Engagement Rings
8 Questions to Ask Yourself to Pick Out the Perfect Engagement Ring
Thinking about popping the big question? Whether you have started looking for engagement rings for your special someone for a while now or are just beginning to consider the idea, there are some key questions each person should ask in order to pick out an engagement ring. Here are the top eight questions you should ask yourself before choosing your perfect ring.
- What is my price range?
Before looking through the never-ending list of engagement ring options, it is important to sit down and figure out exactly how much you can, or would like to spend, on an engagement ring. There are beautiful options for every price point. Once you have an idea of what you would like to spend, you can save or budget accordingly. Securing a price point will allow you to narrow down your options.
- What gemstone am I looking for?
Another question to ask is what kind of gemstone you are looking for in a ring. While a diamond is the traditional gemstone of choice, a diamond isn’t the only kind of gemstone you can select for an engagement ring. Many couples are choosing other precious gemstones, such as rubies, sapphires or topaz. Many rings also offer a combination of gemstones, creating a unique and personalized look.
- What metal am I looking for?
In addition to selecting a gemstone, you will need to narrow down what kind of precious metals you are looking for. Some options include gold, rose gold or silver, depending on the look you or your significant other is going for. A good way to determine which metal to choose for your significant other is to look at the current jewelry she is already wearing. If she frequently wears a silver-toned necklace or earrings, there is a good chance that selecting an engagement ring made from a silver-toned metal, such as white gold or platinum, will compliment her current jewelry and choice in style.
- Am I looking for a ring from a particular designer?
Some brides-to-be will be looking for an engagement ring from a particular jewelry designer, such as Dora, Elma Gil, Metropolitan or Romance. Each ring designer has its own unique style and offers its own characteristic bridal look.
- Am I considering a custom designed ring?
Some individuals are looking for a truly one-of-a-kind, custom designed ring. With a custom designed engagement ring, you are in the driver’s seat from start to finish, beginning with the conceptual stages, to choosing the exact gemstones and metals, to bringing to creation to life. Master Jewelers can walk you through the process step-by-step, offering best-in-class expertise and years of experience.
- What style am I looking for?
Style is also an important consideration when looking at engagement ring options. Are you looking for a classic-looking, vintage or halo ring? Are you looking for a princess cut or solitaire ring? While the options can seem overwhelming, experts in the industry can walk you through the choices and help you select the ring that is right for you and your significant other.
- Am I considering a wedding band to go with it?
An additional consideration when it comes to engagement rings is if you are looking to purchase a wedding band to go with the engagement ring. Many engagement rings come in bridal sets with the wedding ring included, or a complimentary wedding band that can be purchased at a later date to go with it. It is important to look ahead at wedding band options while engagement ring shopping to plan ahead, both from a budget and style standpoint.
- Am I looking for a warranty to go with the ring?
Many jewelers offer warranties to go with the purchase of an engagement ring. It is important to look for a jeweler that provides a warranty on their items, free of charge. Ask potential jewelers what their warranty policies are when you are considering purchasing a ring.
No matter what engagement ring you decide to go with, asking these eight valuable questions will help you get there. Contact Master Jewelers experts to help you walk through these questions and select your perfect ring. Get started today!
Engagement Rings
Finding Out What She Wants in an Engagement Ring
When it comes to engagement rings, the possibilities are endless. Engagement rings come in countless different styles, with many different metal and gemstone options, to fit the individual personality of each soon-to-be newlywed. With a never-ending number of options, it can be hard to know where to even start or even to know what your significant other likes when it comes to engagement rings.
You know everything about your significant other–what kind of pizza to order, favorite color, movie choice and more–and yet, you are struggling to know where to begin when it comes to this extremely important choice in jewelry. In fact, it is more than a choice in jewelry. This ring signifies a lifelong decision and has the question of your lifetime riding on it.
For those looking for valuable clues as to what your significant other is looking for in an engagement ring, here are some practical hints.
Look at her Pinterest boards. Look and see if she has any Pinterest boards with saved photos of engagement rings. If she has any engagement rings saved on her Pinterest account, there is a good chance that she will be drawn to engagement rings that have a similar look and feel. Some jewelers will even help you look through her profile to select rings that are close matches!
Observe her style and what she wears on a daily basis. Does she like to wear bold colors and patterns, or is she drawn to a more quiet and subdued style in clothing? Taking the time to observe what she wears on a daily basis can provide you with insight into her style and what she finds appealing. If she is drawn to simplicity, a ring loaded with diamonds and intricate details may not be what she is looking for.
Ask her family or friends. Those who love her and are closest to her will know her best. Try asking her parents, a sibling or another relative what they think she will like in an engagement ring. Of course, you do not want to ruin the surprise if you are planning a surprise proposal, but these family members and friends can offer great opinions about what they think she will like. In the end, you will make the final decision, but the advice of others can be of great value to some individuals looking for help.
Ask her. Some couples have a fully open dialog about the engagement ring, while others like to keep the choice in a ring a surprise. However, even if you are looking to keep the ring selection and proposal a surprise, you may be able to ask her what she likes and dislikes without giving anything away. Does she like a square cut in diamond? Oval? For some, hinting around with questions is enough to get an idea of what she is looking for in an engagement ring.
Ready to start looking for that perfect engagement ring? Get connected with a master jeweler that can walk you through the engagement ring selection process step-by-step. These jewelry experts have years of experience selecting the perfect ring for couples, no matter the style or budget. Get started now!
Custom, Diamonds
Making Your 18th Wedding Anniversary One Your Spouse Won’t Forget
While every wedding anniversary is a special event to be celebrated, wedding anniversary number 18 may be one that could be glossed over. Situated between the big 15 and big 20 year anniversary milestones, anniversary 18 could potentially be lost in the shuffle.
However, a couple’s 18th wedding anniversary is not one that should be forgotten–far from it. In fact, this special anniversary serves not only as a day of loving remembrance, but also as an opportunity to look ahead into the future and celebrate with your spouse. Your 18th wedding anniversary is the perfect chance to affirm your spouse and remind them that they are special, remembered and loved, with these perfect “forgotten” gifts.
To celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary, try taking your spouse out on a date or night on the town with unused gift cards. Take the gift cards or gift certificates you forgot you had in the back or your wallet or in the bottom of your purse and use them to remember this special day! Your 18th wedding anniversary is a great time to treat your spouse to a night of fun, delicious food or a shopping trip with these already loaded and ready-to-go gift cards.
Another way to celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary is to purchase the items that may be sitting in your spouse’s Amazon shopping cart or in your spouse’s favorite online store’s shopping wish list. Take this day as an opportunity to purchase the items your spouse has been wanting, but may have forgot about.
Do you have credit card travel points or cash back that you may have forgotten you have? Try checking your balance to see if you have points built up to take a weekend getaway trip, book a cruise or schedule a flight! Your 18th wedding anniversary is the best reason to plan a trip, with credit card perks helping you get there!
Try thinking back and seeing if you can remember a restaurant, cafe or dessert shop your spouse said that he or she has been wanting to try. Your spouse may even have forgotten that he or she wanted to go there! Surprise them with the perfect adventurous date, trying something new together.
You can also celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary by purchasing that piece of jewelry your spouse has been eyeing for awhile, but perhaps has “forgotten” about since your last conversation about it. Surprise her with that perfect amethyst pendant, blue topaz earrings or diamond and ruby ring. Jewelry is an ideal gift, reminding your spouse about this 18 year milestone upon each glance. Anniversary jewelry is a great way to make a statement and proclaim the love you have for your spouse.
No matter what you and your spouse decide to do to celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary, ensure that it is a special one and make timeless memories together. For more gift ideas to celebrate your 18th wedding anniversary, click here.
Engagement Rings
Best Dressed Wedding Guest
When it is summer, it is wedding season. Since attending a wedding is likely on your agenda in the near future, it’s important to find the perfect outfit to be the perfect wedding guest this season.
In fashion, there aren’t really any rules anymore, but there are still taboos when it comes to wedding fashion. It is recommended to not wear white, off-white, black, or red. More specific or culturally-diverse weddings typically have attire that is either self-explanatory or have detailed information available directly from the wedding couple. The venue, season, weather, and time of day should also clear up any confusion regarding what to wear. But we have some suggestions for common dress codes in different settings.
Beach Wedding: This is the perfect occasion to wear that easy, billowy sundress. Long or short, it doesn’t matter as long as it’s paired with wonderful accessories. The best shoe for a beach themed wedding is a fashionable wedge. Men can wear a light-colored or lightweight suit without a tie; a less formal button-down shirt, a tropical print shirt or Guayabera shirt worn untucked with pants or Bermuda shorts in linen, cotton or twill would also be fine.
Garden Party Wedding: Most people attending a garden wedding aren’t trying to be groundbreaking; they just want to look pretty. Florals and bright-colored dresses are best. Dressing for a garden or outdoor wedding is very similar to dressing for the Kentucky Derby. etc. For men, khakis or seersucker pants paired with a blazer are perfect. Ties are not required but are a nice touch.
Cocktail Party Attire: For semi-formal events, wearing a knee-length cocktail dress, as well as evening separates, is suitable. If you are wearing a long dress, it should have little-to-no beading. If you are wearing a short cocktail dress, it can have a little sparkle. Use this to wear dramatic accessories, such as jewelry, handbag or clutch, and shoes. Men should wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie. If it’s a more fashionable event, he isn’t required to wear a tie.
Black Tie Affair: This means that formal attire is required. In most cases the wedding will start after 6 p.m. Ladies have two options: A full-length gown or a short cocktail dress. Think of dressing up for the Oscars red carpet. This is the time to bring out the bling. A fabulous piece of statement jewelry is encouraged. Men should be dressed in tuxedos with black tie and likely a cummerbund. He can wear a white dinner jacket with black dress pants in the summer or a dark suit.
Custom, Diamonds
17th Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
Are you approaching your 17th wedding anniversary? Make sure to celebrate the occasion! While the 17th wedding anniversary may not seem as important as the 15th, 20th or 25th anniversary, it definitely is still an occasion to honor and cherish. Whether you are more traditional or modern, there is a wide selection of gifts to choose from for this special anniversary.
Furniture is both the traditional and modern gift for the 17th wedding anniversary. Take a nice outing out to pick a romantic piece of furniture that you can lounge in together and end the night with a passionate night alone. Are you tired of waking up unrested? Consider ditching your old bed for a new one. Maybe even a new mattress size is in order. A good night’s sleep is always a great gift.
You can also splurge on new high ticket furniture items, such a new sofa, dining room table, or entertainment center. Maybe it’s time to get him his perfect man cave or create the perfect closet space for her. Or perhaps it is finally time to finish off the basement and get a great bar or entertainment area for everyone to enjoy.
A more modern 17th anniversary might include a gift of a porcelain vase or egg to display in your home for everyone to see. No matter which direction you choose, your spouse is sure to fall in love with you all over again.
The 17th wedding anniversary gemstone is the the pink tourmaline. Find the perfect piece of pink tourmaline jewelry, whether it’s a pair of earrings, a pendant necklace, or beautiful ring. Better yet, create your own custom jewelry piece featuring your choice of pink tourmaline gemstones.
Celebrating your 17th wedding anniversary is a big milestone in your relationship. Make sure that you showcase your enduring marriage with thoughtful and meaningful gifts that will be memorable for years to come.
Engagement Rings
Plan the Perfect Summer Marriage Proposal
A proposal is one of the most memorable moments in a couple’s story. Summer is not only the season of weddings, but also of engagements. We have the do’s and don’ts of planning the perfect summer proposal.
- Consult with close friends and family. Unless you regularly go jewelry shopping with your girlfriend, you likely don’t have a good grasp on what her dream engagement ring looks like. However, chances are good that her friends, mother, and sisters do. If you’re not confident in the style of ring to choose, consider consulting with her friends and family. Be sure to not tell too many people to avoid spoiling the surprise!
- Make the proposal meaningful. Not all proposals have to go viral. Sometimes, the most meaningful proposals happen just between you and your significant other in the privacy of your own home or other meaningful place. Don’t get bogged down in trying to be extravagant or over the top. The most important thing is to make what you say and do meaningful for the love of your life.
- Have a backup plan if for outdoor proposals. Summertime is the season of sunshine and warm weather, but thunderstorms and rain can ruin a proposal. It’s good to have a backup plan, especially if you have a timeline you are trying to propose by. Keep an eye on the weather forecast and make sure other people that may be involved in the proposal are kept up-to-date.
- Avoid water and food proposals. As tempting as it may be to pop the question on a kayaking trip or by sneaking the ring into a dinner roll, these are just not a good idea. You could risk losing the ring in a waterway or having your girlfriend ingest the ring by accident. Food also can get your engagement ring dirty and sticky. Make sure that your proposal steers clears of ideas that could add stress to your life!
Engagement Rings
16th Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
After you hit a milestone at year 15, don’t forget to celebrate your 16th wedding anniversary. A marriage that has lasted 16 years is one that shows a steadfast and enduring love. The 16th wedding anniversary is one symbolically marked by simplicity and elegance.
As you venture down more and more years of marriage, the choices of gifts start to dwindle. Unlike the previous 15 wedding anniversaries, the 16th wedding anniversary is the first to just have the same traditional and modern gift. The 16th wedding anniversary gift is silver hollowware. This comes from the Victorian era where silver hollowware was popular. It literally means hollow items made of silver. A nice teapot set with matching sugar bowl or creamer would make a nice gift. A silver locket is the perfect sentimental gift to celebrate the occasion. You can even get an engraved inscription on the inside of the locket to make it a perfect custom gift.
The gemstone for the 16th wedding anniversary iis topaz. Traditionally a yellow stone, it is easy to see how it earned its name. What makes it such a popular and attractive choice of 16th-anniversary gift ideas, is that it really does come in virtually all the colors from burning yellow or red to blues and greens. A custom topaz ring would make a great gift for your wife. A topaz pendant necklace or set of topaz earrings would be another great choice to celebrate your 16th wedding anniversary.
Celebrating your 16th wedding anniversary is a big milestone in your relationship. While it may not feel as momentous as the 15th wedding anniversary, the 16th wedding anniversary is just as celebratory. Make sure that you showcase your enduring marriage with thoughtful and meaningful gifts that will be memorable for the next 16 years.
Custom Jewelry Design
Father’s Day Gift Guide 2017
The month of June brings with it many occasions: The end of school, the start of summer, and Father’s Day. Father’s Day can sometimes be one of the toughest occasions to buy a gift. Most moms appreciate the smallest of gifts on Mother’s Day, but fewer dads are impressed by a flower bouquet than mothers. But a universal gift for Father’s Day (or any day) is jewelry. Taking the effort to find something special for dad shows that you care. Nice jewelry is something that any age of parent can wear proudly, especially if it fits his personality and sense of style.
For those seeking jewelry shopping ideas for Father’s Day, consider the following functional and fun selections for every interest and formality level.
- Cufflinks. Cufflinks look classy and have the added bonus of keeping sleeve length looking even and your cuffs easier to button instead of having to manipulate those tricky smaller buttons that require significant amounts of dexterity. A classic style of cufflink is made of silver, silver with 18K gold. Many include stones in the middle like black onyx or blue topaz. If you want something that will blend in better, diamonds can be the gem of choice.
- Money clip. A money clip is a great tool for keeping cash in one place. It’s easy to grab the clip when it’s time to pay for something and you may need to use your wallet for other things. You can keep other items such as credit cards or ID in the clip, something that can be handy on occasions where you don’t need to bring your wallet and everything in it along, or have the bulge of your wallet be seen. Money clips can be found in a variety of attractive design styles, including something simple clips and made of silver, or others with attractive lines.
- Watch. Telling time is good, but your phone or the wall clock can do that. But a sharp-looking watch can also show that your dad is a lover of fine things. It is also an item that people can wear in any condition or any wardrobe choice.
- Custom Ring. You can’t beat a custom-designed ring for your dad. Even a simple design and gemstone choice of his birthstone or even references to special memories, such as school, a fraternity, sports teams or military service will go a long way. Dad will be impressed with his unique custom design.
Engagement Rings
15th Wedding Anniversary Gift Guide
You’ve reached your next big milestones in your marriage: the 15th wedding anniversary. Being married for 15 years has required a continual evolvement and maturity of your relationship. As you celebrate this occasion, here are some 15 wedding anniversary ideas and symbols to help you plan a wonderful and meaningful celebration.
The traditional gift to mark the 15th wedding anniversary is crystal. Crystal represents a clear and sparkling love between husband and wife. Crystal can be a dazzling reminder of the love you’ve shared for 15 years, sturdy enough to last another 15. Say cheers to 15 years together with crystal barware. A piece of crystal jewelry will also look nice on her, with a nice crystal pendant necklace that will shimmer in any room. A crystal chandelier that your wife has had her eye on for your home would be a great surprise.
Watches and timepieces are the modern spin on the 15th wedding anniversary. Your relationship has stood the test of time, which is why the watch is the modern gift. A wall clock makes for a perfect gift for the occasion. Many come with a place to put a photo, and you can get it engraved with cute details, like your wedding date. A pocket watch with engraved inscription on the back.
Three gemstones are commonly connected with 15th wedding anniversary tradition: the ruby, garnet, and alexandrite. So if crystal and clocks don’t appeal to you, consider jewelry. In keeping with rubies and garnets, the official color of a 15th anniversary is red, although the alexandrite is known for changing color. They only turn red at night, but that can be fun, too.
The flower that symbolizes 15 years of marriage is the rose. Red roses stand for love and deep passion. There are also lavender, white, and orange roses. Lavender roses stand for majesty; white roses represent purity or innocence; orange roses stand for energy and fascination. Whether it is a full bouquet or a single red rose, this classic flower can add an elegant touch to your 15th wedding anniversary.
Celebrating your 15th wedding anniversary is a big milestone in your relationship. Make sure that you showcase your enduring marriage with thoughtful and meaningful gifts that will be memorable for the next 15 years.
Engagement Rings
What To Know When Shopping For Gold
You’ve decided to buy a gold ring. Now what? Let’s take a look at some of the most important factors you should consider when buying a gold ring.
Gold karat is a number that tells you how many parts pure gold are in a jewelry piece, out of a total of 24 parts. For example, 10 karat gold rings contain approximately 42 percent gold (10 divided by 24), and the rest is other metals like zinc, nickel, or other alloy metals. This means that higher karat gold is more expensive as it is purer. That is why it’s important to take price into consideration when deciding on a karat.
The typical Karats you will see are 10 karat, 14 karat and 18 karat gold.
Here is what makes up each karat type:
10 karat gold is made up of 42% pure gold, 58% alloy
14 karat gold is made up of 58% pure gold, 42% alloy
18 karat gold is made up of 75% pure gold, 25% alloy
From the ground pure gold starts with a yellow color. How do jewelers make white gold, rose gold and yellow gold jewelry? To adjust the color of pure gold, it is cut with nickel, tin, and silver to create white gold. The beautiful rose golds that have become very popular over the last few years, are cut with copper alloy. The classic yellow golds are cut with brass and bronze alloy.
When shopping for gold jewelry pieces, you should also consider the durability of gold. Since pure gold is very soft, the lower the karat of the gold, the harder and more durable it will be. Low karat gold rings, such as 10k or 14k, are suitable for everyday wear as they are harder to scratch. Additionally, ring parts made of low karat gold are not bent or broken easily. High karat gold rings, such as 18k and 20k or higher, are a good choice for jewelry items that you will not wear often. They will look more yellow than low karat gold, but they will scratch more easily.
Whether you’re shopping for yourself or looking to buy a gift for that special someone, it’s important know about gold and how it’s made so that you will leave with the perfect piece.
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