Proposing to your future wife can be a mind-racking feat that is fraught with stress and the potential for heartbreak. When we start the journey to choose the perfect engagement ring for just such an occasion, it is imperative to set a budget and start to look for rings that fill all of the requirements that we feel are necessary to find the perfect ring for her personality. In many ways, this will be the last ring of this kind we should ever have to buy, so we need to get it right. The engagement ring is a symbol of everlasting love and must be chosen wisely as to make sure that our bride is happy with its look and the way it represents your loving bond. There are many choices, so we must listen well when she drops any hints of any kind to get a true feel for what she likes and does not like in jewelry.

When you have known your future wife for awhile, it may be easier to pick something out, but when you have recently met her, it may prove to be a difficult task. You can choose something very traditional or something that you think will be perfect for her based on what you do know. One thing is for sure, the bigger the diamond the better, but you do want to make sure that the diamond you chose is high-quality and from a reputable source. Asking a friend or relative is also a good idea as they may know exactly what she wants. Unfortunately, if you do not even have that luxury, a design by a well-know jeweler may be the ticket. Some rings are so well designed that it doesn’t matter what she thinks she likes, these types of engagement rings will satisfy even the pickiest of women due to the amazing quality and uniqueness.

Recently, on the show The Bachelor, Jake Pavelka used a Neil Lane diamond ring to propose to the winner after choosing it from six exquisite designs. This was probably a decision much less based on the woman’s tastes then that fact that Neil Lane is known for his exquisite designs. The ring chosen was a beautiful princess cut diamond surrounded by 70 other diamonds totaling 2.72 carats. This ring is a perfect example of the good use of high-quality diamonds as well as outstanding design. Neil lane rings are worn by well-known celebrities such as Reese Witherspoon and Kate Hudson and can cost many thousands of dollars due to their beauty and rarity. Each ring is custom made with the best precious metals and near-perfect diamonds to a stunning effect.

The Bachelor is a television show that airs on ABC where one lucky bachelor lives with single women for seven weeks and, after getting to know each one, picks a bride. Reality shows are very popular and this one is interesting as it is a game that these women have to play to win their dream man. In a way, it is the ultimate reality as you will be married as a result of winning, so you need to be yourself and see if you are compatible. As time goes on, the bachelor will eventually weed out those who he would never marry and hopefully narrow it down to a few candidates that he could see himself with. The Neil Lane diamond ring is a classy, well-designed ring that it truly doesn’t matter if he picks one that suits a woman’s personality as any woman would be grateful to wear a beautiful creation such as this.

To the athletes, they are priceless, but when compared to other jewelry designs, you actually can figure out how much they’re worth in dollars. Each metal is made in a specific fashion that can include several metals. By analyzing the corresponding weights and metals, one can easily put a price tag on each of these Olympic beauties, just like you would figure out how much a piece of expensive jewelry might be worth based on its weight in gold or platinum.

The Gold

With gold at a spot price of over $1,000 per ounce, you’d think that the gold medal would be equally as pricey. However, the gold medal really only has 6 grams of gold over all. It is composed mostly of 550 grams of silver, which is subsequently covered in gold. The price tag is approximately $494.

The Silver

The silver medal is mostly silver, holding 509 grams of silver in all. Included in that mix is 41 grams of copper too. The price tag for the silver medal is approximately $260.

The Bronze

The bronze medal is a mixture of copper, tin, and zinc. While it is very noteworthy to even get an Olympic bronze medal, the actual dollar value is only a paltry $3.

Prices Can Change

As the value of each metal goes up or down in the open market, so too would the actual dollar value of each medal go up or down. There are some people still hoping for $2,000 an ounce gold, which if it were to happen, would mean the value of the gold medal will double also. With jewelry, you do want to know the type of metal and value of your precious pieces. With Olympic medals, they really are priceless, no matter what the commodity price of gold happens to be that year.

While there’s less in the showcase, as jewelers pull back on inventory, it still doesn’t mean you can’t find a few pieces that embrace who you are. In fact, as this recession ends and more people get a second wind, creativity is in the air, and that also goes for your choices in style. It’s okay to be original, and what better way than through your own unique style? Do it with fashion and alternative jewelry choices that are all your own.

Take a Cue from the Harajuku Girls

If you’ve never heard of Harajuku in Tokyo, Japan, the creativity and style will amaze you. Teenage girls there are not afraid to express their individuality, with some borrowing ideas from the popular anime culture and others from gothic culture. The styles are colorful and as with the decora style, can rely on layering of both clothing and jewelry. While a decora girl will rely on plastic jewelry, the layered look is something that is very hot, even for those that want to have a little fun being original without the plastic. In addition, the decora style rely on charms that might have a child-like quality like Hello Kitty to complete the look.

Layered Necklaces and Bracelets

Why not reach into your jewelry box and see which necklaces and bracelets can be layered to form a whole new look? It’s not about what works well together, but what expresses a certain mood or look when layered. It’s about creating an entire new theme by adding disparate elements that when brought together evoke something completely new and fascinating.

Recycle and Recombine Jewelry

You can pull apart jewelry elements and add them to others. You can even hire a jeweler who will take a few separate pieces and make an entirely new one from it. There’s no set rule that just because your pearl strands always hung around your neck, that they now can’t be used as multi-layered bracelet. It’s up to you to decide how you want the final look to come about. You can pull stones out of old rings and put them into bracelets, pins, or pendants. You can even sell the gold in the fixture to finance any new designs you want to create with your jeweler.

Charms

Charms are a real good way to add individuality to your look. You can buy charms that means something special to you, identify you in some way, or just plain add to the over all picture. For instance, if you are a loving person, there’s no reason you can’t layer heart necklaces and add multiple different heart charms to your bracelets. The look says something about who you are, but also can be stylish and layered. In fact, if you get tired of layering charms, you can always go back to a single charm on a pendant or bracelet. However, the more you pull things out of your treasure box and combine them together, the more you will start to visualize and enact your own personal style that’s as familiar to you as a warm hug.

Diamonds are one of the most sought after gemstones available for jewelry and larger gems fetch thousands of dollars. They are unearthed from mines and often found in riverbeds after being washed up out of the earth. Their beauty is unparalleled and their prices reflect this beauty with many clear, large diamonds selling for tens of thousands of dollars, used for rings, necklaces and other fine jewelry. These loose stones can be purchased online or at jewelry stores in town and all diamonds are certified to assure that you are getting what you pay for in the retail market.

Many years ago, the diamond trade was a source of funding for violent activity in Africa. The government had been seeking a way to reduce the finding of violent activities against its citizens by monitoring the diamond trade to dissuade other countries from buying diamonds that were linked to violent rebel groups. In the late-1990’s it all came to  ahead and leaders began devising a way to certify that the diamonds that were being exported were not related to these groups and that countries would be reprimanded for buying diamonds from these groups. They assumed that if they were able to dissuade others from buying these diamonds, the groups would not have the money or wherewithal to continue fighting and killing innocent people.

Many of the diamonds found and used in jewelry are found in Africa, but many people have used these diamonds to fund uprisings against the countries governments. The Kimberley process was instituted in 2002, and conceived in Kimberley, South Africa in the year 2000. As of 2008, there were 49 members representing 75 countries who were part of this legislation put in place to prevent diamonds from funding violence. The board is governed in a rotating basis and all members must certify that the diamonds they buy and sell are “conflict-free”. Many have scrutinized and criticized the effectiveness of the Kimberley Process which has led some to resign. Recently, Zimbabwe has been at the forefront of this criticism.
Originally, the Kimberley process representatives met to discuss expelling

Zimbabwe due to the overt violence that is reported at the mines in the eastern part of the country, but the motion was dismissed and a monitor was chosen to oversee the export of the diamonds from those mines. This representative was rejected and the government finally settled on a South African to helm the monitoring.

Unfortunately, this monitor will have no real power to stop abuses taking place at the mine as he is only there to make sure that the diamonds exported have the correct certifications, which is one area in which the Zimbabwe mines have no issues. So, the Kimberley Process is being monitored in this area, but the real atrocities will continue as the monitor has no way of stopping such activities until the board figures a way to change their power tactics.

Diamond mining in these poor countries is essential to their economy and there are two companies who claim to own the mines in the region, so there is a power struggle that has resulted in an African court ruling that states that all diamonds found in the mines must be held in a neutral manner until the rightful owner is awarded custody. Later, in a more concentrated effort, the court rules that no mining should take place in eastern Zimbabwe but there have been reports of continued work in that area. Due to the many problems and issues that have arisen, it is possible that Zimbabwe will be expelled from the Kimberley Process, but have vowed to continue to sell diamonds to whomever is willing to buy from them.

The recession has given pause to rethink the rules and guidelines in place. One of these rules, is the idea that a suitor needs to spend two months of his salary on the most beautiful engagement ring she could ever hope to wear. The good news is that you can fudge a little on the two-month salary rule, particularly if you pay attention to what she wants, and not how much it costs. There are so many options available for people on a tight budget and the best way to find out how you can best spend your resources is to make a budget and hop online.

What Is A Reasonable Amount?

Maybe two or three month’s salary is not available right now for a ring. In that case, what amount is available? You have to start somewhere. No one is going to demand that you spend two month’s salary on a ring, so it’s really up to you to decide to set a budget that you can use to buy the ring she wants. Ultimately, you have to understand that some sacrifices will most likely be made when you don’t put aside two month’s salary to buy the ring. However, if they are not important to her final happiness with the ring, then they needn’t stop you from making your purchase at a budget you can afford.

Get an Idea of Her Perfect Ring

You may have to be stealthy or include her in the buying decision. If you want it to be a surprise, you can ask her friends and relatives about her tastes. If you’d rather she be involved, you can look up a virtual diamond engagement ring designer online and take a look at a few styles. You don’t have to finalize the entire look, just have her tell you which she likes best. Then, take it from there.

Concentrate on Balancing 4 Cs

Maybe she wants a cushion cut diamond in a larger size. In that case, you might be able to balance the additional monies required for carat weight by picking a stone of lesser clarity or of a different color quality. Don’t over look some of the fancy colored stones in yellow or champagne as they can be 15 to 25% less than a white diamond.

The choice of metal used for the ring setting will also play a large part in how much you end up paying. Platinum is far more expensive than gold, and gold is far more expensive than white gold. The design and style of the setting can also increase or decrease the amount you have to pay, so make sure you know whether she wants a simple setting or something more elaborate. The idea is to get the most features she want at the price that you can handle.

If she’s not too particular about the shape, but wants a white diamond, you will still be able to change the budget by looking at the different cuts and clarity available. The virtual ring builder makes it very easy to choose different stones with different settings to help you balance your budget.

Alexander the Great is known for solving the riddle of the Gordian knot by taking his sword and boldly cutting it in two to loosen it, thus fulfilling prophecy to be the king of Asia. Knots throughout history have represented a thorny problem, but they also represent unions, and destiny. Some knots are symbolic of a heritage, like the Celtic knot, or the symbol criss cross knot that sometimes refers to Christ. Either way, knots have always stymied and delighted people who want something unusual, and this year, you’ll get to see a whole lot more of them in 2010.

Criss Cross Bands

These are great for engagement rings and wedding bands. They offer the opportunity to use multiple metals, one for each band, and have a very modern look. Sometimes, the bands are engraved with criss crosses or looped over each other in a criss cross fashion. The look is very modern, but also very old-world, and mysterious. It’s like having a weaved knot engraved around your finger.

Criss Cross Pendants

Religious crosses have a large fan base, and the same is true of the criss cross pendants. Some people see them as a more hip version of the Christian cross, and others don’t associate any religious overtones to them. They can be studded with diamonds, and made to look more symbolic than religious. You can have one knot on your chain or multiple knots. You can have an entire criss cross necklace that twines around your neck, giving no religious allusion whatsoever, if that’s your style.

Celtic Knots

Have a little of the Irish in you? Why not celebrate your heritage with the Celtic knot? Some Celtic knots are seen as pagan symbols and if you’re into gothic, they make a great fashion statement. Celtic knots are seen as druid symbols by some and other times they are simply heralded as a part of Celtic heritage. It’s up to you to decide whether the knot is something that appeals to you or not.

Diamond Love Knots

Knots of different metals are intriguing enough, but add a diamond in the middle of the knot and you have something really special. These look great in earrings with a knot dangling and a diamond in the middle. It’s like a pair of hands embracing a diamond heart. Adding a diamond to the knot will obviously change not only the look, but also the symbolism. Instead of seeing the knot as something binding, it now appears to hide a rich secret. All one has to do is pull back the threads of the knot to find a treasure of diamonds.

Knotted Necklaces

Layered bib necklaces are very big too. You will find that they are knotted in a distinctive pattern that makes them look very lace-like, in some cases. The layered look is very big, even with simple chains or bracelets. That’s a good thing if you like knots. Even layered necklaces made of pearls can benefit from a strategic knot placed near the bottom. It adds a whole different style and look without having to go out and buy a whole new piece of jewelry.

There is quite a bit of interest in one particular raw uncut diamond on the market today. This extremely large 507-carat raw uncut diamond was speculated at having the ability to bring in over $30 million on the open market last fall, and today it has been recorded that this rough diamond managed to be sold for a total of $35.3 million, which makes it the absolutely highest selling price for any raw uncut diamond on the market today or in the past. When examining the overall value of this rough diamond, one can break down the worth to a remarkable $69,557 per carat. Nowhere in the world will any individual find a more precious stone that can reap as much as this particular raw uncut diamond. It seems that with this rare diamond, the Petra diamond company is quickly rebounding back from the recession lows that it had experienced in the past year.

The Petra diamond company who possessed this precious gem had it appraised previously at over $25 million by several special analysts and is known as one of the top 20 largest raw uncut diamond gems in the world today. Found last September at the Cullinan mine in South Africa, the Petra diamond company has reflectively named this precious rough diamond the “Cullinan Heritage”. Raw diamond mining at the Cullinan mine near Pretoria in South Africa has been known as one of the best sources of biggest diamond finds, yielding the world’s largest diamond that was discovered back in 1905. This other rare diamond sits at an outstanding 3106 total carats that currently belongs in Britain’s Crown Jewels.

This egg-sized rare diamond find is quickly becoming known not only for its large size but also its remarkable color and clarity as its more significant attributes. Currently there are no plans in place for any further jewelry design ideas or how one would proceed with such a large rare gem, but effectively this celebrity diamond can yield a remarkable ‘D-flawless’ clear and polished stone anywhere between 170-180 carats. A diamond of such beauty can also fetch a significant resale price on the open market. Before any individual of the general public has the opportunity to view and possibly purchase the Cullinan Heritage diamond, it will be certain that much analyzing will occur. Teams of diamond experts and cutters will have to be assembled so that they are sure to scrutinize every possible solution and strategy for how the Cullinan Heritage diamond could be cut and made presentable for possible resale.

The Cullinan Heritage raw diamond was recently purchased by a tender from Hong Kong-based Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Company Ltd. The purchase and sale of the Cullinan Heritage diamond puts specific emphasis on the interest that China has on the global diamond market and how they are growing contributors, bouncing back from the economic crisis of past years. Many are recognizing China with significant interests in the global diamond market, overtaking Japan as the second most influential country for rare gems. It is not known currently what the plans are for this remarkable rare diamond find, but the ability of this rare diamond to be cut into many other rare stones is a possibility, while keeping the diamond intact can also bring forth an extraordinary treasure for many jewelry designers.

Even though depleting markets and the global recession over the last few years has touched many individuals and businesses, many rare gems including the Cullinan Heritage have sparked a high level of interest, significantly more than first assumed. The diamond market today is currently increasing back to levels seen in 2008 before the economy had suffered a negative impact. Many feel that this raw uncut diamond is just a small step in helping the diamond market regain its notoriety and continues to grow for the open market as part of a successful economy. The interest in raw uncut diamonds is quickly growing, helping make rare diamond finds such as the Cullinan Heritage an even larger find due to its worldwide interest.

Although it may be difficult to imagine such a large rare gem being bought and sold for such a substantial amount of money, many individuals are sure to see other raw uncut diamonds come from diamond mines in South Africa that have been known to produce such rare gems.

Bling and over-consumption is so ‘80s. If you’re planning to get married today, couples are much more aware of the financial consequences of such a decision. The recession has put a damper on lavish ceremonies, but there’s still one way you can impress your lady when it comes to the proposal. Show her you can find a special diamond ring that’s not going to break the future marital bank.

Everyone Wants A Deal These Days

Budget crisis in the news and forced reduction in hours or layoffs has everyone looking for a deal. People about to get married are no different. They still want the perfect proposal, wedding, and honeymoon; however, as this is an event that’s only supposed to happen once in a lifetime. It does call for a little something special. That might mean that the trip to France is still on for the honeymoon, but other deals are scouted out, like buying alternative wedding bands for the ceremony.

Couples Getting Smart with Wedding Budgets

One place that people still want quality and size is the diamond engagement ring. Prices can vary greatly at retail stores, but smart shoppers are realizing the best deals are online. Not only is it easier to shop for a diamond engagement ring online, but it’s easier to make an informed decision that fits your budget. There’s no annoying sales clerk trying to steer you towards something outside your budget just so they can make a fatter commission.

By doing some investigations online, couples have the choice of virtually designing their own diamond engagement ring, from a multitude of stones and fashion settings. They can change the type of metal in the setting or manipulate the cut, clarity, color, and carat weight to reduce the price. They can visualize the final result with a 3-D ring builder that is available online to help them decide whether it’s exactly what she wants at the price you want.

Alternative Metals for Wedding Bands

Gold has always been traditional for wedding bands, but it has become very costly during this recession. Now, you can opt for other types of metals, from tungsten and titanium to white gold to get a more modern twist, and less of an impact on your wallet. These wedding bands will last forever, just like gold, in most cases. The metal colors are easier to accessorize with today’s modern palettes also.

Imagine Her Delight

She’ll be thrilled to get just the right ring and also realize that there’s plenty of money left in the wedding budget for the wedding of her dreams. As these recession couples start out their lives together, the financial lessons of today are creating adults that want to get the most value for their money that they can. It’s not about being cheap or sacrificing quality, it’s about knowing that your money is being spent well. You should be able to afford what you want, but not have to pay too much for it. Do that and you will certainly impress her in a big way!

Combing the web for good fashion tips? Less is more during this recession, and that includes your make-up, fashion, and jewelry choices. The desire to be friendly with Mother Nature isn’t just about making green choices in jewelry materials, it’s an over all appreciation of natural elements. When adding some recycled gold into your jewelry chest, you still want to wear it to show off the natural beauty with special attention to Mother nature. That can mean paying attention to your skin, as it will naturally show more with less jewelry and make-up. It can also mean wearing floral jewelery designs that echo the beauty of the natural world.

Care For Your Lips and Skin First

The best tip in the early spring is to keep your chapstick on you so that the winter’s blistery weather doesn’t have to scour your lips. Special attention to the health of your skin is also necessary, as no one looks good with acne or rough, dry, patchy, skin. The investment you make in good skin care will help to give your jewelry a backdrop of satiny, healthy, skin.

Amp Up the Naturals with Violet Shades

Violet tones for the eyes will pair well with the natural lip color in tones of coral and beige. It also tends to amp up the look, so that you look a bit more sophisticated. You can use amethyst and diamonds in the jewelry, to heighten the look. Add a little smoky quartz, chocolate-colored diamonds, and it gives an air of the mysterious too.

Add Nature

Motifs of flowers are very powerful when it comes to a natural look. It’s feminine and yet, also green. You can individualize it by choosing something meaningful, like a birth flower, or you can opt for a more classic choice: roses. The look for spring is going to be nymph-like and softly feminine.

Gemstones and pearls also come from Mother Nature’s bounty, and it’s probably the reason you’ll see lots more diamonds this season. Not only will you get the soft, rosy, hues but you’ll also have those sparklings of diamond dew here and there. It’s a look that’s meant to be soothing and charming, while also evoking a bit of magic and mystery.

Being in the jewelry business we have seen many things, from fake diamonds that look real, to some of the most unusual bridal party accoutrements ever.  But one of the newest wedding trends to come out off the fashion runway already for 2010 is a wedding dress that is edible.  Literally.  The edible wedding cake is not a fairy tale.  It has actually been made and worn on the runway to the fashion pundits of the world and it is making ripples in the industry that is not even possible when you pour a cup of coffee into a mug.

Made up of layers of wedding cake – and based on the pictures we’ve seen just about every flavor imaginable is in this cake – the Cake Dress is being considered the ‘Cinderella’ of edible bridal gowns.  With a full skirt that looks like it has a hoop under it reminiscent of something out of ‘Gone With The Wind’, it is definitely an artistic piece that is not practical enough to really wear down the aisle.  Let’s face it, a cake dress is to be admired and…eaten.  Not walked in.  The full skirt is topped off with a sweetheart neckline bodice and all of it is literally painted onto the bride.  The frosting?  As close as we can tell it looks like butter cream.

The Cake Dress is the creation of Lukka Sigurdarottir, an artist from Iceland.  Unfortunately, every time someone from the industry has attempted to contact the artist she is unable to be found.  There is very little known about the edible dress, how it is put together, how much food is actually in it and so on.  We’re actually interested in knowing how much the dress weights, what the bride would wear under it and how, exactly, she is to get out of the dress once most of the skirt has been cut and served to the wedding guests.  The last thing any bride would want to do during her reception is stop, take a shower, get dressed, and go back to the party in her honor.

It is apparent that the Cake Dress is probably not going to take off anytime soon down church aisles around the world.  Just the preparation alone to get into the dress is something that truly boggles the mind.  The weight of the cake alone – as the skirt is solid to the legs as far as we can tell – would make it hard for a woman to walk in, let alone move.  This dress is purely for standing in, having pictures taken, and then having it sliced off and served.  And let’s stop and think about how many people would actually be willing to eat the cake.

While all brides want their wedding day to be special, most of them probably are not willing to allow themselves to be bound up into this edible confection of a wedding dress.  Other than the logistics of moving, there are other things that would need to be addressed, such as the call of nature.  Most elaborate wedding dresses are made in such a way that the bride is able to wear the dress for the ceremony and picture taking and then remove portions of it so that they are not weighed down for the fun that the reception holds.  Fabric wedding dresses are always going to be preferred over the Cake Dress.