Want to wow your bride-to-be with her engagement ring and bridal jewelry? How about award winning pieces? Today we welcome Adam Graham from AGTA to recap the winning designs from this year’s AGTA award show.

The Platinum Honors™ category at the annual American Gem Trade Association (AGTA) Spectrum Awards™ competition provides magazine editors and wardrobe stylists with an opportunity to see the newest trends in bridal jewelry design using color set in platinum. This competition is the premier jewelry design contest in the world and attracts hundreds of entrants each year. Each of the participating designers has their own motivation and inspiration when it comes to the pieces they submit. When analyzed together, they reveal that platinum was a very popular setting, accounting for almost 40% of the winning selections. From blue sapphires, to red rubies, purple tanzanites, black diamonds, green zultanites, and clean moonstones, designers chose to set their colorful gemstones in platinum. Why? Because platinum is a naturally white metal that never changes color, it always makes colored gemstones sparkle brighter.

Here are a few of the winning platinum bridal rings, and wedding day jewelry designs:

Mark Schneider Mark Schneider Design Long Beach, CA Platinum earrings featuring 12mm black Tahitian Pearls and 8mm cultured freshwater Pearls accented with white Diamonds (.99 ctw.) and black Diamonds (.53 ctw.). Winner in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category for Manufacturing Honors.

Winner in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category for Manufacturing Honors (Mark Schneider Design).

Maria Canale Richard Krementz Gemstones Springfield, NJ Platinum “Lace” ring featuring a 4.10 ct. blue Sapphire accented with Diamonds (.77 ctw.). 1st place in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category.

1st place in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category (Richard Krementz Gemstones).

Leonard A. McCue L.A.M. Goldsmiths S. Dennis, MA Platinum “Hearts and Arrows” ring featuring a 19.0 ct. pear-shaped Moonstone accented with Diamonds (2.37ctw.). Honorable Mention winner in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category.

Honorable Mention winner in AGTA Spectrum Awards Bridal category (L.A.M. Goldsmiths).

Photo credit: Robert & Orasa Weldon for AGTA

To view more award winning platinum designs from the AGTA Spectrum Awards™ visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery

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Which platinum piece pictured above is your favorite? Are you considering a platinum setting for your engagement ring? Let us know in the comment section below.

In this month’s guest feature from Michael O’Connor and Platinum Guild International, we’re showcasing some of the recent trends in celebrity engagement rings and how you can incorporate them into your marriage proposal (and budget).

Just like photos from red carpet events, when a celebrity gets engaged, we anxiously await a close-up photo of their engagement ring. After all, celebrities set engagement ring trends. Whether it’s Reese Witherspoon’s Ashoka cut diamond on a micro-pavé band, or Emily Blunt’s vintage ring, I’m noticing that celebrity brides are consistently choosing platinum. Why? Platinum is a great choice for engagement rings because it won’t change color or fade. It symbolizes a relationship that will endure. Since most of us can’t afford to spend hundreds of thousands (or millions!) on an engagement ring, I wanted to share my tips on how you can still get one of the latest platinum ring styles without breaking the bank:

Diamond solitaire set in platinum from Gelin Abaci (L), Micro pave diamond engagement ring set in platinum from Diamond In The Rough (R)

1. Diamond Solitaire: Carrie-Ann Inaba received a princess cut diamond on a solid platinum band. This design draws attention to the center diamond, and since platinum is naturally white, it makes the diamond sparkle even brighter and appear larger, regardless of the size! Solitaire styles are the perfect choice for women who know their style is going to evolve and mature, or change over time. A platinum set solitaire style will work with everything and is easily given a fresh appearance simply by changing out the bands that you put with it. Solitaires can also be extremely “budget-friendly” since it’s easy to find a diamond in a size and quality to fit almost any budget.

Custom designed platinum engagement ring from Gemvara.com

2. Customized Design: While a celebrity might choose a large center gemstone, it’s the customized design of a ring that truly makes it a platinum sparkler. Julie Benz received a one-of-a-kind platinum and cushion cut diamond engagement ring complete with a diamond frame and milgrain edge band. You can also inscribe a personal message or symbol and date onto the inside of your ring. This secret message sits next to the skin and is a constant reminder of the love and special moments a couple has shared. Personalization adds a huge emotional value to your ring regardless of how much you decide to spend. Having your message engraved in platinum will ensure that it lasts a lifetime.

3. Micro-Pavé Diamond Collar: Natalie Portman and Molly Sims chose the elegance of a micro-pavé or thin diamond collar to surround their center diamond. Diamond collars are the newest trend capturing the imaginations of Hollywood, providing an extra ring of sparkle and scintillation around the center diamond. This extra ring is not only dazzling, but it also creates the illusion of making a smaller diamond appear even larger and giving it extra life – the look you want at a price you can live with.

To view photos of the latest engagement ring styles within your price range, visit PreciousPlatinum.com/EngagementRings.

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Grooms: have you considered any of the above styles for the ring you’ll be giving your future bride? Brides: which ring above stands out to you and why? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!

Today, our friends at Sheyna.com drop by to share the story of one groom as he set off to find the perfect gift for his soon-to-be-bride.

“Patrick, you won’t find my gift at Best Buy.”  With this advice, it was off to find the perfect gift for my fiancée.

Gifts for the ladies are challenging.  You don’t want to send the wrong message, but you somehow always do! (What’s wrong with a vacuum cleaner?  Doesn’t it help her clean the house?  You’re helping her out, right?)  No, you want to look like you spent a lot of time and thought, even though you want to spend the minimal amount of time doing so.

Imagine my surprise when I learned about Sheyna.com.  It’s a custom design-it-yourself jewelry site that makes me look like a rockstar.  Click on “Create” and you’ll be brought to a sketchpad where you can design jewelry with a click of the mouse. It’s easy, fun, and you can make the jewelry fit your lady’s taste and your personal budget.

Here are some gift ideas (if you find anything you like, remember to use the code sheyna20 to receive 20% off your order):

Romantic Gift Ideas

"Fall in Love" Heart Necklace from Sheyna

1) Heart Necklace: To show her that you’re thinking of her.  Add your initials and you’re golden. Perfect for Valentine’s Day.

2) Birthstone Necklace. Add her birthstone, and she appreciates you remembering. Perfect birthday gift.

3) Team Earrings: I created earrings with my team’scolors, and asked her to wear it watching football game.  It was well worth the four hours of peace and quiet during the game.

4) New Mom Necklace: Tiny footprints and the birthstone for your kid is the perfect sentimental piece.

Perfect Son Gifts

"Birthstone" Heart Necklace from Sheyna

You know she’s #1 in your life.  Show your siblings who’s mom’s favorite.

1) Mom Necklace. Add Mom charm, a heart and birthstones.  Who’s #1 Favorite Son now?

2) Family Tree Necklace. Add birthstones for everyone in the family to this family tree charm.

All Sheyna gifts are custom made to order by artisans, feature 14K gold vermeil, sterling silver, and semi-precious stones.  The jewelry comes wrapped in a box, so you don’t have to do anything. If you don’t feel like designing, you can shop the many thousands of designs at Sheyna.com.

Finally, Sheyna.com offers gift cards so you can gift these to the special lady in your life.  They’ll have fun designing the jewelry, which means you get the remote and your football game all to yourself.

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Have you purchased a wedding day gift for your fiancee yet? What do you think of Sheyna’s custom options? Let us know in the comments section below.

By Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

Congratulations! You’ve just made one of life’s most important decisions! You’ve chosen to spend the rest of your life with somebody special. Their style complements you perfectly and you love the way they make you feel. You know that although life’s changes and challenges may leave nicks and dents, the strength and integrity of your relationship will weather what life can dish up. Now you’re set to make another of life’s most important decisions, your wedding band! As a symbol of your enduring love and commitment, your wedding bands should reflect those same virtues. So how do you marry today’s trends with forever values?

Choose the best metal. What you’re wedding bands are made of is almost as important as what your fiancé’s character is made of. Choosing platinum, one of the most precious and durable metals, will ensure that your wedding band will endure for a lifetime, despite the inevitable nicks and dents that may result from daily wear. Unlike other metals, where nicks and scratches can mean metal is lost, with platinum the metal is merely “displaced”, keeping the integrity and volume of your band for the long term. Platinum is also a naturally white metal that will not fade or tarnish over time, making it clearly symbolic of a relationship that will last for life. Select a style that suits your personality. Today, traditions have changed. It’s no longer necessary that both bride and groom have exactly the same band. While one may like classic and simple, the other may prefer edgy or ornate. Here are a few of the latest wedding ring styles:

• Textures that mix brushed and polished platinum bands.
• Patterns including floral motifs for women and tribal or geometric patterns for men.
• Colored gemstones or diamonds surrounding the band. Celebrities like Nick Cannon are showing us that guys like a little sparkle too, while Carrie Ann Inaba illustrates the romance of having hers and her fiancé’s birthstones included on their bands.

L - Diana Classsic Platinum Wedding Band. R - Gelin Abaci Platinum Wedding Band

No matter what your choice of personal style is, remember that like your marital commitment, you and your bands will be together forever.  Choose bands that you’ll love forever and have for life. To view more wedding bands in a variety of prices, visit www.preciousplatinum.com/weddingbands

Guertin Brothers Platinum Wedding Band

JamesAllen.com Platinum Wedding Band

Kirk Kara Platinum Engagement Ring

Lieberfarb Platinum Wedding Band

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platinum guild international is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog

Real men are swift, strong and decisive. We hate to linger. Everything has to be fast. Ordering a burger? Serve it under 5 minutes or I’m leaving. Buying a car? Does it go REALLY fast? If it does… Sold!

Too many words? Skip it.

At Brilliance.com, we never beat around the bush. We realize that there’s just too much out there for you to do and there’s just so little time, that’s why we give it to you straight, right between the eyes! We’ve been in the diamond and jewelry business for over 20 years and we are here to tell you that if you like it then you SHOULD put a ring on it!

If you don’t, somebody else will.

Of course, we know what you’re thinking. Buying a diamond engagement ring is no simple task. That’s true, and it isn’t exactly cheap either. We’re not one to mince words; you are going to spend a lot on it, but before you do, at least know what it is you need to buy and what’s the best that your budget can get you.

Enter the 4 C’s: Carat, Cut, Color and Clarity. In a nutshell, these are the qualities which make diamonds pretty. These also determine how much a diamond will cost. Just like when buying a car or a gadget, the better the features, the more expensive it’s going to be. Consider these 4 as a diamond’s main features.

Normally, you’d have to scour the Internet for accurate information on the 4 C’s. You’d have to read paragraph after paragraph of technical details that might just mess up your mind, and that’s something you don’t want cuz’ you’re probably already messed up thinking about your proposal. But since we’re such nice folks here over at Brilliance, we’ve decided to make an infograph about it, just for you.

Just one look at this and you’re ready to buy almost any kind of diamond jewelry!

That was quick, right? So, whenever you are ready to get that ring, just look us up. By the way, although we specialize in loose diamonds and diamond engagement rings, a lot of our customers (and there are quite a lot) also loved our diamond stud earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Now if you’re looking to give a truly unique, one-of-a-kind gift that can’t be found in anywhere else, go for our custom-made jewelry! Just upload your sketch on our website and we’ll digitally render it for you. Once you’ve approved of the sketch, it’ll just be a couple of days before your creation is shipped to you in a beautiful lacquered gift box for free.

And oh, just a thought to leave you with, did we also mention that we offer the lowest prices EVER? If you ever find an item of identical size and quality at a lower price, we will beat it.

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Question?

brilliance.com is a sponsor of the man registry’s groomsadvice blog