The Ring's The Thing
Janel Bladow
Your dazzling, enchanting journey to the Big Day begins with the magic of your engagement ring. Below are insider tips on shopping and caring for The Ring from diamond jeweler and expert Eve Goldberg.
What is the most popular style ring today?
“The cushion cut,” says Goldberg. “It’s like a big pillow. It’s an old cut and it’s back. We recently sold one to actor Kyle McLaughlin. Another hot trend? Display a diamond in an unusual way such as setting a marquise (oval) diamond sideways instead of up and down.”
What is the best setting for a diamond?
“Platinum,” Eve says emphatically. “It’s the hardest metal and shows off diamonds the best.” But if you can’t afford platinum, Eve believes white gold is the next best thing. “Yellow gold just doesn’t do a white stone justice.”
What color stone should you buy?
“Look for the very whitest stone you can afford. It just sparkles.”
Who should shop for an engagement ring?
“I’m a firm believer that a man should buy the ring for his future bride. Of course, the couple should window shop first so that he has a clear idea of what she likes, but it will have more meaning for her if he goes alone to buy it.”
What should a guy consider when buying a ring?
“First he should set a firm price in his mind. Next he should think what cut and shape most appeals to him and his bride-to-be. Then look at color and clarity. Once the stone is shall we say, set in stone, he should pick a simple setting that best shows off the diamond.”
How important is a diamond certificate?
“The certificate tells the history of the diamond, identifies it and tells you what you’re buying. It’s important if your stone is ever lost or stolen. But I wouldn’t rely on it when buying. For that, use your eyes and your heart.”
How important is a flawless diamond?
“It’s only important to the people who can afford flawless diamonds. Don’t rule out diamonds with flaws that you can’t see with an untrained eye. You can get a better deal and no one will know its not perfect.”
How important is size?
“That depends on your price range and how important a big diamond is to the couple. Diamonds just under a carat are less expensive than a full carat and several smaller stones are less costly than one big one.”
Where should you buy your ring?
“I firmly believe in shopping with a reliable jeweler who has been in business for years. You can go back to him for repairs and cleaning and he knows your stone should you decide to upgrade. If status is your thing, there’s Tiffany’s and Harry Winston but you pay for it. Buying an engagement ring should be a once in a lifetime romantic and personal experience. That’s part of the fun.”
How important is insurance?
“Very. Have a rider put on your home owners policy and periodically have the ring appraised.”
CARE & CLEANING:
•Diamonds lose luster from skin oil,
cosmetics, soap. They attract grease and oil from soapy water.
•Remove diamond rings before any chore or sport. Diamonds easily chip or crack.
•Throw out commercial jewelry cleansers after three months.
•Make a home solution of one part mild detergent, one part ammonia, and three parts water and scrub with a soft brush. Rinse thoroughly and dry with a lint-free towel.
•Have your ring steam cleaned and checked by a licensed jeweler at least once a year.
THE 4 C’S
CUT – Facets bring out a diamond’s sparkle. Diamond cuts include round, oval, marquise, pear, heart, emerald, princess and radiant. Round brilliant is the most popular shape today.
CLARITY– Describes how flawless the diamond is. The fewer flaws the better, more expensive the diamond.
CARATS – A carat is the measurement used to weigh a diamond. A one-carat stone is rarer than two half-carat stones so it’s more expensive.
COLOR – Diamonds come in every color of the rainbow but colorless (white) diamonds are rare and more costly.
ON-LINE RESOURCES:
The American Gem Society – www.ags.org
Jewelry Information Center – www.jewelryinfo.org
A Diamond is Forever –
www.adiamondisforever.com
Janel Bladow is a New York City-based print and television journalist. She is a producer for Extra! And TV Guide Channel and writes for the New York Post and In Touch Weekly, among other magazines and newspapers.