After the Diamond Engagement Ring: Engagement Party Etiquette

Posted on January 24, 2012 by admin

Your dream diamond engagement ring is on your finger, and you’ve been showing off your rock to anyone that crosses your path. You’re so thrilled to finally be marrying the man of your dreams that you’ve forgotten to consider one major hurdle before the actual wedding ceremony:

The engagement party.

The thought of having a party to celebrate your life might make you jump for joy, but be wary – there’s a host of potential etiquette blunders that could set a negative tone in the run-up to your wedding. Now that you have your diamond engagement ring, here’s the engagement party etiquette you need to know:

1. You’re not allowed to throw your own engagement party – period. The engagement party must be offered by one of your relatives, or your sweetheart’s relatives. Similarly, a close and generous friend could offer to host the party. No matter who offers, the couple is not allowed to host their own party, as this can be seen as tacky and greedy. If no one offers, consider dropping a subtle hint to your parents. After all, that’s what family is for.

2. If you’re wondering whether you should have an engagement party at all, consider this general rule of thumb: if your wedding is more than a year away, you’re good to go. If, however, you’re getting married in just a few months, an engagement party is unnecessary and inconvenient for your guests. Remember, it has nothing to do with you – and everything to do with etiquette, time constraints and considerations for your friends and family members.

3. If you’re at your engagement ring party, feel free to show off that gorgeous diamond engagement ring (after all, that’s what it’s there for!). But it’s proper etiquette to ensure that the party’s primary focus is to introduce both sides of the family to each other. Therefore, make sure that all of your attention is on introducing his mother to your cousins, or your friends to his brothers. That way, everyone will feel completely comfortable with each other by the time the wedding rolls around – and that’s certainly a recipe for an awesome reception.

Remember, the engagement party has its own set of rules and etiquette that doesn’t necessarily apply to the wedding. However, never forget the ultimate rules of the party: relax, enjoy your close friends and family members, and show off that beautiful diamond engagement ring!

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Diamond Engagement Ring Ideas That Won’t Break the Bank

Posted on January 20, 2012 by admin

When it comes to diamond engagement rings, there’s no denying that they can be a considerable drain on your bank account. But if you’re not willing to sacrifice on style and quality, it might seem like the only option left is to bite the bullet and whip out than credit card…

Or is it?

Whether you’re the one doing the proposing, or you stumbled across this article because you’re looking for a subtle way to hint at your boyfriend (ahem) that you’re ready to walk down the aisle, here are a few diamond engagement ideas that won’t break the bank.
After all, you’ll need all that money for your upcoming wedding!

1. Put your feelers out there and see if you have any friends or family members who work in the jewelry industry. Jewelers get great discount rates on diamond engagement rings, meaning you’ll benefit from having that sweet connection. If your search turns up empty, don’t be afraid to enlist a few trusted friends to see if they have any contacts themselves. You’ll never know who will turn up – and how much money you could potentially save on a diamond engagement rings.

2. Skip traditional jewelers in favor for online vendors. Not only do online vendors offer far more diamond engagement rings (read: more budget options), but many also offer better deals than chain stores and independent jewelers. Be sure that the vendor you shop with offers exceptional customer service in case you need to return the diamond ring. If you’re not sure, send an email to the vendor and search online for what other customers have to say about that particular company.

3. Be sure to pay careful attention to the cut and style of the diamond engagement rings. Many cuts can make larger diamonds look smaller, while some can make smaller diamonds look positively Kim Kardashian-worthy. If you’re on a budget, try looking for an Asscher-cut diamond engagement ring instead of a princess cut, or opt for a single solitaire diamond on a slender palladium or white gold band (both metals resemble platinum, but are far cheaper). You’ll be amazed at what you can buy on a budget.

Remember, you don’t need the budget of a billionaire to buy your dream diamond engagement rings. These creative techniques will help you get the ring you deserve – and at a price that won’t make for a bare bones wedding!

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The Perfect Christmas Gift for All the Women in Your Life

Posted on December 13, 2011 by admin

Let’s face it, guys: shopping for women is never easy. Sure, there may be a plethora of clothing stores, beauty departments and perfume vendors all vying for your attention – but you’re not looking for just a “so-so” gift. You want the perfect Christmas gift for all the women in your life that will absolutely bowl them over. After all, this Christmas isn’t about settling for ordinary gifts…

It’s about ensuring that your wife, mother, sister, girlfriend, and even your auntie get something under their Christmas tree that will make them gasp in delight.

So that’s that perfect Christmas gift for all the women in your life? Simple: this season, give the gift of diamond stud earrings!

Nothing warms a woman’s heart quite like jewelry – and if you give the gift of diamond stud earrings, you can bet that the special women in your life will be warm all through the winter season. Diamond stud earrings should be an essential part of any woman’s wardrobe: timeless, classic and utterly elegant, diamond stud earrings make any outfit look absolutely stunning. Whether they want to wear their diamond stud earrings for a night out on the town or paired with their favorite work outfit, you can bet that their diamond stud earrings will be a permanent wardrobe staple.

Diamond stud earrings are also an incredibly versatile gift to give the special women in your life. Want to let your mother know just how much you appreciate all she’s done for you? Want to let your girlfriend know that you’re madly in love with her? Diamond stud earrings can say so much to a woman – thereby guaranteeing that it’s the perfect gift to give this holiday season!

Whether you’re shopping for diamond stud earrings online or at your local jewelry vendor, make sure you understand the ins and outs of buying a great pair of diamonds. Keep in mind that you’ll still need to watch out for diamond quality, just like you would if you were buying a diamond engagement ring. This means studying up on the diamond grade scale, which ranges from flawless to I-1, I-2 and I-3 (this means that there are visible marks on the diamond). If you’re unsure as to the quality of the diamond, ask the jeweler for assistance, or bring along someone who knows diamonds.
There’s no denying that for the special women in your life, you’d do anything for them. So why not make this Christmas extra special by giving them all the gift of diamond stud earrings? It’ll be one Christmas they’ll never forget!

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Diamond Engagement Rings…For Men?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by admin

When it comes to diamond engagement rings, there’s no denying that popular conceptions of the marriage proposal involves the man bending on one knee and proposing to his sweetheart. However, as 2011 draws to a close, more women are choosing to embrace their independence by proposing marriage first – and that certainly involves a different set of diamond engagement ring rules and traditions.

Whether you’re planning on proposing to your boyfriend this holiday season or are just interested in this developing trend, here are the dos and don’ts of diamond engagement rings for men:

1. Think beyond the mall’s jewelry store if you’re on the hunt for diamond engagement rings for men. Unfortunately, male engagement rings are still quite rare, so your search will need to be conducted in specialty shops or online. Don’t limit yourself to familiar brands – instead, branch out to experience the wonderful online jewelers (like 25karats.com!) that offer unique and modern engagement rings for men.

2. Don’t fixate on the idea that you need to find a diamond solitaire ring for your man. If you want to propose in a ring that won’t make him feel feminine, try looking for platinum, palladium or gold bands with diamonds embedded in them. For a different twist on an old traditional, custom order a ring with your birthstones on it, or simply present him with a plain band with a special message engraved in the underside. He’ll be proud to wear a ring that celebrates your special relationship and celebrates his masculinity.

3. If you do opt for a man’s diamond engagement ring, make sure your boyfriend is a diamond guy in the first place. Too many women make the mistake of assuming that since they love diamonds, their men will be just as overjoyed to receive one. However, some men simply don’t like the look of diamonds, while others don’t want to wear expensive jewelry due to their job requirements (construction, military, etc). Subtly drop the hint to see how he reacts to the idea of wearing diamond jewelry, especially rings. You should have your answer in no time.

4. Finally, be sure to propose to him in a way that celebrates his hobbies, passions and habits. If he’s a shutterbug, have him develop a photo of his engagement ring. If he loves hiking, propose at a mountain summit. We guarantee he’ll be overwhelmed by your touching gesture.

If you’re tired of waiting for your man to propose, take matters into your own hands with diamond engagement rings for men!

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