Posted on Fri, May 21, 2010
The question is what to inscribe, and when to have it engraved, on your husband-to-be's wedding band. Wedding planning is all about the details. It's decisions, decisions and more decisions from the time you say "YES!" until you say "I DO". Trust me, I got married 7 short months ago, I know how easy it is to get bogged down by the minutia. Sometimes the minutia gets so thick that it's hard to see the forest for all the trees (i.e., you walking down the aisle in the perfect dress just as you envisioned when the whole planning process began). If you're feeling overwhelmed by wedding planning you're not alone. It happens to the best of us. But, as Richard Carlson says, "don't sweat the small stuff." One "To Do" list item that often gets overlooked by many brides is having her groom's wedding band inscribed. While many other things on your bridal checklist may seem vitally important - the flowers in your bouquet, the rhinestone clips for your hair, the h'or d'oeuvres to be served at the cocktail hour - what's more important than your groom receiving his wedding band with a special message from you to him inside?
Yes, it's one more decision you have to make. And yes, it will likely require you to make a few more trips to the jewelry store, but it's nothing compared to the blood, sweat and tears he shed when he bought your ring. Take a moment (while you're in the shower, sitting in traffic or running on the treadmill) to think of something creative and sentimental, something special that will make him smile when he reads it the first time and each time he re-reads it over the years.
And if your husband is anything like mine, he's going to lose and mis-place his wedding band more times than you'll care to count (and I haven't even been married a year yet). Hopefully, the ring gods will be on his side and he'll find it easily each time. Just as it took you a moment to get used to having a ring, his ring, on your ring finger; it's going to take him some time to get used to wearing his too. Believe it or not, over time, he'll become just as attached to his wedding band as you are to your engagement ring because of what it represents. A close friend of mine was knee-deep in details a month or so before her wedding, so much so that she decided to put off having her husband's wedding band inscribed until after their wedding. Two years later and the inside of his wedding band is still bare because he's become attached to it and doesn't want to take it off.
The lesson here? Take a deep breath and make time to do the things things that matter. Your wedding day is going to be wonderful, rain or shine, because you're marrying the man of your dreams. Take a moment to make his ring special, he'll truly appreciate the extra effort.
Guest blogger, Kalyn Johnson is a fashion stylist who specializes in helping brides navigate the path to I DO stylishly and sanely. Recently married, Kalyn learned more about weddings than one has the right to keep to herself so she decided to share some of the nuggets she gathered along the way. Check out Kalyn’s blog, Wedding STYLE by Kalyn Johnson.
[Photo by Mel Barlow]
Posted on Wed, Jan 27, 2010
Are you Recently Engaged or Married and Want to Know the Secret to Caring for your Most Treasured Platinum Rings?
Caring for platinum jewelry
First off, congratulations on your smart and savvy decision to choose platinum for your engagement ring and/or wedding band! In fact, many members of the Kwiat family selected platinum for their bridal rings. Why? Because not only is platinum is the highest quality, but it is the best metal for the value. And when it comes to caring for platinum, it is the easiest of all metals to maintain since it is naturally white and will never fade or tarnish unlike white gold.
Tip 1: Where should I keep my platinum jewelry when I am not wearing it?
Store pieces separately, in a jewelry box or chamois bag so other items don't scratch them. I keep mine in a cute porcelain dish next to my bed so I can keep my eyes on it at all times! It's actually one of my favorite items and I now gift it to all of my girlfriends who get engaged! You can check it out at:Majories.com
Tip 2: How do I care for platinum jewelry?
Clean platinum in the same way you clean other fine jewelry to maintain its fine appearance and ensure that it lasts. Either use a mild solution of soap and warm water, and gently rub it with a soft cloth, or buy a jewelry cleaning solution. Also, feel free to bring it back to our store and we will be happy to take of this for you free of charge!
Tip 3: Will platinum jewelry scratch?
All precious metals scratch, and platinum is no exception. It is unique in that the metal is only displaced, not lost. Have your platinum jewelry polished if you are interested in maintaining a high shine. But, if you choose not to polish it, your ring will develop a beautiful patina over time that will capture life moments as your marriage grows. And if needed, feel free to visit one of our Kwiat locations and we will assist with all adjustments, resizing, polishing and cleaning.
Tip 4: Can I wear my platinum ring while doing manual work such as cleaning or gardening?
Remove your platinum jewelry when undertaking heavy work. It is also advisable not to handle bleach or harsh chemicals when wearing your jewelry. Although they won't hurt the platinum, chemicals may discolor diamonds or gemstones.
Most importantly, remember that platinum's high quality should allow you to rest easy! Your platinum setting holds your precious center stone more securely than any other metal. So, wear it proudly and tell all your friends that platinum is worth it!
--Heather Zachary Rogoff, Manager of Public Relations, Platinum Guild International
Posted on Fri, May 01, 2009
In diamonds, fluorescence is an attribute that is observed when the diamond exposed to invisible ultraviolet (UV) rays. Under normal lighting conditions, a diamond's fluorescence is not detectable to the eye. However, if a diamond is naturally fluorescent, it will emit a soft colored glow when viewed in ultraviolet light. This glow will last as long as the diamond is exposed to the UV light. Fluorescence is not dangerous to the diamond or the wearer, nor does it compromise the structural integrity of the diamond. It is simply a fascinating quality that occurs naturally in some diamonds.
On a GIA diamond grading report, fluorescence refers to the strength or intensity of the diamond's reaction to the UV light. The GIA scale uses the following grades: None, Faint, Medium, Strong, Very Strong. Beginning with the grade of Medium, the fluorescence grade will also include the color, e.g., "Medium Blue". The most common color of fluorescence is blue, but other colors are possible depending on the trace elements within the diamond's crystal structure.
Does Fluorescence Matter?
The first and most important thing to remember is that fluorescence is almost always an invisible property of the diamond. In the vast majority of situations, fluorescence has no impact at all on the visual beauty of a diamond. But for the grade on the diamond's certificate, the typical diamond wearer will never see the fluorescence of their diamond in the course of a lifetime. This is true of diamonds with a grade of Faint or Medium fluorescence. In fact, diamonds in the near colorless and faint yellow ranges that exhibit some fluorescence will actually face up whiter than stones of equal color without fluorescence.
The GIA has done extensive research on diamond fluorescence and has confirmed these facts. In 1997, they published an article on the topic, which can be found here. Beginning in 2009, GIA began including explanatory information on fluorescence with the GIA report, a copy of which can be viewed here.
In extreme cases of fluorescence - typically graded Strong or Very Strong - the diamond may appear to have an oily or milky appearance. To a casual observer, it may appear that the diamond is dirty or cloudy. These diamonds should be avoided because the presence of this extreme fluorescence detracts from the beauty of the stone.
So why then do some recommend avoiding any type of fluorescence? The simple answer to that question is laziness. It is easier to tell a customer that "fluorescence is bad and you should avoid it" than it is to actually educate them on the facts. The bottom line on fluorescence is that in the Faint and Medium Blue ranges, it is not a characteristic that should cause great concern to you as a buyer.
Posted on Fri, Apr 10, 2009
I am often asked what "the rules" are when it comes to matching a wedding band to the engagement ring. Does the wedding ring have to exactly match the band of the engagement ring? Must the rings fit together to appear as if they are one ring? Some women ask if it is alright to move the engagement ring to the right hand. I feel quite strongly when I say that there are no rules. You can and should do whatever you feel looks best to your eye.
At Kwiat, we believe that each and every ring should be a beautiful ring whether it is worn by itself or together with another. Often, women like to match the wedding band to the style of the band of the solitaire. This can be a very beautiful choice and many pave ring styles lend themselves to this quite naturally. But the wedding ring does not have to be an exact match to make a beautiful pair. Certain classic wedding ring styles - for example round diamonds in a shared prong setting or princess cuts in a channel setting - can be perfect choices for many different styles of engagement ring.
One common theme that I see is women matching the general shape of the diamonds in the wedding ring to the shape of the center stone in the engagement ring. For rounded shapes - like rounds, ovals and cushions - wedding rings with round diamonds make natural fits. For more square center stones - like radiants, asschers and princess cuts - wedding rings with these square shapes are quite complementary.
When worn together, rings can sit close together, but they should not appear as if they are fused together as one. The small gap between the rings defines each as an independently beautiful ring. For that reason, we never create a "notch" in our wedding bands or engagement rings just to allow them to sit more closely together. This "notch" compromises the independent beauty of a ring and makes it impossible to wear the ring on its own. I've also seen other ring designers lift the center stone of the engagement ring up higher to allow a wedding band to sit beneath it. This compromises the beauty of the engagement ring because the stone sits too high above the hand.
Many people that I know preferred to move their engagement ring to their right hand and wear their wedding ring alone on their left. After all, you have two rings and two hands - might as well share the fun.
Posted on Mon, Mar 16, 2009
Of all the tradeoffs and choices made in the selection of a diamond, the cut is the one thing that should never be compromised. The cut is the single most important element in determining how brilliant and beautiful the diamond is, and to sacrifice on the quality of the cut is to sacrifice the core beauty of the diamond.
To meet this standard, a round diamond must have an Excellent cut grade. At Kwiat, we have a stricter set of parameters that we apply, and so only a portion of the GIA's Excellent cut grade diamonds will be worthy of the Kwiat tiara logo. These parameters allow us to cut and identify the most brilliant of the round diamonds that have the largest size appearance.
The quality of the cut is equally as important in fancy shapes, although there is no cut grade on the GIA certificate to guide you. When looking at fancy shapes, it is critically important to have the help of a experienced and trusted advisor who can help you understand the different elements of the cut that make a diamond beautiful.
Posted on Sun, Mar 15, 2009
First, I need to address a popular misconception. Diamond "cut" is different from diamond "shape." The shape of a diamond describes its outline and some general attributes about the cut of the stone. The different shapes include round, oval, cushion, emerald cut, asscher cut, radiant, pear and heart shape.
Diamond cut is more technical and is about the angles, proportions and facets of the diamond itself. And without question, it is the most important of the 4Cs because the quality of the cut determines how brilliant, beautiful and valuable the diamond is. Cut is the only aspect of the diamond that is determined by the skill and artistry of the craftsman's hand. When a diamond cutter examines a rough diamond, he must make many choices about how to best cut the stone. The result of those choices is a finished stone, or "polished diamond." If done properly, that diamond will have exceptional brilliance, beauty and fire and will show its full size appearance.
At Kwiat, we are uncompromising about the quality of the cut of our diamonds. Adhering to the highest standards for diamond cut is the bedrock principal on which Sam Kwiat founded the company, and for 100 years it has remained at the core of everything we do and every piece of jewelry that we create.
The Cut Scale & How Diamond Cut Is Graded
The GIA grades the cut of round diamonds on a scale that includes the following grades: Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair and Poor. This grading system is based on more than a decade of the GIA's research into the light performance of diamonds. When examining a round diamond, the GIA will take detailed measurements of the stone's angles and proportions. Based on the combination of these elements, the GIA determines how brilliant the diamond is and assigns a cut grade. Key measurements of the diamond including the depth percentage, the table percentage, the crown angle, the pavilion angle and the girdle thickness are also listed on the certificate. Fancy shapes (i.e., all other shapes besides round) are not given cut grades by the GIA.
Posted on Fri, Feb 20, 2009
The first thing I always explain when talking about color is that the differences between any two consecutive grades is very subtle and is often indistinguishable to the untrained eye. When looking at diamonds, you should not get overly focused on one specific color grade to the exclusion of grades near to it.
The second thing to remember is that the environment in which a diamond is graded is quite different from the one in which it is worn. A diamond is graded face down but it is worn face up, where the brilliance of the cut and the white light reflected back to the eye will mask some of the color in the body of the stone. The stone will be mounted in a metal setting, for engagement rings most often platinum. The white color of the platinum will usually enhance the whiteness of the stone. Finally, typical sunlight or a normal indoor lighting environment is far less harsh than the whiteness of the grading lamp making color more difficult to distinguish.
There are also important differences in the way different shaped diamonds show their color. The brilliance of the faceting pattern of a round stone makes color quite difficult to distinguish. Color in round diamonds is not typically apparent to the eye until the KL range. Other shapes - in particular radiants and cushion shapes - may start to show a yellow tint at grades slightly higher than that, for example in the IJ range. It is important to note that every diamond is unique and must be viewed in person to determine whether it shows any color or not.
With those thoughts in mind, color is an important determinant in the beauty of the diamond. The higher the color, the whiter the diamond will appear. In my experience, people often appreciate stones of higher color without necessarily understanding what exactly it is they are attracted to. I've heard people describe diamonds of higher color as looking "clearer" or "crisper." All things being equal, I do tend to favor moving up in color when the budget allows. At Kwiat, we work with round brilliant diamonds across the color grade range of D to J and fancy shape diamonds from D to I.
Posted on Tue, Feb 10, 2009
Diamonds may contain small traces of color within the crystal structure of the diamond, most often tints of yellow. The less tint of color that a diamond exhibits, the more rare and more valuable it is. Color can be difficult to see with the untrained eye and the differences between grades that are one or two steps apart are very subtle.
The Color Scale & How is Color Graded
The scale used to measure color was originally developed by the GIA and uses the alphabet beginning with the letter D and continuing to Z. A grade of "D" is the highest that a diamond can get and means that the diamond shows no trace of color at all. The grades of D, E, and F are called the "colorless range" and the grades of G, H, I, and J are called the "near colorless" range. Diamonds with attractive yellow color - called fancy yellow diamonds - have grades that are beyond the grade of "Z."
Diamond color is graded with the diamonds face down against a white background under a daylight fluorescent lamp. This allows the grader to most accurately see the body color of the diamond. Color is graded by comparison, so the diamond is compared against a set of "master stones" to determine where on the scale it falls and what grade it should receive.
Posted on Fri, Feb 06, 2009
When considering the clarity of a diamond, I always begin with the advice that you do not want to have any inclusions that are easily visible to the naked eye. In practice, all flawless, VVS and VS diamonds will be "clean" to the naked eye. Most SI1 round diamonds and some SI2 round diamonds will as well. Using this as a starting point, you can decide how high on the scale you wish to be, understanding that it will cost more to move up to increasingly better grades. In my view, the best tradeoff for clarity versus the other factors of size, color and budget occurs in the range between VS1 - SI2. If the purity of the crystal structure is of exceptional importance to you, you should consider diamonds in the IF or VVS range. Otherwise, you will get a bit more for your money in the VS or SI range.
It is also important to note that emerald cut and asscher cut diamonds will more readily show any inclusions because of their step cut faceting pattern. The step cut faceting pattern results in a more window-like appearance of the diamond and allows you to see into the heart of the stone. As a result, any inclusions that are present may be more apparent to the eye. As a general rule, step cut diamonds should have a grade of VS2 or better, with the exception of the occasional SI1 stone that is otherwise clean to the naked eye.
Posted on Thu, Feb 05, 2009
The clarity of a diamond refers to the presence of "inclusions," or imperfections, in its crystal structure. Nearly all of the world's diamonds have inclusions of some kind, and the clarity scale is used to denote the degree to which those inclusions are present and visible within the diamond. In higher quality diamonds, the inclusions are not visible to the naked eye and in lower quality stones they will be easily spotted without any magnification.
The Clarity Scale & How Diamond Clarity Is Graded
Diamond clarity is graded by a skilled professional under 10x magnification and uses a scale originally developed by the GIA. The specific characteristics of any inclusions present are considered when assigning a clarity grade, including the size, location and type of inclusion. The clarity scale begins with the grade of "Flawless" or "Internally Flawless," and continues using the following grades:
Flawless & Internally Flawless ("IF") - The diamond shows no inclusions when examined under 10x magnification.
VVS1 & VVS2 - "Very Very Slightly Included" - The diamond contains microscopic inclusions that are very difficult for a skilled grader to see under 10x magnification. These inclusions are never visible to the naked eye
VS1 & VS2 - "Very Slightly Included" - The diamond contains minor inclusions that are visible to a skilled grader under 10x magnification. These inclusions are not visible to the naked eye.
SI1 & SI2 - "Slightly Included" - The diamond contains inclusions that are easily visible under 10x magnification. The inclusions in SI1 diamonds are often not visible to the naked eye. The inclusions in SI2 diamonds are sometimes not visible to the naked eye.
I1, I2, I3 and beyond - The diamond contains inclusions that are obvious under 10x magnification and easily visible to the naked eye.