The Jewelry
HINTS
Deal with reputable jewelers only and request a written guarantee indicating the value of the stone.
Choose gold settings and bands that are 14k or 18k gold, 24k gold is too soft for rings.
The hardest ring metal is platinum. It is used as prongs in settings and is slightly more expensive.
Discuss prices and guarantees, exchanges and trading up later to larger stones with your jeweler.
Make sure your ring is covered by your insurance policy.
Take advantage of the free ring cleanings that many jewelers offer to keep your ring looking its best.
Have your settings routinely checked by your jeweler to make sure your prongs are snug.
JEWELRY CHECKLIST
Receive engagement ring and say YES!!!
Order wedding bands 3 months before wedding
Arrange engraving for wedding bands
Give bride's ring to best man to hold at ceremony
Give groom's ring to maid of honor to hold at ceremony
Purchase accessory jewelry for wedding day - necklace, earrings, etc.
DIAMONDS - The Four C's
Cut - This is what gives a diamond its brilliance. A good cut releases the "fire" and "brilliance" or "sparkle" of the diamond through the arrangement and proportion of it's 58 facets. The round cut is the most popular; other shapes include the emerald cut, the pear, the marquise, the princess cut, the oval, and the heart-shaped cut.
Color - Diamonds come in many colors, although the majorities have a barely perceptible yellow or brownish tint. A diamond's color is determined by measuring the degree to which the stone approaches colorlessness, which in turn indicates its ability to cleanly reflect and refrain light. Highest-quality and most expensive stones are described as colorless. Jewelers evaluate the color of diamonds on a letter scale beginning with D (colorless) and progressive through the alphabet.
Clarity - A diamond's clarity is determined by the degree to which it is free from naturally occurring flaws, often called "nature's fingerprints." Almost all diamonds contain tiny traces of non-crystallized carbon, known as "inclusions" when they are internal and "blemishes" when external. Inclusions usually require magnification under a standard 10-power jewelers loupe before they become apparent.
Carat - Carat refers to the weight of the diamond, not how big it is. One carat equals 200 milligrams, and is divided into 100 "points." One quarter carat is .25 carat (or 25 points), while .25 points is equal to one four-hundredths of a carat.