Valentine’s Day: Gorgeous Gems for Perfect Proposals
12 Feb 2025
Have you heard of the “slump” that many people experience at this time of year? Festive excitement is long past, winter is clinging on, spring sunshine and summer holidays seem a long way away.
...But not at Silver Tree!
Readily admitting to being total romantics, this is one of our most “aww”-some times of the year. Bookended by the two most popular times to propose- over Christmas, and Valentine’s Day, we’re surrounded by sparkles and stories of special moments- what’s not to love?!
Choosing in Harmony
Stats show that, while we like being surprise by a proposal, we’re less happy having no choice in the ring. A very public embodiment of the ultimate declaration of love and commitment, this is one piece of jewellery you need to fall in love with, almost as much as your choice of partner.
If you can’t agree on what boxset to watch, it’s no wonder the thought of opening a mystery box can take the shine off that special moment. Research shows that around 75% of couples now choose an engagement ring together (by the way, we’re very good at “picking up hints”, and steering in the right direction!)
With every love story as individual as its leading characters, we put extra-special thought and planning into curating perfect engagement ring collections. From subtle to show-stopping, unique to unusual, there’s nothing like hearing the gasp of “THAT’S the one!” to get everyone’s heart beating a little faster.
Say it with Sparkle
Diamonds have been a symbol of love since the 15th century. Combining brilliant sparkle and a range of shades with the durability to withstand years of daily wear, it’s no surprise they 85% – 95% of engagement rings feature diamonds.
Our signature Diamond Room is sparkling with stunning handpicked collections of diamond set jewellery in a shimmer of refined and Fairtrade yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum. All our stunning natural diamonds start from GSi grading, shining with rare white purity, in beautiful settings from master designers Brown & Newirth.
If “diamonds are forever”, you now enjoy choice not just in size, cut and design, but natural (mined), or laboratory grown, each offering different appeal and considerations.
Natural Diamonds: The Classic Choice
Formed deep within the Earth over millions of years, each natural diamond carries unique characteristics, or “inclusions," that distinguish it from others. This increases their appeal, but also relative cost (although they are more likely to appreciate in value over time). In recent years, the environmental impact and ethical concerns about some diamond mining practices have led to concerns about their source, which is why all the natural diamonds in Silver Tree’s Diamond Room are guaranteed ethically sourced from conflict-free zones.
Laboratory-Grown Diamonds: The Modern Contender
Created in a controlled laboratory setting, using high-tech chemical and temperature processes, scientists can replicate the natural diamond creation process, producing diamonds that are chemically, physically, and optically identical to natural diamonds. With a fraction of the environmental footprint and ethical concerns compared to mined diamonds, they are also less expensive than their natural counterparts. Cut to the same standards, they can range from the clear and subtle hues of natural diamonds to shades of yellow, pink, and blue.
Your Proposal, Your Choice
Which is right for you? Only you will know. With the same hardness, brilliance and sparkle as natural diamonds, to the naked eye, laboratory-grown gems can even fool jewellers! Their wallet-friendly growth in popularity makes it possible to get a larger or higher-quality diamond for the same budget. On the other hand, for many the appeal of a natural diamond’s history, millennia of formation deep in the earth, and absolute uniqueness, will never diminish.
Natural diamond, grown, or other gemstone, whichever you choose, the most important thing is that it represents your unique journey and the love you share. At Silver Tree, we love “mining” into designs, cuts and stones, to offer exquisite, high-quality natural and grown diamonds that symbolise love and commitment; plus of course our friendly expertise and ability to subtly point a partner the right way when required!
