| WEDDING STYLE
:
JEWELRY |
1
ROMANTIC SURPRISE OR ROMANTIC INVESTMENT? Decide how you’ll
decide on your ring. The element of surprise is part of most proposal fantasies. But so is the element of loving your ring. Before you set out on the path to engagement, talk with your future spouse about how involved you want to be in the engagementring-selection process. It’s perfectly acceptable, and, in fact, advisable, to participate in choosing the ring you’ll wear forever as a symbol of your enduring commitment. If choosing the exact ring you want is important to you, go with your partner to the jeweler, look at diamonds together, and try on rings that captivate you. If you truly want your partner to choose your ring himself, or herself, make sure he or she knows exactly what style you want, by sharing photos of rings you like, or having a close friend or family member convey this information and/or accompany your spouse-to-be to the jeweler, at least during the initial visit.
2
HANDS-ON
EXPERIENCE
Shop
in person, not online. Jewelry-designer and
jewelry-retailer websites, and online ring photos, are invaluable resources for researching ring styles and getting ideas. But once it’s time to actually shop for a ring, it’s time for a visit to a brick-and-mortar jewelry store. Fortunately, Houston is home to a variety of excellent jewelry retailers, including Lewis Jewelers (with two locations, in Uptown Park and Clear Lake), trusted Houston family-owned Zadok Jewelers, and boutique jeweler Eklektic Jewelry Studio in Montrose. Your jewelry store should have a certified gemologist on site, and should offer both ready-to-purchase styles and custom design options.
3
STONES FIRST, SETTINGS SECOND Buy a loose diamond, then choose
your setting. Purchasing a pre-set diamond engagement ring might seem like the most convenient, and least expensive, route to go when buying a ring. But that’s really not the case. By purchasing a loose diamond, you’ll be able to inspect the diamond fully, with a focus on the qualities that are most important P H O T O : L A R R Y FA G A L A GOWN: INES DI SANTO JOAN PILLOW BRIDAL SALON RING: EKLEKTIC JEWELRY STUDIO J E W E L R Y: T O O T S I E ’ S
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to you (see tip #4), and it will be easier to stick to your ring budget, since you won’t have to raise your budget, or settle for less, as you might with a pre-set ring. You’ll also have the most flexibility with design,