Engagement - Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery

Top Bridal Trends for 2024

Suzanne Crudden — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:46:03 +0000

The Top Bridal Trends of 2024

Bridal season is full swing! Here we’re going to take a look at the top bridal trends for 2024. So far we’ve seen a few trends that have definitely stolen the spotlight including: wide wedding bands and engagement ring bands, the continuing popularity of lab grown diamonds, solitaire engagement rings with large centre stones, bridal stacking ring sets and men’s bands with some added complexity.

Wide Bands

Is the dainty trend finally coming to an end? Over the past decade or so there has been a definite preference for slight, minimalist bands. Engagement rings with super thin bands and the accompanying dainty wedding ring have been very popular. If this trend is indeed coming to an end, as goldsmiths, we couldn’t be happier. Very thin and dainty bands can be beautiful but they are rarely durable. And for a ring you wear everyday, durability is important.

Wide bands are definitely among the top bridal trends for 2024 that we’ve seen first hand. Men have always preferred a wider band but we’ve seen the ladies requesting them this year too. The width of engagement ring bands have been creeping up as well. In engagement ring bands what we’re seeing is that, rather than the super thin bands of 1.5-1.7mm in previous years, people are choosing slightly wider bands at 2-3mm wide.

One of the reasons that dainty bands became popular may be due to the price of gold. A ring will be less expensive if it contains less gold. In contrast, a wide band costs more because there is much more gold in a wider ring. The price of gold keeps rising, hitting new heights as each month passes. Could increasing gold costs have an effect on the wide band trend or slow it down? We shall have to wait and see.

Continued Popularity of Lab Grown Diamonds

The continuing popularity of lab grown diamonds is another of the top bridal trends for 2024. In both wedding rings and engagement rings we’re seeing the continued interest in lab grown diamonds for both price point and aesthetic reasons.

Since lab grown diamonds are chemically identical to earth mined diamonds they have the best benefits of a diamond, namely sparkle and durability, with none of the downsides, such as cost and origin issues.

Bridal shoppers now have more flexibility within their budget, choosing options that may not have been available in the past. For example, instead of going for an “off the rack” earth mined diamond engagement ring you could instead invest your budget in a ring custom made, just for you, with a lab grown diamond instead.

Solitaire Engagement Rings with Larger Centre Stones

Solitaire engagement rings remain a timeless choice, and in 2024 they’re making a statement with larger sized diamonds and gemstones. Thanks to the affordability of lab grown diamonds, couples can now indulge in larger stones without breaking the bank.

In addition to large lab diamond centre stones, we’re also seeing large coloured gemstones as an emerging bridal trend for 2024. Solitaire engagement rings with large sapphires are particularly popular. Blue, teal and green sapphires are the colours that we’re bringing in most often for our clients to see in person.

One note to keep in mind if you are interested in a large centre stone is that it will need to sit higher from your finger. The larger the stone, the deeper it is and therefore the higher it sits off of your finger. When a gem sits higher off of your finger you’ll notice that it “gets in the way” a bit more such as when you put your hand in your pocket or when putting on gloves. If you are looking for something very practical a larger gemstone might not be the right choice.

Customized Bridal Stacking Ring Sets

Bouncing from the stacking ring trends, some brides are opting for a wedding ring stack. Another one of the top bridal trends for 2024 is creating multiple wedding bands so that you can stack them all together. This is especially popular for people who aren’t planning on wearing their engagement ring everyday. Instead, they are planning to have a ring stack of multiple wedding bands, some with diamonds, some plain and some with patterns or engravings.

It’s a great idea to create your own custom set of wedding rings so that they fit and look just the way you want. In addition, going the custom route will ensure that the stack fits with your engagement ring should you decide to wear them all together.

Men's Wedding Rings with Patterns, Engravings, or Gemstones

Gone are the days when men’s wedding rings were limited to simple bands. Grooms are embracing creativity and personalization, choosing rings with patterns, engravings, and even gemstones. In 2024, men’s wedding rings are becoming more of a reflection of individual style and personality.

We’re seeing gents opting for diamonds and gemstones in their wedding rings more than we’ve ever seen in the past. White and black diamonds are the most popular. In addition to gemstones we’re also seeing different shapes of wedding bands such as knife edge and signet style or square edged. Patterns with grooves, hammered textures and beveled edges are also popular.

Bridal Trends for 2024 in Summary

The top bridal trends for 2024 reflect a blend of changing attitudes toward technology and innovation as well as a turn toward more substantial and individual designs. Innovations in lab grown diamonds have opened up the options to a whole new set of consumers. An appreciation of bolder designs has led to the increased popularity of wide bands in general and men’s wedding ring choices. Flexibility on the definition of a wedding ring has led some to consider wedding ring stacking sets. So far the bridal trends for 2024 have turned out to be some of the best we’ve seen in years!

If we’ve peaked your interest with any of these trends and you have questions, we’d love to help! Or check out our wedding rings in our shop!

The post Top Bridal Trends for 2024 first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring

Suzanne Crudden — Mon, 24 Mar 2025 22:07:41 +0000

How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring to Ensure it Lasts a Lifetime

Our guide will provide you with best practices on how to take care of your engagement ring. We’ll explore how to clean your ring, when it’s a good idea to remove your ring and annual assessments to keep it looking its best for a lifetime.

Your engagement ring isn’t just a piece of jewellery, it’s a symbolic representation of your relationship. It can also be unique to other pieces of jewellery because it’s worn everyday so it needs a bit more maintenance over time.

How to Clean Your Engagement Ring

The first step in how to take care of your engagement ring is cleaning. The method you use to clean your engagement ring will depend on the gemstones. At Posy we give our clients a cleaning kit that is safe to use with all gemstones. But, if you are mixing a homemade cleaning solution, you will want to be aware that not all solutions are safe for all gemstones.

Cleaning Options for Durable Gemstones

To watch a video of this method please visit our jewellery school youtube channel!

Let’s first list some gemstones that this cleaning method will work for including: diamond, sapphire, ruby, topaz, spinel and moissanite. This list includes both natural and lab grown varieties of gemstones.

The Method:

Get a small container and fill it with one part “Mr. Clean” (or any degreaser, but we find the greenish yellow Mr. Clean works best) and three parts warm water.
Put your ring in the solution and let it soak (if there is a lot of build up under the setting, leave the ring to soak longer).
Remove the ring from the solution and lightly scrub it with an old toothbrush (don’t forget to get under the setting).
Dry with a paper towel or lint free cloth if available.

Cleaning Options for Less Durable Gemstones

This cleaning method will work for less durable gemstones including: emerald, moonstone, morganite and tourmaline.

The Method:

Get a small container and fill it with warm water and a few drops of degreasing liquid soap such as “Dawn”.
Put your ring in the solution and let it soak (if there is a lot of build up under the setting, leave the ring to soak longer).
Remove the ring from the solution and lightly scrub it with an old toothbrush (don’t forget to get under the setting).
Dry with a paper towel or lint free cloth if available.

Cleaning Options for Fragile Gemstones

This cleaning method is recommended for fragile gemstones such as opal and pearl.

The Method:

Dampen a soft cloth with warm water and add some dish soap.
Wipe your fragile gemstone carefully with the dampened cloth.
If you would like to clean build up from under the setting you can use an old toothbrush dampened with water and a dollop of dish soap. Carefully scrub under the setting being sure to avoid the fragile gemstone.
Dry with a paper towel or lint free cloth if available.

When to Remove Your Ring

Jewellery is not indestructible. Yes, gold, platinum and diamonds are very hard and very durable. Diamonds are, indeed, the hardest thing on earth. But, even a diamond is not indestructible.

The next step in how to take care of your engagement ring is when to remove your engagement ring. Although engagement rings are designed (or they should be!) to be worn everyday, there are times when removing your ring is a good idea. Some of these recommendations are based on reducing damage risk and others are based on the risk of loss.

Remove your ring when:

Working out, especially if working with weights. It’s a good idea to remove your ring when participating in sports as well.
Gardening, because it will get dirty, may encounter abrasions with rocks and also to prevent loss.
General household chores. Especially if you are using harsh cleaning chemicals.
Performing strenuous activity. For example, if you have a rock climbing hobby, or if you work in construction or trades.
Swimming, especially if you’re swimming in a lake or ocean to prevent loss. Some gemstones and metals may also have an adverse reaction to the chlorine in pools.
On vacation. To prevent loss you might want to consider taking a “faux” engagement ring with you on vacation.
Putting cream on. When you apply hand cream or sunscreen you’ll want to remove your ring first to prevent the grease in the cream from leaving residue on the stone or creating build up under the setting.
Sleeping. Some people have no problem sleeping with their ring on but some people find they accidentally scratch themselves during the night. It also gives your finger a chance to breathe and prevent potential irritation.

Annual Assessments

The final step in how to take care of your engagement ring is yearly assessments. Most jewellers who create custom engagement rings or sell engagement rings will offer complimentary assessments. We recommend coming in once a year so we can give your ring a thorough inspection.

The assessment should include:

Looking at your ring under a microscope to examine the gemstones and settings.
Ensuring that all of the gemstones are still set securely.
Checking to ensure there are no structural problems in the ring mounting.

If everything is in good shape your ring will receive a nice clean and polish and you will be on your way. If there are any concerns then the jeweller should take care of the issue if the ring is still under warranty or offer a quote on repair. You should think of it as bringing in your vehicle for regular maintenance. Keeping your ring in good shape will prevent larger problems down the road.

Your engagement ring is precious and deserves the best care possible. By following these simple cleaning techniques and knowing when to give your ring a break, you can ensure it will last. Remember, a little TLC goes a long way in preserving your ring for years to come.

We hope our tips on how to take care of your engagement ring have helped you! If you have any other questions be sure to reach out. We also offer a free care guide that covers all different kinds of jewellery when you sign up for our newsletter, The Posy Dispatch.

The post How to Take Care of Your Engagement Ring first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Learn About Lab Grown Diamonds

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:14:26 +0000

Learn more about lab grown diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds, also known as lab created, lab made or man made diamonds, are chemically identical to natural diamonds. They have the same durability and sparkle but not the same price tag!

Is a lab grown diamond a real diamond?

Yes! Lab grown diamonds are real diamonds. A laboratory grown diamond is physically and chemically identical to a natural diamond. The only way to detect the difference between them is with highly specialized equipment.

The answer to if the average Joe or Jane can detect the difference between a natural and lab created diamond is a definite no. Most jewellers and gemmologists can’t tell the difference either, not without that specialized equipment I mentioned. Lab diamonds are equal to natural diamond in quality, durability and sparkle.

What's the difference between a lab diamond and a diamond simulant?

The short version is that a lab diamond is a genuine or “real” diamond and a diamond simulant is not. A diamond simulant is something such as cubic zirconia which is used to mimic the look of a diamond but at a much lower cost.

Unfortunately, although beautiful, cubic zirconia is not durable enough to stand up to everyday wear. Within months the facet edges will start to abraid and the surface of the gem will start to look “foggy”. This will not happen with a lab created diamond because, since it is identical to a natural diamond, it is just as durable.

It is also important to note here what we mean when we say “synthetic diamond” versus diamond simulant or imitation diamond. A synthetic diamond is a lab created diamond. It is identical to a natural diamond but made in a lab so it can be called synthetic.

A diamond simulant or imitation diamond is not a diamond. As we discussed above this would be something like a cubic zirconia that is meant to look like a diamond but is not a diamond.

How much do lab grown diamonds cost?

Initally lab diamonds were about 30% less expensive than natural diamonds. Recently, however, the cost of lab created diamonds has decreased even further due to competition in the market and improvements in production. Today you can expect to pay between 30-40% less for a lab made diamond. You could also look at it at as getting a larger lab created diamond for the same price as a smaller natural diamond.

Are lab grown diamonds graded the same as natural diamonds?

At first lab grown diamonds were mostly only available in larger carat weights. But now smaller melee (small accent sized diamonds) are available in a range of sizes and shapes. The most accessible shapes for melee are round, pear, straight baguette and tapered baguette.

It can still be difficult to find some of the rarer or unusual shapes such as trillion, marquise or kite in a lab created stone. This is especially true with the small melee stones.

It is possible to have a lab diamond custom cut to your specifications but this can easily add thousands to the final cost. I am finding more and more variety available as the demand for lab created diamonds increases so it may just be a question of waiting until the suppliers can catch up with the demand.

How are lab grown diamonds made?

So how does one go about growing diamonds? Lab diamonds are created in one of two ways.

The first is called High-Pressure High-Temperature or HPHT. Did you know lab diamonds were around in the 1950’s? Companies were actually using this HPHT process back then to create lab diamonds to use for industrial purposes. They were not as focused on producing gem quality diamonds for the jewellery industry.

As you may have guessed this process uses extreme heat and extreme pressure and applies it to a natural diamond seed. This simulates the extreme environment that causes natural diamonds to form.

The second process is called Chemical Vapour Deposition or CVD. This method was also around in the 1950’s but it’s only recently that it has become as viable the HPHT method. CVD also starts with a natural diamond seed which is placed in a chamber then subjected to high temperatures. Following this a combination of hydrogen and methane is released into the chamber which causes the electrons to separate and actually frees the pure carbon atoms which then deposits onto the diamond seed.

Are lab grown diamonds available in all sizes?

All lab grown diamonds are graded according to the “4 C’s” just as natural diamonds are, ie: colour, clarity, cut, carat. However, lab diamonds receive a different report than natural diamonds. All lab created diamonds will come with a report that states they are lab grown and this information should also be laser inscribed on the girdle of the stone.

Fun fact, you can even get a custom personalized message inscribed on the girdle of your diamond!

Are colours other than white available in lab grown diamonds?

Yes, coloured lab diamonds are available but they are harder to find. As with the shapes, it is a question of the time needed for the supply to increase in order to meet the demand. Because the most popular colour of lab diamond is white, that it the colour that is most produced.

Where can I purchase a lab grown diamond in Toronto?

There are a number of websites that offer lab grown diamonds for purchase. If you decide to purchase your lab grown stone online we can work together to create the ring. The only trouble with purchasing a diamond online is that you can’t see it in person which often can make a big difference. I also have access to a number of lab diamond suppliers and I’m happy to bring stones in for you to choose one in person.

Should you choose a lab grown diamond for your engagement ring?

Ultimately, of course, only you can answer this question. Personally I feel lab grown diamonds are in every way as beautiful as natural diamonds but with two significant differences.

The first is the price point which, as we’ve discussed, is much lower than a natural diamond. The second is that a lab made diamond is conflict free and has a much lower environmental impact than a mined diamond. If you have your heart set on a diamond, and either of these factors are important to you, then I say go for it! You won’t be disappointed.

If you’re still on the fence then the way I work will, I think, make it easier. If you’ve never seen a lab diamond before I can bring some in to the shop so you can see them in person. I can even source out the shape and size you’re looking for so you can visualize what it will look like on your finger.

And unlike in the creation of these diamonds there’s no pressure. If the options are not what you were looking for we can always return them and try something else. This is really about finding out what’s right for you.

I hope this information has helped you but if you have any other questions definitely get in touch!

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Sapphire Engagement Rings

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 20:01:06 +0000

Sapphire, thy name is variety. The hardest choice when searching out sapphire engagement rings is figuring out what kind of sapphire you like best. Sapphires come in so many colours, hues, shapes and sizes.

Except for red, red sapphires are called rubies. We’re lucky in Toronto that we have access to many suppliers of this gorgeous gemstone.

There’s so much to explore when talking about sapphire. If what you’re interested in isn’t covered here you can also check out my post on alternative engagement rings and my post about lab grown diamond and sapphire engagement rings.

My specialty is working with clients local to Toronto or long distance to custom create the exact right sapphire ring for them. I have a variety of ring designs to choose from or we can take inspiration from elsewhere and make a completely unique engagement ring design from scratch.

Natural Unheated Sapphires

What is an unheated sapphire? Most sapphires are heat treated in order to achieve a desired colour. An unheated sapphire has not gone through this heat treatment. Typically an unheated sapphire will be more pastel and less saturated in colour than a heated sapphire.

If you would like an unheated sapphire for your engagement ring sometimes you can pay a bit more due to their rarity, especially in blue. That being said I have a wonderful local supplier of unheated sapphires. If you’re interested in learning more about unheated sapphires you can find a lot of information at Sorbet Sapphire.

One important note if you do select an unheated sapphire. If you end up needing to size your ring always disclose that your sapphire is unheated to the jeweller doing the work. Sizing requires the application of heat and, because the stone has not yet been subject to a heat treatment, the process of sizing could actually alter the colour of your stone. For some colours of sapphire, such as pale yellow, not a lot of heat is required to change the colour.

Natural Heated Sapphires

Heated sapphires is the term we use for sapphires that have gone through a high temperature treatment to create a greater saturation of colour, reduce colour zoning and improve clarity. It’s estimated that 90% of sapphires have been heat treated.

When looking at sapphires or sapphire engagement rings you can assume that the sapphire has been heat treated unless otherwise specified. There is absolutely nothing wrong with heat treatments. The process is permanent and your stone will not fade or alter.

Lab Created Sapphires

Recently lab created sapphires have gained in popularity even though they’ve been around for over 100 years. They can go by many names, lab created sapphires, lab made sapphires, lab grown sapphires, lab sapphires and synthetic sapphires. All of these terms refer to the same thing which is a sapphire that has been made in a lab rather than mined from the earth.

Lab created sapphires are identical chemically to sapphires from the earth. They have the same brilliance and hardness as natural sapphires, just not the same price tag. I often work with a company called Chatham Created Sapphires who produce gorgeous stones that really give mother nature some stiff competition! I’ve made many lab created sapphire engagement rings and have never been disappointed with the quality of the stone.

Are Sapphire Engagement Rings Durable?

The reason why sapphire is a great choice for your engagement ring is because it is durable. With a score of 9 on the Moh’s scale of hardness this means that a sapphire will stand up to the rigors of everyday wear. The other reason it’s a great choice is because sapphire is available is such a wide variety of colours!

Popular Colours in Sapphire Engagement Rings

Peach Sapphires

With the resurgence of popularity in rose gold we’ve seen the increase in popularity of peach sapphire engagement rings. No doubt you’ve seen many examples gracing the pages of pinterest boards, maybe even your own!

Many of the stones in these rings are not sapphires at all but something called Morganite which is the pink variety of the mineral beryl (green beryl is called emerald, blue beryl is called aquamarine and yellow beryl is called heliodor). Unfortunately, morganite is not as hard as sapphire and therefore not as a great a choice for everyday wear in an engagement ring.

Peach sapphire is definitely the better choice for an engagement ring over morganite, however, the colour is not nearly as easy to find as in morganite. In morganite the colour is fairly consistent. Some stones may have a bit more pink and others a bit more orange but, over all, it’s an easy colour match for rose gold.

Not so with peach sapphire. The hues in peach sapphire can run the spectrum, some more yellow, some more pink and others more orange. And the saturation varies quite a bit as well from very pale to saturated. Be prepared to look at quite a number of stones until you find the one that works for you.

There is another pinkish orange variety of sapphire called padparadscha. I love that word. And that stone.

Padparadscha are gorgeous mixes of pink and orange, sometimes with colour zoning of both colours. They are typically more saturated in colour so many not work if you’re looking for more of a pastel shade for your ring.

Teal Sapphires

The popularity of teal sapphires likely goes hand in hand with the popularity in recent years of Montana Sapphires which I talk about below.

I find that my clients who are looking for teal sapphire rings usually have a very particular shade in mind. As I talked about above with the peach sapphires, teal sapphires are also quite varied and can run from more green with blue to more blue with green & from pale to saturated. Again, be prepared to look at many stones before you find the right one.

Montana Sapphires

Montana Sapphires are, you guessed it, sapphires from Montana! In recent years they have become popular not only because of their beauty but also because their origin is known. This is also why Australian sapphires have become more popular.

Unfortunately there is no process in place that traces the origin of most sapphires. I’m fortunate to work with local gemstone suppliers who do know the origin of their sapphires but I feel like the industry has a lot of catching up to do in this regard.

Montana sapphires are beautiful and can range quite a bit in colour. Most often they are blue, teal, yellow, green or some combination of these colours. Sometimes they have very unique colour zoning with one colour on one side and another colour on the other. A Montana sapphire would definitely create a unique sapphire engagement ring!

Blue Sapphires

Things go in, things go out but blue sapphire engagement rings are always popular, always. The shade of blue that has been popular has changed somewhat over the years. Many of us may think of a very deep, dark blue when we think of blue sapphires because of our grandmother’s jewellery. Actually the most sought after shade of blue sapphire has always been “corn flower” blue, sometimes also referred to as Ceylon (for Sri Lanka, the origin of some of the best blue sapphire material).

Most blue sapphires are heat treated to create that delicious blue shade. If you’re looking for an unheated natural blue sapphire you will definitely be paying a premium due to their rarity.

Many of my clients are also looking for pastel blue sapphires for their engagement rings pairing them with white gold for a more modern look. Really, you can never go wrong with a blue sapphire!

Green Sapphire

Want to know what’s red hot? Green! Yes, green sapphires are very popular right now. Perhaps the popularity of teal sapphire has led many to a new appreciation of green sapphire.

Green sapphire was less popular in the past because everyone was looking for the classic green emerald colour. Typically green sapphire has a more earthy hue, highlighted by either yellow, brown or blue undertones.

Other Sapphire Colours

You will also find a wide variety of hues in: pink sapphire, green sapphire, orange sapphire, purple sapphire, yellow sapphire and brown sapphire. White sapphire is also available and you can sometimes see grey sapphire too. All of my suppliers offer a wide product selection so I’m able to bring in many options for my clients.

The Right Sapphire For You

I hope this information has helped you learn a bit more about sapphire engagement rings and, if you’re considering sapphire, what might be most important to you. It’s really all about finding the right sapphire for you. If you do have a question that hasn’t been answered here I’d be happy to help in any way I can!

The post Sapphire Engagement Rings first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Alternative Engagement Rings Toronto

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 18:36:45 +0000

The classic diamond ring as we know it has only been around for a little over 100 years. Developed and marketed by the diamond industry it became the must-have accessory for all of the newly engaged. But the times they are a-changing! Alternative engagement rings are becoming more and more popular.

Diamonds aren’t for everyone and nor should anyone be ever made to feel that diamonds must be for everyone. More and more people in Toronto and around the world are looking to non-diamond gemstone alternatives for their non-traditional engagement rings.

There are so many beautiful gemstones to choose from but some are more suitable to be set in an engagement ring than others. The most important thing to keep in mind is the durability of the stone. It needs to be tough enough to stand up to everyday wear.

This is one of the reasons why diamonds have been such a popular choice for engagement rings. Diamonds are exponentially harder than any other gemstone. That being said, there are plenty of other tough, beautiful gemstones to choose from.

A Ranking of the Most Durable Gemstones to use for Alternative Engagement Rings

``Best`` Gemstones

First, let’s explore this ‘Best’ category of gemstone. The gemstones in the ‘Best’ category are the next most durable after diamond.

One way to measure a gemstone’s durability is with the Moh’s Scale of hardness. The scale is from 1 to 10 with 1 being very soft and 10 being very hard. An example of a stone that measures in at 1 is talc. The only stone that measures in at 10 is diamond.

Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring

I debated whether or not to include lab created diamond in this article since, after all, we are talking about diamond alternatives. Lab diamonds are chemically identical to diamonds that are found in nature so they are, in fact, diamonds. But I decided to include them anyway since they are not what we would think of as a traditional diamond.

A synthetic or lab created diamond is a great choice for an engagement ring. As noted above it’s chemically identical to a natural diamond so that means it is an extremely tough and durable stone with a Moh’s hardness of 10.

Moissanite Engagement Ring

Moissanite is a newer alternative to diamond. Although naturally occurring moissanite has been known for over a century it is only recently that a bright white material has been successfully reproduced in a lab. Measuring in at 9.25 on the Moh’s Scale, Moissanite is a great choice for your custom engagement ring. It’s a beautiful, double refractive stone meaning that it actually has more ‘fire’ or reflective properties than diamond.

Recently the company that creates Moissanite, Charles & Colvard, has developed the whitest material of moissanite yet,the Forever One line. For more information about moissanite engagement rings check out my post!

Moissanite is also available in colours other than white although fancy colours are not offered through Charles & Colvard. I have, however, recently sourced some moissanite available in a limited amount of colours that is very beautiful. The main image on this page is of a peacock blue moissanite from this source. It can be tricky to find quality moissanite and that is why I always work with trusted suppliers.

``Better`` Gemstones

Any of the “Better” category of gemstones can also be used in your non-diamond custom engagement ring without any worries. They are all durable, hard gemstones that will stand up to wear and tear. All of these gemstones have a Moh’s hardness of 9.

Natural and Lab Grown Sapphire Engagement Ring

As with lab created diamond, lab created or synthetic sapphire is also chemically identical to natural sapphire. Whereas natural sapphire is available in a multitude of colours, the colours available in lab sapphire are much more limited.

Lab grown sapphires are very saturated in colour while there’s a greater tonal range available in natural sapphire. I’ve also outlined a lot more about sapphire engagement ring choices in another post.

A selection of sapphires by Sorbet Sapphire

Below I’ve made a short description of the most common colours available in natural sapphire:

White Sapphire: A true white but with less ‘fire’ than a diamond
Yellow Sapphire: Ranges from pale yellow to bright, sunny yellow
Orange Sapphire: Typically a saturated tangerine colour, lighter orange is less common
Padparadscha Sapphire: A padparadscha sapphire is a very particular colour, either 60% orange and 40% pink or 60% pink and 40% orange
Pink Sapphire: Typically a deep, vibrant pink – pale pink is less common
Purple Sapphire: A ‘classic’ purple, lighter and brighter than an amethyst purple
Blue Sapphire: Ranges from light blue to navy blue with the classic blue being described as ‘ceylon’
Green Sapphire: Typically an earthy green, not a bright kelly green like emerald or tsavorite garnet

In comparison, the shades typically available in lab grown sapphire are blue, purple, pink, green and yellow.

Lab Grown or Natural Ruby Engagement Ring

Ruby and sapphire are actually the same mineral, corundum. The classic colour of a ruby is described as ‘pigeon’s blood red’ – I know – gross. If a ruby is too pink or purple it’s called a pink or purple sapphire instead. The colour of lab grown ruby is that classic red while natural ruby ranges more in colour from purple-red to pink-red and all shades of red in between.

This image is a custom piece I made of a 14k yellow gold ring featuring a lab grown Chatham ruby.

Chrysoberyl and Alexandrite Engagement Ring

A less known stone, chrysoberyl is another tough gemstone that is more than suitable for a non-diamond engagement ring and able to stand up to wear and tear. Natural chysoberyl is a bright yellow or green-yellow stone.

Alexandrite is the colour change version of chrysoberyl. It changes in colour from red/purple in indoor light to green/teal blue in outdoor light. Alexandrite is quite rare and is often more expensive than diamonds of equivalent size. Luckily alexandrite is also available as a lab made stone with the same colour change properties but not the same price tag as its natural counter part.

``Good`` Gemstones

And Finally the “Good” cateogry of gemstones. These are the ‘proceed with caution’ stones. With a Moh’s hardness of 8 they are technically suitable for engagement rings but there are other considerations to take into account beyond their hardness as outlined below.

Lab Grown Emerald Engagement Ring

You will notice, of course, that I haven’t included natural emerald here. This is because natural emerald, although hard, tends to be brittle which compromises its durability. You could select a natural emerald for your engagement ring as long as you are aware of, and willing to accept, the risks. You would hopefully be one of those people who aren’t too hard on their jewellery. You’d need to be cautious when you’re wearing your ring and keep it as safe as possible.

Because lab emerald isn’t as brittle as natural emerald it is actually a better choice for an engagement ring.

Topaz Engagement Ring

Natural topaz is available in a variety of colours. It’s often colour treated to create a more desirable or saturated colour, but the treatment is stable. Because of the affordability of natural topaz there really isn’t a market for lab made topaz. But, also due to its affordability, it is much easier to purchase a larger stone if that’s your preference!

Although hard, topaz has something called perfect cleavage (yes, that is a technical term) which makes it vulnerable to breakage. Due to the crystal structure of topaz, if it is hit in just the right spot the stone could ‘cleave’ or break off. Here are some common colours of topaz: sky blue, bright blue, denim blue, pink, green, white and yellow.

Perhaps the stone you were hoping to use isn’t in the Good, Better, Best list. This doesn’t mean that you can’t use it, you should do you after all. It just means that you will need to take the time and do some research on the stone of your choice. Then you will know the risks involved before selecting it for your engagement ring. Unfortunately, you will need to prepare yourself for the possibility that the stone may break. You’ll want to keep that in mind when budgeting how much you’d like to spend.

Below are some further lists of gemstones that I would classify as ‘Proceed with Caution’ and ‘Absolutely Do Not Use’:

Proceed with Caution:

Aquamarine, Emerald, Garnet (any kind), Morganite, Spinel, Tourmaline, Zircon

Absolutely Do Not Use:

Cubic Zirconia, Onyx, Opal, Pearl, Peridot, Quartz (any kind), Tanzanite

It’s impossible to predict how a stone will wear. Some people can wear an emerald ring every day for a lifetime without any problems. Others can break the stone within the first few weeks of wear. At the end of the day nothing is indestructible, not even diamond.

Whatever you choose, keep in mind that an engagement ring is almost like a car. It will last longer and look better if you bring it in for regular servicing every once in a while to make sure everything is ok.

If you are planning to make a piece of jewellery that will be worn everyday, such as an engagement ring, then you’ll want to make sure you select a gemstone that is tough and durable.

The post Alternative Engagement Rings Toronto first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Lab Grown Gemstone Guide

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 17:47:27 +0000

In recent years the popularity of lab grown gemstones has sky rocketed as the general public learns more about them. We have developed this lab grown gemstone guide to provide more information about these beautiful options.

Lab Grown Gemstone Guide

At first it might not be so obvious but synthetic gemstones and imitation gemstones are two entirely different things.

A synthetic gemstone is chemically identical to a natural mineral from the earth but made in a lab environment. An imitation gemstone is a material that is similar in appearance to another mineral or gemstone but chemically different.

More and more I have clients who are interested in using synthetic gemstones but the terminology can get confusing. Let’s explore the distinction between these two terms a bit more.

SYNTHETIC OR LAB CREATED GEMSTONES

Synthetic gemstones may also be known as ‘lab grown stones’, ‘lab made stones’, ‘lab “gemstone name”, lab sapphire or man-made gemstones. They are all the same thing. A synthetic gemstone is created by humans in a lab to be chemically identical to a natural mineral.

There are many different processes to create these gemstones, the first of which was developed in the late 1800’s. Since there can be confusion between these synthetic stones and natural stones because they share chemical and optical characteristics, there are strict disclosure guide lines for the marketplace.

WHAT KINDS OF LAB CREATED OR SYNTHETIC STONES ARE AVAILABLE?

Synthetic stones are most often available in gemstones for which there is a high demand. So, for example, synthetic ruby is readily available while synthetic peridot is not. The most common synthetic gemstones are sapphire (blue, yellow, pink, purple, green and padparadscha), ruby, emerald, spinel and alexandrite.

There are also synthetic diamonds and they are pure carbon, just as natural diamonds. They may be referred to by the process by which they were created, for example HPHT (High Pressure, High Temperature) diamonds.

MOISSANITE

Moissanite is another synthetic gemstone created in a lab. Natural moissanite was discovered over a century ago but it is very rare and the sample was extremely small. The properties of this gem proved so alluring that in the proceeding years many tried to recreate the mineral in a lab. Finally the company Charles & Colvard succeeded and an alternative to diamond became a reality.

At first the moissanite gemstones produced had a yellow0ish undertone (now referred to ‘Moissanite Classic’) but in recent years new, colourless moissanite have been developed such as the ‘Forever Brilliant’ and the ‘Forever One’ lines.

LAB CREATED DIAMOND AND SAPPHIRE ENGAGEMENT RINGS

As the title implies, lab created diamond or sapphire are most suitable for engagement rings. This is due to their hardness. The toughness and durability of natural diamonds and sapphires are what have always made them best suited for the everyday wear of engagement rings. The same applies for their lab created versions, as they have identical chemical compositions, they have identical hardnesses.

IMITATION GEMSTONES

Also known as simulants, imitation gemstones are stones that are essentially trying to mimic another gemstone. So, for example, a cubic zirconia in place of a diamond. Imitation stones are not chemically, optically or physically similar to the gemstone they are imitating in any way.

COMMON IMITATION STONES

Most of us are familiar with cubic zirconia that is used to imitate diamond but there are many more stones both natural and synthetic that are used to imitate higher cost natural stones. Here are just a few:

Synthetic spinel is used to imitate all birthstones
Dyed quartz can be used to imitate almost any gemstone
Dyed howlite is used to imitate turquoise
Plastic and glass can be used to imitate opal and pearl

If you’re interested in learning more about imitation gemstones I highly recommend checking out the GIA website where they have a lot of great information.

If you are planning to make a piece of jewellery that will be worn everyday then you’ll want to make sure you select a synthetic or lab made gemstone, not an imitation stone.

The post Lab Grown Gemstone Guide first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Working with Palladium White Gold

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 16:26:03 +0000

Palladium white gold is one of my favourite alloys to work with. And not just because I’m one of those people that has an allergy to nickel! I love it because of its colour. I feel like the beautiful grey undertone makes a ring look richer and perhaps a bit more antique.

If you think palladium white gold may be the alloy for you too here’s what you need to know.

Hypoallergenic Alloy

For those of us people with sensitive skin palladium white gold is a great alloy. Palladium is from the platinum group of metals, all of which are hypoallergenic. For the most part all precious jewellery is made with materials that will not cause a skin problems, however, about 5% of the population will have an allergic reaction to certain metals that are used in common jewellery alloys.

Alloys are created to make metals harder so that they will stand up to normal wear and tear. Precious metals such as pure gold and silver are very soft. In order to toughen them up other metals such as silver, copper and nickel are added.

It’s very uncommon for pure gold, silver, palladium or platinum to cause a skin sensitivity. The usual cause is the copper or nickel that is added to the alloy. Copper is added to create sterling silver and all karats of yellow gold and rose gold below 24k.

Nickel is added to all karats of nickel white gold to bleach out the yellow of pure gold. It’s the most common alloy of white gold sold commercially. Palladium white gold uses palladium to bleach out the yellow instead of nickel. By removing the nickel, you remove the skin sensitivity.

How do you know if you have a metal allergy if you haven't worn a lot of jewellery?

If you haven’t worn a lot of jewellery it can be hard to know if you have an allergy. To complicate matters not everyone’s skin pH is the same, a metal that might be fine for one person with an allergy can cause a reaction for someone else.

For me I noticed that the back of my belt buckle or the back of the button on my pants would give me a rash on my stomach. I also noticed that I couldn’t wear sterling silver earrings anymore although I could still wear sterling silver rings without a problem. As I said, it’s different for everyone.

Costume jewellery is not always a good indicator of if you have an allergy or not. Most people have a reaction to the base white metal that is used in costume jewellery.

Sometimes an allergy can develop later. I wasn’t always allergic to nickel white gold but I found that after I had my baby I was suddenly allergic to it! I had worn a ring home from the shop by accident and woke up the next morning to a skin reaction that was irritated and itchy under the white gold ring.

If you’d like to test it out yourself I suggest borrowing an item of white gold jewellery from a friend or family member and wearing it for a period of 48 hours. If after that time you have no reaction you’re probably fine.

I’ve even had a client tape a nickel to her arm and do a patch test to see if it caused a reaction (she did). If you’d like to try this method make sure you find a nickel that was minted before 1982 when they were still made of actual nickel.

Palladium White Gold Availability

Although palladium white gold is the most common alloy of white gold in Europe it is also readily available here locally in Toronto. Any ring, necklace, pendant, bracelet or set of earrings of your choice can be made using palladium white gold instead of nickel white gold.

Cost

Because palladium is from the platinum group of metals it is more expensive than nickel. ~~This means that palladium white gold is roughly 30% more expensive than nickel white gold.~~ Since writing this post the price of palladium has sky rocketed. Platinum is actually the better value choice these days!

Colour

The most obvious difference between nickel white gold and palladium white gold is the colour. Palladium has a deeper, grey-ish undertone and nickel white gold is a brighter white. But, if you were to compare two highly polished rings, your eye may have a hard time telling the difference between the two. It’s only a subtle difference but there definitely is a difference.

Also, you may have heard about white gold rings needing to be “dipped”. A lot of commercially produced rings are rhodium plated because sometimes the alloy can have a slightly yellowish undertone. It is not necessary to plate palladium white gold. If you’re interested in finding out more about rhodium plating I’ve written a post about it here.

A sampling of rings made with palladium white gold:

So how do you know that palladium white gold is right for you?

Definitely if you have a skin sensitivity you’ll want to consider palladium white gold, pure palladium or platinum. Also if you like more of an ‘antique’ look then you may want to consider palladium white gold.

If you are curious about this beautiful alloy or would like to see the colour difference between nickel white gold and palladium white gold in person I’d be happy to help with any questions that need answering.

The post Working with Palladium White Gold first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.

Moissanite Engagement Rings

Suzanne Crudden — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 15:22:05 +0000

Chances are you’ve already done your research on the stone if you’ve found yourself here. But I thought it would also be a good time to talk a bit about moissanite as well as it’s application in custom jewellery. More and more people are choosing moissanite engagement rings.

What is Moissanite?

Naturally occuring moissanite is silicon carbide first discovered by Henri Moissan in the late 19th century. It is an extremely rare mineral and only limited deposits have ever been found – mostly in association with meteors but also in kimberlite and as naturally ocurring inclusions in diamonds.

Due to its rarity natural moissanite, ie: mined from the earth, is not widely available. Instead it was synthesized in a labratory and is now commercially available from Charles and Colvard. It has a number of applications but the most important to us here is as a beautiful gemstone in jewellery.

Why Choose Moissanite for your Engagement Ring?

The properties of moissanite make it a great choice for wedding and engagement rings or pieces that are worn every day. It is second only to diamond in hardness on the Moh’s Scale of hardness and is actually more reflective than a diamond due to it’s higher refractive index. People love the brilliance and fire of this stone!

As with any gemstone, there are certain considerations to keep in mind when choosing moissanite for your ring. In the past moissanite had a bit of a yellowish undertone but within the last five years or so the colour clarity has improved dramatically to a consistent white. This is when moissanite became a true diamond alternative.

Another thing to consider is price point. You will certainly receive more carat weight for your budget with moissanite than you will with diamond. If you are person who likes the look of larger stones but not the cost then moissanite is definitely a great choice for you!

And finally, I find one of the most important reasons a lot of my clients prefer moissanite is because they are an ethical choice. Since they are lab created and not mined from the earth there are less associated environmental and cultural impacts.

Custom Moissanite Engagement Rings

Why would you choose to create a custom moissanite engagement ring versus purchasing one already made? The main reason is that the design you have in mind isn’t available in the stone choices that you want. Or perhaps you really want to flex your creative muscles and you make something truly unique. Whatever the case I’ve been helping my clients create their custom moissanite engagement rings in Toronto for years. Way before it became trendy.

In the years since a lot of companies have sprung up to take advantage of the popularity of moissanite. If I can toot my own here for a moment, I think it’s really important to select a designer that cares about you and your ring and not just the bottom line. I specialize in designing custom rings for my clients, listening to what they want and developing our relationship so that it is truly a collaborative experience.

Here's a small sampling of some custom moissanite engagement rings I've made with my clients:

Where to Purchase Moissanite in Toronto?

If you would like to use moissanite in your custom engagement ring there are two options. You can source a stone(s) yourself by logging on the Charles and Colvard website and then bringing the stone(s) to me to design a custom piece. Alternatively I can source the stone(s) for you.

This second method is often easier because it enables you to see the stone(s) in ‘real life’ and you can decide if you would like to use it in your piece. If not, it can always be returned. Sometimes it’s also hard for you to know how many and of which size stones you should order for your design. Since I will know all of the precise details of the design it may be easier for me to order in the stones required.

In the years since Charles & Colvard first perfected their bright, white material many other moissanite companies have sprung up around the world. There are a few that I feel create high quality material but there are a lot out there with sub par product. As with natural diamonds the cut is really important. You can have beautiful material but if it’s not cut right it won’t sparkle the way it should.

The Next Step

If you still have questions you can also check out my moissanite FAQ’s . Or if you have specific questions about the custom process this page might help. Finally if you need some inspiration check out my engagement ring portfolio. I hope we can work together soon!

The post Moissanite Engagement Rings first appeared on Suzanne Crudden Custom Jewellery.