Solitaire Settings – A Timeless Classic

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

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.

Celebrate Your Love at Leo’s!

Valentine’s Day is a great opportunity to cheer up your better half with a special gift. Whether their style is simple and elegant or bold and bright, Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers has the perfect jewelry to make your significant other swoon. Follow along with our gift guide to find inspiration!

Birthstone Jewelry

If your Valentine’s Day date happens to be born in February, what better way to celebrate both holidays than by gifting them with jewelry set with their birthstone? The February birthstone, amethyst, is a stunning gemstone with a rich violet hue. Since ancient times, amethyst has signified a clear and sound mind. From rings to earrings, you can find a wide selection of jewelry that features this mesmerizing gemstone at Leo Hamel’s. You will find birthstone jewelry for every month of the year at Leo’s, and chances are that he or she will love receiving gemstone jewelry that is a celebration of their birth month.

Heart Jewelry

Nothing is quite as symbolic to Valentine’s Day as is the heart. We offer a plethora of options so you can find heart jewelry that fits your partner’s style. You can adorn her neck with a dainty heart pendant made up of diamonds or sterling silver. A heart charm bracelet is a great option if you are looking for a simple style with an elegant touch of diamonds.

Rose gold diamond stud earrings.
Yellow gold oval link bracelet with red enamel heart charm.
9 necklaces in rose, white, and yellow gold each set with several round cut gemstones of varying rainbow colors.

Watches

Timeless and classic, a watch is a perfect way to show your person how much they mean to you. At Leo Hamel, we offer a large selection of new and pre-owned watches, from Rolex to Patek Philippe. Show your loved one how well you know them by selecting a watch that fits their needs.

A pre-owned watch like the Rolex Day-Date is sleek, high quality, and full of interesting details. It would be the ideal gift to give anyone looking for a bold timepiece.

Looking for a timepiece that won’t break the bank but also won’t sacrifice quality? Consider surprising your Valentine with a new Tissot or Hamilton. The Tissot PRX and Hamilton Khaki Field are both functional yet stylish. For your boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, or wife who is always on the go, this would make a great gift. They will feel appreciated, and you will get to shop great prices on top-tier brands when purchasing from Leo’s.

Diamond Jewelry

You can never go wrong with diamonds. The glimmer and shine of a diamond is fashionable on every kind of jewelry. Give them a pair of dazzling stud earrings or a sparkling necklace, and you are sure to steal the show. And what better time than Valentine’s Day to surprise them with the most stunning diamond of all – an engagement ring! Pop the questions on February 14th with flowers and a beautiful vintage, new, or custom ring found at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers!

Find the Perfect Valentine's Day Gifts at Leo's!

Don’t wait until the last minute to find a Valentine’s Day gift for your special someone! Visit our showroom on San Diego Avenue and let one of our helpful salespeople steer you in the right direction. We’ll help you find a great gift that’ll fit your loved one’s style, and even better, that’ll fit your budget! What are you waiting for? Visit us today!

How Can You Personalize Your Wedding Bands?

Love of your life? Check. Engagement ring? Check. What’s next? Wedding Bands! Picking out your wedding bands offers the perfect opportunity to personalize the one ring you’ll wear for the rest of your life. One very popular way to do so is with an engraving. Engravings are an easy yet impactful way to personalize your wedding bands with a special message that is symbolic to you and your other half.

There are so many ways to engrave a ring. If you need engraving inspiration, check out some of our favorite wedding band engraving ideas below.

Fingerprints – your partner’s fingerprint can be engraved on the inside or outside of your wedding band, so you always carry a little piece of them with you.

Initials – engraving your initials is a sweet and simple representation of your commitment to each other.

Special Dates – any dates that have a special meaning to the two of you. The day you met, the day you got engaged, your wedding date, etc.

GPS Coordinates – if you first locked eyes in San Diego, you could have 7157 ° N, 117.1611 ° W engraved on your custom wedding band.

Meaningful Quote – whether it’s a line from your favorite poem, a romantic song lyric, or a symbolic bible verse, a quote is a beautiful and unique detail to add to your rings. If it’s too long, try using abbreviations or splitting it between both of your bands.

Infinity Symbol – pay tribute to your everlasting love by engraving a simple infinity symbol on your bands.

Nicknames – every couple has adorable, if slightly embarrassing pet names for each other. Engraving them on the inside of your wedding band is the perfect place to hide them.

Two yellow gold engraved wedding bands on a wooden table.
Two engraved weddings bands on a white fabric background.

Tips to Keep In Mind

Having your wedding bands engraved may seem like a simple task when it comes to wedding planning. But that doesn’t mean it should be put on the backburner! There are some things to keep in mind to ensure the engraving is everything you hoped for and more.

Since customization is involved, engraved wedding bands may take longer until they are ready to be picked up or delivered. Make sure you give your jeweler enough time to complete the engraving before your big day. The number of characters permitted is dependent on the ring size. Smaller rings allow fewer characters, whereas larger rings offer more space for an engraving.

Not every ring can be engraved. Some are too thin or high contoured, eliminating the possibility of engraving. If you know you want to engrave, opt for a style that will be easier to work with, like a thicker band with a smooth surface. If you’re not sure ask your jeweler for advice. Always, always double check the spelling of your engraving! The engraver won’t know exactly what you meant to say, so ensuring every character is correct is up to you.

Want to have your wedding band engraved in San Diego? Whether you already have your wedding bands or you’re looking to purchase them, contact Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. Our expert jewelers are here to help make all your engraving dreams come true. Your one-of-a-kind love will be perfectly captured in your one-of-a-kind wedding bands!

How Vintage Engagement Rings Reflect Your Style

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!

Perfect Spots for a Fall Proposal

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

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!

What Are Lab-Grown Diamonds?

Three Diamonds and Tweezers

There are a lot of questions to consider when it comes to buying diamonds. Amidst the questions of size, cut, or clarity, have you ever considered choosing between a lab-grown or mined diamond?

What is a Lab-Grown Diamond?

Mined diamonds are formed deep inside the earth’s surface. Through the combination of extreme pressure and heat applied over billions of years, they are brought to the surface by volcanic eruptions. Until recently, this natural phenomenon was the only way that a diamond could be created. But now technology has advanced. Scientists can duplicate this process in a highly controlled laboratory environment using specialized equipment.

Like what happens 100 miles underneath the Earth, a lab diamond is created as carbon atoms bond together to form a diamond crystal, which is then cut into a sparkly diamond. And just like Earth-made diamonds, they have unique characteristics, including carat weight, color, or clarity. The only difference between the two is their origin (the Earth versus a laboratory) and how long they take to make (billions of years versus 6-10 weeks)!

Lab-Grown Diamonds vs. Moissanite vs. Cubic Zirconia

Not to be confused with gemstones such as the moissanite or cubic zirconia, a lab-grown diamond is a 100% genuine diamond. The cubic zirconia is a colorless synthetic gemstone often used to mimic diamond. They are easily spotted when held underneath a light. Cubic zirconia reflects light at a lower rate, so their sparkle is just not comparable to that of a diamond. They reflect a rainbow of light as opposed to white light (a.k.a. brilliance).

The same goes for Moissanite: a laboratory-created gemstone with an entirely different genetic makeup from that of a diamond. Moissanite is known for its “disco-ball” effect as it emits a rainbow as opposed to a diamond’s white light. These two diamond substitutes have their pros and cons, but they have no connection to a diamond.

This is not the case with lab-grown diamonds. A lab-grown diamond is identical to a mined diamond in every single way. They share the same chemical composition, light refractions, hardness, and density, to name a few elements. The untrained and even trained eye can’t notice a difference – because there isn’t any!

Some rather expensive equipment is being developed to distinguish lab-grown diamonds from mined by tiny internal differences caused by their growth patterns, but most jewelers will not have this to hand. A lab-grown diamond is graded for cut, color, and clarity using the same scales as a mined diamond, and many will come with certificates. Many lab-grown diamonds will also have an inscription on the girdle that identifies them as lab-grown.

Two Diamonds and Tweezers

Purchasing Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry

Given the efficiency of technology, these lab-grown diamonds reduce the cost, time, and equipment required to become the dazzling gemstones we love to wear. Mining the earth has a tremendously negative impact on the environment. Mining requires extensive machinery that erodes soil, ruins forests, and overall causes devastating ecological destruction. You can have peace of mind wearing a lab-grown diamond, knowing they don’t cause damage to the earth and are not involved with humanitarian or ethical concerns.

Since it requires less expense to grow diamonds rather than mine them from the Earth, they are more affordable. You can purchase a larger diamond of higher quality for the same price when investing in a lab-grown diamond.

As you narrow down what you are looking for when buying a diamond, consider adding lab-grown to your list. Lab-grown diamonds have the brilliant shine and sparkle that you want for your engagement ring or diamond jewelry. You can own an authentic diamond with less damage to the environment and your wallet.

You can find beautiful lab-grown and mined diamond jewelry here at Leo Hamel Fine Jewelers. We offer a tremendous selection of dazzling diamond jewelry for every taste and budget. Whether you’re preparing to pop the question or simply want to spoil yourself, you’re sure to find exactly what you’re looking for at Leo Hamel’s!