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13 Tips For Finding Your Perfect Engagement Ring Style

by Elizabeth Simpson

13 Tips For Finding Your Perfect Engagement Ring Style

It’s a new era: there are no rules anymore about what gemstones or styles ‘count’ as an engagement ring. There’s no need to worry about what it should look like, how much it should cost, or who should select it and pay for it. Should is out the window. Do you love colored stones? Do it, they’re gorgeous. Are you bored with traditional rings? Go for the style you like. A cushion cut ring shows off the glittering feature stone, and a pear cut gemstone has a vintage glamour. Do you like how an asymmetrical setting looks? Vintage ’toi et moi’ styles with two focal stones might be your thing. Much like choosing a wedding dress, you don’t always know what type of engagement ring you’ll fall in love with until you see it in person and try it on — and you should never rush into a decision. Here are 13 tips for finding the perfect engagement ring for YOU: Don’t be surprised if the rings you loved on Pinterest don’t have the same allure when you meet them in person. Pins are just marketing, they’ll always be presented in a captivating way. Get inspiration, but don’t get sold on a ring before you’ve met it. Try on all the shapes, even the ones you thought you would hate. Seeing them on your hand is a different experience entirely. You’ll likely be very surprised about what actually looks good on you. Listen to your gut and pay attention to the rings your eyes keep coming back to. Letting go of expectations is key - your ring will be unique to YOU. Never try to convince yourself you love something just because someone else does. First of all, they don’t have to wear it. Second, the ring is a reminder of your commitment - selecting a ring based on someone else’s preferences can impact how positive of a reminder it is. Know that the process is different for each person - feel free to take extra time to make a decision. Choose the size, shape and metal that works for your day-to-day life and style. You should feel comfortable wearing this ring every day of the week - and year. Let the beauty be in the eye of the beholder. A traditional big-box jewelry store is going to attempt to upsell you on the high clarity diamonds, but perfect clarity can’t even be detected by the naked eye! Clarity doesn’t impact how much sparkle a diamond has, so don’t worry about lower clarity if your heart is set on a natural diamond. Consider the setting. A thicker setting allows for a more comfortable fit (and therefore a ring that doesn’t move around a lot. A thinner setting allows for future stacking of wedding and engagement bands (with an added bonus of making the stone look bigger). Check out diamond alternatives. More data is coming out that diamond alternatives have a nearly identical composition, and ethical buyers are choosing more alternatives without losing the look they love. Don’t believe the outdated rules of how much to spend on a ring. The number was made up by De Beers about a hundred years ago, and have no bearing within today’s economic situation. It was just a way get men to spend more money, because they didn’t know any better. Forget what you think you know about who should pay for the ring! Some couples share the expense, others create custom rings with a trusted jeweler using family heirlooms. Talk about this, and determine what is most comfortable for you and your partner. Shop for a ring together. Sure, the big surprise proposal is great for tv, but there’s a lot to be said for eliminating the worry that you’ll give or receive a ring that is not quite what was desired. Remember, almost everything can be modified! If you find a stone you’re in love with but you don’t love the setting, it can be changed far easier than you might think. Talk with a trusted jeweler (click here to make an appointment for a consultation!) about what that process entails. It’s a lot less expensive than you realize to get the perfect ring for YOU.

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5 Ways to Avoid Having Your Proposal Go Wrong

by Elizabeth Simpson

5 Ways to Avoid Having Your Proposal Go Wrong

All too often that perfectly planned proposal can go seriously wrong. That's because sometimes we get so excited about the details and ways we want to pop the question that we forget our common sense. There are five ways that you can avoid having your proposal go wrong, and below are some great tips on how to perfectly play in your proposal no matter where you want to pop the question. When traveling, do not put the ring in your checked luggage. Checked luggage can often get lost or stolen. That also includes the contents in the bags. You never know what happens to your bag when it's out of sight. Instead, you should put the ring in your carry-on luggage.When it comes to your proposal itself, if you are even the slightest bit nervous don't propose on the beach. If you propose on the beach and you are nervous, you could drop the ring and completely lose it in the sand. Maybe propose at dinner and then take engagement photos on the beach which will still give you that beautiful beat proposal while she's wearing the ring.When you propose, you should avoid overly crowded areas. In a crowd, anything can happen, because people are unpredictable and the ring could get bumped out of your hand or taken by a pickpocket who is passing by. This is a likely scenario in European countries where pickpockets are still a prevalent thing!When it comes to planning your proposal, you should propose in a place where it is completely stable for you to kneel down or not lose your footing. For instance, a boat could get knocked by a wave and cause you to lose the ring. If you were going to be adventurous with your proposal, you should propose after the activity when you are back on solid ground.Last but certainly not least, never put the engagement ring in food. Not only could the ring get lost by the kitchen staff at a restaurant, but your soon-to-be bride could also be choked if they eat the ring. Try to avoid a trip to the emergency room by coming up with a more creative way to ask for a hand in marriage when proposing over a romantic meal.

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Vintage jewelry on display at The Jeweled Crescent in Portland Oregon

by Maigen Thomas

Estate vs. Antique vs. Vintage: What’s the Difference?

If you’ve ever browsed through a jewelry site (like ours!) and wondered what exactly makes something estate, vintage, or antique… you’re not alone. These terms get used a lot—sometimes interchangeably—but they actually have distinct meanings. And knowing the difference can help you shop smarter, whether you’re starting a collection or choosing a once-in-a-lifetime piece. Let’s break it down. Estate Jewelry: Previously Owned, Not Necessarily Old Estate jewelry simply means it’s been previously owned. That’s it. It could be 6 months old or 60 years old. It might be a designer ring from 2015 or a handcrafted brooch from 1890. As long as it had a past life, it’s considered estate. Think of estate as the umbrella category that includes both vintage and antique. At The Jeweled Crescent, we inspect, clean, and often restore estate pieces so they’re ready for their next chapter—whether that’s as your signature everyday piece or something passed down to your own heirs. Antique Jewelry: Over 100 Years Old A piece is officially antique when it’s more than 100 years old. That means as of this year, anything made in 1925 or earlier qualifies. Antique jewelry often features: Handcrafted detail (before mass production) Rose-cut or Old Mine-cut diamonds Platinum or high-karat yellow gold Styles from the Georgian, Victorian, or Edwardian eras These pieces are history you can wear—tiny, intricate treasures from a time before email, espresso machines, or TikTok. (Can you imagine?) Vintage Jewelry: 20 to 100 Years Old Vintage jewelry is the sweet spot between “old enough to feel special” and “young enough to wear daily.” Most vintage pieces date from the 1920s to the early 2000s, and include iconic design eras like: Art Deco (bold geometry, 1920s–30s) Mid-Century Modern (clean lines, 1950s–60s) Retro & Hollywood Glam (chunky gold, 1940s) 1970s–90s fashion-forward or minimalist styles Vintage jewelry is perfect for collectors, stylists, and anyone who wants to wear something different. It often costs less than antique pieces but still has that one-of-a-kind magic. So… Which One Should You Buy? That depends on your style, your budget, and your mood. Antique if you love romantic stories, delicate details, and old-world craftsmanship Vintage if you want statement pieces that feel timeless but wearable Estate if you love a good deal on high-quality jewelry that’s already lived a life At The Jeweled Crescent, we specialize in all three—and we’re always happy to help you find the right piece for your story. Want to Know What You’re Looking At? We include the proper category for every piece in our shop, but if you ever have a question, just reach out. We’re not just here to sell you something beautiful—we’re here to help you feel confident and informed while you shop. Because every jewel has a past. We’re here to help you find its future.

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How to Keep Your Pearls Clean Without Ruining Them

by Elizabeth Simpson

How to Keep Your Pearls Clean Without Ruining Them

It truly does not get much more classic than pearls. Jackie Kennedy was famous for her triple strand and These exquisite keepsakes manage to be dainty and sweet, yet bold at the same time. (This might explain why they’re a popular choice for weddings!) Cultured pearls are quite delicate and require the right kind of care. They can’t be maintained the same way as other jewelry. How to Care for and Clean Your Pearls 1. After every wear, make sure to wipe your pearls with a soft cloth. This care helps prevent any buildup of skin oils or other substances that may have come into contact with your pearl jewelry as you wore it. 2. Clean with a soft, damp cloth only when needed. If your pearl strand has individual pearls that are visibly stained, you can mix together some lukewarm water and mild dish soap or baby shampoo. Then, dip a soft cloth in the solution and wipe the pearls. Don’t ever submerge a pearl necklace in water, as it will cause damage that will weaken the silk thread. 3. Let your string of pearls dry completely before storing. Again, this will help to preserve the delicate nature of the silk string. 4. Take them to your jeweler once a year. While you should wear your pearls often, all that body oil doesn’t do the silk they are threaded on any favors. Make sure to have your jeweler check the integrity of your pearl bracelets and necklaces at least once a year. They can also give them a thorough, safe cleaning. Click here to make an appointment for a cleaning. Never clean pearls with a steam or ultrasonic jewelry cleaner. Both of these methods are extremely likely to damage the outer layer of the pearl. Overall, they don’t require much more care than a house plant, and your pearls will bring you joy for many years!

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Magnificent, Mesmerizing Emerald For May Birthdays

by Elizabeth Simpson

Magnificent, Mesmerizing Emerald For May Birthdays

Here in Portland, spring might have officially sprung. We’re not totally sure, because the days in Oregon tends to vary wildly between “warm and sunny” and “I’m so cold, why is it still raining?” One of the things we love most about spring is seeing the flower shoots pushing through the earth to soak up the delicious sunshine. The beautiful, vibrant green embodies the lush green of the elegant emerald, no matter the context. While we love the idea of celebrating a birthday in May with an emerald tiara, we know that the cost might be a bit prohibitive (for anyone who isn’t royalty). That doesn’t even take into account being able to get your hands on one! This Diadem belonged to Duchess of Angouleme and is now property of, and displayed in, the Louvre Museum. It’s value is immense not only because of the exceptional stones used for its creation but also because of the fact it is one of the few pieces of jewelry of the period that remain in their original state. We don’t seem to have any tiaras in stock at the moment. However, here are a few of our favorite pieces currently available to inspire you in the name of springtime: This 3.71ctw 18k Emerald Art Deco style pendant is set with 137 glittering diamonds in gorgeous white gold. The pendant features a pear shaped emerald that is held with three prongs, two at the base and a v-cap at the top. The emerald sits above the rest of the pendant in a gloriously prominent position. Click here to view more about this pendant. These emerald and diamond halo earrings are truly a work of art. Dramatic, natural Colombian emerald in a head-turning size, these earrings feature combined 1.31ctw center stones. Surrounding the treasured true green is a delicate halo of F/G VS2 diamonds with a combined total weight of 0.30ctw. Click here to view more details. Like many gemstones, emeralds have a multitude of meanings stemming from different cultures and beliefs. In mythology, emerald is the stone of the goddess Venus, resulting in the association of emeralds with romance. Emeralds are said to bring passion, bliss, and unconditional love! Legend has it that wearing emeralds can give you the ability to foresee the future and see the truth. It has also been believed that emerald has the power to cure disease and protect against evil. It would be our pleasure to create a unique custom piece of jewelry for you. Simply click here to get in touch.

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