Roman Jewelers has provided engagement ring shoppers with the best of both worlds. Through our new Ringbuilder software, customers can shop our vast inventory of diamonds and even design (or redesign) their own ring. And, as always, our knowledgeable sales staff will be there every step of the way. Start designing your ring with Ringbuilder It’s Simple Roman Jewelers’ Ringbuilder software brings your engagement ring ideas to life. Use Ringbuilder to choose a diamond from our database of over 38,000 certified diamonds. You won’t find a more extensive diamond inventory anywhere. Once you’ve selected a diamond, place it into a setting—ranging from a classic solitaire to a designer masterpiece. Roman Jewelers offers many more settings in our stores, including designer collections from Tacori, Scott Kay, and Simon G., but Ringbuilder is the perfect place to begin. When you’ve created your concept, visit Roman Jewelers to meet with an engagement ring expert who will help refine your design and ensure it fits your budget. Appointments are recommended and can be made by calling the store directly. It’s Personal Choosing a diamond online is a great way to start, but Roman Jewelers believes that truly holding, comparing, and viewing a diamond under the microscope is essential to becoming an educated buyer. That’s why we recommend beginning with Ringbuilder and then visiting us in-store. We take great pride in educating customers through every step of the diamond buying process. You’ll quickly discover that two diamonds with the same color, clarity, and carat weight are not necessarily equal in value. There is more to diamond quality and brilliance than just the 4 Cs. We often ask our customers which diamond “speaks to them.” It may sound silly, but it’s true—there is a perfect diamond for you and your loved one, and you’ll know it when you see it. It’s the Best of Both Worlds We understand that buying or redesigning an engagement ring is a meaningful and often significant investment. Roman Jewelers provides a powerful online resource to help you explore diamonds, designs, and budgets—an excellent place to begin. Next, meet with our engagement ring experts in-store. You’ll find that a personal diamond experience with one of our sales professionals remains the best way to make one of the most important purchases of your life. Explore Ringbuilder and start designing today

By Guest Blogger: Sandy Heimberg What a joy it is to choose an engagement ring! What a happy event—one of life’s defining moments. Or so you might think. “Oh, really?” you say. “It’s also scary, stressful, and very expensive.” My answer? It doesn’t have to be—if you do it in the way that’s best for you and your intended. Advice on buying an engagement ring Know your budget First and foremost, know your budget. The right jeweler will work within it and never push you to overextend yourself. They’ll also discuss a payment plan that fits your lifestyle. Decide how much of a surprise you want Consider whether it makes sense to choose both the setting and the center diamond yourself. Only you know if your fiancée has something specific in mind. If she does, it may be better to let her select a few settings from which you can ultimately choose. She may also want to designate her preferred diamond shape and metal choice. You can then return to the store later to complete the purchase—without her knowing the financial details. Choose the right jeweler The right jeweler will clearly explain what’s covered regarding repairs, stone loss, resizing, and refinishing. Choose wisely—interview jewelers to find the best fit for you. Your jeweler should act as your educator and guide throughout the process. All your questions should be answered, and you should be encouraged to view diamonds under a microscope to understand their unique “fingerprints.” Compare stones. Every diamond has its own personality. Above all, your jeweler should make you feel like the most important client in the world—because you are, regardless of your budget. You’ll feel the stress melt away once you realize you’re working with a patient, knowledgeable professional whose goal is to make you comfortable and thrilled with your final purchase. Feel a little better now? Good—go out and make that engagement ring purchase with confidence! Congratulations!

If you are in the market for an unusual ring, have an idea for something different and spectacular but don’t know where to start—read on to find out why going the custom way may be right for you. By Lucy Zimmerman 1. Use “old” to make “new” Did you inherit an engagement ring from your grandmother or a diamond wedding band from another woman in your family? The “old” pieces carry a lot of sentimental value. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to re-use these diamonds in your own ring? Work with your designer to incorporate the stones into a new engagement ring. Your ring will not only be unique, but will also carry a part of the special women in your family. 2. You love your friend’s engagement ring, but don’t want to be a copycat You don’t have to be. Talk to a jewelry designer about the ring you admire and describe what you like about it. Is it the simplicity, intricate filigree details, or the bold mix of white and yellow gold? Think style, and you’ll end up with a ring where every detail is you. 3. You don’t want a traditional engagement ring—you’re a trendsetter The plain Tiffany-style ring isn’t for you. Maybe a three-stone ring? Still not right? If you’ve visited countless jewelry stores and haven’t found “the one,” it’s time to talk to a designer. Describe your vision and sketch your ideas. Any detail helps your designer bring your dream ring to life. 4. You want to remember how the ring was made You want to be involved at every step—from sketch to wax model to casting and stone selection. Custom designing isn’t just a process; it’s a journey. 5. You love what Hollywood actresses wear Celebrity rings are stunning—but not always realistic. A good designer can help you substitute stones, scale designs, and adjust details to stay within budget while keeping the look you love. 6. Details only known to you Want a hidden ruby, initials, or special date inside your ring? A skilled designer can place personal details in the gallery—keeping them meaningful and private. 7. You love period jewelry, but not estate pieces Whether it’s Art Deco geometry or Edwardian lace-like elegance, tell your designer the era you love. They’ll guide the design to reflect that period beautifully. 8. You know a jeweler whose work you admire A great jewelry designer is like a trusted doctor. If you’ve found one—stick with them. 9. Use your artistic abilities If you can sketch your dream ring, even better. An experienced designer will refine your idea and ensure the design is structurally sound. 10. You have no idea what you want That’s perfectly normal. Visit stores, try on rings, browse magazines, and take notes. A good designer will help combine the elements you love into one perfect ring. Author: Lucy Zimmerman is a fourth-generation jewelry designer at Roman Jewelers in Flemington & Bridgewater Commons Mall, New Jersey. For more information about Roman Jewelers and custom design work, visit: https://www.romanjewelers.com/design-your-own-ring/choose-your-style

“Reserved for a Nervous First-Time Engagement Ring Buyer,” reads a sign in one of our parking spots in front of our jewelry store, Roman Jewelers in Flemington, NJ. I am not kidding; we actually do have such a sign. We installed it because we wanted to eliminate one more stressful moment in the engagement-ring purchaser’s life – looking for a parking spot. There is a lot of anxiety associated with an engagement ring purchase. Well, let’s face it, diamonds are expensive. And what about the setting for the diamond? Shape, style, price; these are just a few of the decisions to be made. Where does an engagement ring purchaser usually start? Years ago, the answer would have been “New York, 47th Street” (if you live on the East Coast). Today, it is the Internet (regardless of where you live). When it comes to diamonds, education is the key. How you acquire the knowledge about diamonds is up to you: libraries, bookstores, numerous websites, retail jewelry stores, or friends who already went through a diamond-search process. From all of these sources, you can find enough information about diamonds to become a gemologist! So, now you are ready, you are prepared, you acquired enough knowledge, right? The jeweler places the diamond for you under the microscope and… everything you learned about diamonds and thought you understood simply evaporates. Where is that inclusion? Why can’t you see it? And the girdle, where is the girdle? Facets; there should be fifty-eight of them. Are they all there? Of course, the lab grading report is a tremendous help. Highly trained professionals did the homework for you and listed the color grade, clarity, polish and symmetry, diamond proportions, culet and girdle description, and diamond fluorescence for you. However, diamond grading reports don’t tell you the whole story; they simply cannot. Two diamonds with very similar grading grades will look different. Just like two people with similar physical characteristics: hair color, eye color, height, weight, and age might be similar, but do they indicate that we are talking here about twins? Your biggest help will come from the knowledgeable, talented, and passionate-about-diamonds staff of a retail store. Ask questions, listen carefully to explanations, look at the diamond under the microscope, compare diamonds with similar grading characteristics, and pick the one that “speaks to you”.

A rare 507.55 carat diamond, of exclusive color and clarity, was discovered in South Africa. What would you do if you had $35.3 million just sitting around, waiting for the perfect opportunity? Would you spend it on a rare, magnificent diamond? Last September, London-based Petra Diamonds Company unearthed a 507.55-carat rough diamond at its Cullinan mine in South Africa, dubbed the "Cullinan Heritage". Today, the diamond was sold to the Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Ltd. at a tender in South Africa for $35.3 million—the **highest sale price ever achieved for a rough diamond**. Why such a high price? This reflects the incredible rarity of the diamond in terms of size, color, and clarity. A few statistics: At 507.55 carats, the Cullinan Heritage is among the world's **20 largest high-quality rough diamonds ever unearthed**. It is one of many h

Platinum is a rare metal with unique characteristics that make it an irresistible jewelry choice. Due to platinum's pure nature, it is naturally hypoallergenic, which makes it the perfect option for those with sensitive skin. Best of all, its brilliant shine makes diamonds pop. This makes platinum the ultimate preference for engagement and wedding rings. Purer than both gold and silver, it never fades, and never tarnishes. Your platinum jewelry will undoubtedly become a most envied heirloom.