Three Stone Custom Trellis Engagement Ring

By Guest Blogger Whiteflash.com

There are some things in life a man should never compromise; his values, his scotch, his leading lady and the diamond he will present to her when he proposes. While we would be happy to talk to you about fine scotches, this piece isn’t about booze-it ‘s about bling- so pour yourself a glass, sit back and  read up because we’ve done the research and are going to show you how to buy a diamond that will rock her world.

MAKE A BUDGET

These tough economic times have left many men worried they simply can’t afford to get engaged but contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to sell a piece of your liver or hawk Great Edna’s china to impress your bride-to-be.  “Setting a budget is an essential first step as is being informed.  For example, many men do not know that buying just under the carat weight will save them money,” says Bob Hoskins, Master Gemologist for Whiteflash.com

SAVE THE SAPPHIRES

Women have been dreaming about diamond engagement rings since the Archduke Maximilian of Austria presented Mary of Burgundy a diamond ring while proposing marriage in 1477.  As the centuries have passed, trends have come and gone but the now-classic diamond remains the gold standard in engagement rings. The bottom line: Save the sapphires, rubies and emeralds for the many birthdays and anniversaries you’ll be celebrating together.

STAY A CUT ABOVE THE REST

Most of us are aware of the four-C scale: Cut, which refers to how well the diamond is shaped and not the style, (i.e. cushion cut), color, clarity, which determines how many flaws are in the stone, and carat.  While the other C’s get the most press (and are the easiest for most consumers to understand) Hoskins says that paying up for a perfectly clear stone is less important than finding one that is shaped well.   “A lot of buyers focus on size and carat weight but it’s important to remember that the cut of the stone is the most important factor when purchasing a diamond since the cut is what determines its brilliance,” he says.  What this means is that  when a stone is cut with perfect precision (see Hearts & Arrows) it allows the maximum amount of light to enter and pass through it. This is what causes the sparkle your fiancée-and her girlfriends- love so much.

LEFT - Princess Cut Pave Diamond Engagement Ring RIGHT - Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

GET HER SOMETHING SHE WILL ACTUALLY WANT TO WEAR

Many men will try to convince themselves that a woman should like any ring given to her if she’s saying “yes” for the right reasons but the reality is that most of us aren’t that interested in wearing things that don’t vibe with our style.  Think about that reindeer sweater your grandmother gave you.  Do you want to wear that sweater every day for the rest of your life and show it off to friends just because you love your nana?  We didn’t think so.  So, how does one avoid making his fiancé force smiles as she shows off a ring she hopes to “lose”?  Find out what her preferences are before you go shopping advises Hoskins. “Wander into a jewelry store together and pay attention to her reaction to different stones.  Does she toward classic or contemporary designs? Knowing the answer will make ring shopping a lot easier and more fun,” he says.

ENLIST THE TROOPS

Yes, fella’s, the rumors are true; most women have at least one friend or relative with whom they have shared the details of their ideal engagement ring, and she did this, in part, to ensure that when this day presented itself, you’d have some help.  We know, that was very thoughtful of her.  Just be careful about who you go blabbing your plans to.  It’s hard to believe but some women can’t keep secrets.

Jennifer Diamond Engagement Ring

Many modern couples are forgoing tradition for the chance to bond by building a ring together so if one of the reasons you love your girl is that she’s so hands-on, let her have a say in the ring she’ll be wearing.   Propose with a stand-in ring, pour a couple of glasses of champagne and a spend some time designing a ring together using Whiteflash’s unique custom design option.  “Some of our happiest female clients had a hand in designing their ‘dream ring’,” says Sheerah Koloroutis, a Whiteflash Creative Designer Specialist who notes that collaboration has replaced tradition in many aspects of wedding-planning, including the ring design.   “Most couples discuss marriage possibilities and plans for the future ahead of time so it’s not uncommon for them to work together to create the symbol of their love as well,” she says.

RELAX

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but you’re the love of her life and though the ring might sparkle (and it will because you got one that was cut well), the reason she squeals is because she’s just been asked to spend the rest of her life with you.

About WhiteFlash
WhiteFlash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Debi Wexler, founded WhiteFlash.com in 2000 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. WhiteFlash A Cut Above ® is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee. Hailed as Lord of the Rings on Line, by Kiplinger’s Magazine, Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom designs and specialty jewelry.

For more information, log on to www.WhiteFlash.com or call 877.612.6770 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting 877.612.6770 end_of_the_skype_highlighting.

Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com

Visit Whiteflash.com for titanium wedding bands & diamond engagement rings

Titanium has become a standard of choice in today’s jewelry industry. Along side platinum and gold shoppers are faced with a multitude of options when it comes to metal. Traditionally gold and platinum have taken center stage in popularity but silently titanium has established itself as a formidable rival. As with any major jewelry style, there are many question that emerge when considering whether or not to buy titanium:

Is it indestructible?

Is it more expensive?

Does it scratch easily?

What are other alternatives (like tungsten which is heavier and feels “better quality” whereas titanium is very light – used in engineering projects?

Can it be resized?

What type of maintenance?

And now some answers…

Titanium is a light, grayish color metal that holds up like steel, but feels like aluminum. Titanium hold up to wear and tear, while being lightweight. What more could one ask for? As a material is very light and extremely durable although it is not indestructible. In particular, titanium is used in a number of industries including the military, aerospace and sporting goods. As a result, titanium jewelry is highly resistant to corrosion and scratching.

Another alternative is a metal called Tungsten. Tungsten is a very heavy and hard metal for its size (4x harder than titanium) but can scratch easily. Tungsten will hold its shine and shape longer than any other jewelry available on the market.

A downfall of both of these metals is that they can NOT be re-sized so make sure that you get your finger size before ordering! In comparison to gold and platinum, titanium and tungsten are more cost effective and can give you the same look. You can purchase several titanium or tungsten rings for the price of one gold or platinum ring. Both tungsten and titanium are strong metals, but how would each react if you slam your finger in a door? The titanium would bend and the tungsten could possibly crack. A tungsten ring would be safer for your finger.

Both metals have their own pros and cons but it is ultimately a decision made by you.

Groom style expert Simon Daykin of Firefly Occasions on popping the question:

It’s official, you’ve asked her dad, he said yes, you got the ring and now it’s time to pop that question!

There are two ways that this usually happens:
1. There is the well planned, thought out proposal
2. There is the spontaneous, fly by the seat of your pants proposal

Both are great, they both get the job done. Just don’t forget that ring.

Give her a marriage proposal to remember

Plan and Execute

A well planned proposal is always a good way to go. Picking a venue, planning the event, writing down what you’re planning to say to her. You may even enlist the help of a friend to video tape it (but remember to hide him well as a guy with a video camera may freak her out a bit).

Is there a place or restaurant that is special to you, maybe where you had your first date, a place you visit regularly? If so, give them a call, see if they can help you out. Order her favourite meal and set the mood with music she likes. Speak to the waiter beforehand and arrange a surprise for her, the surprise is the proposal but toss in a few extras to make her feel extra special.

One of a Kind Doesn’t Need to Bankrupt You

Being in Vegas has brought a few things to mind. Yes there are wedding chapels almost everywhere I turn, but there are also many great spots to pop that question:

* Do you want to ask your girlfriend to marry you at the top of the Eiffel tower but can’t afford to go to France? Vegas has an Eiffel tower and the exchange rate here is way better too.
* Did you want to propose in a magical castle, well Vegas has one of those too!
* What about a romantic gondola ride in Venice? It can be just as amazing at the Venetian in Vegas.

What I’m trying to say is, even if you think your first idea is out of reach, ALWAYS consider the options.

Let Loose and Go For It!

No planning, no forethought, just a ring and a prayer.

I have to tell you, this is the way I did it. I asked her father, then her mother had a go at me…then in -35′C weather and 6 inches of snow I got on one knee and asked her to marry me. I didn’t even have a ring at that point. I had to give her one of mine until I could get the real thing. The important thing is that she said yes and now we’ve almost been married for 3 years.

If I told you how to plan this kind of proposal it wouldn’t be spontaneous would it?

So I’ll tell you what NOT to do. The one thing I cannot stress enough is this…NEVER STEAL ANYONE ELSES THUNDER!!! So if you’re at a friends wedding, anniversary, baptism, bat mitzvah or really anything, DO NOT pop the question here. This is their day. I know it’s romantic and can lead to spontaneous proposals but you have to create your own special moment. That is not the right time.

Family parties are good, vacations are nice, on a blanket on the top of a hill under a tree is sweet. You get the idea. Make it special but don’t take anything away from anyone else. Besides, it’s your day, and you want everyone to remember it that way…not “oh…those guys got engaged at so and so’s wedding.”

Your girl will want all the attention on her when she gets engaged. She won’t want to share the spotlight so don’t put her in that position.

Simon’s Gutsy Groom Advice

I’ll leave you with this…as far as the proposal goes, do what you feel comfortable with. You can ask friends for advice, ask your dad, hell…ask her dad, but be careful not to ask EVERYONE because she will catch wind of it. If you want to…feel free to ask me for advice. We can help you plan an amazing proposal and take out all the guess work with our customized proposal packages. Click here to find out more.

Guest Blogger Profile: Whiteflash.com

Diamond Grading Report is a document issued by a Gemological Laboratory describing a Loose Diamond. The laboratory will not issue reports on Diamonds which are set in a mounting. A Diamond Grading Report (certificate) issues a “grade” indicating the physical properties of the Diamond “at the time of evaluation”. A certificate is a document which retains its value over a long period of time, assuming the Diamond does not chip or is not otherwise altered.

An appraisal can be performed on a loose diamond, a mounted stone, or jewelry. If the stone is not loose, the physical properties are estimated using various estimation techniques. Most importantly, an appraisal indicates the Dollar Value of the piece under consideration. Obviously, the Dollar Value can easily change considerably over a relatively short period of time. Appraisals are most often used for insurance purposes.

Stylish diamonds at Whiteflash.com

Many people make the mistake of using an in-house appraiser to evaluate the purchase price of their Diamond. This is a big mistake. Firstly, appraisals are often over-estimated, and are therefore a very poor estimation of price. More importantly, any in-house Jeweler may be biased towards their own merchandise.

To further complicate matters, many people have become more educated when it comes to buying Diamonds, and have learned that its important to have a GIA certificate. What they have not learned, unfortunately, is how to differentiate between a GIA GTL (Gem Trade Lab) Grader, and a GIA G.G. or Graduate Gemologist. Many assume that getting an appraisal by a GIA gemologist is the same as getting a GIA Grading Report. Some unscrupulous Jewelers attempt to further that illusion.

Engagement Rings by Whiteflash

The GTL (Gem Trade Lab) Grader is a GIA employee who performs the Diamond Grading for the Institute. A GIA Graduate Gemologist, on the other hand, has simply passed the GIA Diamonds, Diamond Grading and Colored Stone, Gem Identification and Colored Stone Grading courses.

The GTL grader has all of the above and more. S/he is far better trained in grading and usually has far more experience than a G.G. Further, the GTL grader does not have the same vested interest in the outcome of the grade of the stone they are evaluating.

If you were one of the 750,000 plus to watch ‘Marriage Proposal Fail‘ on YouTube, you probably were left thinking either:

a.) I just witnessed the stupidest act in the history of mankind

b.) That was obviously staged

For those of you in the “fake” camp, you got us! We created this video last fall in hopes of making some people laugh and raising awareness for The Man Registry. We never believed it would approach anywhere near 1 million views!

Here is a slightly alternate version of the video with a candid conversation between our friends at the end.

A few photos from the shoot:

Testing balloons.

We looked funny walking out of the party supply store with 15 heart shaped balloons.

"Why did you put the ring on the balloooooooooooooooon!?!?!"

Letting the last balloon fly (tear).

Hanks soaking up the sun (and getting ready to chase a balloon).

We hope you got a kick out of our video! Everyone that happened to be at the park that day actually thought it was real! Check out some more of our video content on our official Groom’s YouTube Channel.

Cheers!