ring got a little dull. Shouldn't she clean it? You can take it to that jeweler near your office to have it cleaned for her.
Get her a promise ring
Already know you'll eventually propose? Get started with a promise ring.
Have a cocktail or two
If she wears no rings it becomes more difficult - but not impossible. While she's in deep sleep, use our free printable ring sizer or paper ring sizer to measure her finger. Just make sure she's not a light sleeper. Some cocktails usually help ;)
Get an engaged or married accomplice
If one of your partner's friends is engaged or married, you can ask her friend to let your girlfriend try on the ring. This will give you a rough idea of the size if you don't mind asking her friend for the size. Bonus: you can also use this as an opportunity to ask what she thought of her friend's or the giftee's ring and probe what style of ring she'd like for herself.
“It’s for someone else”
Another option, but with the risk of giving it away if you don't package it well enough as a spontaneous need, you can ask her to try on a ring you want to buy for someone else, like your sister or your mother.
(Updated July 2022)
Are you the diamond 4eva kind of girl? I totally understand. Diamonds are intriguing.
They’re sparkly and pretty. Diamonds don’t just accept light, it gives light a polish, dresses it up in a glamorous outfit, and pushes it back out like fireworks. And by that I mean – the way diamonds refract rainbow-colored light is breathtaking (but those are boring words, and analogies are fun).
Diamonds are also the toughest rocks known to men. It’s so tough, it rates a 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. It’s so tough, the word ‘diamond’ comes from a Greek word meaning ‘unbreakable’. It’s so tough, it should last that happily ever after it's meant for.
If the words Mohs scale of hardness threw you a little, don’t worry! I have answers for you. The tl:dr version is – the Mohs scale is the measurement used to determine a stone’s strength, and diamonds are way at the top, with a rating of 10 out of 10. Now, the Mohs scale isn’t the be all and end all of a stone’s strength, but it’s a good start!
But just because diamonds are popular, you don’t have to end up with a carbon copy of a gazillion other rings. Diamonds are so amazing, because there’s a variety for you to choose from if you’re ok with stepping away from the sparkling white and clear diamond cliche.
Treated or not, colored diamonds are just fun. They have that classic diamond flirtation with light, but they also come with their own slice of personality.
Colored diamonds are called fancy colored diamonds because naturally colored diamonds are way more rare than white diamonds. They also come in every color within the spectrum. From pink, blue, green, yellow, champagne, cognac to red, fancy diamonds can fetch higher prices. Out of all fancy diamonds, blue diamonds are the rarest and that’s why you’ll see prices for untreated blue diamonds skyrocketing off the chart!
Fancy diamonds are graded based on the intensity and depth of their color. The deeper and more vivid a fancy diamond is, the more expensive it’ll be.
Blue diamonds are extremely rare and we only have a few left in our stock! These mermaid blue beauties can be found only in Australia, South Africa, and India.
Blue diamonds are extremely rare and we only have a few left in our stock! These mermaid blue beauties can be found only in Australia, South Africa, and India.
‘To love and protect’ can be taken quite literally with shield cuts. My favorite thing about shield cuts are the unique takes gem cutters have on what it will look like. This champagne diamond is one of the warmest shades of diamond in our safe. Champagne colored diamonds are so understated! A hint of yellow can turn a plain-ole diamond into a flickering candlelight.
Included diamond rings are spicy and full of sass. Inclusions are traces of minerals and impurities stuck within the diamond’s structure, like a long extinct bee trapped in amber. Included diamonds are a piece of time, telling the stories of how and where they were formed. Don’t blame us if you can’t stop gazing at yours!
We love included diamonds so much, we wrote a whole blog post about it. Top it off with an unusual shape or cut, and your diamond gets a completely different character.
A touch of quirk, still very much grounded and a sprinkle of chic. A hexagon cut diamond has a touch of fashionably fabulous to it. It’s among our most requested diamond shapes.
The soft curves of a pear cut gives these diamonds a romantic and feminine energy. They’re the confident belles of the ball and have been a top choice for Gardens of the Sun engagement rings for a few years in a row.
A classic touch with a thoroughly modern look. The rose cut is so good at showing off all the colors and inclusions!
As the gateway to my current love of diamonds, diamond slices hold a very special place in my heart. They’re my go-to recommendation for people who want diamonds, but don’t love the idea of a perfect white diamond. Or for women who love low profile rings (so easy to love once you have babies). Or those who want to show off a large diamond on a small budget.
But wait. What are diamond slices again? The skinny: a slice of a rough diamond, giving you a full display of the diamond’s colors, textures and inclusions. Unlike brilliant cut diamonds, diamond slices aren’t made to bring out the most lightplay. It gives you the most finger coverage when you look at weight.
So now that you’ve seen some more choices available – which diamond will be the centerpiece of your diamond ring?
Pssst! If you need tips on how to build your own custom ethical dream ring, we got your back. Get on the #myethicaldreamring bandwagon, you know you want to!
(Updated July 2022)
Did you grow up with the shining image of a round white diamond, refracting light, and looking like a sparkling piece of glass?
Remember those cartoon characters wearing ridiculously large diamond rings and flaunting it?
Or rom-com scenes where a diamond ring is presented in a velvet box as decadent as the ring?
The brilliant cut diamond is a traditional engagement ring choice, but diamond slice rings are that special something for the rebels out there. While they're not as well known as their polished counterparts, diamond slices have charms of their own.
What's a diamond slice? Aside from possibly the greatest thing since sliced bread ;) How did diamond slices come about? Are diamond slices good alternatives for an engagement ring?
Diamond slices are thinly sliced sections of a diamond. Usually of large, included diamonds (one more reason to love salt and pepper diamonds). They're sliced using a laser cutter, which then applies very shallow facets on one side for use in luxury jewelry as opposed to industrial use.
Most diamond slices wouldn't grade well in traditional cuts, chosen for their exceptional natural patterns inside each raw diamond. An interpretation of beauty found in the imperfect, in organic shapes (as the original outline of the diamond remains intact) and outside of the standard beauty box. Natural diamond works of art.
In diamond slices, inclusions are desired - celebrated even - rather than unwanted flaws. The more interesting and defined the inclusions and patterns, the higher the price.
Unique, edgy and quirky, these diamonds are like no other. They're great alternatives for an engagement ring! They're definitely a head turner and will be conversation fodder for jewelry lovers.
So how do they hold up to the classic polished diamonds? Let's take a closer look.
Diamond slices come in two looks; a thin, straight slice with a flat surface, or a thicker polki diamond, with a flat back and a lightly faceted top. The former may look a little dull depending on how even the surface is, and the latter may show more sparkle because of those small facets.
They're still considered a new kid on the block, as they only entered the market about a decade ago. You won't find these in the big box stores, and they haven't gained mainstream popularity yet.
But is diamond slice jewelry valuable?
Diamond slices are just as valuable as polished diamonds! The more unique the inclusions are, the more likely it will fetch higher prices. The only catch is that a diamond slice will have lower carat weight than a brilliant polished cut diamond since it’s flatter. The good news is - diamond slices have more finger coverage so you get a lot more for your bucks.
Plus, you're part of a special group of people who know of (and can appreciate) the awesomeness of the diamond slice. Let's get you further acquainted.
100% unique and unlike any other diamond. Even if they come from the same raw diamond, each slice will tell a different story.
Calling all science lovers - diamond slices are a clear sneak peek into the diamond's story. A cross section showcasing inclusions formed during the diamond's formation.
Calling all science lovers - diamond slices are a clear sneak peek into the diamond's story. A cross section showcasing inclusions formed during the diamond's formation.
More finger coverage for your money. Since diamond slices are flat, you're not paying for the less visible parts of the diamond. A one carat diamond slice is humongous compared to a one carat brilliant cut diamond.
Low profile! Diamond slice rings are great for women with an active lifestyle, who don't want a big diamond sticking out and snatching onto stuff.
Cut and polished diamonds refract light and will give you the classic diamond glow. Those rainbow patterns on your walls when light catches a diamond? They're the polished diamond's forte. They're where diamonds really shine.
You're pretty spoiled for choice when it comes to the cuts for polished diamonds. They come in all sorts of shapes! You can check the full range of cuts that we hae on offer on our custom gold diamond page.
Can be set in a wide range of settings - think: your dream engagement ring.
A rose cut diamond vs. a brilliant cut diamond. The generous facets of the rose cut gives you a gorgeous view inside the diamond while the more intricate facets of a brilliant cut helps refract light in dazzling ways.
It’s hard to pick which one is the prettiest. At the end of the day, it’s about your personal preferences. Jewelry is as much about your heart as it is about aesthetics. That's why we want you to get to know diamonds better. We like giving you the option to fall in love. If you never thought you were a diamond kinda gal, diamond slices might change your heart. I know they did for me.
She's a combination of wild adventure and the scent of blooming honeysuckle at sunset.
Spices and dusty sweat, firelight and fireflies.
She's music to your senses.
The beat to your drum.
Use for:
Shooing away nightmares
Activating your life force and mastering Jedi mind tricks
Clearing your focus to get motivated
Amplifying a degustation so you can appreciate the subtlest flavor profiles and taste the visceral warmth of pleasure bubbling through your veins
Getting over the seven-year itch
Sexy time
Curbing the wrath of Aunt Flo
Our rubies are responsibly sourced from:
Indonesia, Thailand, Madagascar, Sri Lanka
Tough Love level:
7-9 Mohs scale of hardness with excellent toughness. You can use rubies as everyday gemstones, mounted in a prong setting. Store it in a separate ring box to keep it from scratching other gemstones.
Common treatments:
Heat treatments – rubies are often heat treated to enhance its color. Cheaper rubies may also be fracture-filled or dyed. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and caution:
Untreated and heat-treated rubies are durable. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for untreated or heat-treated rubies, but not for heavily included, lead glass filled or fracture filled rubies or star rubies. The safest way to clean rubies is with warm, soapy water. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash. Ultrasonic and steam cleaners are generally safe for untreated or heat-treated rubies. But the safest way to clean rubies is with warm, soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners at all cost. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash.
There are two special types of ruby being traded.
Star ruby exhibits asterism (a six-rayed-star light effect) because of the presence of rutile inclusions. The six-rayed-star will shimmer when moved. Star ruby usually has a smooth and rounded appearance.
Trapiche ruby is similar to star ruby, but with a fixed star and often cut and traded in slices.
Ruby is a variety of the mineral corundum and a sister of sapphire. It comes in a shade of deep pink to blood red, with pigeon blood ruby commanding the highest price. What gives ruby its reddish tint is the presence of chromium.
All rubies will have a strong red color, but their overtone colors can range from purple to orange.
Pigeon blood red ruby, also called Burma ruby, has a pure medium dark red color. Believed to be a sacred piece, owning it is akin to owning a piece of history.
Orange-red ruby has a delicious warm orange tone reminiscent of sunset. Often sold as sunset sold or Songea sapphire.
Purple-red ruby has a femme fatale charm with its fuschia tone.
Brown-red ruby is a toned-down version of the pigeon blood ruby. More mellow and less vivid.
Pink-red ruby is similar to pink sapphire. When the pink becomes too light, it's considered a pink sapphire and can fetch more value.
Corundum is the second hardest natural mineral after diamonds, and is a very compact and dense stone. It comes in many shades of colors, of which the red variety is called ruby.
Suitable for:
Jewelry with engraving or texture
Almost everything, from hard rock like diamond to soft organic stones like pearl
Vintage or antique jewelry
Filigree jewelry
Inlay jewelry
Duration:
Around 10-15 minutes
Eco friendly:
Depends on the soap you use! Use natural soap to make sure you’re not dumping unnecessarily harsh chemicals into the ecosystem.
Price:
Cheapest of all
Difficulty:
Medium
Rhodium plating
For proud owners of white gold jewelry, the white shine of rhodium plating will fade over time. But don’t fret - this actually happens over many years since rhodium is a pretty damn strong metal which protects and increases the luster of your ring. When you begin to see yellow shine peeking through, it’s time for replating.
Scratched gemstone or metal
If you see tiny scratches on the gemstone or metal, the only way to bring back its luster is to re-polish it. Repolishing is like having your body scrubbed. It lifts off ‘dead skin’ or the outermost layer of gemstone, leaving a fresh, pristine layer underneath. It’s an easy way to bring back the shine - if you have the right tools.
Loose prong setting
If you notice the gemstone moving its setting, however slightly, it’s time for a visit to your jeweler. This typically happens to prong settings where the prong has worn down after years of use. The grip or the claw might have become flattened, thinner, or even bent.
Loose setting often happens on jewelry with higher amounts of gold or silver. This is because gold and silver are soft metals.
Like any other precious possessions, jewelry does require maintenance. But I hope this blog post helps you choose the right cleaning method for your gemstone jewelry.
Good news for owners of larger than average fingers worldwide: your finger is a beautiful canvas to paint on, a place to manifest your biggest, wildest dream ring ideas. If you’re looking to make a statement with your ring, here’s the ultimate guide to design a plus size ring to match your personality.
Choose more finger coverage
Big stones are the right match for bigger fingers. With more finger coverage, larger stones can make your finger appear smaller and more proportional, whereas smaller stones might disappear against your finger.
Rose cut stones and diamond slices distribute their weight over the width of the stone (which is what you see), rather than the depth of the stone (which is usually hidden). These are quick wins to get more finger coverage if you’re on a budget.
The ever so feminine pear-shaped diamond adds a lot of sass while the shape makes your finger look more slender.
Rose cut gemstones don’t have as much weight on the bottom or backside of the stone. So you get more finger coverage for your money.
Opal's unusual, curvy shapes bring sexy to the next level!
Opal is a wild and unique gemstone. With its shimmering play of fire, even on its own, opal can make a statement ring. We have beautiful opal shapes with little to lots finger coverage for a range of drama.
Opt for oval, marquise, rectangular, or pear shaped stones
… and make sure the angles are pointing up. Whether you choose oval, marquise, pear or rectangular shape, facing the stones vertically rather than horizontally, will lead the eye looking at the vertical length of your finger. This will help your finger look longer and slimmer. An emerald cut with stripy lanes along its sides can help your finger look more slender.
This hexagon diamond ring is an eyestopper, whatever your ring size.
These hexagon diamonds come in a range of colors. Pick a width that’s not too small on your finger, go for an elongated hexagon shape and have it point up to make your finger look more slender.
Bicolor sapphire flaunts its flaws like no other, all the more reason to love it!
This is another statement ring to wax poetry on! Choose a pear or oval cut, and opt for a stone over a carat. With larger stones, the contrasting color will look more dominant. Choose a prong setting to make your gemstone pop even more.
Avoid round stones
Although this isn’t a complete no-go, round stones can add a weighty appearance into your overall look. If you love round stones, there are so many ways to navigate through this.
Choose stones with larger diameter (for the finger coverage), then use a prong setting to hold it up, instead of using a bezel setting which puts the stone closer to your finger (see next point).
Add side stones (or a satellite diamond for an opal ring or diamond slice ring) for more lightplay and oomph.
Add a V shaped nesting band. The tip of the V will direct the eyes vertically along your finger, making it look longer.
Oval and marquise cuts are slender options with the feminine effect round stones are famous for.
With rose cut sapphires you get more finger coverage for your budget.
For those who love minimal designs, these rose cut sapphires speak a whole lot, so you can keep the ring itself simple. Included, silky and asymmetric shapes, these Montana sapphires have just enough finger coverage to avoid looking bulky, even with their rose cut’s doming effect. Bonus: ethically sourced.
Unusual and uneven in its shape, polki cut diamonds make a great alternative to round diamonds.
Polki diamonds are the older sister of diamond slices. They’re cut by hand and a nice alternative to round stones with their uneven, raw edges.
Prong setting helps up your ring game
Any leverage to your stone will help add dimension to your finger. This can be done by setting your stone in prongs, or if you want to avoid snagging or need a little more protection for everyday wear, an open bezel setting will do the job with its extended shoulders. By setting it up higher than your finger, your gemstone will look more prominent, making it the centerpiece it deserves to be. (Read the pro’s and con’s of prong and bezel settings here)
Choose your favorite diamond shape and use prongs to make the stone sit higher on your finger.
Did you know that the rose cut is one of the oldest cutting techniques? It’s also why it has more shimmer than brilliance, and why it flickers like candlelight. If you’re a lover of rose cut diamonds, amp up its youthful look with a prong setting. Looking for an edgy ring with history? There you have it.
The prong setting is the ultimate setting for a brilliant cut diamond.
Brilliant cut diamonds seem made to sit on a throne! Choose larger stones to up the finger coverage. With bigger stones, you can have more flexibility to play with the number and orientation of the claws, giving it more sass and personality.
Play it up with a nesting band, side stones, or stack them!
The more, the merrier, the better. Larger fingers have more room to play with and you can avoid looking ‘too much’ even if you think you’ve gone ‘too much’. All of these help make the overall design stand out more on your finger, diverting eyes from the finger to the actual ring. Nesting bands help accentuate the shape of the main stone, making the whole look more adventurous and classy. Stack your rings if you’d like to wear your dainty rings all at once!
This V-shaped nesting band will direct the eyes vertically along your finger.
For a quick slimming fix, this V shaped nesting band helps alleviate the ‘weight’ of your finger. If you find yourself asking which gemstone shapes are ideal to fit its narrow slope, then our answer is: any gemstone shape will do! Whether it’s a brilliant round cut diamond or a kite diamond, this V shaped nesting band will add sizzle to your ring party.
This nesting band is as versatile as it can be. Wear as a wedding band made to fit your dream engagement ring.
If you have a giant diamond ring and want a wider band to match, then this dainty nesting band can make a seamless appearance.
Pro tip:
design it to complement the main ring you want to stack it with, like adding the same number of stones to the band. This way, your rings will look more put together and in sync with one another for a powerful stack.
With so much flexibility in its design, there are so many looks plus size fingers can play with. How would you design your ethical dream engagement ring?
How is Pride month celebrated in Indonesia?
The TL;DR version: it’s not. At least, not yet. Many Indonesian LGBTQs are facing discrimination on a daily basis (both major kinds, like being denied jobs, and minor aggressions). Living a simple, normal life suddenly isn’t so simple in the world’s largest Muslim country.
This wasn’t always the case. Even though being LGBTQ is considered a mental health problem (it’s not), Indonesian LGBTQs used to be more tolerated. Transwomen and crossdresses were welcomed in traditional theaters and performed at local weddings. Some queers even ascended to national stardom, enjoying the life of a superstar. Alas - this is no longer the case.
Perhaps social media has stifled the topic so much, it has lost its nuance and become a polarizing subject to bring up. Nowadays, it’s not uncommon to see queers without social support. Indonesian queers were allowed to have their preferred gender on their national ID card only since 2021.
It takes courage to stand up for who you are. Flaunt your true identity and feel proud of it. Despite the growing intolerance towards LGBTQs people, activists have created safe spaces for them.
In the city of Yogyakarta, Shinta Ratri started an Islamic school for transwomen, noting how religious right is a basic right, and how spirituality is the foundation for self-acceptance. One of Yogyakarta’s icons, Hamzah Sulaeman, established the first drag queen cabaret in the city. It’s now a safe space for transwomen embracing and exploring their fluid expressions.
Same goes for Sanggar Swara, a support group for young transgenders in Jakarta. Supported by a community of writers and artists, Sanggar Swara provides assistance and a platform for young transgenders to share their stories… literally, in writing. You can read about them here (it’s Indonesian, hit translate to read it in English).
Pride month is a celebration of sexual diversity. And the LGBTQs community itself is diverse too. There’s no “single story”, just like there’s no one way to be a sexual or gender minority person.
This year, Gardens of the Sun is delighted to serve young transgenders and queers in Indonesia, and the diversity they bring. Each one is a story worth sharing. Sanggar Swara is striving to create that space. That’s why it’s an easy yes for us to send some love and support to this organization!
How to join us? During the month of June, each purchase of our Pride Rainbow Ring and Pride Earrings, we’ll donate 10% to Transchool by Swara.
Love is love even if it comes in different forms. Let’s celebrate love and diversity, and let’s eradicate discrimation based on who we are or who we love. Even, or perhaps even more so, if you’re on the vanilla side of life.
Opal paired with green garnet and peridot, or with tanzanite and garnet.
Opal is a stone of rainbows. This ancient mineral concoction trapped water within, which refracts light and scatters it into different colors. Believed to be a stone to release anger and reclaim self-worth, this soft gemstone is as gentle as a heart true to itself.
You heard them through the grapevine, the myths about her.
One said she was born from a raindrop, falling from the heavens on the moon’s rolling tears.
No one knows how she got here, but she’s been around – there’s an infinite wisdom about her, and an innocence.
She keeps you pure at heart.
Our pearls are responsibly sourced from: China, Indonesia, Tahiti, United States of America
Tough Love level:
2.5-4.5 Mohs scale of hardness with fair to good toughness. As the world’s lone organic gemstone, pearls are rather delicate. They’re soft and can easily be scratched. Wear with gentle, loving care. Avoid chemicals when wearing it, including perfume and hairspray, because these can damage the luster of your pearls. Wipe your pearls with a soft and clean cloth after each wearing. Find out more about hardness vs toughness here.
Common treatments:
Bleaching. Pearls are commonly bleached to make the colors more uniform. This makes it easier to create even-colored strings of pearls. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and caution:
Pearls easily scratch and lose their luster. However, it’s quite a tough stone in the sense that it won’t break or chip easily. The safest way to keep its shine is by regular cleaning with warm, soapy water. Avoid ultrasonic or steam cleaners at all cost. For natural cleaning, use our soap nut wash.
Pearls are made from nacre, also known as the mother of pearl, which is the inner iridescent layer inside the mollusk. Because pearls are made of both organic and inorganic matter, their shapes can vary.
Most pearls are cultivated in a controlled environment. Gentle hands pry open the mollusk after 6 months to a few years of nestling the pearl.
A mollusk can contain more than one pearl.
Natural pearls are created by, well, nature. The secretion of nacre is a defense system when irritants enter the soft cavity of a mollusk. Being on the seabed bustling with life, seawater sand or dust can enter anytime. Even though it sounds like mollusks are bursting with pearls all the time, natural pearls are rare and expensive because diving and searching for these mollusks is a dangerous profession.
Cultured pearls aren’t synthetic pearls. They’re still created inside a living mollusk and produced by its nacre. The difference is the intentionality of the process. Unlike wild mollusks, pearl farmers nourish and care for the mollusk to ensure a successful harvest. Think of it as the difference between wild forest bananas and bananas grown on a plantation.
Freshwater pearls grow inside mollusks in the river and lake. They come in a range of sizes, shapes, and colors. Mollusks are usually bigger than oysters (which produce saltwater pearls), so a mollusk can create multiple pearls at a time. Freshwater pearls farmers also harvest it more often (once every two years) than seawater pearls farmers. In other words, freshwater pearls are abundant. Since they’re cultured, farmers can control the shape, so there are pearls shaped as crosses, moons and stars.
The downsides to freshwater pearls are their smaller size and less lustrous shine. Most freshwater pearls come from China.
Seawater pearls (or salt water pearls) are grown inside oysters and usually originate from Japan, Thailand, Australia, China, French Polynesia and Vietnam. The famous akoya pearls from Japan are seawater pearls, prized for their superior luster and almost-perfect round shape. Another popular seawater pearl is the keshi pearl. These are by-products of pearl cultivation or result of cultivation mishaps, hence their funky shapes (a happy accident, you might say!).
Seawater pearls tend to have thinner nacre, which takes longer to form than that of freshwater pearls. The longer time means better quality of nacre and more luster.
Modern brides are pampered with options. From timeless to outlandish, there are endless styles of engagement rings you can choose from - and it can be oh so overwhelming! Sigh.
But don’t feel daunted. We’re here to set things straight and show you what’s most important in creating a bridal set (which is your engagement and wedding ring). Let’s start with the basics.
Creating a matching bridal set
It’s a two peas in a pod kind of situation. A matching bridal ring set implies a set of engagement and wedding rings, designed to be worn together and fit like a perfect frame. For instance, the wedding band curves and bends for the engagement ring’s centerpiece to sit snugly. Traditionally, an engagement ring does become the centerpiece out of the two, while the wedding band takes a minimal role.
A matching bridal set can be as simple as two straight bands with same width, but the engagement ring has a diamond or gemstone center stone. No time to design an elaborate set? Then this option might be for you.
Pros
A classic choice
Straightforward in its design
Cons
More common, possibly less unique
Ideally purchased at the same time
Both rings should be the same metal
A simple touch of spinel can add so much romance to this bridal set.
These simple stackable rings are perfect for everyday wear.
The two rings share the same width and band shape to create a matching look.
Creating a mismatched bridal set
If you crawled down Google looking for a definite answer and found none, fret not - you aren’t the only one. There’s no hard and fast rule on the definition of a mismatched ring set. With such varying degrees of how a mismatched bridal set can look, a pair of mismatched rings can absolutely look like a seamless pair of rings to you.
That being said - a mismatched engagement and wedding ring doesn’t have to be a huge statement. It can be a classic combo, but designed in a way that feels less constraining.
The two love rings might have the exact same band style, but with the engagement ring hugging a solitaire marquise stone, showing a gap underneath. They might have the same rose gold band, but the wedding ring is dotted with diamonds all the way around. Or it can feel completely different with an oxidized wedding band and a white gold engagement ring. Different people find different ways to mismatch their bridal rings.
Pros
Opportunity to create a unique piece
Can play up both rings as you wish
Cons
More time consuming in the design stage (but fun!)
A more trendy choice
A not-so-subtle contrast between rose cut salt and pepper diamond (mostly pepper!) and white diamonds.
Rocking two absolutely different rings all at once! A dainty diamond ring meets faceted wedding band.
This icy cool diamond and warm yellow sapphire is a ring set to match all kinds of parties and vibes.
With SO MANY ring styles out there, it’s totally fine if you feel like ditching the term ‘matching’ or ‘mismatched’ altogether and just focus on the hunt for that perfect duo!
Still got questions?
No worries! Let’s go through the practicalities one by one.
Do bridal sets need to be designed together?
Not necessarily! We welcome requests to design ‘the other half’ of your ring. Clients often come to us engaged and elated, with a gorgeous engagement ring they already own, and looking for a bespoke wedding band to match (or mismatch).
But, there are pros to designing a bridal ring set together. For instance: two jewelers can use different alloys in gold, which means they will show different golden hues, even though both are 18K gold. Gold alloy can’t be customized, so if your bridal rings are coming from two different jewelers, make sure their hues are the same (especially for yellow gold and even more so for rose gold).
If you want a seamless, no-gap pair of rings, we recommend designing your engagement and wedding rings together. This way you can ensure the rings’ height and thickness are consistent. All of these are details you can tinker with if the rings are designed and made by a single jeweler at the same time.
Do I need to wear both my engagement and wedding ring everyday?
This is a not-so-silly question, because wearing both rings does have a practical impact. If you’ll be an ardent wearer of your ring stack, prepare a small budget for a repolish every few years. Two rings in a stack may show visible wear over the years.
Other than that - if the wedding band signals the woman is married, and engagement ring signals the woman is engaged; wearing both is technically redundant and a matter of personal choice. Plus: a wedding band on its own looks pretty damn amazing.
Is it OK to wear an engagement ring or wedding band on the opposite hand?
Well, this goes back to you. How would you feel? How would you feel knowing you’re going against the grain and having to answer the same question again and again about your marital status. These days - you’re free to wear a bridal set however you want. But we still think it’s wise to consider what your rings communicate to friends and acquaintances.
Fun fact:
in 1920s West, the right ring finger once signified a celebration of independence and womanhood. So if you’ve decided this is the finger of choice, all power goes to you.
Okay. What if I wear my bridal rings set on different fingers?
Plus point:
wearing your rings on different fingers means you can show off both blings in their entirety.
If you’re in the non-traditional camp, look at the sizing of each ring. A stacking set can feel tight and uncomfortable even though both rings are the correct ring size when worn individually. This is because the combined width adds ‘weight’ to the finger, and it will feel more tight.
Conversely, if you know you’d wear the engagement ring on a different finger (whether that means your middle finger or right ring finger), size your ring accordingly.
Not sure how you’d go for the rest of your life? Know that you can switch up the placement of both rings anytime post the wedding day.
Should your engagement and wedding ring be the same size?
This goes back to how and where you’d wear the ring.
If you plan on wearing them together, you might decide to make your wedding band a quarter size larger. This is because the width of the two rings will make them fit more tight than the width of a single ring. If you decide on a wider wedding band, you might even go half a size up.
How do I design a ring gap that rocks?
That negative space between two stacked rings because one ring has a large stone or setting? That’s a ring gap. What I love about ring gaps are how they symbolize the passing of time and a progression of your relationship. Ring gaps show you how the two rings are not quite a perfect match. Beautifully imperfect. The wedding ring may not be sitting flushed underneath the diamond with a halo, and the engagement ring casually sits on top as a minted jewelry baby.
This is a trend set in the last few years and rightly so. The gap gives breathing space and allows both rings to shine. It’s almost inevitable for an engagement ring with a large centerpiece, especially if the wedding band is straight.
You can design an engagement ring and wedding band to have no, a little or a lot of gap, but keep the scratching factor in mind. If you’re obsessed with ring gaps, you can choose to solder both rings together to form a permanent gap.
Can I use my engagement ring as a wedding band and vice versa?
Absolutely yes! This has been gaining popularity in the last few years as couples prefer to own one commitment ring as their truly treasured item.
Okay so… what’s your number one rule when designing a bridal ring set?
The NUMBER ONE RULE is: you.
When it comes down to rings (especially THE ring), design something which makes your heart tingle.
A ring can represent a memory or a style which holds personal value, or it can be a show of your favorite colors or the backstory of certain gemstones. Think of gemstones that vibe with you, or were mined in the country you first met.
On a more technical note, we always suggest clients to think of both engagement and wedding rings as your *ultimate-most-favorite* jewelry you can wear together or on their own. Whether it’s a seamless matching bridal set or a mismatched ring set with eccentric contrast, design engagement and wedding rings you’ll love individually as much as you love them when worn together.
Now that we’ve covered the basics, it’s time to go to the drawing board.
Think of each ring as a separate entity
….but do establish the hierarchy. The engagement ring usually appears more prominent than the wedding band and has the center stone as the focus. It doesn’t matter whether you’re designing them together or separately, design them as if they’re sisters, not twins. Imagine the two of them like two of your most favorite rings you can’t but wear everyday.
A straight wedding band has the flexibility to be worn together or on its own. The plus side of a curved wedding band is how the nested curve can bring two very different rings together into a single stack.
Colorful bridal ring sets are in and they're just as versatile as everyday pieces.
Both diamond rings can be worn separately or together like no problem.
Understand the basics of jewelry design: metal, gemstone, and setting
Using different metals on both rings immediately feels ‘mismatched’. Think of the shape of the gemstones. Unusual shapes, like this pear diamond ring below, are an instant showstopper. Consider the setting for the gemstones. A prong setting snags more easily than a bezel setting.
A bridal ring set to match fairytale-like wedding gown.
Play up the nesting band
A straight wedding band is the safest bet if you’re looking to wear your wedding band everyday. This means tiny diamonds dotting the entire band, a lightly textured band, or a plain wedding band with a single diamond set in the center. This style works perfectly with an engagement ring with smaller stones and may leave a gap if you have a larger gemstone in your engagement ring (which is a style on its own).
If your engagement ring is elaborate, a plain wedding band might be more than enough.
Make use of our design team’s free mockups!
Give your thinking mind a break and draw it down. However gorgeous each ring is on its own, they should add personality unto one another - and add dimension and character to the set. At the end of the day, the two rings should feel like one.
A mockup gives you a tangible idea of what your ring set will look like.
Go for custom made if you'd like something different than a shiny diamond.
To top that epic love of yours, your rings are the tangible piece of commitment beyond your wedding day. Think of your wedding vows as poems, and your rings the book that holds your poems. So for the ultimate love stack to wear everyday, invest some time in designing the rings you’ll cherish forever.
She dances with wolves; she wanes and waxes, ebbs and flows.
Ethereal, mercurial, but strong in her pull.
She's magnetic, she's intoxicating, and she goes oh-so-deep.
But she has a rhythm, you see, and as long as you follow her dance, and set your intention under the new moon, she lifts you up and you become one with the stars.
Use for:
Keeping in the glove compartment while road tripping cross country to Joshua Tree.
Insomnia.
Decorating your shrine to Marvin Gaye.
New relationships and accepting the love you know you deserve.
Cooling down your head after a lover’s quarrel and before saying sorry.
Getting knocked up.
Our moonstones are responsibly sourced from: India
Tough Love level:
6-6.5 Mohs scale of hardness with poor toughness. Moonstone lands on the softer side of the scale. It also tends to have poor toughness. If you’re planning to wear moonstone as an everyday piece for years to come, consider earrings, because these are less likely to get knocked or bumped than a ring. If you’re set on a ring, opt for a bezel setting. Find out more about hardness vs toughness here.
Common treatments:
Some moonstones may be oiled. Find more about common gemstone treatments here.
Cleaning, care, and cauton:
Don’t use ultrasonic or steam cleaners. For natural wash, use our lerak soap nut.
Even though darker varieties are what we commonly see, moonstones come in many colors; each infused with their own unique kind of magic. White moonstone carries the power of the new moon, driving away nightmares and amplifying inner vision. Peach and yellow moonstone supports the heart and stimulates the mind, bringing out the best in people. Rainbow moonstone is emotional armor, deflecting negativity and clearing the senses.
Blue moonstone has - almost literally - a blue light radiating from underneath the surface. The more intense the blue, the more desirable it is.
Rainbow moonstone has milky patches with slight blue undertones. When the stone catches light, it reflects off the layers and inclusions. Tadaa! The rainbow effect.
Orthoclase moonstone is the colorless to pale yellow variety, with a blue or white sheen. Its namesake is that of adularia, following its origin, the Mount Adular in Switzerland.
Pink moonstone ranges from clear to opaque and often found with blue sheen underneath
Green moonstone is the least popular variety. It’s rich milky green and often comes with white stripes.
(Updated May 2022)
I’ve been told that ‘being square’ hasn’t been in fashion for a while now. But my defense is - I tried keeping up with internet speak, but I was exposed mostly to Peppa Pig, Barbapapa and other kids shows, and they don’t exactly use the same slang.
It got me rummaging through my designs and on the hunt for baguette cut gems as good as a freshly baked one. Fragrant and warm, coming out of an oven in an artisanal little bakery in Paris. Or the miso baguette from Bali’s Starter Lab bakery in Canggu. I’ll let you off for 5 minutes or so to grab some food. Because there are some delicious cuts coming your way!
Did baguette cut stones originate in France?
Possibly.
First stop: the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s. Art Deco began in Paris, and baguette cut stones emerged as trends from this movement (can’t separate baguette and France too much, apparently!).
Back in the Art Deco’s heyday of chic, baguette cut stones were small, and used to complement a diamond centerpiece or to create architectural jewelry pieces with clean lines of towering stacks and sleek geometric designs. It was the gleaming era of fashion and architecture, and rectangular stones were the mainstay in jewelry designs.
Square and rectangular cuts, like the Asscher cut and emerald cut, were the hot item of the day, eclipsing traditional round cut diamonds. For many women, four sided stones were the symbol of modernity, glamor and class.
The difference between baguette cut stones and other rectangular stones is its facets and weight. Baguette cut stones have pointy, square corners and 14 facets. On the other hand, the emerald cut has diagonal corners and 58 facets. The Asscher cut is the square sister of the rectangular emerald cut. All of them are part of the step cut family, which has larger facets, right angles, and the stair-like illusion it’s so famous for.
Why baguette cut stone is a must have item
Like a canvas, baguette cut stones are great to show off colorful stones (like tourmaline or moonstone)
How to design a ring with baguette cut stone
Baguette cut stones are usually thin and have a low depth, that’s why they tend to have lower carat weight than other stones of the same length. As a result, they’re the most budget friendly option than most cuts.
Cut and clarity matter even more for baguette cut stones, since they have fewer facets, which means they don’t sparkle like brilliant round cuts. Compared to emerald cut, baguette cut gemstones appear more subdued. Inclusions and flaws might be more visible in baguette cuts.
Choose a baguette cut gemstone with a bright or deep color to compensate for the lower brilliance.
Choose the ring setting wisely since square corners are more prone to chipping than a round gemstone without edges. Even though there’s no hard and fast rule when it comes to ring setting, if you’d like to wear a softer gemstone daily, you’d want to go for a bezel setting rather than a prong setting, or choose for prongs that cover the corners rather than the sides.
Since baguette cut stones are elongated, bigger doesn’t mean more dominating. A long baguette cut stone set vertically can look sleek and slimming, rather than overpowering.
Our favorite baguette stones to start with
If you’re not sure where to start, here are three of my three baguette stones, which always make me hungry for more:
The sapphire is such a cool gemstone. I used to believe they only came in one shade of rich, deep blue. I remember seeing Queen Elizabeth’s sapphire crown when I visited the Tower of London and not being particularly impressed. That moment only came when I visited Sri Lanka and saw sapphires in more colors than I’d ever imagined. Since then I’ve fallen in love with the sapphire, and in particular, this mint green sapphire. I still think the stone has a regal quality to it, and the baguette cut makes up for its small size.
Did you know the name sapphire has two possible origins? One is from the Hebrew סַפִּיר (sappir). But, it might also have come from the Sanskrit shanipriya (शनिप्रिय). The word is split to"shani" (शनि) meaning "Saturn" and "priya" (प्रिय) meaning “dear”. So you can say it means "dear to Saturn". What a turn of phrase!
Bicolor gemstones are miracles of nature. A set of events and processes mixing, heating and cooling. These types of bicolor tourmalines look especially cool, because the green and reddish-pink colors remind you of fresh slices of juicy watermelons. And a baguette cut sure frames them spectacularly!
Another reason why tourmalines are cool are their pyroelectric and piezoelectric properties. Under pressure or temperature changes, this gemstone generates an electrical charge. That’s why tourmalines are in my eco-friendly laundry eggs. For you, this means you can pick up your favorite ring and start singing “I'm pickin' up good vibrations” along with the Beach Boys, because technically, you’re vibing with your ring!
The Romans and the Greeks associated moonstones with lunar deities. The Romans even went as far as believing moonstones were solid moonbeams. After having meditated with one (a moonstone, not a Roman), I don’t blame them. They have a natural decalescence, a lovely subtle shift of colors within its milky depths. Magic blues, bright greens, the slightest hint of peach. It’s everything you would think a chunk of the moon would be.
One of the things I love most about the baguette cut is its slim look that’s super versatile. Worn horizontally, it creates this sleek silhouette. Tilt it vertical and it changes the game again. It’s also the cut you want to show off colors, inclusions and sheen.
… and no, I didn’t mean Kate Winslet’s necklace! For a stone which resembles many moods of the ocean, aquamarine deserves the title the Heart of the Ocean. It’s said that aquamarine slipped out of a mermaid’s treasure box, and became the sacred jewel of Neptune. In the Roman world, you won’t go out sailing without holding onto an aquamarine as your totem. These days I use aquamarine whenever I’m navigating through rough transitions and keeping my head clear on my destination (with my work and life).
Aquamarine often comes in brilliant cut because the combination of its fire and subtle shade of blue is just *chefskiss*. But the beauty of baguette cut aquamarine is how translucent it can be, you can see your skin peeking through. It’s like dipping your feet on the river and feeling the cold trick which is oh so refreshing!
Ain’t got time (or budget) for real gold jewelry? These baguette cut gemstones are paired with recycled sterling silver.
Jewelry can be such a great keepsake for your bridesmaids. Spare yourself 6 to 8 weeks and we can make you the most thoughtful jewelry pieces your bridesmaids will cherish for a lifetime. Here’s how you can personalize your bridesmaids gifts.
My favorite type of jewelry is definitely the ring! If you’ve decided to give your besties the number one gift, personalizing it to match her vibe is a generous way to say ‘thank you’. A customized ring for your bridesmaids doesn't need to be elaborate, and can be as simple as having their birthstone with a short message engraved.
If you’re looking for something more casual (and still budget friendly), a customized bracelet or necklace for your gals can be the most stress-free option for gifting. Personalized bracelets and necklaces are great because:
You don’t need to ask for (or guess!) their finger size
Bracelets and necklaces can be worn well beyond your wedding day; they’re versatile enough to go with a bridesmaid dress as well as a summer dress or jacket
They’re super easy to design to fit your bridesmaids’ personality
So which one will you go for? A dazzling BFF ring or a cheeky and colorful statement on a bracelet or necklace?
Gemstones for your gals? Yup, no room for awkward feelings here! Gemstones aren’t just to tie the knot. These sparkly little things can say so much with so little - and that’s really all you need for a gift packed chock full with gratitude (and zero cheese). Plus, they come at various price points (few gemstones are as $$$$ as diamonds).
Their birthstone (obviously!)
A simple and straightforward design to cherish her month of birth. A birthstone is the simplest way to add a spark and meaning to any jewelry gift.
Their birthstone + your wedding month
To up the ante, add an additional stone representing your wedding month.
Use our large birthstone library to begin your search. Pink sapphire? Black tourmaline? Salt and pepper diamond? Peridot, topaz, zircon? If these names sound unfamiliar to you, then click here for your starting point.
Their birthstone + bride & groom’s / bride & bride’s birthstones
Make it even more personal? Add your birthstone and your fiance’s birthstone for a triple treat.
Based on your wedding color scheme
Not into the whole birthstone thing? If you’re looking for a more color-coded gift for the wedding theme, use your wedding’s color palette as the basic foundation to build your tribe’s jewelry piece. Maybe you’re swooned by different shades of pink and believe your pals are the ultimate personifications of each shade? Or maybe you want to keep the rings colorful but using the ever-so-underrated baguette cut stones? In short - there are endless ways to play up the color themes in your bridesmaids’ jewelry design!
Make a statement with a multiple birthstone ring
If you have extra money to spare, designing a birthstone ring two, three or even four birthstones can be oh-so-much fun! We love the fact we can throw any rules outta the window. Let your imagination run wild and draw up something meaningful between you and your besties. Time for the drawing board!
Play it up with a hand engraving of your wedding date, your bridesmaid’s name (or initials, or her nickname), a word of gratitude, a trait you admire about them, or a secret code you have together. If you’re celebrating your big day in a wedding destination spot like Bali, an engraving of the wedding location can make sweet memorabilia!
This is the secret sauce for jewelry gifts: a velvet ring box which matches the ring. A velvet ring box is such a fun and glamorous way to level up your gift and a small touch to complete the entire gifting experience.
Your best pals deserve more than fluffy slippers with their names on or Insta-worthy champagne glasses. Personalized birthstone jewelry can be a simple gift with multiple ways to upgrade and customize. Ready to give it a go? Email us if you need a hand to design something special for your tribe.