JOURNAL

HAND ENGRAVING vs LASER ENGRAVING

Engraving is like writing a love letter that will last forever. It’s a special way to mark keepsakes with permanent messages and symbols to tell beautiful stories of the people, places and events you are connected to. 

Choosing A Signet Ring

RUUSK is well known for Signet Rings and we truly adore them for their deep and rich history which dates all the way back to 3500 BC.  We have a number of Signet Rings in our collection covering both the traditional and more modern takes of Signet Ring design. Often people ask us which Signet Shape is right for them, so we thought we would take you through each Signet Ring style to make it easier for you to choose the perfect Signet for you.  Let's begin with the more traditional designs: SMALL SIGNET RING   Our Small Signet is a studio favourite here and also with our clients. A hand carved signet, cast in solid gold the Small Signet Ring is a classic design, best worn on the pinky or ring finger and can be personalised with star-set and flush set stones. Our Small Signet Ring can be personalised with the stone of your choice and comes in several designs. Small Signet RingStar-Set Small Signet Ring with 1.5mm stone 2.5mm Star-Set Small Signet RingSide Star-Set Small Signet Ring3 Star-Set Small Signet Ring SpecificationsBand Width: 3mm wide approx.Face Size: 11mm x 10mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White Gold Engraving Options*We have both laser and hand engraving available and you can read about the difference between the two here.  Laser Engraving is available on all pieces. Hand Engraving is available, however this ring is best suited to one letter on the face; enquire here to discuss.  *Please note we do not mix engraving styles.   CLASSIC SIGNET RING    A larger version of the Small Signet, our Classic Signet Ring is hand carved and cast in solid Gold. It is a really great unisex piece which comes in several designs and can be personalised with your choice of stone and/or engraving. Classic Signet Ring - For her and for himStar Classic Signet Ring - For her and for himMoon & Star Classic Signet - For her and for him SpecificationsBand Width: 5mm wide approx.Face Size: 13.5mm x 12mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White Gold Engraving OptionsBoth laser and hand engraving available. If you would like to engrave the face, we suggest hand engraving which can fit up to 2 letters. Contact us to get a quote here. Moving on from the Small and Classic Signet Rings which are the more traditional Signets in our collection, let's move onto the more modern takes on the Signet design.   TINY SIGNET RING For lovers of a finer look, the Tiny Signet is more dainty than the rest of our Signet collection and can be personalised with up to 5 tiny flush set stones. The Tiny Signet is a great stacking option and comes in two designs with the choice to personalise with your choice and number of stones. Tiny Signet RingDiamond Tiny Signet Ring SpecificationsBand Width: 2mm wideGold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White Gold Stone: 1mm Clear or Champagne Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds or Navy Sapphires. Engraving options:Laser engraving is available inside the band in this design.   OVAL SIGNET RING   The Oval Signet is our contemporary take on the Signet Ring and our Moon & Stars variation is one of our most popular styles. Traditionally designed for women, the Oval Signet is also available in men’s sizes for the guys after a lighter look on the hand. Personalise your Oval Signet with different coloured stones and setting options. This gorgeous ring is made to order, cast in solid gold and can be be personalised with stone or engraving options to your personal liking. Plain Oval Signet - For Her, For HimMoon & Star Oval Signet - For Her Specifications:Band Width: 3mm wide approx.Face Width: 5mm x 11mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White Gold Engraving Options:Laser engraving available.Hand engraving on the face available, enquire here.   LONG SIGNET We have a larger version of our popular Oval Signet Ring. Our Long Signet Ring is a great mix between a plain band and a signet ring, for those looking for something a little less traditional.  Long SignetMoon & Star Long Signet Specifications:Band Width: 4mm wide approx.Face Width: 5.8mm x 16mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White GoldStone: 2.5mm Flush set Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald or Ruby + 2mm Star-set Diamond, Sapphire, Emerald or Ruby Engraving Options:Laser engraving available.Hand engraving on the face available, enquire here.   LARGE OVAL SIGNET   For a bolder look, we have our Large Oval Signet with a bigger face. A unisex design, this particular piece could suit larger stones or more engraving if that's what you are after. Large Oval Signet - For Her, For Him Star-Set Large Oval Signet Ring - For Her, For Him Specifications:Band Width: 4mm wide approx.Face Width: 10mm x 15mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White GoldLaser engraving available.Hand engraving on the face available, enquire here.    LARGE ROUND SIGNET RING Last but not least, our Large Round Signet Ring is for someone who loves bold symmetry. This particular design is a blank canvas; free and ready for personalisation with your choice of stones and/or engraving. Large Round Signet Ring Specifications:Band Width: 4mm approx.Face Size: 15mm x 15mm approx.Gold: 9ct, 14ct or 18ct Yellow, Rose or White Gold. Engraving Options:Laser Engraving available.Contact us here to explore hand engraving options.     We hope you have enjoyed learning about the Signet Rings in our collection and look forward to creating a special piece for you in the future. 

Choosing Your Diamond Solitaire Size

There’s a lot to consider when choosing your solitaire diamond; size, budget, band width, stone.  Every clear diamond used in the RUUSK collection pieces are G-F or above in colour, placing them in the Rare White colour scale and have VS clarity. Read more about our diamonds here.   To make choosing your solitaire diamond size a little easier, we’ve broken down our solitaire diamond collection for you. To begin with, we'd love to introduce our newest design... THE MINI SOLITAIRE RING Our brand new Mini Solitaire Ring is the smallest solitaire in our collection. With a very low bezel setting, this piece is really wearable. Think our Thin Organic band, with a nod to a traditional solitaire. It’s great for someone after a more subtle look.  It can be chosen as an engagement ring, but it doesn’t need to be! This band stacks beautifully with lots of our other pieces. Band Width: 2.5-2.8mm wide, roundedStones: 3.5mm GF/VS Clear Diamond (approx. 0.17ct)Also available in Sapphire, Ruby or Emerald. Starting from $1,660 with a clear diamond.   0.25CT DIAMOND PEBBLE RING Inspired by stone skipping across a river, the Diamond Pebble has the most organic shape in our entire solitaire collection.  Featuring a thinner band, the Pebble Ring is for those after a more dainty look. It's a popular choice with its unique and optional flush set diamond/s sitting next to the centre 0.25ct solitaire. Band Width: 2mm wide, roundedStones: 4mm GF/VS Clear Diamond (approx. 0.25ct) with 1mm GF/VS Clear Diamond(s) or Navy Sapphire(s) flush set in the band. Starting from $2,330 with a clear diamond.   0.4CT DIAMOND FINE SOLITAIRE RING A step up from the Pebble is our hand carved bezel set 0.4ct Diamond Fine Solitaire ring.  For those after a classic, refined look with a handmade feel, this piece features our thinnest band in the range. Band Width: 1.9mm wide approx.Stones: 0.4ct G-F/VS GIA certified Diamond read about our Diamonds here.(Option to add 1mm Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies or Emeralds in the band). Starting from $4,180 with a clear diamond.   0.5CT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING With a wider band and a contemporary feel, the 0.5ct Diamond Solitaire feels really wearable on the hand. For those looking for a more grounded take on the classic solitaire, this is for you. Band Width: 3mm wide approx.Stones: 0.5ct G-F/VS GIA certified Diamond. Option to add 1.5mm Diamonds, Sapphires, Rubies or Emeralds in the band. Starting from $6,630 with a clear diamond.   0.75CT DIAMOND SOLITAIRE RING Saving our biggest solitaire until last, our largest stone in the collection is our hand carved and bezel set 0.75ct Diamond Solitaire. A RUUSK take on the classic Solitaire Engagement Ring — absolutely timeless. Band Width: 3mm wide approx.Stones: 0.75ct G-F/VS GIA certified Diamond.This ring can also be made with a 0.8ct Diamond should you prefer a larger stone. Starting from $12,030 with a clear diamond.   Do you love the look of a gorgeous, big diamond but want to work within a specific budget?  Reach out to us to chat about diamond alternatives like moissanite, lab grown diamonds, coloured stones or champagne diamonds. There are lots of beautiful to suit every budget.  View our Solitaire collection here, or reach out to us to enquire about your Solitaire Ring Ring.

PLATINUM vs WHITE GOLD

For those that love silver tones but want more durability, white gold and platinum are beautiful options. However, when deciding between the two it can be tricky to determine how they differ and the benefits of each. So we’ve put together this quick guide to help you decide:   About white gold Because pure gold is naturally a soft metal, gold used to create jewellery needs to be mixed with other alloys. This means 9ct gold approximately contains 37.5% pure gold, 14ct - 58.3% and 18ct - 75%. In Australia, white gold is most commonly mixed with palladium and silver to make the piece of jewellery 'white' and more resistant to scratching and denting. This does means that occasionally, 18ct gold can be harder than a platinum piece of jewellery. Additionally, as an industry standard, White Gold pieces are Rhodium plated to give white gold a brighter white appearance and to improve durability. 9ct, 14ct and 18ct White gold pieces will initially all look the same if they have been rhodium plated. RUUSK white gold pieces are Rhodium plated so that they will best match other white gold jewellery you wear however, if you would prefer to leave your piece un-plated just let us know. Un-plated white Gold tends to have more of a yellow or grey hue which will tend to show as the Rhodium plating fades over time (view our metal colour chart here). To restore it's original bright white shine, White Gold jewellery can be re-plated when required.  Whilst not as dense as platinum, white gold is still intrinsically strong and will give fine details more rigidity. For example, if your special piece features hand engraving or square edges, these details are often retained better by white gold over platinum. About platinum 20% denser than white gold, platinum possesses much heavier and harder properties. Known for being one of the most durable metals on earth, platinum can be used in a purer form than gold and will typically form 95% of your special piece. Being a naturally occurring white metal, there is no need to for Rhodium plating. Unlike white Gold, Platinum will retain its natural bright white colour for years to come. Platinum is also great hypoallergenic choice for anyone with sensitive skin. When it scratches, the metal moves from one area to another, this means that Platinum is better at retaining its original density over time (it's doesn't wear away as gold will) however it can soften the appearance of fine details and sharp edges. This natural wearing process, resulting in small ‘bruises’ and ‘dents’ on the surface creates its own unique finish called a patina. Many view patina as desirable because it reflects how much a particular piece of jewellery has been loved and worn and reveals the markings of your unique life story :)   Platinum or White Gold In recent years, platinum used to be far more expensive than white gold however, with the cost of platinum and gold being more similar nowadays, it really comes down to personal style and preference. That said, platinum will always be a little bit more expensive than the lower cts of white gold as platinum, being a denser and therefore heavier metal, more platinum is needed to produce the same ring than in white gold. Additionally, platinum can’t be reused and remelted like white gold which usually means that any scraps and filings must be sent to a refiner. This is often an expensive process. If your piece is to feature fine details, like hand engraving then White Gold will be a better option than Platinum as it's better at retaining detail. If you had your eye on a special necklace or bracelet, White Gold would also be the best option here as we do not offer platinum chains. Another thing to bear in mind is whether you're planning on wearing your new piece with other rings, if so, the rule of thumb is to stick to the same gold ct or alloy so that when your rings rub together they wear at the same rate. For example, if you have an 18ct White Gold Engagement ring, we would suggest opting for an 18ct White Gold Wedding band for optimal wear. Hopefully this helps you to gain a better understanding of the difference between platinum and white gold. Each is beautiful option so at the end of the day, pick a metal that feels right to you and we're sure you’ll adore it! There's no wrong option. Our Platinum XS Organic Ring paired with our White Gold Thin Organic Ring (Rhodium Plated). The brighter white is the Rhodium Plated White Gold. If you need any more help, please don’t hesitate to contact us, we're always happy to help.

Moissanite, gemstone born from the stars

Moissanite Solitaire using our 1ct Diamond Solitaire Ring Shape In 1893, Nobel-Prize winning scientist Henri Moissan began studying fragments of a meteorite in Diablo Canyon, Arizona. In these fragments, Dr. Moissan discovered minute quantities of a shimmering new mineral, with fire and brilliance never before seen on earth. Thinking he had discovered diamonds, it wasn’t after extensive research that Dr Moissan concluded this new mineral was made of silicon carbide. This mineral is now what we call moissanite, named in Dr Moissan’s honour. Due to moissanite’s extraterrestrial origins (it is literally a gemstone born from the stars!), moissanite is thought to encourage a better connection to the rest of the universe. Known to bring luck into people’s lives, awake hidden potential and push individuals to finish their goals, moissanite captures the essence and beauty of a star from far far away. Because natural moissanite is incredibly rare, almost all moissanite on the current market has been laboratory-created. This makes them highly appealing for those seeking an eco-conscious gemstone as they require no mining, have a smaller carbon footprint and result in less environmental impact. Additionally, as a moissanite requires far less labour than a clear diamond, they are more affordable than diamonds making them an attractive and beautiful diamond alternative. This makes moissanite an excellent choice for individuals who want the look of a large diamond but are more price conscious. Moissanite scores a 9.25 on the Mohs scale, a very good score that makes it the second-hardest gemstone. Due to its sturdy and durable features, this gem is highly suitable for everyday wear. While diamonds are graded on Cut, Clarity, Colour and Carat (4 C’s), moissanites are graded solely on colour. Because they are grown in laboratories, they don’t feature any inclusions contained in nearly all diamonds. Primarily ‘colourless’ moissanites can sometimes project a yellowish or yellow-green hue in certain lights. Usually, the larger the moissanite, the more noticeable the colour. Additionally, moissanite have a heightened brilliance which will shimmer and shine under even the most dull of lights. Exhibiting fiery, rainbow flashes in the sun, moissanite is preferred by many because of their brilliance. And have no fear, a moissanite won’t lose their shine - you can wear it all the time and it won’t change its appearance at all. Moissanite Fine Solitaire using our 0.75ct Diamond Solitaire Ring Shape and XS Organic with our Two by Two stone pattern Moissanite Mini Solitaire, XS Organic with our Two by Two stone pattern and Low Wide Organic      Did you know? You can personalise many of our pieces with your choice of stone, including moissanite! Contact us to talk about incorporating moissanite into your unique, handmade heirloom.

EMERALD CARE

Emeralds are a gorgeous and rich addition to any piece of jewellery, but it is important to understand that they require a little more care and attention than your other gemstones. As emeralds are a softer, more delicate variety of stone, they often have surface reaching inclusions. As a result, they are not only more susceptible to scratches, but they are particularly prone to chipping or cracking when knocked, which can result in the stone loosening and falling out of the setting. This means that emeralds require more loving care from their wearer.  Here are some ways to keep your favourite emerald shimmering for a lifetime: Be sure to remove your jewellery before doing anything laborious. Taking your rings off before the gym or doing household chores will help protect your emerald from unnecessary hits. Avoid exposing your emerald to extreme temperatures. Heat can damage emeralds as it can extend existing fractures. Be careful about continuous exposure to sunlight as the light can destroy oil treatments or discolour or deteriorate your emerald. When storing your emerald jewellery, store it securely in your RUUSK box so it cannot hit against other jewellery or hard surfaces.   Never clean your emerald ultrasonically or with steam: ultrasonic vibrations could weaken already-fractured stones and hot steam causes oil or unhardened resin to sweat out of fractures. For more information on caring for your RUUSK piece, please read our jewellery care guide. Did you know? You can personalise any of our pieces with your choice of stone, including emerald! Get in touch to talk about incorporating emerald into your unique, handmade heirloom.

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