The Ring Leader Blog

Bent Prong Engagement Ring
Diamond Engagement Ring with Bent Prongs
In my last post, we covered the best ways to clean your diamond. Today, I’d like to shift gears and talk about how you can protect that sparkle and keep it looking beautiful for many years to come. Because here’s the thing: Diamonds are exceptionally hard and quite durable, but that doesn't make them indestructible. They’re also expensive and precious, often with deep sentimental value. 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
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

What Do Custom Rings and the Ringing of a Beautiful Voice Have in Common? 

Lisa Krikawa

Lisa Krikawa
 
John Krikawa
John Krikawa
My husband John Krikawa, the Chief Technical Officer of Krikawa Jewelry Designs, has a brother Andy Krikawa, who is married to Jennifer Krikawa.  Sound complicated?  It's not (we'll leave the other eight Krikawa siblings out of it!).
 
So, my sister-in-law Jennifer is also the founder, President and Artistic Director of the Vashon Opera Company on Vashon Island, just west of Seattle.  Jennifer and Andy moved from New York to find a quiet place to raise their children, but couldn't get away from singing.  see the full article

Sapphire Colors for Engagement Rings

The Many Colors of Sapphire
The Many Colors of Sapphire

The traditional color of sapphire for an engagement ring is a blue sapphire.  The highest quality blue sapphire would be a rich, deep royal blue Ceylon sapphire.  However, blue is not the only color found in sapphire!  Another extremely rare and valuable sapphire is a Padparadscha sapphire, a deep saturated pinkish-orange color.  Not all peach sapphires are classified as Padparadscha sapphire, but a nice peach sapphire is still rare!  Purple sapphire and pink sapphire are close to the top of this list in popularity, and while green sapphire is not often sought after, it can be found in shades of blue, green, and yellow-green, and it can be absolutely gorgeous, surrounded by white diamonds.  see the full article

(Updated June 25, 2025)
Lisa Krikawa, Designer
Lisa Krikawa, Designer
 
Yes, you read that correctly. These are my seven favorite ring designs that never quite made it to the goldsmith's bench--or to the finger of a client. They're conceptual works of art, quietly waiting in the wings for the right person to bring them to life.
Each piece was sparked by a story, an idea, or a flash of inspiration during our custom design process. Some were developed for specific clients who paused before committing; others were simply creative exercises. All are ideas I'd love to see fully realized.
So, which one speaks to you?  see the full article

Category List