Education
While it is true that engagement rings are valuable because they are made with precious materials like gold, silver, platinum, diamonds and gemstones, the sentimental value they embody often far exceeds their monetary value. For that reason it is important that you give extra consideration to making the ring as meaningful as possible by matching the style to the prospective bride. If a big stone is important to her, for example, then you may want to focus on getting the largest one you can afford. If you know that she would like something other than a simple four-prong setting then you might consider looking at designer settings. Or she may prefer a white metal or want the engagement ring to match the wedding band. As you can see, the options are quite varied. With a little research on your part, you should be able to come up with the “perfect” engagement ring for your bride-to-be.
Consider Your Budget
As you are probably well aware, the most important consideration is your budget. In this regard you have to proportion the budget between the diamond and the ring in which it is set. For example, you might want to choose a simple mounting in 14kt gold and the biggest and best diamond you can afford or you might opt for a smaller diamond with a more elaborate platinum setting with diamond accent stones to enhance the center stone beauty and durability. Fortunately, the range of choices is so vast that almost anyone can find something within their budget. Here are some factors to consider.
Buying the Perfect Diamond
Finding the perfect diamond is like finding a life partner. It can be tough, time consuming, and you may have to spend some money. But it’s worth every bit of effort, time and money. But sometimes money is not important, and if you know what you are looking for, then you are all set. However, if you are buying a diamond for the first time, you may need a little insight on what to look for. After all, you don’t want to spend good money on something that may turn out to be a disappointment. Don’t stress, though, it’s easier than you think. Below are some helpful hints that will put you on the right road to finding the perfect diamond.
The 4C’s of Diamond Buying
When it comes time for you to get down on your knee, or make it a big surprise for an anniversary or special holiday, you want everything about that moment to be perfect, including the diamond(s) you are gifting (or receiving, for that matter). Buying the perfect diamond is easier than you may think if you are a first time buyer. All you need to know about are the 4C’s: Cut, Color, Clarity, Carats.
Cut- This is probably the most important when it comes to determining a diamond’s value and beauty. It shows the skill of the cutter who fashioned the diamond to bring out the brilliance and scintillation of the diamond to make it sparkle from across the room. Technology can be used to assess the diamond’s light performance and hence the quality of its cut. A diamond’s light performance depends on the cutter’s decision of angles and placement of the facets, as well as the skill to place those facets precisely. Getting a diamond to its full luster takes time and careful polishing. Like minute scratches that dull a glass surface, a poor polish can reduce the brightness and sparkle of a diamond. The quality of the cut also affects a diamond’s value, and can increase it by up to 50% more. When the cut is more precise, the more captivating it is to the eye.
Color- Not all diamonds are colorless, like the ones most often seen in jewelry. In fact, they come in many hues ranging from colorless to light yellow and even light brown. The rarest of these are the colorless diamonds. The ones with color to them are known as fancy, and their grading is unique, like a fingerprint. Determining a color or colorless diamond is done with Comparison Diamonds in a controlled atmosphere.
Clarity- This is another important thing to look for when buying the perfect diamond, as it can also have an effect on a diamond’s value. Diamonds can have internal characteristics, also known as inclusions, as well as external characteristics that are known as blemishes. A flawless diamond, one that has neither inclusions nor blemishes, is very rare. When a grader looks at clarity, he uses magnification and specific lighting and determines the diamond’s clarity grade based on the particular characteristics he sees.
Carats- Carats are the units of measurement that are used to determine a diamond’s weight, where one carat is equal to one fifth (1/5) of a gram, and is then divided into 100 points.
Diamond Certificates
To learn more about the different laboratories you can click here:
GIA: http://www.gia.edu/
Buying a Diamond
Whatever the occasion, nothing says “I love you” like a diamond. But, just like popping the question, going through the buying process for a diamond can be a bit nerve wracking, especially if you are buying for the first time. But with Saxon's Fine Jewelers, the process can be easier. With on-site professional jewelers available, you can save time and nerves in finding the right diamond that meets your needs.
In American tradition, a diamond is a popular gift during the holidays, or for special occasions. But anymore today, a diamond is an appropriate gift for any celebration. That’s why you need to find a jeweler you can trust, and that’s where Saxon's Fine Jewelers can help you. Before you go through the trouble of finding and spending money on the perfect diamond to pop the question with, you should speak with your special somebody about marriage. There are many who don’t, and the outcome can be disastrous. That’s why marriage takes a lot of thought and planning. But if you’re special somebody is a go for marriage, then your next step, of course, is finding the perfect ring for the perfect finger.
We encourage you to review our website and then make an appointment or stop into our store to see and shop your perfect ring first hand. If you really want to surprise them, though, talk to their friends, family, and even coworkers. You want to know what they like and don’t like. After all, there’s nothing more embarrassing than getting something that they don’t particularly want to wear on their finger the rest of their life. It’s also a good idea to seek the bride-to-be’s father for approval.
Once you have the ring, and you are ready to pop the question, there are a few things you should stop and think about. Just like with buying the ring, you should find out if your bride-to-be would like a public proposal for all the world to see, or something private and intimate. The bride could be waiting to say yes, but if you pick the wrong place or time, that yes could quickly become a no. You do not want to embarrass your bride because it can lead to disaster. Again, you can find out from friends, family, and coworkers.
After your special somebody accepts your proposal of marriage, it is important to celebrate and share the news. Tell everybody you know that the big day is coming, and have a toast with your friends and family.
Remember, the holidays are the season for weddings and proposals. Make the celebration complete by gifting the perfect diamond. Saxon's Fine Jewelers will help you get an idea of what you want, and can help you find a trusted jeweler near you!
Buying and Planning Your Wedding
After you pop the big question, and your special somebody says yes, the next step you need to take is planning your wedding. This takes a lot of thought and planning, so be sure to allow you and your bride-to-be plenty of time to get things in order. About a year to a year and a half would be sufficient time.
When you go to plan your wedding or union, here are some things you want to keep in mind if you are planning a formal ceremony. The first thing you will want to do is determine what your budget will be. The total price will add up quickly, so don’t be afraid to set limitations. Also, you want to choose a location for your ceremony, as well as the reception. Visiting different places, like chapels, or outdoor venues, and talking to a celebrant (the person who performs the wedding ceremony), as well as a wedding planner are good ideas. A wedding planner will help you choose color schemes, decorations, and floral arrangements.
Once you decide on a place to have your wedding or union, you want to decide on a date. Talk to your fiancée first, and then talk to friends and family to help determine the date that best suits everybody. Afterwards, it would be a good idea to get your invitation list in order. When making your invitation list, you want to keep in mind the cost of food, because most caterers will charge you based on the amount of people showing up or the amount of plates being served.
Next on the list is attire. Before you decide on a dress or tuxedo, it may be a good idea to go to bridal shows to get an idea of what you like or don’t like, and to get an idea on how much to spend. A bride’s dress is something special, and unique to the bride’s personality, so it should be the bride who has the final say. For a tuxedo, the groom should consult a tailor. Both the bride and groom should allow themselves ample time to get fitted and for any adjustments that may be necessary. The same applies for bridesmaid’s dresses and the best man/men’s tuxedo(s). Choose color schemes and styles, and then have those you select for the positions to come and be fitted.
Another good idea is to get a bridal registry at your favorite department store or website. What a bridal registry does is help the guests choose gifts. You and your special somebody make up a wish list using items in the store or on the website, and the store/website then shares the list with the guests. This helps to prevent somebody gifting the same item as somebody else, or something that the bride or groom may not want. It also helps to make returns easier since receipts generally aren’t given with the gifts.
Once all that is done, you will want to shop around for a photographer/videographer. After all, your wedding day is most likely the most important day of your life, aside from the birth of your children, so you will want something to help you remember that special moment. Also, you may want to find some entertainment, whether it be a live band, a DJ (Disc Jockey), or even karaoke. A wedding isn’t complete until the groom leads his new bride around the dance floor to his/her favorite song.
Lastly, you want to talk with your special somebody to decide on where you want to have your honeymoon (unless you plan to make it a surprise, of course!). This will be the place where the magic happens, so make sure it is a desirable place to go. If it is out of the country, be sure to order your passports and make travel arrangements well ahead of time. It’s best to use a travel agency because you can get special deals, and in case something happens, it can make cancellations easier and less costly.
Some other things you may want to consider when it gets closer to the big day is finalizing your invitation list so that you can relay it to your caterer, making sure your wedding license is in order, and making arrangements for out of town guests. Make sure you have the rings, and that your guests have directions to where the ceremony is, as well as the reception. Confirm the date with your entertainment and other professionals you hire, as well as finalizing travel dates. Make yourself presentable by visiting a salon and getting your nails and hair done. Most importantly, remember to relax, smile, have fun, and say “I do”!
