Many couples are overwhelmed by the choices of engagement and wedding rings. With a little effort, you can become a knowledgeable buyer, and more confident in choosing the right rings for you. Educate yourself not only about diamonds, but also about metals and jewelry workmanship. From personally guiding thousands of couples in choosing or custom-designing their rings, I learned to focus individuals on what’s most important: 1) the quality of the materials used; 2) the craftsmanship; and 3) designs that match tastes, lifestyles and budgets.

Primo Halo Heart Ring by Phillip Press

Superior quality is important in both the gemstones as well as the precious metal chosen. When choosing a precious metal, know that platinum is the highest standard. PLAT 950, meaning that 95% of the alloy is platinum, is a higher grade than PLAT 900. Platinum is hypoallergenic and its natural white color makes diamonds look incredibly white. Platinum is 60 percent denser than 14k gold and more substantial. White gold is never truly white and must be plated to become similar in color to platinum. However, this plating wears-off over time, requiring additional upkeep and expense. We strongly recommend 950 PLAT for anyone seeking heirloom-quality bridal rings.

When it comes to diamonds, we recommend gemstones that are ideally cut, certified by a recognized diamond-grading organization, and of at least I color and SI-2 quality, or better if your budget permits. The quality of any smaller diamonds in your ring is equally important. If you want diamonds that are sustainably mined or recycled from an estate collection, ask for it.

Fine craftsmanship in your bridal rings is also essential. You will wear them every day so they must be well made and durable, as well as stylish. There are several questions about craftsmanship to explore:

1) Is the ring wholly made by hand, partially handcrafted or caste and mass produced?

2) Where are the rings made and what is the skill and experience of the artisans creating the ring?

3) Does the designer have its own workshop? Are they a jeweler themselves and are they directly involved in the process of making the ring?

4) Is the manufacturer a master at working in platinum, which requires additional talents and different tools than goldsmithing?

5) What is the reputation of the manufacturer for quality, consistency and originality?

Review online information and ask many questions. Understand the level of craftsmanship and assess value based on the quality of the materials, workmanship, and price, not just a designer brand name.

Finally, the style of the rings you choose should suit your everyday lives and exude your personal signature. Narrow down your ring choices with the following questions:

1) Do you love modern or vintage, or a combination of the two?
2) Do you prefer glamorous and unique or simple and traditional?
3) Describe your dream ring.
4) What price range is most comfortable for your budget?
5) What diamond shape is your favorite?

With a little homework, you will be poised and ready to choose the perfect rings that you will love today and for many years to come.

To view more tips on buying engagement and wedding rings, visit PreciousPlatinum.com/whyplatinum.

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Phillip Press

To learn more about Philip Press and his latest ring collection, visit RenaissancePlatinum.com

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

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

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!

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

By Jewelry and Style Expert, Michael O’Connor

We’ve all heard the term “high maintenance.” It may be used to refer to our car, our house, our friends, and yes, maybe even our girlfriend. The term implies that a high amount of care and attention must be provided to these things, and to some extent suggests that it should be evaluated. After all, wouldn’t we all prefer to have things and associate with people who require little, or a small amount of maintenance? And while the “benefits” of having some high maintenance people in your life might outweigh the deficits, when it comes objects, high maintenance is more difficult to justify.

Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Simon G. Jewelry

Such is the case with jewelry. When we choose a piece of jewelry we have to be aware of the amount of maintenance, particularly if it is going to be worn every day and is expected to last a lifetime. This is one of the reasons why you rarely see a fragile gemstone used in an engagement ring, which will be worn daily.  The most common engagement gemstone therefore, is the most durable, a diamond. Metals also require maintenance, which is why choosing the correct setting for your engagement ring and wedding bands is as important, if not more important, than choosing the right gem (or a low maintenance girlfriend for that matter). Hence, the popularity of the classic platinum and diamond engagement ring!

Platinum is one of the most durable of precious metals and the most appropriate setting for an engagement ring and wedding bands. Platinum’s durability ensures it will not wear down as quickly as other metals. Comparatively, gems will be held more securely, prongs will not wear away as quickly, and patterns and engravings will last longer in a platinum setting, requiring far less maintenance than some other settings.

Another great property of platinum, specifically when holding a diamond, is that it is naturally white and will never fade or tarnish over time. Coincidentally, since one pays a premium for the colorlessness of a diamond, platinum’s natural whiteness will never add any of its own color into the gem. White metals, like silver, will tarnish over time and require regular maintenance to remain consistently white. Gold is a naturally yellow metal, and is made white in color by being mixed with whiter metals to dilute the yellow color, and then usually plated on top with rhodium to give a bright white appearance. Because of this, white gold usually requires its whiteness to be maintained by trips to your jeweler to have the rhodium plating reapplied.

L - Platinum and diamond engagement ring by Kirk Kara. R - Ladies platinum and diamond band by Tacori

When it comes to the finish of your ring, you should know that all metals scratch over time. Should you decide that you’d like to maintain a shiny finish on your platinum ring, a quick polishing will keep it bright. In many cultures however, these small nicks and scratches (known as patina) are looked upon as the recording of moments in life and viewed as too valuable to polish away.

There are many “high maintenance” things in life that we must decide are worth putting up with, or unfortunately must put up with and have no choice. Jewelry should be something that one can wear and enjoy without constant maintenance, especially when worn daily. To learn more about caring for platinum jewelry and to see styles at a variety of price points, visit: www.preciousplatinum.com/designgallery.

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What steps have you taken to care for jewelery in the past? Will you take added precaution when it comes to the engagement ring and wedding bands? Let us know in the comments section!

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