The Ultimate Engagement Ring Guide

One of the toughest decisions you will need to make after you get engaged is what kind of ring to get.  A cushion cut engagement ring would be a great choice.  Before you buy one though, read this to find out why they are a great choice!

You should love anything vintage or antique looking if you decide on a cushion cut ring.  They were very popular in the late 1800’s.  One of the most famous diamonds of all time, the Hope Diamond, is cushion cut.  They are very often found in vintage collections.  There is a nice softness about them, because the shape of them is actually a lot like a fluffy pillow shape.

There are approximately 60 facets on a cushion cut stone.  Considering there are at least 80 facets on brilliant cut diamonds, that is considerably less.  The lower number of facets, and rounded corners give the stone more brilliance, but less “sparkle” than other cuts.  The result is a soft look to the stone.  Some cushion cuts will have a small cut in the bottom of the stone to reduce the amount of brilliance, further softening the look.  The facets are larger due to there being less of them on this type of cut, and so flaws will become very apparent in a cushion cut stone.  It is very important that the stone have a high clarity rating for it to look good.  A good quality cushion cut stone will also have a color that is more white, since any yellow will be magnified (if the stone has yellow tones) because of the high brilliance the cut creates.

Because the focus should be on the central stone, a cushion cut engagement ring will often be a solitaire.  That way, nothing will detract from the beauty of the diamond.   Most cushion cuts made recently are square in shape.  Antique cushion cut engagement rings tend to be more rectangular, and may even have 8 prongs on the setting, compared to modern ones which usually have 4 prongs. The reason for this is that the unique shape of the stone will be more prominent.

Taking all of the above into consideration, you should be aware that cushion cut engagement rings are fairly expensive.  Solitaires are usually larger stones which cost more, and cushion cuts require high clarity, which is also expensive when it comes to diamonds.  Expect to pay $3000 for a good quality new ring, and $10,000 and up for a vintage ring.  If an actual diamond is out of the question, consider looking at a cushion cut cubic zirconia ring.

As you can see, you will be making quite an investment for a cushion cut engagement ring.  Shop, shop, shop, find a good jeweler or online retailer who will talk to you and answer questions, and you will end up with a real show-stopper of a ring!

“What greater thing is there for two human souls, than to feel that they are joined for life- to strengthen each other in all labor, to rest on each other in all sorrow, to minister to each other in all pain, to be one with each other in silent unspeakable memories at the last parting?”

Truly, this is one of the wise quotes and sayings George Eliot has written on marriage.  It is candid and true, but don’t let the memories of that big day come to pass without having them captured in photos and wedding videos.

Moments like a bride’s walk down the church aisle, the exchange of personalized wedding vows, the first announcement of the couple as husband and wife, and the elated faces of family and friends are worth reminiscing over and over again.  Only wedding videos keep these memories alive.  Here’s a quick guide in choosing the right videographer for you.

Wedding Videos 101
The most critical determinant in choosing a videograpaher is the experience in making wedding videos.  Weddings are not scripted and have many stage and impromptu moments that need to be recorded.  Someone with an experienced eye and quick reactions is a must for your wedding.  In choosing the right videographer, you must remember these lessons.

Lesson 1: Ask for Demo Materials
In screening your prospective videographer, ask for demo materials or the latest wedding video coverage that they have done.  Watch it from start to finish, determining if this videographer can provide you with the product that you desire.  Take note of the quality of video.

Lesson 2: Interpersonal and Communication Skills
If discussing your plans with a company, ask the representative to identify who will be the photographer and then ask to talk to that person.  Observe the way the videographer communicates and relates to you.  Someone with good interpersonal and communication skills will make you and your guests feel more comfortable on your wedding day.

Lesson 3:  Coverage Style, Editing and Final Work
Let the videographer share with you his style in doing wedding videos, whether it is cinematic, artistic or traditional.  From this you can assess his creative sense and if he can match your expectations.  As for editing, ask about the time frame of editing and what musical score or backgrounds will be used.

Lesson 4: Cameras, Equipment and Price
Wedding videos need specialized and high-end cameras and equipment.  Ask for the type of equipment they use to give you the idea on the quality of videos they can also produce.  Because a wedding video must be exquisitely executed with the highest quality, expect for it to be expensive.

She has been good to you. She does your laundry, she works hard, she laughs at your cheesy jokes and more importantly she’s the ONE for you.  That is why you should make it a point to get her the most perfect engagement ring to knock her heels off and impress on her your everlasting love. Engagement rings come in a variety of settings, so choose wisely.

There are infinite ways to set a diamond and create a ring just right for your mate. The question is how do you determine what is the right ring to get her? If you do decide to go ring-shopping without her, either because that is her preference or because you want the proposal to be a surprise, your next step should be to decide what kind of personality your significant other possesses.

• If she is simple and elegant, very low maintenance, a bezel set solitaire ring would be an excellent choice. A bezel set ring has the diamond embedded in the band and looks neat and modest for any low-key woman.
• If your queen is a little more flamboyant and wants everyone who looks at her finger to know she is taken and happy, a three-stone ring setting would be fitting. With three stones everyone around her will know she is in love and she will be happy knowing it is not too little or too much, but just right.
• If your lady is loud, proud, and showy as ever, get her a rock that says she is the boss and do not forget it. Get her a ring with diamonds around the whole band and a grand central diamond so bright she will have to wear sunglasses to look at it.
• When choosing a material for the actual band try to match it with the jewelry she already wears. Just think a while about what your girlfriend likes and find a ring to suit her actions as well as her character.

Before buying a ring you should research on diamond quality as well as read reviews about places that sell rings. Find out who has the best customer satisfaction and find the place nearest you that can offer you beautiful engagement rings to choose from.

Bottom line is no matter what ring you get your girl, she will be happy that you love her enough to want to spend your life with her. Hopefully, the next step will be her happy acceptance and then planning out her dress (traditional? colorful?) and makeup (airbrush makeup? makeup artist?) for a perfect wedding day.