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The Ring Leader Blog

What Size Diamond is Right for your Hand?

January 19, 2024

Diamond engagement rings are simply not “one-size-fits-all” and when you are shopping for yourself or a lover, keep these handy tips in mind for choosing the right stone.

At first, this question might seem simply answered, “it’s all about what you can afford.” Yet many other factors should influence your design decisions and will make a big visual impact when you wear your diamond ring.

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A Complete Checklist for Designing Your Perfect Engagement Ring (and Wedding Ring!)

July 20, 2023

Your engagement ring and wedding ring are symbols of eternal love and commitment, cherished jewelry that will forever adorn your fingers. Designing the perfect engagement ring is an exciting journey that allows you to express your unique love story and personal style. To help you navigate this comp… see the full article

Surprise Engagement Ring? The Foolproof Way to Design a Surprise Engagement Ring They Will Love

April 05, 2023

Considering all the time, effort, and expense that goes into creating the perfect engagement ring, is it any wonder so many men want some element of surprise? It elevates their all-important question into a sweeping, romantic gesture -- not to mention, most women like it when their guy picks out the ring.  see the full article

How to Develop Your Custom Engagement Ring Design and End Up with Something You Love

March 22, 2023

When you want the engagement ring of your dreams, it can be hard to find a designer who can make your dream a reality. How do you organize your ideas and inspirations? Is your dream ring a juxtaposition of multiple styles? Is the concept of creating something from scratch daunting? That’s … see the full article

Two Stone Engagement Rings: It’s “Toi et Moi” Forever!

January 31, 2023

Toi et Moi, or “You and Me” engagement rings are a unique design choice, and gaining popularity! The idea behind this style is that there are two center stones to represent the couple, rather than a single center stone. One for you, and one for me. The appeal of this style is that yo… see the full article

The Secret Sauce of a Boho Engagement Ring: Show Your True Chic Style

January 17, 2023

Boho-style engagement rings and wedding bands are trending because couples are breaking the old, established traditions of weddings. The expression of off-beat designs, unique reception locations, and handpicked elements resonates with the free-spirited couple. Many of today’s couples want… see the full article

Moss Agate Engagement Rings Alternatives

November 09, 2022

Moss Agate is a beautiful stone that celebrates nature. The mossy design preserved in a crystal home transports you to a lush forest. “Cottage-Core” is a design trend of imagining a slower and more peaceful life. Imagine an English countryside with lush gardens, homemade wares, and peac… see the full article

How to Choose the Perfect Ring Style

December 10, 2019

When it comes to selecting an engagement ring, commitment ring, or wedding rings, keep in mind that you are choosing rings meant to last a lifetime. So, a question we hear from both individuals and couples is this: How do I know the ring I choose now is one that I will W… see the full article

Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Your Diamond: Part I

December 02, 2019

Princess & Cushion Diamonds
Diamonds are the superheroes of gems: they’re all flash and fire and seemingly bulletproof. And yes, while it’s true they’re the hardest stones around, they can also show signs of everyday wear and tear. Their kryptonite? Dirt. Oil, skin cells, muck and grime not only dim your stone’s natural sparkle, they can also build up under prongs, causing the stone to loosen and possibly even fall out. Luckily, taking care of your rock is fairly simple. Today, we’ll cover how to clean and care for it. see the full article

Ring Design Requests and Challenges

November 26, 2019

As a custom ring design studio that manufactures inhouse, Krikawa believes that when selecting your engagement ring design, you are in the driver’s seat and we are your GPS guide. A true guide maps the best and safest route, navigates the obstacles for you, and get… see the full article

Wedding Sets: Should Your Rings Match?

November 26, 2019

Couples put a lot of love and consideration into choosing—or designing—an engagement ring. You deserve an outstanding engagement ring; it represents the spark of love that inspired your commitment to marriage, and will carry on through the years ahead. That spark is so important to keep… see the full article

Everything You Want To Know About Upgrading Your Wedding Rings

October 23, 2019

My 21 years as a custom ring designer helps me to answer the why, when, and how a couple upgrades their engagement and wedding rings.

Starting with Why: Is it Normal to Upgrade Rings?


Is it “normal” to ask about upgrading your wedding rings? Absolutely. There are at lea… see the full article

What Engagement Ring Quiz Works? This one.

October 01, 2019

Designing your dream ring just got easier!

Let's be honest. The ring buying process is complicated. You start out excited to find your ring, but along the way, you might become overwhelmed with information and fearful of making a bad choice.  You are after all, going to be wea… see the full article

Engagement Ring Design: Popular Styles Defined

June 07, 2019

People have created jewelry using the Earth's most beautiful resources since before recorded history. Many recognizable and distinct design styles have emerged over time, as jewelry aesthetic preferences have often followed high fashion and even architectural design trends. Today, Krikawa is th… see the full article

The Ultimate Jewelry Gift Guide for the Holidays 2018 for Men and Women

November 13, 2018

john and lisa krikawa
Lisa and John Krikawa on a fall hike!
It's that time again, when we're faced with the question of what to give our loved ones for the holidays.  You've done the socks, the ties, the gag gifts, perhaps even the diamond earrings and the watch. This season, consider something that your special someone will cherish forever (hint, hint, John :).

In my experience, there's nothing as sentimental as a jewelry gift.  Why is that?  Well, quality, precious jewelry lasts forever.  A woman cherishes the REAL jewelry she hoards away in her jewelry treasure box, and when she wears it, she remembers EXACTLY when and where she received it.  Even the daughters and granddaughters end up knowing the story.  Whether it's for Christmas, Hannukah, or a birthday, a beautiful piece of jewelry speaks volumes.  see the full article

Luxury Corporate Gifts: Saying Thank You in Style

April 14, 2018

What's the best way to inspire a burgeoning workplace? Rewarding your employees can have an indirect benefit to the company, leaving your employees feeling recognized and appreciated.  We spend nearly one-third of our li… see the full article

The 3 Marks of Luxury: Will Your Engagement Ring Pass?

September 20, 2017

It catches your eye as she walks by; is that ring real?  We've all seen the celebrity engagement ring with the supersized stone, and the flurry of look a-likes that flood the market afterwards.  What makes the original so luxurious, and the imitation just that; the ugly stepsister?

There's more to a luxury engagement ring than meets the eye.  If you really want to feel that luxurious supernatural hum when you look at your engagement ring, or if you truly hope for your beloved to swoon every time she gazes at the ring you engaged her with, consider these three things. see the full article

For Better or For Worse, Technology is Changing the Way That We Do Weddings

September 14, 2017

It’s pretty safe to say that in today’s world, almost everything we do is dependent on or influenced by technology. With our abundance of smartphones, computers, gadgets, and gizmos, we have grown accustomed to being connected to the rest of the world with the touch of a button. With… see the full article

Your Jewelry Is Tarnished or Green. Now What?

October 08, 2015

It’s happened to the best of us: You pick up a fun piece of jewelry and only get in a few wears before it starts to darken or turn colors. It’s not your eyes playing tricks on you. Costume jewelry is notoriously vulnerable to tarnishing or turning green. see the full article

5 Engagement Rings That Inspire Envy

October 07, 2015

Engagement rings are a lot of things: an outward symbol of your love and commitment, a sign that you’re officially off the market and, of course, a nice piece of jewelry. But let’s be honest, they’re also a lot of fun to show off. In fact, part of the thrill of getting engaged is sharing your proposal story with and waving your sparkler of a ring around friends, family and perfect strangers. As any bride-to-be will tell you, showing off your ring is even more fun if it inspires a little envy, too. Here are five gorgeous styles that will cause a serious case of the “I want’s.” see the full article

Celebrity Ring Watch: Brad Pitt

October 29, 2014

Brad Pitt Wedding Band
Brad Pitt Wedding Band
Image: JustJared.com

Though the much-anticipated wedding of Brad Pitt and Angeline Jolie had some nontraditional elements, like their children drawing pictures on her veil, other parts were nothing short of classic. My favorite? Brad’s ring, a yellow gold, 4 millimeter, half-round shape that’s the epitome of a vintage men’s band and a style your grandfather probably wore on his own wedding day. see the full article

Everything You Need to Know About Caring for Your Diamond: Part II

August 23, 2014

Bent Prong Engagement Ring
Diamond Engagement Ring with Bent Prongs
In my last post, we talked about the best ways to clean your diamond. Today, I’d like to focus on what you can do to keep it looking beautiful for many years to come. Because here’s the thing: Diamonds are very hard and quite durable, but they’re also expensive and precious. Treat them like they’re valuable (because they are!). Here are my tried-and-true tips for caring for your diamond ring between regular check-ups and cleanings. see the full article

Online Jewelry Shopping 101 (or How Not to Get Scammed)

July 24, 2014

Online Shopping
I’m a big fan of online shopping. In fact, a healthy amount of our business comes from our online store. But even as we’re becoming savvier Internet shoppers, I still have customers bring in sub-par stones they bought online--and paid way too much for. And hey, I get it: It’s tough to assess a piece of jewelry’s quality based solely on a website photo. 

While nothing can replace holding a piece in your hands and inspecting it from all angles, shopping brick-and-mortar-style isn’t always feasible. Sometimes you browse a site and end up falling hard for a piece you can’t imagine living without. Or sometimes you’re pressed for time and find that it’s easier to handle the whole transaction from the comfort of your laptop or smartphone. But before you click “buy,” check out these tips to help you suss out the real deals from the all-out scams. see the full article

5 Mistakes Everyone Makes When Shopping for an Engagement Ring

July 21, 2014

Shopping for an Engagement Ring
I don’t know about you, but I’m not a big fan of stuffy jewelry stores. They tend to be imposing and even a little intimidating, which is not the way most of us want to feel when making a major purchase like an engagement ring. Still, even in the most casual of settings, it’s tough not to feel overwhelmed by all the choices. While any jeweler worth his or her loupe will help guide you through the process, missteps will happen. Here are some of the most common mistakes I see customers make—and my best tips on how to avoid them. see the full article

5 Jewelry Design Rules You Should Break

July 05, 2014

There’s a place for rules, but trust me, a jewelry store is not one of them. In fact, I’m a firm believer that you should check those pesky do’s and don’ts at the door and rely on your instincts instead. After all, unlike a set of arcane rules, your heart won’t ever steer you wrong—especially when it comes to choosing an engagement ring or wedding ring. Here are five of the most common rules you should toss right out the window. see the full article

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