Category: Engagement

Solitaire Settings – A Timeless Classic

by Rylee Kahan

When it comes to engagement rings, few styles can rival the timeless elegance of a classic solitaire. A solitaire consists of a single center gemstone, typically secured with prongs, resting atop a solid gold or platinum band. Thanks to Charles Lewis Tiffany, the six-prong, round solitaire may be the perfect choice. But, if she prefers a ring with a little something extra, she can still enjoy the subtlety of a classic diamond solitaire with her own personal twist.

white gold solitaire diamond engagement ring on a blue background

Pick a Colorful Center Stone

One easy way to spice up a solitaire engagement ring is to opt for a colorful center gemstone rather than a traditional colorless diamond. Choose from a selection of vivid colored lab-grown diamonds or precious gemstones to find the one that best fits your future bride.

Both rubies and sapphires are ideal for engagement rings because they’re nearly as hard as diamonds, with a Moh’s Hardness rating of 9 out of 10. This means they’re durable and able to withstand everyday wear and tear without scratching or chipping.

Get Creative with Your Setting

When you envision a solitaire engagement ring, you probably imagine the Tiffany setting we previously mentioned – a six-prong, round diamond ring. Though this style is most popular, there are plenty of other settings known to beautifully enhance a center diamond or colored gemstone.

A bezel setting, for example, frames a center diamond with a thin gold rim. This ensures that the gemstone is safe and secure from the hazards of daily wear. On the other hand, a cathedral setting elevates the center gemstone with thin arches, giving the ring just the right amount of height. When set in this way, a diamond can appear larger than it actually is.

Select a Unique Shape

Who said a solitaire diamond must be round? There are a variety of glittering diamond shapes to choose from that can add a touch of distinctiveness to her ring. Princess and cushion cuts are popular alternatives to the tradition round brilliant diamond. If she prefers something contemporary, pear and oval cuts are two favorites that have been spotted on the hands of fashion-forward celebrities like Victoria Beckham and Blake Lively. Fancy diamond shapes are one of the hottest engagement ring trends of the moment, and one you can expect to see much more of in the coming months.

Choose a Diamond Band

If she loves the look of a solitaire, but you still want to add some extra glam to her ring, you can do so by adding diamond accents to the ring’s band. Diamond accents can help to amplify the sparkle of a center stone without costing you a fortune. Because diamonds are priced by carat, adding small carat diamond accents is often more cost effective than opting for a larger center stone.

Stunning Solitaires in San Diego

If you’re planning the details of a romantic proposal for your sweetheart, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Our spacious jewelry store offers a sizable selection of new and vintage engagement rings, from gorgeous solitaires to dazzling cluster rings and everything in between. Searching for an engagement ring with a special touch of character? Our collection of antique and vintage engagement rings is vast and varied, spanning decades of different trends.

Do you have a style in mind, but haven’t quite come across the perfect ring? Let one of our highly skilled jewelers bring your vision to life with a custom-made design that can be tailored to your taste. At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we’re committed to helping you find a ring that she’ll cherish for a lifetime!

Love in Vogue – Engagement Ring Trends Taking the Spotlight

by Rylee Kahan

Surprisingly, we find ourselves five months into the New Year. Amidst the distraction of stunning jewelry, we’ve closely observed emerging 2024 engagement ring trends. The past year brought us floral motifs, diamond accents, and rose gold settings. While some trends remain popular, this year introduces a few new styles. Let’s explore what’s hot in 2024-based engagement rings.

Colored Diamond & Gemstone Centers

Over recent years, colored gemstone engagement rings have increased in popularity, a trend continuing today. Favorites comprise sapphires in varied hues, yellow diamonds, and morganite. But the choice of color is entirely up to you! From a distinctively colored center stone to tinted gemstone accents, the color splash on your ring will make a striking impression. It’s crucial, however, to select a durable gemstone that can endure daily wear and retain its elegant shine for a lifetime.

Solitaire Settings

Renowned for their classic style, solitaire engagement ring settings were first introduced by Tiffany & Co. in 1886, accentuating the stone’s beauty and setting a trend. Despite its historical popularity peaking in the 1900s, multi-stone settings took the lead in the 2000s-2010s. However, the 2020s have witnessed a resurgence in solitaire settings’ popularity, particularly with oval cut stones. For an extra touch of sparkle in your solitaire setting, consider bands embedded with diamonds!

Stacks of diamond engagement rings in various styles including three-stone, solitaire, and cluster settings.
Rose gold engagement ring with a solitaire princess cut diamond, alternating princess and round diamonds, and a matching wedding band.

Unique Styles

The ever-classic round brilliant cut will perhaps perpetually dominate engagement ring trends. However, a dynamic shift towards unique styles and shapes, particularly pear and oval cuts, is evident. Boasting similar facet patterns and cutting techniques, these shapes add a contemporary spin on the traditional round diamond. The royal engagement and wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have notably boosted the allure of three-stone rings—these exquisite pieces symbolize a couple’s past, present, and future, imbuing them with an added layer of significance.

Diamond Cluster Rings

For those enchanted by sparkle and glamour, the trend of cluster engagement rings is quite compelling. A magnificently large central diamond nestles amidst a constellation of tinier diamonds, crafting an exquisite and captivating aesthetic. These cluster rings offer a vintage charm, ideal for the bride-to-be favoring a departure from conventional styles. A bonus—these clusters bestow an illusion of larger diamonds on your engagement ring!

At Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, we spend our days helping couples pick out the perfect ring, so we see engagement ring trends firsthand. Without guidance, you can always stay up to date on trends too! Visit our jewelry store on San Diego Avenue to find your dream engagement ring. Whether it’s currently on trend or not, the goal is to find the ring that you will love for many years to come.

How Vintage Engagement Rings Reflect Your Style

by Rylee Kahan

Similar to Shakespeare’s famous quote “What’s in a name?”, you should know what a vintage engagement ring would say about your choice. But first off, let’s be precise what a vintage engagement ring is. A vintage ring is one that was originally created/purchased and worn anywhere from 1 day ago to 99 years ago. Because it was previously worn, it is no longer considered “new,” and so it is considered “vintage.” Jewelry that was created 100 years ago or more is also considered “antique.” And this is what it says.

You’ve Broken the Mold

Many vintage rings were handcrafted and created through a long and slow process which demanded an enviable amount of skill and patience. These vintage rings are unique in their craftsmanship and in their design. You won’t find another one like it.  These rings are excellent matches for brides who are fond of the old and who like to show off their originality.

You Are Bold & Intense

One of the periods that vintage engagement rings come from if the Art Deco period (1915/1920-1935). Art Deco is all about gemological shapes, hosts of diamonds and bold designs. Art Deco jewelry is part of a much broader movement which took place around WWI. After the Great War ended, the belief in progress was what kept society moving forward. A new woman emerged – one who smoked, played tennis, drove, and danced all night to the sound of jazz. Corsets were abandoned and there was palpable freedom in artistic and fashionable expression. It’s truly hard to miss an Art Deco vintage engagement ring when you come across one.

Vintage white gold diamond engagement ring.

You Are Feminine & Charismatic

The Retro period lasted from 1935-1950. Retro rings vibrate with a “larger than life” energy. These rings were inspired by the glamour of Hollywood and the express femininity of Hollywood actresses such as Marily Monroe. They feature fluid lines, asymmetry, sculptural dimensions, and a multitude of diamonds.

You Like Old Values

The 1950s mark the beginning of the Modern period for rings. The most prominent vintage ring detail of that period is the use of clean lines, platinum & diamonds, and textural features. The 60s, however, were an age of family values and family traditions. It was around the sixties that the diamond solitaire (especially with fancy cut center stones) became the classic engagement ring.

And let’s not forget what we have already said. The jewelry-making process in the past decades was much more about craftsmanship and devotion. Today’s market is flooded with mass-produced pieces of uniform design patterns barely distinguishable from one another. This is in stark contrast with how jewelry was made decades ago.

You Are Caring & Thoughtful

Vintage engagement rings are a beautiful choice, but some will come with advice to exercise caution and care during the everyday wear. In truth, any and every ring requires some level of caution or at least careful consideration of the design with respect to the fiancée’s lifestyle. Still, some vintage engagement rings (like some modern rings as well) could have a design which would require a more frequent care routine. This would include vintage engagement rings with pearls as center stones, for example, or those with a lot of filigree.

If you are in the market for a vintage engagement ring in San Diego, make sure you stop by our San Diego Avenue showroom. Here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers, you will find a vast and carefully curated selection of the finest quality vintage engagement rings. All have been meticulously restored by our master jewelers to appear like new but have a lower price tag than new. Let us help you make a choice that will make you – and your fiancée – happy!

Which Engagement Rings Are Better For Active Lifestyles?

by Rylee Kahan

Most women dream of the day the love of their life pops the question. They envision their beautiful engagement ring shining on their hand and can’t wait to show it off to the world. Most women also lead very active lives and are terrified of losing or damaging their sparkling symbol of love. Constantly removing your engagement ring for fear of losing it actually increases your chances of misplacing it!

So, when shopping for your future fiancé’s dream ring her lifestyle needs to be taken into consideration. You wouldn’t want to buy a ring she’ll rarely be able to wear, right? When purchasing an engagement ring most people are solely focused on the appearance. But when looking for the best engagement ring for active women there are other things that need to be considered as well – durability and comfort. If your future bride-to-be is always on the go, you want to be sure you find a ring that will perfectly fit in with her life. But how do you balance beauty with practicality?

The Bezel Setting

The bezel setting is an active woman’s best friend. Bezel settings offer a ring of protective metal around the girdle of the center stone. This protects the delicate stone from being chipped or damaged. This also helps prevent any potential snagging or scratching, which is a common issue with prong or claw set rings. This setting is great for women who:

  • Participate in extreme or contact sports like soccer, softball, basketball, snowboarding, etc.
  • Regularly go to the gym and lift weights
  • Enjoy hobbies that require constant use of the hands like pottery, woodworking, kitting, etc.
  • Constantly use their hands at work (doctors, hair stylists, chefs, etc.)
  • Seem to be especially clumsy – always tripping or bumping into tables and walls, etc.
Yellow gold engagement ring centered with an oval cut bezel set diamond and two pear cut bezel set diamonds.

Center Stone Shape

Another factor to consider when looking for the best engagement ring for active women is the shape of the diamond or colored gemstone you choose. Sharp points and corners, like those seen on princess, pear, and marquise cuts, can more easily snag on clothes and hair. They are also more at risk of chipping or breaking when accidentally banged on a hard surface. The ideal cut for an active woman’s engagement ring should have smooth edges. The gentle curves of round or oval cuts are a great way to ensure the center stone of your engagement ring stays looking impeccable and remains unblemished.

Metal Type

Last, but most certainly not least, is the type of metal you choose for an active woman’s engagement ring. There are many different precious metal options, and you should go with the one that best fits her style. However, platinum is recommended for those who lead active lives. Platinum is the most durable precious metal and will be better able to handle hard blows and rough wearing. Platinum is a popular choice due to its hardness (resistance to being scratched), toughness (resistance to being bent), and natural white sheen. It’s also naturally hypo-allergenic, making it even more irresistible!

The best engagement ring for active women is comprised of three main factors: a bezel setting, a round or oval shape, and a platinum band. These factors will ensure a beautiful, comfortable, and secure ring that she’ll be able to show off no matter what she’s doing. You can also find a gorgeous bezel set wedding band to perfectly match her engagement ring!

If you think a bezel set ring is the perfect fit for your future wife, visit Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers on San Diego Avenue. Our vast collection of bezel set rings features everything from classic solitaires to unique, vintage three stone rings. The active woman in your life will be grateful you thought about her love for adventurous activities. She’ll cherish her ring – and you – for a lifetime.

Perfect Spots for a Fall Proposal

by Rylee Kahan

Autumn is officially upon us, and we couldn’t be more eager for this spectacular season. The time has come to delight in the revelries of fall, like hot air balloon rides, tailgating parties, and scary movie marathons. There’s an awful lot to love about autumn, so it’s no wonder this time of year is popular for marriage proposals. Take in the beauty of the season with your sweetheart and pile on the fall fun while you still have time. And if you’re planning an engagement, check out these romantic outdoor proposal ideas for fall to get inspired!

Campfire Proposal

Fall is an excellent time of year for camping or a backyard bonfire, with just the right amount of chill in the air and spectacular scenery everywhere you look. And what makes a better backdrop for a romantic proposal than a cozy campfire? Snuggle up with your sweetheart, a warm blanket, and a bottle of champagne to set the mood just right. Once you’ve created the ideal ambiance, take this intimate opportunity to profess your love and pop the question.

Pumpkin Patch Proposal

Every autumn, families flock to the pumpkin patch for the quintessential fall experience. After all, who doesn’t love haunted hayrides, petting zoos, and pony rides? If you and your beloved enjoy the nostalgia of this timeless fall tradition, a pumpkin patch proposal may be perfect for you! Bundle up in your favorite fall sweaters, enjoy a cup of hot apple cider, and take in all the sights and sounds of your childhood. After partaking in all the fall festivities, find a quiet moment together to get down on one knee.

Pumpkin Carving Proposal

Once you and your true love have found the perfect pumpkins, it’s time to get carving! This presents yet another opportunity for a romantic outdoor proposal that’s sure to take her breath away. Plan an evening together to carve your masterpieces and tell her you’d like to wait until the end to unveil your handiwork. You can use a printable template to carve “Will you marry me?” into your pumpkin, or even multiple pumpkins if you have the time. Then, once your pumpkin(s) are lit up with a candle, it’s time for the big reveal. Your bride-to-be is sure to be swept away by this sentimental gesture. Plus, a pumpkin carving proposal makes for a great fall photo-op.

Couple embracing under an umbrella on a bridge in a park.

Orchard Proposal

Nothing says fall like an afternoon spent apple picking. Harvest some fresh fruit with your love while enjoying the crisp autumn air. Settle down in a quiet spot for a picnic in the grass and seize the moment to ask for her hand. Once she says “yes,” you can head home with your haul and bake a delicious dessert together to celebrate the occasion.

Park Proposal

The ultimate outdoor proposal ideas for fall include beautiful backdrops that make the moment even more memorable. Luckily, there are plenty of parks around the country that offer wondrous views of the changing fall foliage. Surprise her with a stroll through a picturesque park and when the moment feels just right, get down on one knee and present her with the glittering diamond ring she’s always dreamed of. Be sure to get some snapshots with the lovely autumn leaves to remember the moment for years to come.

Corn Maze Proposal

The festivities of fall just aren’t complete without a trip to a corn maze. You and your love can work together, navigating all the twists and turns. She’ll be so distracted trying to find the right route, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to catch her off guard. Kneel and pop the question in a corner secluded by towering corn stalks. Or, save your surprise for the end, when you’ve finally found your way.

Winery Proposal

Autumn is one of the best seasons to take a winery tour, as many types of wine grapes are harvested between August and October. Wineries are also a superb location for planning an epic outdoor proposal. Not only do wineries boast stunning scenery, but they also tend to offer an array of outdoor activities to enjoy. Sip on some flavorful reds and whites, indulge in some fresh local fare, tour the vineyard, and take advantage of a relaxing afternoon with your future bride-to-be. With the help of a little liquid courage, asking for her hand might feel a tad less frightening.

The first step to planning the perfect proposal is finding an engagement ring she’ll love. And what better place to find exceptional engagement rings than Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers? For over 40 years, Leo Hamel’s has helped countless happy couples seal the deal with engagement rings in every price range. Shop for new, antique, and vintage engagement rings to find the right ring to complement your sweetheart’s style. Or custom create an engagement ring that’s entirely unique. No matter your vision, the friendly folks at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers can help turn your idea into a reality. What’re you waiting for? Visit us today!

Important Tips About Engagement Ring Financing

by Rylee Kahan
Pear Cut Engagement Ring

An engagement ring is no small investment. In fact, besides your home and vehicle, it’s likely one of the larger purchases you’ll make. Though many people plan for such an expense, saving the exact amount you need is tricky. After all, if you’ve yet to find the ring of her dreams, how can you anticipate how much it’ll cost?

Marketing tells us that to save for an engagement ring, one should put away at least three months’ salary. But as the cost of living continues to rise, this rule has become increasingly outdated. For some, saving can seem downright impossible.

So, how does one go about finding the perfect ring without a huge wad of cash in hand? Luckily there are plenty of options for engagement ring financing. When done wisely, they can make this expense much easier to manage.

Jewelry Store Financing

Nearly every major jewelry store offers financing options. Most programs offer a period of deferred interest, giving you time to pay off the principal balance with no interest. Applying for financing from your jewelry store is generally as simple as filling out an application and waiting for a quick credit check.

Should this be the option you choose, it’s ideal to have a ring in mind before submitting your application, to avoid too many credit inquiries. And if there’s a deferred interest period, be sure to pay off your balance within that window of time to avoid being hit by the accumulating interest.

Credit Cards

Like any large purchase, you have the option to finance an engagement ring with a credit card. Though you run the rise of facing high interest rates, there are some cards that offer up to 18 months with 0% APR. These usually come with a 3%-5% fee. If you break that down, a $5,000 engagement ring could be paid off in 18 months with payments of less than $300 per month.

Making payments each month is often easier for folks to manage, which is why plenty of people opt for financing with a credit card. Not to mention, most credit card companies now offer points rewards programs that make them even more enticing to customers.

Diamond Eternity Wedding Band

Personal Loans

If you’re looking to avoid credit cards and the looming threat of high interest, personal loans are yet another option for financing an engagement ring. Though very similar to credit cards, personal loans tend to have fixed interest rates. You’ll receive the entire sum up front and can pay it back over an agreed upon length of time.

Be sure to know whether you’re applying for a secured or unsecured personal loan. A secured personal loan will require you to provide some sort of collateral, while an unsecured loan will examine your credit and financial history. Also, confirm whether there are any additional costs to you, like an initiation or annual fee.

Should Your Look Into Financing and Engagement Ring?

Still wondering whether you should finance an engagement ring? Ultimately, the decision is yours to make. Only you know the details of your personal finances, and what makes the most sense to you. Do you consider yourself financially savvy, and will remember to pay off your balance before the interest comes due? Then there’s no reason not to take advantage of engagement ring financing! When used wisely, these financing options can work to your advantage, and relieve some of the pressure that accompanies purchasing an engagement ring.

If you’re wondering where you can find engagement rings for all price ranges in San Diego, you’ve come to the perfect place! Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers offers no-interest financing with your approved credit. Applying is easy and quick. You’ll find an astonishing selection of new, antique, and vintage engagement rings for every style and budget! Surprise her with a one-of-a-kind antique or vintage engagement ring that she can wear as her very own piece of history. Or, if she has a trendier style, a glittering Hearts On Fire diamond is sure to take her breath away. No matter what you’re looking for, we can help you find it here at Leo’s!

Picking the Perfect Men’s Wedding Band

by Rylee Kahan
Five various men's wedding bands on marble background.

So, you’ve found the perfect wedding set for your sweetheart and it’s time to select your own wedding band. Men’s wedding bands come in a variety of different styles, not just the classic smooth band. You may feel even more overwhelmed by your ring choices than you were by hers. But there’s no need to fret because we will help you navigate the process!

Consider Your Budget & Lifestyle

Considering how much you want to spend could help when it comes to choosing some of your options, such as higher-end metals or embellishments like precious gemstones. But you don’t have to know your budget before visiting your jeweler to try on a variety of bands. Once you find one that is appealing, then you can decide whether to fit it into your budget. After all, a wedding band is meant to be a lifetime investment, so this splurge for the groom is allowed.

When choosing a wedding band, it is important to examine your lifestyle. Perhaps you work in a profession that requires you to work with your hands or use certain tools that could potentially damage your ring. There are certain metals like platinum and titanium that are known for durability. Are you an exceptionally active person? Maybe you’d prefer a ring that is more understated with no fuss. Remember, this is a piece of jewelry that you’ll likely wear daily and seldom remove. You want to make sure it can stand up to your daily activities.

Choose Your Metal & Fit

There are a variety of metals to choose from when selecting a men’s wedding band. Some of the most popular metals include platinum, titanium, stainless steel, and white, yellow, or rose gold. These metals vary in price and durability. For example, platinum is typically more expensive but is also very tough.

One of men’s biggest concerns when shopping for wedding bands is getting used to wearing a ring every day. If you’re not accustomed to wearing jewelry, this can certainly be an adjustment. This is exactly why making sure your band is the perfect fit is so important! Minor details like whether the edges of your band are flat or rounded can make a difference in the fit and feel of the ring. Trying on as many styles as possible will reveal what feels right for you.

Fitting Your Personality

Last, but certainly not least, you want to make sure that the wedding band you choose expresses your personality. This symbol of love and commitment is meant to be worn for a lifetime, so you want to make sure it accurately represents your unique style and identity. If your style is more reserved, you can opt for a classic wedding band with few embellishments. For a more modern look, you can consider adding extra detail or picking a less traditional metal like rose gold. If you’re a guy who doesn’t mind standing out, add some sparkle to your band. You can do this with round or square cut diamonds set in a channel through the center of the band.

Remember these tips and you’ll find the process to be less overwhelming than it may seem. And don’t forget, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has an exceptional selection of new and vintage men’s wedding bands in all price ranges! Visit our showroom today, meet with one of our friendly experts, and we’ll help you find the wedding band that is perfect for you!

Choose Yellow Diamonds for a Unique Engagement Ring

by Rylee Kahan
Drop earrings, stud earrings, and three rings all set with yellow diamonds surrounded by white diamonds.

Thinking of an engagement ring might evoke an image of a colorless diamond solitaire. Although that is certainly a classic choice, there are many other options when it comes to getting engaged. Engagement rings are highly personal items of jewelry and can be set with colored stones as well as colored diamonds rather than colorless ones. The 2017 trends saw a marked increase of interest in non-solitaire rings. Similarly, fancy yellow diamonds have grown in popularity over the past few decades. These gorgeous gemstones can be set in antique style settings as well as modern ones. If making the decision between a fancy yellow diamond versus a colorless diamond is a tough one for you, we’re here to help.

Diamonds are a mineral that is composed of 99.95% carbon. The remaining percentage is trace elements, some of which can affect a diamond’s color. One of the trace elements that can be found in diamonds is nitrogen, which is the source of a yellow diamond’s color.

Colorless diamonds are graded for their color on a scale D-Z, with D being the most transparent, like a drop of pure water. A vast majority of diamonds are graded somewhere between D and Z, which is to say that most diamonds have varying degrees of trace nitrogen. Diamonds which have no nitrogen at all are extremely rare. However, intensely colored or “fancy” yellow diamonds are even rarer than colorless diamonds.

Fancy colored diamonds are not graded on the D-Z scale. For instance, yellow diamonds are graded on a special scale: fancy light yellow – fancy yellow – fancy intense yellow – fancy deep yellow – fancy vivid yellow.

Jewelry connoisseurs associate Tiffany & Co. with fancy yellow diamonds nearly as much as their trademark blue color. In fact, for quite some time Tiffany had exclusive access to yellow diamonds mined in Ellendale, Australia – the largest yellow diamond mine until it closed in 2015. The world-famous Tiffany Diamond was mined in 1877 in South Africa. Once cut and faceted, this impressive fancy yellow diamond weighed a whopping 128.54 carats. It was once set in an enchanting necklace by jean Schlumberger for Audrey Hepburn to wear while promoting the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Remarkably, this famous yellow diamond was never sold, and remains on display in Tiffany’s flagship Fifth Avenue store.

Today, yellow diamond rings are rising in popularity. Many celebrities flaunt their sparklers of the rising sun wearing fancy yellow diamond engagement rings, yellow diamond wedding bands, and yellow diamond right-hand rings. Some of them include Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Carrie Underwood, Hillary Clinton, Heidi Klum, and Rebecca Romjin.

Our culture already attaches certain symbolism to diamond rings. The striking color of fancy yellow diamonds only adds to the meanings of strength and eternity. Yellow diamond engagement rings evoke joy, happiness, and prosperity. Therefore, yellow diamonds make a fantastic choice for an engagement ring.

Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has been the largest independent and family-owned jewelry store in San Diego for over 44 years. Visit our vast and luxurious showroom on San Diego Avenue, just east of the 5 across from the airport. We carry an extensive collection of fancy yellow diamonds of a variety of cuts and carat weights. If we don’t have exactly what you’re looking for, we will go to work to find it for you!