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

Did you give your bride a platinum engagement ring? If so, you’re about to score big time with OneWed’s “Show Us Your Platinum” promotion. Brides who received, (and grooms who gave), platinum engagement rings can enter to win a gorgeous platinum wedding band set courtesy of Platinum Guild International. To enter to win the platinum wedding bands worth nearly $3,000, brides & grooms simply:

1. Submit the entry form on the “WIN Platinum Bands” tab of our Facebook fan page
2. Upload a photo of their platinum engagement ring to OneWed’s Facebook wall, along with a caption explaining why their love will never fade & always endure.

Enter or share to win before September 12, 2011.

Erica Courtney has built one of the most recognized fine jewelry brands in the industry today and was named one of the top 10 jewelry designers in the world by United Brands just this year. In 2006, inspired by her son’s engagement, Erica launched the Gorgeous and Engaged® bridal collection. The line consists of the most distinguished and exquisite engagement rings and custom wedding bands created in platinum. Many of the designs feature initials engraved or paved into the setting for an extra special romantic touch.

Erica Courtney

We asked Erica about her wedding jewelry collection.

What is your biggest inspiration when designing a new jewelry piece?
The stone really inspires me and for my custom pieces, I get inspiration from getting to know the person. I like to learn where they’re from, what they love and what kind of lifestyle they live. 9 out of 10 times it’s in a gorgeous platinum setting.

How did your son’s engagement inspire the Gorgeous and Engaged bridal collection?
He (Josh) didn’t give me any direction when it came to designing Jesse’s (daughter-in-law) ring except he wanted it in platinum. It basically opened up the design floodgates for me.

Platinum jewelry from Erica Courtney. Images courtesy of Erica Courtney.

Out of your collections, which piece is the most significant to you?
My 113 CT Aquamarine and platinum pendant necklace because, for one, it’s absolutely gorgeous and it’s also my precious grandbaby, Brooklyn’s, birthstone. When I want to showcase an amazing colored gemstone, I typically set it in platinum since it’s a naturally white metal so it maximizes the brilliance of my colored stone.

In all your years of experience, what would you say is the most important element in buying an engagement ring/wedding band? Why?
Be clear on what you want and don’t settle. This is the most romantic piece of jewelry you may ever buy, make it super special.

Platinum jewelry from Erica Courtney. Images courtesy of Erica Courtney.

Do you have any tips for men who are looking to purchase an engagement ring? Or couples purchasing wedding bands?
If there’s any time to splurge, now’s the time! I also tell my customers to think about choosing platinum since the setting will hold the diamond most securely. And lastly, if you get a great deal, don’t tell anyone.

To view more platinum jewelry designs from Erica Courtney, visit www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery

What are your thoughts on Erica Courtney’s jewelry designers? As a bride or groom, do these pieces look like something that might be a fit for you? Let us know in the comments section below.

Platinum jewelry from Erica Courtney. Images courtesy of Erica Courtney.

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

Platinum engagement rings from JamesAllen.com

By Jim Allen, JamesAllen.com

To a woman, an engagement ring is a symbol of love, devotion and enduring commitment. She has secretly been thinking about the ring for years, so making the proper choice is key – but don’t panic just yet. Shopping online offers the ability to get what she wants, or more, for a fraction of what you would pay at retail. There are plenty of sites out there that will give you all the information you need to select the perfect diamond and setting, but let’s review the basics for now.

The diamond is the ring’s centerpiece, its focal point, making it the most important part of the ring. Cut is the most significant factor, as a well-cut diamond will offer the most brilliance. Color and clarity are personal preference, but remember: all she, and you, will be asked about is the carat weight and how much it sparkles. Putting more emphasis on cut and size and less on color and clarity (while still making sure the diamond looks white and is clear of visible inclusions) will make for a happier bride-to-be!

Platinum engagement ring from JamesAllen.com

If you’re undecided about what setting to select to hold the diamond you just spent two weeks (or months) picking out, consider this: 81% of women surveyed said they wanted platinum. Gambling men everywhere are jumping on the platinum bandwagon with odds like that! With all of platinum’s benefits working in your favor, what’s not to love: platinum’s a stronger metal that holds its value longer and requires less maintenance. Gentlemen, we have a winner! She shouldn’t be the only lucky one, though – you deserve platinum as well! You work hard and play harder, so you need a ring that will stand up to your active lifestyle.

JamesAllen.com guides you through the purchase process before, during and after the sale: real magnified images, stunning 3HD renderings of over 1,000 platinum settings and wedding bands, a 60-day return period, along with one free resize and one free FedEx label within that same timeframe. Their knowledgeable customer service staff is also available to answer questions 24/7, so they can talk when you can – when she’s not around!

From here, your lives are going to be full of compromises – don’t compromise on your rings. They are all that will remain when the wedding is over, and will be a constant reminder of your love. Start your lives together right: make the platinum choice.

For additional platinum engagement ring styles, visit: www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

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

Did you or are you planning purchasing your engagement ring online? What qualities are  most important for you when choosing an online retailer? Let us know in the comments section below.

When it’s the groom’s responsibility to choose the diamond bridal set ring, it can seem like an intimidating task, which is why Anjolee.com makes it simple to purchase a matching diamond bridal set and customize it to your exact preferences. They offer thousands of high quality diamond rings at a fraction of the retail price; you just have to pick the perfect pair of bridal rings.

The way it works is simple: After browsing through their selection of bridal sets rings, find the style that suits your fiancé best. Click to customize it and select the metal type (gold or platinum), diamond quality, total carat size and ring size. After you make each selection, the price is instantly updated so you can see exactly how your selections affect the price. This system puts you in control of the style, features and budget!

These modern, affordable matching bridal sets rings are the highest rated among engaged couples and will pleasantly surprise your bride-to-be! Keep in mind, the diamond bridal set you choose should reflect her style so think about the other jewelry items you’ve seen her wear when picking a ring style.

1) True Romance Diamond Bridal Set

True Romance Diamond Bridal Set

2) Lucky Seven Bridal Set

Lucky Seven Bridal Set

3) Diamond Channel Band Bridal Set

Diamond Channel Band Bridal Set

4) Splendid Romance Four Row Matching Bridal Set

Splendid Romance Four Row Matching Bridal Set

Need help figuring out which ring size to order? If you can’t measure her ring size while she’s sleeping then we suggest you try one of these options.

1) Get one of her rings and use a ring sizing tool offered on Anjolee.com. Click on the ‘Educational’ tab to find two ring sizing tools. Take one of her rings and place it on the ring size chart. Pair her ring with the example that matched the best to find her ring size.

2) Ask someone who would know her ring size like her Mother or best friend.

Anjolee offers the largest selection of customizable diamond bracelets, necklaces, earrings and bridal rings at manufacturer direct pricing. Visit http://www.anjolee.com to see the whole collection.  For more about jewelry education and news, visit the Anjolee Blog at http://www.anjolee.com/blog.

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