It's Engagement Season Again!

The time when that special person in your life decides that somewhere between the turkey and the pumpkin pie, right in the midst of
surreptitiously holding in your tummy, would be the PERFECT time to take a knee and hand you that velvet covered box. You know the box...the one that contains the symbol of promise and love and Happily Ever After?

OK, ladies stop reading now and hand the computer over to your honey...

Gentlemen, turn off the PS3, the XBox, and put down the remote! Focus! So you are thinking of proposing and you know you have to start with the ring (well technically you have to start with the girl, but you get the point). There are several things you need to know before investing in a diamond. Known as the the 4 C's of diamonds, you'll need to bear in mind the following:

Cut: which is the actual cutting, shaping and polishing of the stone to allow the maximum amount of light and brilliancy to be reflected and dispersed through the gem.

Color: this can range from colorless to light yellow. The Geological Institute of America's (GIA) scale begins at D (colorless) and ends with Z (light yellow).

Clarity: this is the amount and location of any flaws, blemishes or inclusions within the stone. This scale begins with FI and runs the gamut to I3. Any inclusion can change or prevent optimal light from passing through the stone making it look less brilliant or at worst gray, and cloudy.

Carat weight: a metric carat is defined as 1/5 of a gram and in round cut diamonds, can usually be calculated by the diameter and depth of the stone. 1 carat is divided into 100 "points" which is another term your jeweler may use to describe your diamond's weight.

So now you know what to think about when choosing that perfect diamond. Shop around, ask questions and do a lot of research. Of course the shape and setting of your diamond is also extremely important and since you know your bride-to-be almost better than anyone else, keep in mind her preferences and style. Remember, she will more than likely be wearing this promise of your commitment for the rest of her life!

Above are some examples to get you started. Happy Shopping!
Be sure to contact us at À Votre Service Events™ to help you plan the perfect proposal!

MENgagement ring? What's that?!

As engagement season starts to wrap up you may have a shiny new ring to display, but what about your other half?

It’s the trend that’s been hitting the pages of The Times, NY Daily news, and even ABC News: The MENgagement ring. Contrary to the traditional one-ring per couple, many love-birds are changing their minds.

“He actually brought up the idea,” confessed bride-to-be Caitlin. “Dean and I both have a career in international business which requires us to travel often. Once engaged, I loved the feeling of being able to look down at my ring and be reaffirmed of our love and commitment even though we were miles apart.” That connection is what started the conversation. “We began to realize that the symbol of one belonging to the other is outdated. Now we’re symbolizing the love we share and our intent to revere that love for the rest of our lives.”

Couple psychotherapist , Paula Hall, gave her input on the MENgagement fad. “I can certainly see positives in this,” she says. “It’s clearly symbolic, but what it potentially does is demonstrate a shared commitment to the process and journey of being a couple at an earlier stage. Showing mutual commitment is important, and at the moment it can be a one-sided thing."

So what is a MENgagement ring? Toss out all your traditional ideas of a feminine diamond ring. MENgagement rings are often more subtle and understated; though in true engagement ring fashion… there has to be some bling! The fun of a MENgagement ring is that it doesn’t necessarily mean diamonds. Think sapphires, rubies, or emeralds. You can even ditch the regular gold of silver for colored titanium. Or take traditional metals and go flat or textured, single or two tone. It truly is up to your fiancé's taste.

Clearly, the rising trend is not for every couple, but Caitlin & Dean seem to be happy with their decision. I think Dean put it perfectly when he said, “I wanted a ring because we’re in this together, forever.”