What's New

Are you thinking of popping

THAT question?

Are you planning a secret proposal that they will never forget?

ITV1 are looking for people with exciting ideas to make their proposal the event of a lifetime in this brand new TV show.

We will be following the individual’s journey from the initial idea right through to the day that they get down on one knee and utter those four crucial words.

If you would like to find out more, please get in touch!

Email: proposal@thegardenproductions.tv

Your secret is safe with us!

Anyone for Tennis?

We all know its summertime, certainly not by the weather! But by the start of Wimbledon next week. Strawberries and champagne being as much a part of Wimbledons heritage as tennis and rain stopping play.
Summertime to us here at Mad About Diamonds is all about Diamond set wedding bands, platinum bands both Channel set and Pave set being extremely popular. Palladium is also becoming increasingly popular.
Summer is also a time where holidays on warm sandy beaches bring out the romantic in us all and Pear and Marquise diamond engagement rings have been highly popular. In the press this week we see that Sam Branson recently proposed to long term girlfriend Isabella Calthorpe whilst romancing her on the beautiful island of Madagascar.
At a party to mark the start of Wimbledon Sam and his stunning actress fiancee made their first public appearance since their engagement. Isabella looked fantastic and beamed with joy as the couple sipped cocktails chatting happily together as they mingled with other famous guests. Virgin tycoon Richard is also excited about the couples engagement and wrote a persnal blog " Proud mum and dad can,t wait to welcome another daughter into the family"
Congratulations from all at Mad About Diamonds.

Its diamond time, well if now isn,t a great time to be thinking about diamonds when will it be? As we see in the press this week diamonds have obviously been on the mind of the stunning Kiera Knightley, star of the amazingly popular Pirates of the Carribean films and her cool keyboard playing fiance James Righton from the rock band The Klaxons. As they enjoy a romantic night out recently we were able to see her beautiful claw set solitaire diamond engagement ring, congratulations to them from all at Mad About Diamonds.
Also with the Queen celebrating her 60th year on the throne (her coronation took place on 2nd June 1953) what better way could there be to spend some time on this extended bank holiday weekend but by visiting us here at Mad About Diamonds and gazing at the fantastic selection of diamond jewellery we have on offer. Whether it,s a classic solitaire diamond engagement ring, earrings or a simply stunning diamond pendant, you will be guaranteed to find something extra special for that extra special person in your life. So cheers your Majesty as we raise a glass to celebrate and wish you well in all that you have achieved over the last 60 years.

Marriage has certainly been in the air this week as we see celebrity couples tying the knot here in the UK and across the pond in America. Including the Oscar nominated actress Carey Mulligan who received a beautiful diamond engagement ring last September from her now musician husband Marcus Mumford who is the lead singer from the band Mumford and Sons. The ring was a brilliant round cut diamond set in platinum with a sapphire shoulder setting. The theme of the wedding was rustic country and took place on a farm in Somerset, rumours have it that Marcus’s father performed the marriage as he is a vicar. The couple have been dating for a year, guests that attended the wedding included Colin Firth, Sienna Miller and Jake Gyllenhaal. 

Another couple that also tied the knot recently was singer/songwriter Neil Diamond and his manager Katie McNeil, the couple were married over the weekend at a small wedding with close family and friends in Los Angeles. This was Neil’s third marriage, Neil also proposed to Katie last September with a diamond engagement ring.

British actress Patsy Palmer and husband Richard Merkell also hit the news this week as the couple renewed their wedding vows after twelve years of marriage, the couple were originally married in a London registry office but they had their renewal ceremony on a beach in the Caribbean with their 4 children Charley, Fenton, Emilia and Bertie.

If you are planning on popping the big question to your special lady visit us at Mad About Diamonds we have a huge selection of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from including solitaire diamond engagement rings and the very unique marquise diamond engagement rings.

Diamonds are traditionally given to ladies as a symbol of love and commitment often in the form of diamond engagement rings. Diamonds come in a whole range of different shapes and sizes from marquise cut, brilliant round to baguettes and the ever popular princess cut, there is a diamond to suit ever lady no matter what her style is. Diamonds have been treasured and given as luxurious gifts for many centuries, this week the famous Beau Sancy diamond has hit the news as it goes up for auction in three weeks’ time.

The Beau Sancy is four hundred years old and is being put to auction after living in private hands for many years, the diamond weighs in at 35 carats and has been cut with 110 perfectly symmetrical facets, the precious stone is pear shaped, which was unusual for that time period. The diamond originated from a mine in the Eastern Deccan region of India.

Pre-auction estimations state that the gem will fetch up to £2.5 million, it is currently on show in Paris and will move to London, Zurich and finally Geneva where it will be auctioned at Sotheby’s auction house. When the stone was cut, it was considered to be modern and bold as it was one of the first diamonds to be cut into the pear shape. In 1604 the diamond was purchased by King Henri IV of France and given to his wife Marie de Medici who was one of Europe’s richest women.

At Mad About Diamonds we are the diamond engagement rings specialists so if you are thinking about popping the big question to your special lady do it in style with one of our fabulous rings, we have a huge collection for you to choose from including princess cut diamond engagement ring and solitaire diamond engagement ring.
                                                                         

The very first glimpse of Angelina Jolie’s diamond engagement ring was captured earlier this week, this has been long awaited as her and fiancé Brad Pitt have been together for seven years and now have six children together, three biological and three adopted. The couple announced their engagement last week to the public so everyone has been out to catch a glimpse of the diamond engagement ring. At this time no date has been set for the big day however the couple are said to be having a chapel built on their property in France.

Rumours have it that Brad himself helped design the amazing diamond engagement ring with the help of a jeweller friend, the ring took a huge 12 months to design and create. The ring has been estimated to be worth a massive $250,000, it holds a emerald cut diamond in platinum paved with smaller baguette diamond and carries an element of Art Deco style.

Marriage is not new to the celebrity couple as Angelina has been married twice before firstly to British actor Jonny Lee Miller between 1996 and 1999 and then Billy Bob Thornton, from 2000 to 2003. Brad has also been married before, famously to Jennifer Aniston which lasted five years before they announced they were divorcing in early 2005. Brad and Angelina met in 2005 on the set of the film Mr and Mrs Smith of which they were both starring alongside one another.

At Mad About Diamonds we have a huge range of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from including solitaire diamond engagement rings and the very popular princess cut diamond engagement rings.
                                                               

Here at Mad About Diamonds we have previously mentioned the auction of Huguette Clark’s magnificent jewellery collection which included diamond engagement rings, diamond necklaces and bracelets as well as other items such as antique photo frames and other unique household items. The announcement of the auction sparked an amazing amount of attention internationally, as it was believed that the collection had been locked away in a volt since the 1940’s. The collection was finally auctioned earlier this week so how did the estimates match up to the final selling prices?

The piece that stole the show hands down was the 9 carat,  Belle Epoque, cushion cut, pink diamond engagement ring which fetched a huge $15.7 million (£9.8million), this is the most valuable pink diamond every sold at auction in America. The whole sale of Mrs Clark’s items took a grand total of $20.8 million (£13.2million). Other items that were popular included a 19 carat emerald cut diamond ring by Cartier that sold for $3.1 million (£1.9million), an Art Deco diamond bracelet by Cartier that sold for $578,500 (£362,083) and a ruby, sapphire, emerald and gold bracelet by Tiffany & Co. that sold for $266,500 (£166,802).

As well as diamond jewellery, Mrs Clark was also an avid art and antiques enthusiast, her will states that her $100 million home in Santa Barbara will become a public museum. She also had a doll collection which is estimated to be worth a phenomenal $4 million.

At Mad About Diamonds we have a large variety of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from, so whether you are looking for classic solitaire diamond engagement rings or something a little different such as marquise engagement rings you will find it here.
                                                                         

March was a busy month for celebrity engagements with the likes of actor Alec Baldwin and rapper Wiz Khalifa both purchasing diamond engagement rings for their special ladies. So what do we know about these happy couples? And more importantly what style of diamond engagement rings did these two luck ladies receive?

The 30 Rock star Alec Baldwin popped the big question to his now fiancée Hilaria Thomas a couple of weeks ago, the couple have been dating for just over a year. Since the announcement Hilaria has been spotted wearing a beautiful princess cut diamond engagement ring, which is a very popular style at the moment, the ring is also paved with smaller diamonds.

Wiz Khalifa also asked his girlfriend Amber Rose for her hand in marriage this month with a diamond engagement ring. The ‘Black and Yellow’ rapper, went for a rather unique style of ring with an oval shaped diamond. The couple have been dating for just over a year and are believed to already be planning their wedding, with rumours Amber has already got her dress.

Jay – Z also hit the news recently as he was spotted in New York shopping for a blue diamond ring for his wife Beyonce, it is believed that the ring was given to Beyonce in a ceremony on the 4th April, which is the couple’s wedding anniversary. The pair celebrated by renewing their wedding vows with special celebrity guests such as Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith and Oprah Winfrey and family present.

At Mad About Diamonds we have a huge range of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from, so if you want your special lady to dazzle with a fabulous ring look no further. From solitaire diamond engagement rings to marquise diamond engagement rings we have all bases covered.
                                                                          

Diamond engagement rings are worn by millions of lucky ladies every day as a sign of their commitment to one man, they are available in a wide range of styles and designs to suit the tastes of a multitude of women all wanting something a little different. Recently diamonds have been at the height of conversation as we here in the UK prepare for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, which will take place in June this year.

One of the many preparations has involved the spectacular Crown Jewels going up on display in the Tower of London for all to see. The jewels are used traditionally at the coronation of a monarch; they hold some of the world’s most famous and impressive diamonds and date back to the 12th century. The collection includes the amazing Imperial State Crown which is set with 2969 diamonds, 273 pearls, 17 sapphires and 11 emeralds. Other items that are involved in a coronation include diamond rings, swords, orbs, sceptres, bracelets and ropes.

Among the famous diamonds on display in the Tower is the First Star of Africa which is mounted at the top of the Sovereign's Sceptre, it is the largest flawless cut diamond in the world, weighing in at an impressive 545 carats. The Lesser Star of Africa, weighing 317 carats is set in the Imperial State Crown, both were cut from the Cullinan diamond, which was the largest rough diamond ever found.

If you want to make your lady dazzle like a queen visit us at Mad About Diamonds! We have a huge selection of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from, including solitaire diamond engagement rings and princess cut diamond engagement rings.
                                                                         

Diamonds are highly sought after all around the world, they are arguably the most beautiful precious stones available on the planet. This is, arguably, why they are incorporated into diamond engagement rings, to show your loved one how much you love them and a way of showing them you want to spend the rest of your life with them. However, have you ever wondered how are these elegant stones are crafted to such perfection?

Diamond engagement rings come in a whole host of different shapes and sizes from the classic solitaire diamond engagement rings with a single stone to shoulder set or multi stone diamond engagement rings. The method of diamond cutting turns a rough diamond taken from the ground into a faceted gem, this process requires knowledge, expertise, equipment, tools and time in order to get the most out of the stone. Each individual stone is actually analysed to assess the best way to cut it, this is done with a scanning device which takes a three dimensional image of the stone. This image includes any inclusions and flaws which can determine how the stone will be cut and what shape diamond will be produced. Other factors which affect the shapes of diamonds include market demand for certain shaped stones, preservation of the carat weight of the stone and the original shape of the rough diamond.

The cut of a diamond refers to the proportioning, symmetry and polish of diamond engagement rings, the aim of the perfect diamond cut is to ensure it reflects as much light as possible making it luminous and radiant. At Mad About Diamonds we offer a huge range of diamond engagement rings including marquise diamond engagement rings for those of you that are looking for something unique and princess cut diamond engagement rings for those that like to keep up with the latest fashions.
                                                                         

Diamond engagement rings are the perfect way to show your special lady how much she means to you and as a way of demonstrating commitment to her. Diamonds are also the birthstone of those born in April, so if your girlfriend is an Aries why not make it a proposal with an extra special touch by choosing a diamond engagement ring. Some people choose sapphires, rubies or emeralds but nothing says ‘marry me’ like a diamond. Some say that those born in April are the luckiest for having the diamond as their birthstone, the month was named by the Romans as April meant to open, this gave reference to the beginning of spring when the buds and flowers begin to blossom.

The history of the diamond dates back many centuries with numerous stories and myths along the way. For example, many believed that Cupid’s Arrow was tipped in diamonds; this is where the precious stones symbolic association with love, beauty and trust stems from. Others believed that wearing a diamond would protect them from infectious diseases such as the plague. Diamonds are also given when a couple celebrates their 60th wedding anniversary as a symbol of how strong their relationship has been to last such a length of time. The giving of a diamond engagement ring first began in 1477 when Mary of Burgandy received one from the Archduke Maximilian of Austria, since then the tradition has become common practice and diamond engagement rings are very popular today.

At Mad About Diamonds we understand that all ladies have different tastes when it comes to diamond engagement rings this is why we stock a huge variety for you to choose from including solitaire diamond engagement rings and the very popular princess cut diamond engagement rings.
                                                                          

Diamond engagement rings are available in all shapes and designs from the unusual marquise diamond engagement rings to the very popular princess cut diamond engagement rings and there needs to be such a variety in order to fit with a range of different tastes and preferences. Recently a new style of diamond ring has been created, the ALL diamond ring!!

The Swiss jeweller, Shawish, has crafted the world’s very first all diamond ring, the ring is made entirely out of a huge 150 carat diamond, this includes the band itself which is usually made from a metal, such as platinum or gold. The ring has been valued at roughly $70 million (£44.2million). The ring truly is a beautiful work of art, Mohamed Shawish, president of Geneva-based Shawish Jewellery has commented on the creation noting that the conceptualisation was the easy part but building the ring was very difficult and took a lot of time, firstly the copyrights need to be obtained for the design, which took a year, following this the jewellery company had to purchase a special cutting machine in order to achieve the perfect circle for the band itself. Cutting into diamonds in the manner is risky business as diamonds are made of carbon which is a molecule that can alter; even the colour can change when cut.

At Mad About Diamonds we stock a huge range of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from, so if you are planning on popping the big question to your loved one look no further, we have something to suit all styles, from the very classic to the more elaborate designs.

Diamond engagement rings are given to ladies by their loved ones as the ultimate expression of commitment; men usually spend a lot of time and of course money finding the perfect ring to suit their lady. Diamond jewellery has been at the height of conversation recently as a collection of Mrs Lily Safra’s fabulous jewellery is scheduled for auction in Geneva on May 14th. Christie’s auction house has been entrusted with holding the event, all of the proceeds generated by the event will be donated to 20 different charitable institutions that are located all around the world, including The Elton John AIDS Foundation, Henry Street Settlement New York and Le Ballet de l'Opera National de Paris. The auction has been named ‘Jewels of Hope’ as it will bring funds to charities that are in great need of resources.

Regarded as a major philanthropist of our time, Mrs Safra is also an avid collector of beautiful jewellery. This collection reflects her sophisticated taste and its evolution throughout five decades, from the 1970s to the present day. Featuring 70 pieces, the collection of Mrs Lily Safra is estimated to raise in excess of $20 million (£12.5 million) and includes diamonds, rubies and sapphires, in a selection of diamond engagement rings, bracelets, and necklaces. One of the most talked about pieces is a ruby and diamond Camellia flower brooch by JAR designed for Lily in 2003, which is estimated to bring between $1.2million (£756,000) to $1.5 million (£944,850).

Lily Safra is the widow of Mr. Edmond J. Safra who was one of the twentieth century’s most talented bankers and founder of the Edmond J. Safra Philanthropic Foundation. Since 2000, Lily has chaired this foundation, which supports a huge number of projects related to science, education, religion, medicine, culture, and humanitarian relief in over 40 countries.

At Mad About Diamonds we have a beautiful selection of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from, so if you are thinking about popping the big question and need the perfect ring visit us, our collection ranges from solitaire diamond engagement rings to princess cut diamond engagement rings.

                                                                               

Diamond engagement rings are purchased in their millions every year all around the world and are available in a huge range of designs and styles including solitaire diamond engagement rings and princess cut diamond engagement rings. Classic diamond engagement rings are usually set with white diamonds but diamonds are available in a range of colours, coloured diamonds however are the most expensive and rarest stones on the planet.

Diamonds obtain their colour whilst forming underground; the colour of the diamond is dependent upon the type of mineral deposit that was around when the diamond was forming. Some stones have deeply intense colour others have just a trace of colour. Research has found that boron is the chemical element which is present when a blue diamond is formed, nitrogen when a yellow diamond is formed and uranium when a green diamond is formed. The more of the chemical present the stronger the colour of the final diamond. It is unknown exactly which chemical elements are present when red, pink and purple diamonds are formed.

The rarest coloured diamonds are red, only 20 diamonds have ever been certified as pure red that are over a carat in weight; the majority of red diamonds weigh less than half a carat. The world's largest red diamond is known as the Red Shield, and weighs 5.11 carats, compared with over 600 carats for the largest diamond of any kind. The order of rarity in diamond colour begins with red as being the rarest followed by purple,  orange, pink, black, green, blue, brown, yellow, with white being the most common and most popular.

At Mad About Diamonds we sell a huge range of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from so whether you are looking for something simple and classic or something elaborate and a bit different we have a variety of diamond rings to suit all tastes.

As mentioned in Part 1 diamond engagement rings are highly sought after all around the world, as loved up couples confirm their commitment to each other with a diamond. The most common colour of diamonds is white, however diamonds are available is a range of colours.

One of the world’s rarest coloured diamonds is the pink diamond. The majority of pink diamonds come from the Argyle mine which is located in Western Australia. Not all diamonds from the Argyle mine are pink in colour, although the mine does produce 95% of the world’s pink diamonds. Of all of the stones that are discovered in the mine, less than one tenth of one percent is classified as being pink. However the pink diamonds from the Argyle mine are favoured because of the intense pink colour. Pink diamonds mined in other countries usually have a lighter pink tinge than those that come from the Argyle mine. 

Brown diamonds are also highly sought after, they are sometimes known as champagne, chocolate, and cognac diamonds due to their colour. These diamonds come in a variety of colours ranging from light tan shades to that of a deep cognac. There are also other coloured diamonds which are popular. Yellow diamonds can come in a range of colours from a pale, light yellow to a deep rich golden canary colour. The Argyle mine also produces some yellow diamonds.

Blue diamonds are also available in a range of shades, from light, pale blue through to deep, rich darker shades. The blue diamond can be an absolutely stunning steely blue colour that is similar to the colour of a sapphire. Green diamonds are also found in some diamond mines. However, the colour of green diamonds is usually not very intense. These diamonds are very rare indeed.

As with all diamonds the price of coloured diamonds depends upon the four C’s. Colour, clarity, cut, and carats determine the exact price of a coloured diamond. These are the same standards that white diamonds are measured by. However, with regards to coloured diamonds, when grading colour it is the strength and saturation of colours that command the higher value. This is contrary to white diamonds as colour in white diamonds is considered a flaw.

At Mad About Diamonds we stock a huge range of diamond engagement rings to choose from including marquise diamond engagement rings and solitaire diamond engagement rings.

                                                                               

This week celebrity engagements have been a talking point in the celebrity world as the likes of Jessica Biel, Halle Berry, Gaby Roslin and Nicole Polizzi all confirm their engagements with diamond engagement rings. Rumours have been flying around about the three celebrities being engaged with no confirmation until now. 

Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake were rumoured to have got engaged over the Christmas holiday period, however Jessica was supposedly disappointed with the choice of diamond engagement ring. This week though Jessica has been spotted on several occasions sporting a huge princess cut diamond engagement ring which is held in a vintage style setting. Justin is believed to have had a part in designing the ring.

Halle Berry and Olivier Martinez have also confirmed their engagement this week, although Halle has been seen wearing a emerald and diamond engagement ring since January. Olivier was questioned about the rumours over the weekend at the opening of his new restaurant in Miami in which he replied ‘Yes, of course it’s true!’.

TV Presenter Gaby Roslin announced her engagement this week on TV programme Loose Women after her boyfriend of six years, David Osman proposed to her whilst on holiday. David is said to have got down on one knee in the traditional way. Jersey Shore Star Nicole Polizzi (Snooki) has also announced her engagement to boyfriend Jionni LaValle who popped the big question earlier this week with a princess cut diamond engagement ring with weights 5 carats and is worth approximately £34,000. The news follows the announcement a couple of weeks ago that the happy couple are expecting a baby.

For a beautiful range of diamond engagement rings including solitaire diamond engagement rings and princess cut diamond engagement rings visit us at Mad About Diamonds.

                                                                               

America’s mysterious heiress Huguette Clark died last year at the ripe old age of 104, leaving behind a vault of fabulous diamond jewellery which has been revealed for the first time this week. The jewellery, including a diamond engagement ring is believed to have been locked away since the 1940’s. The collection which will be auctioned next month at Christies auction house New York, includes a single pink nine carat cushion cut diamond which alone is expected to fetch as much as $15million (£9.5million). The beautiful pink diamond will be joined by two diamond bracelets, a diamond engagement ring, brooch and charm bracelet, all of which are in their original boxes.

The diamond engagement ring is a princess cut, 19 carat, colourless diamond ring valued at around $4million (£2.5million) it has been certified by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) as colour D, which is the most valuable colour grade possible in a white diamond, with potentially internally flawless clarity! This outstanding stone was discovered in its original Cartier box from the 1920s.  Based on the date of the stone’s setting, which data back to 1910 the ring is believed to have originally belonged to Huguette’s mother, the former Anna Eugenia La Chapelle, and was handed down to  Huguette.

The collection’s remarkable origin coupled with the exceptional quality and rarity of the diamond jewellery is expected to inspire strong interest from collectors and dealers from around the globe. At Mad About Diamonds we have a huge collection of diamond engagement rings including princess cut diamond engagement rings and solitaire diamond engagement ring.

                                                                               

This week has seen Hollywood's biggest night of the year, all eyes were on the red carpet as the 84th Oscars Award ceremony was held.  This is a true chance for all celebrities to get dressed up with many spending months searching for the perfect dress. One of the biggest trends this year was minimal jewels with many keeping their look simple and classic. Amongst the jewellery glittering on the red carpet were diamond engagement rings, diamond earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Earrings were mostly kept to modest lengths. Where size did matter was in regards to rings and bracelets, such as large cuffs. Emerald and diamonds seemed to be the most popular gemstone collaboration for the evening.The beautiful Natalie Portman wore a platinum and diamond v-shaped cluster necklace as well as platinum and oval drop earrings each set with 5.76 carats of diamonds, diamond drop earrings were also worn by Angelina Jolie, Sandra Bullock and Jennifer Lopez. 

Penelope Cruz wore platinum and diamond line bracelet weighing 43carats which complimented her diamond engagement ring fabulously. She went for a truly dazzling style as also wearing a 56 carat pear shape diamond necklace and platinum and diamond cluster earrings. One of the most talked about celebrities at the Oscars 2012 was Gwyneth Paltrow who wore an amazing diamond cuff set with 2368 rose cut diamonds weighing 163 carats and valued at $1 million and a ring made of rose cut and round diamonds with purple sapphires set in 18-karat white gold and valued at $160,000.

One of the most striking pieces was a diamond engagement ring worn Penelope Ann Miller, the ring was a 3 carat pink radiant cut diamond in a pink diamond halo. The white diamonds on the shoulders of the ring were cut in the shape of butterflies. 

For a wide selection of diamond engagement rings visit us at Mad About Diamonds, we have a variety of solitaire diamond engagement rings if you are hoping for a classic ring. We also have a range of princess cut diamond engagement rings which are proving to be very popular.

It wasn’t just diamond engagement rings dazzling on the red carpet last week as Natalie Portman and Benjamin Millepied were both spotted wearing diamond wedding rings, this has sparked rumours in Hollywood that the couple have been secretly married. Benjamin proposed to Natalie in December when she lovingly received a beautiful diamond engagement ring, the ring was of a vintage style and is said to be worth $35,000.

There has been no actual confirmation that the couple have tied the knot however since the award ceremony Natalie has been seen still wearing the mysterious ring along with her diamond engagement ring. Some celebrities love their private affairs being in the limelight to receive attention; others like Natalie and Benjamin prefer to keep them private. Another couple that preferred to keep things private was Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz, who married in secret last summer. The pair attempted to keep their entire relationship under wraps until it was clear that they were officially married. In fact more celebrity couples than you would imagine like to keep their marriages secret from the public Megan Fox and Brian Austen Green are going strong two years after their secret wedding, this duo were followed quickly by Orlando Bloom and Miranda Kerr, whose actual wedding date and location remains a mystery.

If you are planning on popping the big question in style you will no doubt be on the hunt for beautiful diamond engagement rings to choose from, At Mad About Diamonds we have a huge range from solitaire diamond engagement rings to marquise diamond engagement rings.

Diamond engagement rings are incredibly popular when proposing to your partner, this year is a leap year which gives us an extra day, February 29th, this is a date that usually only occurs every four years, in the UK it is tradition that women may only propose on a leap day, but research has found that even if us ladies do the proposing we still expect a diamond engagement ring, but what is the origin behind this tradition?

The tradition is said to date back to the 5th century in Ireland when Saint Patrick agreed that females that have been waiting for their man to propose could actually do it themselves but only on the 29th February. This rule not adopted in England and Scotland until 1288, when the law was passed by Queen Margaret of Scotland, stating that if a woman proposed in a leap year and was turned down, the man had to pay a fine and this could range from giving her a kiss, a silk gown or a pair of gloves, this was at a time when rules over relationships were much stricter. Nowadays woman are free to propose on any day they wish, although this is not typically a common practice.

February 29th has traditional associations with good fortune and things out of the ordinary. It was also thought that since the leap year day corrected the discrepancy between the calendar year of 365 days and the time taken for the Earth to complete one orbit of the sun, a total of 365 days and 6 hours, it was an opportunity for women to correct a tradition that was one-sided. However in Greece, marriage in a leap year is considered unlucky. As a result of this one in five engaged couples in Greece will plan to avoid getting married in a leap year.

If you are planning on popping the big question leap year or not visit us at Mad About Dimonds for a beautiful range of diamond engagement rings including marquise diamond engagement rings and solitaire diamond engagement rings. 

                                                                               

Diamond engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes from solitaire diamond engagement rings to princess cut diamond engagement rings, more recently even men’s engagement rings have become popular. As we are certain you are aware, this year is a leap year, so we at Mad About Diamonds have been keeping our eyes open as to which ladies have popped the big question to their partners. The first to catch our eye is Loose Women presenter Lisa Maxwell who proposed to her boyfriend Paul Jessup earlier today. But did she use a diamond engagement ring to seal the deal?

The couple have been together since 1997 and have a daughter together. Lisa made the announcement on the ITV show Loose Women which she presents with Andrea McLean, Carol McGiffin and Jane McDonald. Lisa said it was something the couple have always talked about but a proposal has never come of it, so she just decided to go ahead and ask him to marry her, he replied ‘Of course I will’. Lisa added that she had been joking for weeks about the up and coming leap year but Paul didn’t believe she would do it. Speaking about her romantic proposition on Loose Women, she said: The fact we know where our lives are going, I was thinking what's the big surprise? The only thing we don't have is marriage. 

There have been no reports on the swapping of diamond engagement rings between the happy couple. Diamond engagement rings are commonly used when a men propose to their partner, however ladies proposing to their man is much less common with only 9% of engagements being initiated by women. Visit us at Mad About Diamonds for a huge selection of beautiful diamond engagement rings.

                                                                               

Diamond engagement rings are available in a huge range of shapes and sizes, there are so many choices when it comes to deciding on the perfect engagement ring it’s no wonder most men find it a difficult decision to make. This week pink diamonds have been attracting a lot of attention as the Rio Tinto Argyle mine discovered it’s largest one to date, only 1 of the 66 largest diamonds in the world is pink, this highlights how rare the precious diamonds are and how exciting the find is.

The largest pink diamond ever found by mining company Rio Tinto is about to be cut and polished in a meticulous 10 day process. The 12.76 carat gem is to be known as the Argyle Pink Jubilee Diamond was found at Rio Tinto's Argyle mine in the east Kimberley region of Western Australia, this area produces a huge 90 percent of the world's supply of pink diamonds. The diamond is being cut and polished as a single stone by Richard How Kim Kam, who has worked for the company for 25 years. Maybe it will be incorporated in to a diamond engagement ring like the one Jennifer Lopez received from Ben Affleck which was a pink solitaire diamond engagement ring. 

It is unknown how much the diamond is expected to fetch, but experts say pink diamonds attract on average 20 times the price of an equivalent white diamond, The price is determined by the intensity of the colour. Once the diamond is cut and polished it will be graded by a team of international experts and shown around the world, then it will no doubt be auctioned later this year. It is believed that the Argyle mine is set to close in 2016, which means the number of pink diamonds available will reduce dramatically.

For a huge selection of diamond engagement rings visit us at Mad About Diamonds, we have a wide selection that will dazzle any shopper, ranging from the very simple princess cut diamond engagement rings to the more elaborate shoulder set or multi stone diamond engagement rings for you to choose from. 

                                                                               

As you will understand from previous blogs there are many factors that need to be taken into consideration when choosing your perfect diamond engagement rings, one of the major decisions that can have a huge impact on the final look of the ring is what precious metal you decide to have the ring crafted from. White gold, yellow gold, platinum, and palladium are the most common precious metal choices for diamond engagement rings. Of course, each precious metal has its advantages and disadvantages, so it helps to take the time to familiarise yourself with each option before making your final selection.

Of all the precious metals used for diamond engagement rings, gold is the most common, as well as the most traditional. Available in yellow, rose and white variants, gold is durable and long lasting. Both white gold and yellow gold is considered affordable, particularly when compared to other precious metals, such as platinum. Gold tends to hold up fairly well with daily use, but can scratch or dent in some cases. While yellow gold will maintain its golden colour over time, the finish on white gold is achieved by coating a yellow gold with a white metal alloy, such as rhodium. This means that, over time, the white tone of the white gold will slowly fade and may need periodic re-coatings to keep the white gold looking its best.

Platinum and palladium come from the same metal family and are a good option if durability is an issue as they are harder precious metals than gold. They are both hypo-allergenic to, meaning they are ideal for individuals with skin allergies or sensitive skin as they are proven to not cause any reaction or irritation. Palladium engagement rings do however have a slightly heavier weight than platinum diamond engagement rings, making them ideal for consumers who prefer a more substantial feel to their engagement rings.

Visit us at Mad About Diamonds for a wide range of diamond engagement rings including marquise cut diamond engagement rings and solitaire diamond engagement rings.

                                                                               

Diamond engagement rings and wedding rings are bought every year in their millions all around the world, however, this is not replicated in the number of jewellery insurance policies taken out by individuals, with gold and diamond prices rising over the last decade your precious jewellery may be worth more than you think. Recent research has found that a huge 68% of those with diamond engagement rings and wedding rings have never had them valued, so they may have their rings insured but it makes it difficult if your ring is lost or stolen to claim for the true value of the ring. 

How much exactly has the price of diamonds and gold risen by? The figures are actually quite shocking; the price of diamonds has risen by 9% on average in the last year and by a huge 44% in the past five years. Gold on the other hand has risen by 32% over the past year and an astounding 511% in the past decade. This means that the real value of a ring purchased over the past few years will have changed significantly from its original price and could be worth a great deal more than expected. In order to protect yourself from loss it is very important to get your diamond engagement rings valued regularly to ensure you do not lose out if your ring is damaged lost or stolen. Also make sure your ring is actually covered in your insurance policy, many believe that they will be able to claim on contents insurance, this is not always the case.

At Mad About Diamonds we have a huge range of diamond engagement rings for you to choose from including solitaire diamond engagement rings and shoulder set engagement rings, each diamond ring comes with a diamond certificate which can help you get the appropriate insurance cover. Being a Mad About Diamonds customer means that you can also benefit from great deals on your jewellery insurance through TH March, call us for more details 0151 625 8800.

Diamond engagement rings are used in proposals all around the world and every individual has their own way of popping the big question, however over in America they seem to be taking proposals to some new extremes. An American bakery believes it has found the perfect way to ask your loved one to marry you. The shop Cupcakes Gourmet have been selling red velvet cupcakes decorated with thick icing and topped off with a diamond engagement rings, the shops motto is ‘Love tastes like this’ so the diamond topped cupcakes are actually quite fitting. These little sparkly cupcakes come at a price however, $55,000 – just over £35,000!!

Another company that has followed in similar footsteps is Pizza Hut, offering a cheaper alternative. Pizza Hut is offering a $10,010 (roughly £6,300) dinner boxes with (presumably) engagement rings, fireworks, flowers, limo and photographer all included. This package appears to be a publicity stunt, but further investigation into the seemingly outrageous package reveals that Pizza Hut Headquarters over in America have already been dealing with 800 serious inquiries all fighting over the 10 available packages.

If you are hoping to pop the big question to your loved one and are looking for suitable diamond engagement rings visit us at Mad About Diamonds. We have a huge range of rings for you to choose from including marquise engagement rings and also the very popular princess cut diamond engagement rings so there will most definitely be something to suit all no matter what your taste, no cake or pizza included though I’m afraid.