The Janus Jewels Wedding Guide

Engagement Rings
"Will you marry me?" The famous question a groom asks his beloved as he presents her with the betrothal ring: the ring that symbolizes his intentions of marriage; the ring that reflects their personality and individuality; the ring that represents his public pledge to honor the marriage contract.  This ring, rich with history and tradition, was bestowed upon us by the ancient Romans to become synonymous with today’s “engagement ring.”
	Although the ancient Egyptian Pharaohs were the first to use a ring in the form of a band to symbolize eternity, the betrothal ring became highly prevalent during the Roman marriage ceremonies.  It was a standard practice for a Roman groom to give his bride-to-be a betrothal ring as a public pledge that a marriage contract would be honored.  So customary, that Christians and other civilizations later      embraced this Roman custom making the betrothal ring a vital symbol of the wedding ceremony.   Not until medieval times did the upper class marry with rings containing diamonds and colored gems
Diamonds were very expensive then, so the aristocracy primarily used them.  Eventually, diamonds became the gem of choice as a betrothal ring, as denoted by the first historical record of a diamond engagement ring given by Archduke Maximilian of Austria when he proposed marriage to Mary of Burgundy.

Decades, scores, and centuries later, the diamond engagement ring is still as popular as it was then.  Today, 81% of brides receive a diamond engagement ring keeping modern jewelers fantasying by creating elegant designs as vast as the yesteryears and as unique as you. 

Choosing and investing in an engagement ring should be a time of anticipatable pleasure and excitement.  However, most often than not, it is superseded by fear and anxiety.    It needn’t be so.  Preparation and knowledge are the keys to a tranquil decision when acquiring the engagement ring that will symbolize your marriage commitment and represent the significance of once-in-a-life-time event.  Consider the following suggestions when searching for your special ring.

             1.      Determine your price range:  there’s a generalization that a person’s two-months salary is a good guideline.  That is not a decree.  If you can afford a ring of higher value, do so.  If you cannot meet the guideline, by all means, lower your price range.

2.       Determine the stone of the ring: 

      Diamond

      Colored gem

      Pearl

     Combination of the above

3.      Choose the shape of the stone:

Round Brilliant	Oval	Pear	Marquise	Heart	Princess	Emerald

4. Consider the factors that determine the diamond value—the FOUR Cs

      COLOR- the body color: from colorless to fancy colors

                                                             D, E, F:  Colorless

                                                             G, H, I, J:  Near colorless

                                                              K, L, M:  Slightly tinted

                                                               N through R:  Very light yellow

                                                               S through Z:  Light yellow to yellow

                                                              Greater depth of color than Z:  Fancy colors

      CLARITY- the presence or absence of surface blemishes or internal inclusions.

                                                             Flawless (Fl):  No blemishes or inclusions when examined by a skilled grader under 10X magnification.               

                                                             Internally Flawless (IF):  No inclusions but only minor blemishes.

                                                             Very very slightly included (VVS1 and VVS2):  contain minute inclusions difficult to see under 10X magnification.

                                                            Very slightly included (VS1 and VS2):  contain minor inclusions difficult or somewhat easy to see under 10X magnification.

                                                               Slightly included (SI1 and SI2):  contain noticeable inclusions easy or very easy to see under 10X magnification.

                                                            Included (I1, I2, I3):  contain obvious inclusions that are often visible to the eye and that may affect durability of the diamond.

      CUT-   the proportions and finish of a polished diamond.

      CARAT- the standard unit of weight in metric carats:  1 carat=0.200 grams.

      5.       Determine a setting:  largely influenced by a diamond’s shape   

      Solitaire the most basic setting:  single stone in a metal mounting.    

      Multi-stone   a wider band set with many gemstones.

   Bridal Set   a single large center stone with smaller side stones accompanied by a wedding band.

      6.       Determine the metal of the ring:    

      Yellow gold (traditional):  14kt, 18kt, 22kt

      White gold: 14kt, 18kt, 22kt

      Platinum:  950

7.       Decide if you need wedding bands

      Complementary design for the engagement ring

      Single set:  band only for one spouse

      Matching set:  same design for bride and groom

      Unmatched set:  different design for bride and groom

8.       Determine the creation of the ring:

      Custom          

      Designer

      Standard

9.       Select a ring size.  When you try the rings on, they must feel comfortable or they are not for you.