Look of Love: Jewelry, Apparel, Health & Beauty

Jewelry

A diamond is a fitting symbol for everlasting love
because of its beauty, rarity and enduring value.

Diamonds

Every couple should understand the "Four C’s" (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat) before choosing a diamond. The brief summary below provides a starting point. Any expert jeweler will gladly augment this information by answering questions that are sure to arise when the search begins.

Cut: The visual beauty of a diamond is largely determined by the cutter and polisher when they transform the rough, natural-occurring crystal into the faceted, refined gemstone seen in the jewelry store. Ideally, the best cut will reflect the maximum amount of light back to the viewer. This reflection, called brilliance, is vital to determining value.

Cut also refers to the shape of the diamond. The most common shapes are round, pear, oval, marquis, emerald, baguette and heart. The shape of the cut contributes little to value. It’s the quality of the cut that counts.

Color: To the untrained eye, the common diamond is somewhat colorless, usually tinged yellow, brown or gray. The completely colorless diamond is very rare and thus very valuable. Also rare and valuable is the "fancy stone," a diamond with definite color rather than just a shade or tinge. Yellow, red, green, blue, canary and brown are some of the colors that make "fancy stones" valuable.

Since completely colorless diamonds and "fancy stones" may be out of the average couple’s price range, couples will wisely remember that shades of color lower the price of common, mostly colorless diamonds. So if a more obvious tint of yellow appeals to a couple’s personal tastes, they may get more diamond for their money.

Clarity: Diamonds are formed deep in the earth from one simple mineral — carbon. As the carbon crystallizes into a diamond, imperfections make each crystal unique. Internal and external spots and lines form, lessening the clarity of the diamond.

A flawless diamond must show no surface blemishes or interior inclusions when examined at a 10x power magnification. Generally, the more irregularities there are, the lower the value of the diamond. Value is also affected by those imperfections that interfere with light passage.

Carat: The weight of a diamond is expressed in carats: 1 carat equals 200 milligrams; 142 carats equal 1 ounce. Carat fractions are further subdivided into points: 1 carat equals 100 points; 1/2 carat equals 50 points; etc.

The weight of a diamond is not the most important factor when determining its value, however. The three other C’s discussed above — cut, color and clarity — play a greater role when computing diamond price. If cut, color and clarity are equal, a 1 carat stone will be more valuable than a 3/4 carat. But a 3/4 carat diamond that has better cut, color or clarity can easily cost more than the 1 carat stone.

Whether looking for a sparkling diamond or lovely gemstone, a couple should take the time to consider a fifth (and perhaps the most important) "C": Confidence. The wise couple will choose a jeweler in whom they have confidence. The reliable jeweler will talk frankly and freely about the diamond the couple wants to buy and the price they want to pay.

Insurance & Care Another issue to consider when investing in a diamond is insurance coverage. If you and your fiancé are combining households, you will probably acquire or update a homeowners or renters insurance policy as part of the process. Your ring will automatically be insured with the rest of your possessions.

However, be aware that under most homeowners or renters policies, automatic coverage is limited to between $1,000 and $2,500, and you’re likely to pay a deductible if a loss occurs. In addition, the coverage often is restricted to a few specific causes of loss. If your ring is worth more, you should request a separate scheduled endorsement or "floater" from your insurance agent.

A sales slip is usually insufficient for insurance purposes. It is important for your jeweler to provide a more detailed appraisal or report for insurance coverage, so your insurance company can pay to replace your ring with a ring alike in kind and quality in the event of a loss.

Another option is buying a separate jewelry insurance policy. This choice can include more comprehensive coverage in case of loss, theft or damage. It can also offer no deductible, a complete description and the value of the ring written on the policy, and annual inspections and cleanings of your ring by the jeweler of your choice to prevent wear and future problems. Finally, when you come home with your new ring, be sure to care for it properly so it can keep saying "I love you" forever. Clean your ring frequently to avoid dirt build-up which can accelerate wear. Unless your diamond is fracture-filled, clean it with an ammonia-based jewelry cleaning solution or rubbing alcohol and a soft toothbrush. Once cleaned, dry your diamond with a soft, clean cloth. Your jeweler can professionally clean your ring and provide you with additional maintenance tips.

Annual inspections by your jeweler will help identify potential problems, such as loose or worn prongs that could catch on fabric and cause your diamond to fall out of its setting. Whenever you suspect such a problem, have your jeweler inspect your ring immediately.

Avoid sharp blows to your diamond. Even though diamonds are among the hardest of materials, they are not indestructible. Diamonds can chip if struck at the wrong angle.

Protect your ring from dirt and grime. If you are gardening or performing chores around the home, remove your ring. But don’t leave it on a dresser or counter where it could be lost or stolen. Put it in a soft container in a safe place, away from other objects that could scratch the stone. Always keep your ring out of the reach of children and pets, and be sure to remember where you left it!

Here’s a good rule of thumb: wear your engagement ring as you would your favorite dress. Be careful, but enjoy wearing it!

OTHER JEWELRY

Bridal Jewelry Jewelry plays an important role in the finishing touches of the bride’s attire. It is wise to keep in mind the style of the dress, since the jewelry should work as an accent, not a distraction to the wedding gown. A stunning necklace can add sparkle to a seemingly simple sophisticated dress. Earrings can act as a frame to the face. A bracelet can add additional interest to the ensemble. Choosing the right jewelry is important and luckily there are many jewelers who can help.
Costume jewelry can be found at jewelry stores, bridal shops, specialty stores and artisans who will even custom make the jewelry to exact specifications.

Gifts Many couples provide their bridesmaids with matching necklaces and earrings as a gift that will complete their ensemble. This jewelry can incorporate the wedding colors or work as an accent to add color to the bridesmaids’ apparel. Most couples will include the jewelry as a "thank you" gift to the attendants.

Jewelers offer other beautiful quality gifts for both the men and women who partake in the ceremony. For the bridesmaids, consider bracelets, charms, watches and other trinkets or collectibles. For the men; cuff links, watches and fine pens make wonderful gifts. While browsing through the jewelry shop, the bride and groom may even want to think about a special gift for one another. Jewelry is a lasting gift that, like marriage, will stand the test of time!