Special Jewelry Purchases For Your Fabulous Other Half

When looking for a romantic piece gift for someone else, a piece of jewelry seems like the obvious decision, right? With that in mind, we are going to take a look at some of the most special pieces of jewelry you can buy for your other half. Of course, there is only one place to start, and this is with an engagement ring. After all, could you get a more romantic and special piece of jewelry than this?

Engagement Ring

Is there any purchase more important than an engagement ring? All women dream about the moment they are proposed to. Will it be in Paris? Will it be in public or private? Will there be rose petals all over the ground? And, most importantly, what will the ring be like? There is a lot of pressure on the man to get it right, and we are guessing you probably haven’t bought a lot of diamond rings in your time, so it can be a bit daunting and intimidating. But, don’t fret, as we have put together this guide to help you out.

Grading – There is only one place to begin, and this is with diamond grading. There are a number of diamond grading systems used around the world, but it is recommended that you choose a GIA certified stone, like the Gemological Institute of America is the most recognized and widely used system.

So, how is a diamond graded?

•   Cut
•   Clarity
•   Colour
•   Carat

These are known as the four ‘C’s, and it is important to have an understanding of them. You can find in-depth guides and information on these four qualities online. However, we’ll give you a quick breakdown here. Cut is the way in which the diamond is cut – the proportions – it’s not the shape of the diamond. The cut impacts the way in which the light reflects off the surface. When you look at a diamond and it has that incredible sparkle, this is because of the way that it has been cut and the way that light reflects off the surface. If the diamond has not been cut well, a lot of light will simply leak out of the back of the diamond.

Clarity refers to the diamond’s inclusions/blemishes, for example, whether there are any marks on the diamond, which are typically not visible to the naked eye in any case, and the color is how transparent the diamond is. Finally, carat refers to the weight.

Our recommendations are to look for a diamond that has a clarity grade of VS1 – SI1, a color grade of D – G, a fluorescence grade of none – faint, and a cut/polish grade of excellent – good. Nonetheless, seeing the diamond in person is the best solution, so you can really get a feel for what it is like and get recommendations from a specialist.

Budget – Now that you are educated regarding the four C’s, you should consider your budget. Diamond rings vary in price considerably, so it is a good idea to set a limit. Don’t worry if you have a tight budget; there are different qualities that you can play around with to lower the price. For example, if you are buying a gold ring, you could compromise on the color grade of the diamond. Additionally, many sellers offer online jewelry financing, so don’t worry if you don’t want to compromise on anything as there are payment plans available.

Metal – This leads to the next point perfectly. What type of metal are you going to choose? Popular options include white gold, yellow gold, and platinum. You should start observing the jewelry that your girlfriend usually wears so that you can get a good idea regarding the type of metal they like. Most people tend to go for white gold or platinum engagement rings, but if your girlfriend regularly wears gold, it is probably better to go for this option.

Diamond shape – The shape of the diamond is so important and if you are lucky your girlfriend may have hinted about this before. You have many options to choose from, such as Princess, Emerald, Heart, Round, Oval, Pear, and Marquise. Think about the styles your girlfriend likes and what is going to suit her. If you are struggling, it is a good idea to choose something classic, such as oval engagement rings. After all, trends come and go, but an engagement ring is going to be worn for a lifetime.

Ring setting – There are a number of patterns and details to choose from. However, most rings fall into one of the following three settings: halo setting, side stone, and solitaire. The latter is a single stone, which is held securely in a prong setting so that the diamond catches the light. This is the most popular style of engagement ring. A side stone setting is one whereby the main stone is flanked by other gemstones or diamonds for additional color or sparkle. Finally, a halo setting is one whereby the main stone is surrounded by tiny diamonds to create the illusion of greater size or to add sparkle.

Ring size – Last but not least, you need to get your girlfriend’s ring size right. Most women have a ring size ranging from G to R, with the most common sizes being between K to N. The best thing to do is take one of your girlfriend’s rings without her realizing, and get the size this way. You may need to enlist some help from her sister, mother, or one of her best friends with this one.

So there you have it – all of the things you need to consider when you are looking for a diamond engagement ring. If you need some assistance, don’t hesitate to book an appointment with one of the experts in your local area. They should be more than happy to guide you and show you the different options they have available for your budget.

Charm Jewelry

Charms and charm bracelets have undergone something of a resurgence in popularity in recent years. However, don’t be tricked into believing that they are a new thing! There’s an extensive history of jewelry, and charm bracelets particularly, of being essential and remarkable things to give and receive. Whether it’s to remember special occasions or just as a sign of the giver’s esteem, there is no greater way to show someone you love them than giving them a thing they could put on. 

The Extensive And Evolving History of Charms And Charm Bracelets

So when having charms first been given and what do they mean? It’s difficult to come up with a specific answer, although traces of this contemporary jewelry go way back to Africa, over 75,000 years ago, after they were created out of the seeds of plants. The Ancient Egyptians wore charms – personal to them as well as a defense against evil spirits and bad luck. There are even some charm bracelets located nowadays in the burial spots of pharaohs along with other prominent leaders. On top of that, people have worn them throughout history to indicate their obedience to specific religions, households, or advocacies. The first Christians in Rome, for instance, would carry small fish-shaped charms that would help others recognize them as adherents of this faith. Nowadays, and more identical to the type of jewelry we wear at present, Queen Victoria was a huge fan of charm bracelets and charms. She commonly had them commissioned and gave them away to close friends and subjects. In addition to that, she even brought in and spread charms that commemorate and help remember dead relatives. These included little colored portraits or locks of hair of their beloved departed loved ones. 

They were pretty well-liked in the 1950s and 1960s too. Young individuals in the United States would add unique charms to a bracelet to commemorate unforgettable events in their lifetime, such as remarkable birthdays, graduation, marriage engagement, and so on. 

Purchasing Charms For Your Loved One At Present

Charms and the bracelets they are linked to might come and go in fame, but once they are given, they will be valued by the owner forever. They can even be passed down to future generations. There’s nothing more unique than the thought of choosing a unique charm for your special someone. Getting one indicates that you have considered their taste, their personality along with the deep meaning of the event you’re giving it for. In case you’re in need of bracelets and charms for your loved one, you have to order somewhere with the widest possible choices so that you can discover the most suitable one for that individual. You want to be able to find something new for each landmark in their life. In doing this, the charm bracelet can grow with your loved one. 

So there you have it: an insight into some of the most special pieces of jewelry you can buy for your other half. You can’t go wrong with pieces of jewelry like this because they have so much meaning associated with them.