Showing posts with label wedding invitations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wedding invitations. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Diamonds ---Getting the Most for Your Money

Diamonds ---Getting the Most for Your Money


Have you been together as a couple for a while now? Have you seen your romance grow into love and mutual respect? Do you communicate deeply and solve conflicts together? Do you want to be with your partner for the rest of your life? Is it time to start looking for a diamond?

When buying a diamond there are steps you can take to ensure that you get the most for your money. There are great values to be found in today’s marketplace if you can navigate through all the pitfalls. Take to heart the following do’s and don’ts .


Define A Budget


As a couple discuss and decide on what you want for an engagement ring and what you can afford to spend on that ring.


Ask Your Friends And Family for Jewelers That They Trust


Make two or three of the top names your starting place. Go to and interact with each company to see if they are right for you.


Resolve To Take Your Time


Diamond education is vitally important to getting a great looking diamond at the best price. Don’t try to get by with what appears to be easy deals. Take your time and do not make a spur of the moment “emotional” decision. Be patient, do your homework and learn to be able to tell whether or not a seller is looking out for your benefit.


Get As Educated As Possible About Diamonds


Learn and understand the 4C’s of Diamond Grading---Color, Clarity, Carat Weight and Cut. Find a store that will actually show you the 4C’s using diamond grading equipment and not just talk about them.


Shopping For And Buying A Loose Diamond Will Save You Money


Make sure you purchase your diamond loose not mounted. If it is mounted it is impossible to accurately determine the Color, Clarity, Carat Weight or Cut of the diamond and to know if you are getting good value.


Perceiving Diamond Color Will Save You Money


If you can see the different diamond color grades side-by-side then you can determine just what colors will work for you. Very tiny differences in diamond color can make a difference in value of hundreds or thousands of dollars. By seeing the diamond color grades you can decide to spend your money on a higher color or to save some money by purchasing a lower color grade.


Perceiving Diamond Clarity Will Save You Money


If you can see what the different diamond clarity grades look like under a binocular microscope then you can determine just what clarities will work for you. Very tiny differences in diamond clarity can make a difference in value of hundreds or thousands of dollars. By seeing the diamond clarity grades you can decide to spend your money on a higher clarity or to save some money by purchasing a lower clarity grade.


Knowing How Diamond Carat Weight Affects Value Will Save You Money


Small differences in diamond carat weight can make a difference in value of hundreds or thousands of dollars. For example, a 1.35 ct diamond approaches the size of a 1.50 ct but costs substantially less for the same Shape, Color, Clarity and Cut. Knowing this can help you to get the look that you want for less.


Knowing Diamond Cut Will Let You Choose Between Beauty and Saving Money


Small differences in Diamond Cut---the inter-related proportions and angles of a stone make a huge difference in both how beautiful a diamond is and in its value. A poorly cut diamond may be up to 50% less expensive but it will not be as beautiful and will have less brilliance, fire and scintillation.


Considering Fancy Shape Diamonds Will Save You Money


All of the Fancy Shape Diamonds are less expensive than a Round Brilliant Cut Diamond---all things being equal. Some fancy shapes are the Princess Cut, the Marquise Cut, the Oval Shape, the Heart Shape, the Pear Shape, the Radiant Cut, the Emerald Cut, the Asscher Cut and the Cushion Cut. Within each of these shapes you can find some examples that are very beautiful and many examples that are not beautiful.


Find The Company Who Will Work To Provide You With Your Perfect Stone


You want to spend your budget on a beautiful diamond with the qualities that is important to you. Everyone will have their own perception as to what is a good diamond. Some may want a high quality, Super Ideal Cut diamond, while others want a very nice looking near ideal cut diamond that is clean to the naked eye, whitish in color, and as large as they can afford. Others may prefer a different shape, Princess, Marquise, Oval, Heart, Cushion, etc.


You should find a jeweler that will listen to your preferences and help you find a beautiful diamond with the qualities that are perfect for you.


If you follow these shopping tips you will purchase a beautiful diamond at a great price. It will be a diamond that you will forever cherish as you move forward with your life together. We wish you the best.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Inviting Change


Inviting Change

Dare to be different! More and more bridal couples are looking to fashion for inspiration for their wedding invitations, going "Couture". Jon Lacar of Evergreen Invitations, www.evergreeninvitations.com explains this trend:

Couture, a term originally stemmed from the fashion world, basically means custom designing using unique and high-end materials. These are not your ordinary paper invites. A typical couture invitation can include rhinestone buckles, crystal embellishments, designer papers, and rich fabrics. They are also usually housed in a luxurious stationery box or enclosure. The greatest part is that there are limitless custom design options and the outcome is having a beautiful keepsake to serve as a memento for the special event. A step further also goes into the type of printing such as using letterpress (impression text) or thermography (raised text). All of these put together make an invitation that is exclusive, unique, and eye-catching.

Brides and grooms who want to take their invitations a step up to the next level will enjoy what couture invitations has to offer. Couture invitations can serve a wide variety of tastes. For example, a beach wedding would extend its theme into the invitations by including embellishments such as seashells and starfish accessories, whereas an elegant affair will call for rhinestone jewels and sumptuous ribbons. An invitation using these little hints gives the guests a feel for the atmosphere and a exciting glimpse of your special day.

The prior mentality that invitations will just be thrown away are no longer amongst today's brides and grooms. Attention to finer design details in a couture invitation will make your guests feel as if they were receiving a gift as well. Brides and grooms are often on the hunt for something new, unique, and different. Custom designed couture invitations will provide just that. They definitely will stand out compared to commonplace invitations and give your big day a special feel.