Whether your ceremony is a barefoot beach affair, or a blowout in a hotel ballroom, the best engagement ring you have ever imagined will shine from the best manicured finger you’ve ever flaunted on what is meant to be the best day of your life. While some traditions have been gleefully thrown into the dustbin of history-I mean, who can even imagine promising to “Obey” anymore?-the desire for the very best engagement ring endures. When it comes to seeking out the very best engagement rings, even the most radical, non-conforming couples are captivated. However, we may earn affiliate revenue on this article and commission when you buy something. When taking your ring off, make sure to store it in a safe and soft jewelry box away from other jewelry that could knock against it and cause chipping.All products featured on Vogue are independently selected by our editors. Also, try to avoid wearing your ring while applying your makeup or styling your hair, as chemicals in these products could potentially damage your stone. While this stone does hold up well over time, it's essential to take your ring off while swimming or showering. Soap and water is always safe and easy.” Since onyx is a more absorbent stone, using cleaning chemicals can cause it to change color. “Steam or ultrasonic cleanings are safe, but you want to avoid extreme heat or chemicals. “Onyx is softer than diamond, but it is still an easy stone to care for,” says Zhang. Beyond that, Zhang says to look for scratches and chips on the surface of the stone, particularly if you’re considering a vintage ring. Banded calcite, a less valuable mineral, and other stones can be dyed and passed off as onyx.

How can I tell if an onyx gemstone is high quality? As with all engagement rings, you’ll want to work with a reputable jeweler you trust.Some of the most popular cuts for this stone include the emerald cut and the cushion cut, although one of the best parts about onyx is that it works with any cut, so it all comes down to your preference. What cut works best with this type of stone? Since onyx is a softer gemstone, it can be easily crafted into any shape.“This is a smart way to set the stone, as when you hit the ring during everyday wear, the metal will take most of the pressure.” This decreases the chance of the stone cracking or chipping. “The bezel is a frame of metal around a stone,” she explains. What setting works best with onyx? Zhang recommends a bezel setting for your onyx stone.That's not to say it isn't everyday wear, but it might just require a bit more attention than more durable stones, such as diamonds and sapphires. It is a much more low-profile stone, and it's softer, creating more potential for damage. If you're looking for a glittering, brilliant stone for your engagement ring, onyx is not that. 'Onyx really lends itself to that, so you can do a lot in terms of styling.' Not to mention, it's generally more affordable than a diamond.Īlthough onyx makes for a chic, one-of-a-kind ring, the gemstone may not be for everyone. 'I'm not the biggest fan of color-maybe because I'm a New Yorker-and when you have an engagement ring, you should be able to wear it with everything,' she says. Colored gemstones have the potential to clash with everyday wear while onyx remains fairly neutral with its black hue. If you are looking for an edgy yet wearable alternative to a diamond, onyx is a great option. After looking at everything I had, she settled on an onyx ring because it was really simple, clean, and modern.”ģ Things to Never Do to Your Engagement Ring Pros and Cons of Onyx Rings She wanted something unique and different. “I recently had a bride come in who doesn’t wear jewelry very often,” says Zhang. “Queen Victoria expressed her sadness at the loss of her husband, Prince Albert, through her fashion choices.” “The jewelry of this period reflected the monarch’s style,” says Zhang. During the Victorian era, it became a favorite stone for mourning jewelry after Queen Victoria wore it.

Throughout history, onyx has been used in protective amulets, rosaries, and cameos.

The word onyx is derived from the ancient Greek word for 'claw.' “The story is that while Venus slept, her fingernails were trimmed, and the gods turned these clippings into the stone known as onyx,” says New York City jeweler Ashley Zhang. A subvariety of the layered mineral chalcedony, onyx is most commonly found as a black stone however, it's also available in green and reddish-brown, known as sardonyx. Onyx is a semiprecious gemstone characterized by bands running parallel to one another.

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