engagement-rings Archives

Engagement and Wedding Customs in 2021

Engagement and wedding customs have undergone a substantial shift in recent decades. Where previously, tradition ruled, many couples choose to follow more modern customs and standards.

Whether you’re planning your wedding in 2021 or wondering what to expect at the next wedding you attend, keeping up with current customs is essential. This guide will break down some of the breaks from tradition that modern weddings have taken.

The Rings

Traditionally, engagement rings are chosen by the groom and presented to the bride during the proposal. However, many couples are now opting out of this standard.

For one, many brides want to choose their own rings. This makes sense, as these are pieces of jewelry they’ll be wearing for many years to come. Post-proposal, the couple will often choose their wedding rings together. In the past, the bride-to-be would usually opt for a wedding band that matched her engagement ring perfectly, but today’s unique trends have pushed more mix and match rings into the limelight.

Additionally, some couples are going the more non-traditional engagement ring route of solely using wedding or eternity bands, excluding engagement rings entirely. Diamond eternity band options can be found on ItsHot’s website. They provide a wide selection of eternity rings at reasonable prices.

As for payment, the tradition states that grooms should purchase the engagement ring for their bride. However, many couples are choosing a more equitable route, with both partners splitting the cost of all three rings.

The Ceremony

Over the past few decades, there have been fewer and fewer wedding ceremonies held in churches in the U.S. Some research suggests that this trend is due to the simple fact that Millennials, the youngest of which will be 25 this year, are less religious than the previous generation.

Alongside venue changes, the traditional wedding script is being updated to reflect a more neutral tone. Whereas the traditional script makes several religious remarks and includes language that many deem demeaning to women, the newer script omits these passages or has edited them. Some couples may edit the script together to create one that best reflects their values as a couple.

Additionally, many same-sex couples modify the traditional wedding ceremony to be more inclusive and less-gender oriented. For example, both brides and grooms may have their chance to walk down the aisle.

Still more changes, some couples have opted to skip the “giving away” of the bride. While many still view the traditional as sweet, others deem it sexist and omit it from the ceremony.

The Reception

According to wedding tradition, the bride’s family is generally responsible for covering the bulk of wedding costs, including the reception.

That said, the trend toward smaller, more intimate weddings translates to smaller receptions. In some cases, those families with substantial land may host the reception in their backyard as a more budget-friendly affair.

Otherwise, there has been an increase in receptions being held in more cost-efficient locations, such as rented out restaurants, bars, and more.

Interestingly, the pandemic forced a lot of couples to get creative with outdoor locations. Parks, gardens, rooftops, beaches, and more are expected to be popular reception locations in the year ahead.

Though wedding customs have certainly changed in recent years, it’s important that you don’t get too caught up in the trends. Rather, the focus should be on planning a wedding that suits your partner and yourself. Find a way to celebrate your love and union in a way that means something to the both of you!

Beginners Guide to Gemstones Meanings and Powers

For centuries, gemstones have been idolized in society because of their unparalleled beauty, how rare they are their fascinating connection to spirituality and powers. Something that all gemstones have in common are endurance and stability, which has contributed greatly to how highly they are valued.

Here we will look into the meanings and powers of some of the most expensive, rare and precious gemstones in the world. All of these gemstones are precious. And the uniqueness of these beautiful stones make them highly desired all across the world.

Diamonds

Traditionally, diamonds represent faithfulness, love and innocence, with these qualities making them the most popular choice for engagement rings all over the world. This primary symbolization of love also comes with powers surrounding strength and invincibility.

The eternal love that is associated with diamonds is a result of what the stone represents, as well as its extremely durable nature. Diamonds are the hardest mineral on earth, receiving a maximum score of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness. As well as their clarity and beauty, this durability makes them ideal for everyday wear on engagement rings.

The cost of diamonds can vary massively as a result of the colour, cut and clarity. For example, a 1 carat diamond could cost between $2,000 and $12,000 depending on these factors.

Emeralds

Across the centuries, emeralds have been recognized for their striking green color, as well as the fact that they symbolize truth and love. It is said that emeralds are the gemstone of the Greek goddess Venus, which makes emerald rings a very popular choice as a gift for lovers. Additionally, emeralds encourage peace, balance and growth.

Emerald’s are extremely rare and often command a higher price than diamonds. Emeralds only score a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which often makes them more expensive to have set due to the increased risk of breakage, splitting or chipping.

Sapphires

Sapphires are deep blue color and have positive associations with wisdom, protection and good fortune. This gemstone has also consistently been associated with royalty, with Kings and Queens across the centuries treasuring these stones. More recently, Princess Diana was known for her love of sapphires. Her iconic and beautiful sapphire engagement ring which is now proudly owned by Kate Middleton.

Similarly to emeralds, the rarity of sapphires contributes massively to their value. You might be looking at over $11,000 for a one carat sapphire, depending on the quality. The Blue Belle of Asia is the most expensive sapphire in the world. Costing a staggering $17.5 million for the 392 carat beauty.

Ruby

The stunning deep red color of the ruby makes it one of the most desired gemstones in the world. Over time, the ruby has become known to represent passion and nobility, as well as loyalty. The captivating color, gorgeous shine and score of 9 on the Mohs scale all combine to make this gemstone highly treasured in all countries across the world.

One of the most valuable rubies in the world is the Jubilee Ruby. Which was recently sold at auction in the US for $14.2 million.

Final Thoughts

Gemstones have been appreciated for centuries and their value is only likely to increase in years to come. The consistency in the exclusivity and expense of gemstones make them a very popular route of investment for many people.

For those of you considering treating yourself or a loved one to a gorgeous gemstone, make sure you visit a certified jeweller to ensure that you are paying a fair price and getting an authentic gemstone.

About The Author

Daisy Moss is a freelance writer specializing in vintage jewelry. When she isn’t writing you will probably find her looking for her next investment in Hatton Garden.

Choose the right jeweler to design a Custom Diamond Engagement Ring

It is quite natural to feel intimidated while speaking to a highly reputed jewelry designer. However, you already have a vision for your custom diamond engagement ring and you are only going to make such a major investment once in your life. So, why not get it done right?

Your jewelry designer is an expert with years of experience, artistry, and skill. So, he will listen to what you have in mind and add his expertise to go along with your vision and create a truly special wedding ring.

Read the tips mentioned below to ensure that your custom ring reflects exactly what you have in mind.

1. Do not create in a rush

There are plenty of options and varieties when it comes to designing a custom diamond engagement ring. Your designer will advise you to take your time since designing a custom ring takes a couple of months to reach the final result.

Experienced jewelers are accustomed to having their customers set the pace. Some customers spend a year designing their engagement ring while others have their dream ring ready in a couple of weeks. Usually, custom jewelry designers recommend scheduling at least 3 months before the engagement.

2. Budget-friendly rings

The advent of technology has made jewelry designing far more affordable. CAD-CAM, 3D printing, and online designing enable customers to create their unique pieces of jewelry. So, custom diamond engagement rings are not exclusively for the rich and famous any longer.

All you should do is be honest about what you would like to spend. A good jeweler should advise you with the best choices so that you stay within your budget. The jeweler will help you emphasize more on the aspects of the ring that are more important to you.

3. Do not get overcharged

Working with a jeweler from scratch to create a one-of-a-kind custom diamond engagement ring will be more expensive than a readymade ring. However, CADs and sketches are quite affordable. So, your designer should not overcharge you during the initial stage of the design process.

Try to avoid too many design changes and modifications since it will increase the jeweler fees considerably. If you are not familiar with price changes, ask your jeweler to explain these things to you so that there is no misunderstanding in the end.

4. Hire a renowned custom jeweler

You should book an appointment with a few custom jewelers and not go in for the first one in sight. The process for designing a custom engagement ring may take a few months. So, you need to work with a jeweler who is patient, and whose advice and expertise you trust.

The jeweler should be willing to work with you until you are absolutely satisfied with the finished product. You would not want to look for another jeweler after working with a jeweler for a month. So, take the time to do thorough research and work with a jeweler with whom you click.

5. Customer service

A reputed jeweler must give you everything in writing. The jeweler will mention all the details and specifications which include the purity of the metal, delivery date, and the final price of your custom diamond engagement ring.

The jeweler must clearly state the warranty period or aftercare. It is crucial because jewelers have their own set of services that they include under warranty. So, you need to know how easily you could get the engagement ring serviced if anything goes wrong with it.

So, keep these tips in mind and have a pleasant and joyful time while designing your custom engagement ring.

Celebrity Bling: Totally Unreal A-List Engagement Rings

Celebrity engagement rings are often designed to be show-stopping, and there have been many amazing ones over the years. Here are a few of the most popular and dazzling:

Mariah Carey’s 35-Carat Diamond Ring: This enormous emerald-cut diamond ring from billionaire ex-fiancé James Packer was a true head-turner. While the couple is no longer together, the ring remains a symbol of extravagant celebrity bling.
Blake Lively’s Oval Diamond Ring:This stunning ring from Ryan Reynolds features a large oval diamond on a yellow gold band. The unique setting and classic cut have made it a popular inspiration for many engagement rings.
Meghan Markle’s Three-Stone Ring:Prince Harry designed this ring for Meghan Markle, featuring a large central diamond from Botswana flanked by two smaller diamonds from his mother Princess Diana’s collection. The sentimental value adds to the beauty of this ring.
Katy Perry’s Floral Engagement Ring:Orlando Bloom proposed to Katy Perry with a unique and whimsical flower-shaped diamond ring. The center blossom features a brilliant white diamond, with smaller diamond petals surrounding it.
Jennifer Lopez’s Green Diamond Ring: Ben Affleck upped the ante for his second proposal to Jennifer Lopez with a stunning green diamond ring. The large emerald-cut diamond is a unique and glamorous choice.

These are just a few examples, and there are many other celebrity engagement rings that could be considered amazing. Ultimately, the most amazing ring is the one that is most meaningful to the couple getting engaged.

Celebrities love going all out for their engagement rings, and sometimes that means going in unconventional directions. Here are a few of the weirdest celebrity engagement rings:

Lady Gaga’s Spiky Ring:Lady Gaga is known for her outrageous fashion sense, and her engagement ring from ex-fiancé Taylor Kinney was no exception. The ring featured a large, spiky black diamond in the center, which some found more goth than glamorous.
Kelly Clarkson’s Cluster Ring:While not exactly weird, Kelly Clarkson’s engagement ring from Brandon Blackstock is certainly unique. The ring features a massive yellow diamond centerpiece surrounded by a cluster of smaller white diamonds. It’s a ring that certainly makes a statement!
Pink’s “Puzzle Piece” Rings:Pink and Carey Hart have been married and divorced twice, and their engagement rings have been just as unconventional as their relationship. Pink’s first engagement ring was a white diamond and sapphire puzzle piece that fit together with Carey’s ring. Their second engagement ring was a massive pear-shaped diamond with a black diamond band.
Megan Fox’s Thorn Ring:Machine Gun Kelly proposed to Megan Fox with a unique ring designed to resemble two thorns growing together. The thorns are actually set with diamonds and emeralds, representing their birthstones. While the craftsmanship is undeniable, the thorn imagery has been interpreted by some as a rather dark choice.
Katy Perry’s Ruby Ring:Orlando Bloom’s first proposal to Katy Perry came with a unique fire flower ring. The center stone was a ruby, surrounded by colorless diamonds designed to resemble flower petals. While some loved the whimsical design, others found the ruby a bit too bold for an engagement ring.

Ultimately, what makes a ring weird is subjective. However, these celebrity engagement rings all have something a little different about them, making them stand out from the crowd.

10 A-List Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are traditionally seen as a symbol of commitment and love. Different ring styles can represent different things to different couples. For example, a classic solitaire might represent everlasting love, while a three-stone ring could represent a couple’s past, present, and future. Ultimately, couples want a ring that reflects their unique taste and relationship. Which styles are worthy of a celebrity engagement? Check out our suggestions below!

The Classic Solitaire: This timeless design features a single, brilliant-cut diamond set on a simple band. It’s elegant and versatile, and has been a popular choice for centuries.

The Three-Stone Ring: This ring symbolizes a couple’s past, present, and future. The center stone is usually the largest,flanked by two smaller stones on either side.

The Halo Ring: A halo ring features a center diamond surrounded by a smaller ring of diamonds, creating a dazzling and glamorous look.

The Vintage Ring: For a touch of history and romance, a vintage engagement ring is a unique and special choice. There are many different styles to choose from, such as Art Deco, Victorian, or Edwardian.

The Marquise Ring: This elongated diamond shape is both elegant and dramatic. It’s a flattering choice for those with long, slender fingers.

The Emerald Cut Ring: This emerald-shaped diamond has a clean, geometric look that is both modern and sophisticated.

The Pear-Shaped Ring: This unique diamond shape is both feminine and romantic. It’s a beautiful choice for those who want a ring that stands out from the crowd.

The Cluster Ring: A cluster ring features a group of smaller diamonds clustered together to create a sparkling effect. It’s a great option for those who want a ring with a lot of sparkle.

The Bezel-Set Ring: In a bezel setting, the diamond is encased in a metal band, which protects the stone and creates a more modern look.

The Morganite Ring: For something truly unique, a morganite engagement ring is a beautiful choice. Morganite is a pink or peach-colored gemstone that is more affordable than a diamond, but just as stunning.