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Diamond Education
- Diamond Buying Guide
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- Ideal Cut Diamonds
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- What is Diamond Depth
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- What Is The Most Expensive Diamond Cut?
- What Are Step Cut Diamonds?
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- VS2 vs VS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- VVS2 vs VVS1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI2 vs SI1: Diamond Clarity Comparison
- SI1 vs VS2: Diamond Clarity Comparison
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- Which Diamond Cut Is Best?
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- Elongated Cushion Cut Diamonds
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Engagement Ring Education
- How To Buy Engagement Rings
- Affordable Engagement Rings
- Cost of a One Carat Diamond
- How To Buy A Lab Diamond Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring In a Time Crunch
- How to Choose An Engagement Ring
- How to Pick Your Engagement Ring Budget
- Engagement Rings For Second Marriage
- Best Time to Buy An Engagement Ring
- How to Buy An Engagement Ring As a Couple
- Everything You Need to Know About Dainty Engagement Rings
- Future Mother In Law's Guide to Engagement Ring Shopping
- Engagement Ring Financing
- Why You Need an Engagement Ring Appraisal
- Best Round Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Square Cut Engagement Ring
- Top Teardrop Engagement Rings
- Best Asscher Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Oval Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Radiant Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
- Twisting Rings
- Best Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Best Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
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- Best Traditional Diamond Engagement Rings
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- Top 10 Square Halo Engagement Rings
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- Nature Inspired Engagement Ring
- Filigree Rings
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- Best Two Tone Diamond Engagement Rings
- Victorian Style Engagement Rings
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- Past Present and Future Rings
- Most Expensive Celebrity Engagement Rings
- Noteworthy Celebrity Engagements (and Rings) of 2017
- Thin Engagement Rings
- Pretty Style Engagement Rings
- Double Band Engagement Rings
- 1 Carat Diamond Ring
- Top Princess Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Women's Rose Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Round Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Sapphire and Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top East West Engagement Rings
- Top Pave Engagement Rings
- Top Split Shank Halo Engagement Rings
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- Rose Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Pear Shaped Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Engagement Rings
- Top Marquise Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Bypass Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Cushion Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Emerald Cut Halo Engagement Rings
- Top Yellow Gold Oval Engagement Rings
- Top Rose Gold Emerald Cut Engagement Rings
- Top Oval Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Floating Diamond Engagement Rings
- Top Cushion Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Princess Cut Three Stone Engagement Rings
- Top Simple Engagement Rings
- Vintage Style Engagement Rings
- Types of Accent Diamonds
- Everything You Need to Know Before Setting Diamonds
- Engagement Ring Prong Guide
- All About Ring Resizing
- Identifying Your Ring After A Repair
- Everything You Need to Know About Milgrain
- Everything You Need to Know About Wide Band Engagement Rings
- Eternity Rings vs Infinity Rings
- When To Propose
- What Are Baguette Diamond Engagement Rings
- What to Say When You Propose
- What Are the Groom's Parents Responsible For?
Gemstone Education
Jewelry Education
Metal Education


What Is Milgrain (or Millgrain/Milgraine), and How Can It Enhance Your Ring?
You’ve looked through a bunch of diamond engagement rings, but nothing has that “je ne sais quoi” you want in a ring you’re going to wear for the rest of your life. Enter: milgrain.
Adding a bit of migrain to your engagement ring can completely transform it from an average, run-of-the-mill piece to one that’s unique (and maybe even a little antique). But wait: What is milgrain? Though you’re probably not familiar with the term, milgrain has been a popular jewelry style for over 100 years. Here’s everything you need to know about milgrain — and how to find the perfect style for your find.
What is milgrain?
Milgrain (sometimes spelled millgrain or milgraine) is a jewelry-detailing technique where tiny metal beads are added, typically to create an ornate border. The popularity of milgrain peaked during the Art Deco era of the 1930s, but the style first took shape thousands of years ago in Asia when craftsman would painstakingly adorn the tiny metal beads to the jewelry’s design by hand.
The close attention to detail is why milgrain was the go-to jewelry style throughout the first half of the 20th century. Creating a piece with milgrain took a ton of time — and that time spent showed the recipient just how deeply the giver loved and cared (seriously: who wouldn’t feel loved if they received jewelry that took hours and hours to make?).
While most jewelry with milgrain typically falls under the “antique” category, it’s becoming more popular again. The reason: It can really set your jewelry apart — and today’s technology (like 3D printing) makes creating the milgrain style easier than ever. Now you can shop for antique style engagement rings without hunting down an original just for the look.
Browse Engagement RingsWhere is milgrain used on engagement rings?
Back in the day, milgrain was typically used to create a border around the outer edge of the ring band to create a more personalized look. These days? Milgrain is used to either give a modern texture to jewelry, or a vintage feel to modern ring styles.
Modern milgrain engagement ring style still includes borders down the band and sides, like the Pave and Milgrain Diamond Engagement Ring and Accent Milgrain Cathedral Diamond Engagement Ring.

Not your style? You can opt for a milgrain style that surrounds the pave diamonds on a halo setting. The Milgrain Flower Halo Diamond Engagement Ring is one — of many — of this style that we love.
Does milgrain increase the price of engagement rings?
Adding milgrain to your engagement ring doesn’t necessarily increase the price. Other aspects of the ring — including the quality of the diamond and the metal used in the setting — typically have a much bigger impact on the overall ring price.

Take the Knife Edge Milgrain Diamond Engagement Ring, for example. The intricate milgrain design makes it look unique — and really expensive. In reality? The Duet Pave Engagement Ring is very similar for about the same price (in fact, the Duet Pave Engagement Ring is actually slightly more expensive).
While every milgrain-adorned ring won’t necessarily be this similar in price, you’ll find that the style won’t break your engagement ring budget.
How milgrain can enhance your ring
Today’s milgrain can be everything from a subtle detail to an eye-catching focal point — and it instantly gives a bit of vintage, art-deco style to your ring. Combining modern elements with milgrain is a stylish (and cost-effective) way to add personality to your ring — and set you apart from everyone else. It's worth noting that there are other metal work design details you can get on your rings. Milgrain is the most popular of them, but you can also opt for filigree or etching.

Not sure how to find the right milgrain style for your budget? Our expert gemologists can walk you through the engagement ring-buying process and find the milgrain style that fits your dreams — and your wallet.
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We’ll have our experts search three personalized diamond suggestions to fit your tastes and budget.