Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend

Yes, yes.  We've heard it hundreds of times before.  And indeed, diamonds are a pretty amazing stone!  The hardness and clarity make it capture all the colors of the rainbow, even without having any actual color inside the stone.  This optical illusion has mesmerized many of us over the centuries.


And they take a while to get such beauty, too.  According to Wikipedia,  "most natural diamonds are formed at high temperature and pressure at depths of 87 to 120 miles in the Earth mantle.  Carbon-containing minerals provide the carbon source, and the growth occurs over periods from 1 billion to 3.3 billion years (25% to 75% of the age of the Earth).  They are brought closer to the earth's surface through deep volcanic eruptions."

Rough diamond crystal in matrix

First recognized and enjoyed in India possibly 6000 years ago, where their use in religious iconography, and also for engraving tools, dates back to the earliest human history.  But what we now think of as a rather ubiquitous stone, hasn't always been that way.


It was the discovery in 1867 of large diamond deposits in what is now South Africa that radically changed our conception.  In the subsequent 10 years, diamond production increased more than tenfold.  Several fortunes were made, and we now think of diamonds as an easily-available stone.  


And now it is April, with diamond as the birthstone.  As you well know, we at Manya Vee Selects enjoy how artists use these amazing materials in unusual ways.  So of course, you can find some beautiful diamonds for both men and women.  Check out this 10-point diamond set in white gold by Seattle jeweler Michelle Logan.

10-point diamond in white gold

The white gold chain is diamond-cut, so it sparkles in such a way as to enhance the diamond.  Truly amazing.


We just received five rings from master metalsmith Sarah Gascoigne, all of which include diamonds.  Two are wide-band rings for men, and three are delicate and unusual rings for women.  Simple, but far from boring.  Come on in and check it out!


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Engagement rings - Let It Be Engaging!

Diamonds are fine.  Beautiful and sparkly.  But everywhere!  I've long been a proponent of choosing an engagement ring that has some personal meaning behind it.  Perhaps one that chooses one or two pieces of your shared history together.  Yes, a diamond is traditional.  But what does it say about the two of you and the new life you plan to create together?

We recently worked with a couple to create an engagement/wedding ring that included two elements of their shared history.  It incorporated two metals - sterling silver and 18-karat gold - as well as two stones - a white and a blue sapphire.  For this couple, the two metals and two stones represented each one's individuality, while having them soldered together represented the bond they shared.  The stones were set right next to each other, representing the two of them walking side by side for the rest of their lives.

And just yesterday I read about the ring Prince William gave to his love, Kate.  It had sentimental value as well, and not a diamond!  Instead, a blue sapphire ring that had belonged to his mother, Princess Diana.  He said "It was my way of making sure my mother didn't miss out on today."

So break out of the box!  Choose a ring, or even create a ring together, that celebrates the reasons that brought the two of you together!  The sentimental value will far exceed anything a diamond could capture.  And there's still no reason not to include a diamond as well!

Naturally, we hope you'll stop by to check out the great collection of rings we have, and our several talented designers who can help you achieve your own dream.

Manya

ManyaVeeSelects.com