Showing posts with label Rings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rings. Show all posts

Monday 18 May 2020

Colourful Engagement Rings You'll Want to Wear Forever


Suzanne Kalan Firework Collection
Coloured stones continue to rock the jewellery market, as couples look for original choices for their engagement ring. A simple diamond solitaire might be a classic, but it doesn't say much about your personality.

Cost-wise, emeralds and rubies now cost nearly as much as diamonds, but if you're happy to consider a semi-precious stone, you can get more bang for your buck, without compromising on look.

We love the trend for rainbow rings, particularly as they've become an expression of hope and certainty for a brighter future during the pandemic. Take a look at these beauties from our favourite boutiques.

Rainbow Stardust Ring by Cat Bird NYC, £620

Rainbow Classic Eternity Band by Suzanne Kalan

Multi Colour Sapphire Ring from The Cut London

Ombré Eternity Band by Cat Bird NYC, £1170

Pastel Fireworks Thin Mix Eternity Band by Suzanne Kalan, £1400

Friday 20 November 2015

For Eternity Engagement Rings

Engagement rings are a constant source of fascination for me. There are very few objects in the world that symbolise so much - they represent a choice, a promise, hope for the future, and of course love. I've long been a fan of the solitaire diamond - to me, the single gemstone meant my husband had chosen his one love. But now I'm intrigued by the new trend in eternity rings - and they way they look forward to the future. This diamond band by Silly Shiny Diamonds is particularly pretty - would you choose an eternity ring for your engagement?


{I want this!} Diamond Eternity Ring, £560 by Silly Shiny Diamonds

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Friday 7 August 2015

Introducing 77 Diamonds Engagement Rings

When my husband went down on one knee in the snow, he wasn't holding the elegant diamond solitaire I now wear every day, but a giant comedy ring with a rock-shaped stone! He was too nervous to buy my actual ring without me. But then choosing an engagement ring can be an overwhelming business. After a house and a car, it's going to be the third biggest purchase your boyfriend ever makes! Then add in the fact you're going to wear it for the rest of your life..... It's not surprising more and more men are proposing with a temporary fun ring {like my husband!}, and making the trip to the jewellers a joint project. Luckily award-winning jewellers, 77 Diamonds, are here to help.


They've introduced an easy-to-understand Diamond Buying Guide {click on the pic to zoom}, so you can get all the info at home, without the pressure of an over-enthusiastic sales-person. With seven C's to consider, this is definitely a page to accidentally-deliberately leave open on your computer!!

Their brilliant website will help you choose the ring of your dreams, whatever your budget. Now all you need is the Ring Size Chart, and you're good to go! Look out for the vintage-style rings - they're my favourites!!

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Friday 27 March 2015

Wedding Trends of 2015 - Skinny Engagement Rings

We're all used to the concept of wearing two rings on your wedding finger, but this year is going to be all about ring stacking. Instead of one expensive solitaire, fashion forward brides and their grooms are choosing several, skinny engagement rings. It's such a fantastic idea! Every dainty ring complements the next, and you can carry on adding each anniversary, or when you have your first baby. It's also the perfect choice for budget-conscious couples, as each ring can cost as little as £100. I love these rings by Nicole Scheetz, but you can find plenty more from Nikki Stark Jewellery, Crystal Stone London, and from Cat Bird NYC {aka my favourite jewellery shop of all time}.


{I want this!} Clockwise from top left: 1. Opal Ring Set, £185 | 2. Stacking Ring Set, £75.50 | 3. Infinity Stacking Ring Set, £130 | 4. Birthstone Ring Set, £203

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Thursday 13 February 2014

Non-Traditional Engagement Rings

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, jewellers across the land are preparing for an influx of nervous grooms, looking to choose the perfect ring for a very successful engagement proposal. My husband stuck to tradition, and chose me a stunning solitaire diamond, representing strength and everlasting love. But what if you want something a little different, a little bit quirky? Rubies work well for a Valentine's Day proposal - with their rich red colour, they represent desire and devotion. Sapphires are just as expensive as diamonds, and I love the deep blue stone in Kate Middleton's engagement ring. Plus, the stones represent reliability and steadfastness, two attributes you'd definitely want in a husband! Meanwhile, if you've been with your future husband for a long while, or you've met later in life, an emerald engagement ring would be perfect, as the stones symbolise a mature and constant love. The other option is to ignore the symbolism completely, and just choose the colour you like the most!! Which gemstone would you choose?


{Photo Credit} Awake Photography - see more of this amazing window-themed engagement shoot

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Monday 3 February 2014

The Perfect Engagement Ring

With the start of February, you know it's not far away....Valentine's Day's a-coming, and across the land, men are preparing to propose! I know it's all become terribly commercialised, but I'm a sucker for romance, and anything that promotes love has got to be a good thing in my book. I've chatted to loads of guys about why they didn't propose sooner, and a big reason is the expense of the engagement ring. They just don't realise, that with rings, we don't mind! We just want to get engaged, and you can always save up for a big and better rock later!! So personally, if I was getting engaged all over again - I'd like this one from Artemar please. Simple, chic, and completely adorable.



{I want this!} Dual Stone Horseshoe Engagement Ring, £405.77 by Artemar

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Tuesday 28 January 2014

Nine Reasonable Engagement Rings

With Valentine's Day fast approaching, thousands of girls across the country are crossing their fingers that 14th February 2013, will be lucky for them. So to whet your appetite, here are some of the prettiest engagement rings from independent Etsy sellers. The best thing? They're all under £250. 'Accidentally' leave your browser open on this page so your boyfriend gets the hint!

{Ring Credits}
Top row - 1. Gold Pearl Ring by Artemer 2. Engagement Rings by Annelis Jewelry 3. Rainbow Moonstone Ring by Secret Charm
Middle row - 1. Yellow Gold Faceted Heart by Every Bear Jewel 2. Aquamarine Engagement Ring by Dalkullan Jewelry 3. Triangle Diamond Ring by Artemer
Bottom row - 1. Love Ring by Fabulous Wire 2. Golden Bunny Ring by Every Bear Jewel 3. Micro Pave White Diamond Ring by Louisa Gallery

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Wednesday 31 July 2013

Introducing Genesis Diamonds Engagement Rings

This week on the wedding blog is turning out to be engagement themed! After yesterday's gorgeous engagement shoot, today is all about incredible diamond engagement rings. If you're yet to chose your sparkler, or you're sneakily checking out the blog before your boyfriend's popped the question, then I really recommend Genesis Diamonds. They have the most incredible selection of engagement rings, by fabulous designers, including my favourites Tacori {for some seriously bling-tastic rings} and Simon G {if you're looking for something subtle and elegant}. All their diamonds are guaranteed conflict-free, and if you want to pay over several years, they even offer financing - yippee for a bigger rock!! Since I've already got my engagement ring and wedding ring, I've got my eye on their eternity rings....{here's hoping my husband reads this feature}.


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Tuesday 25 June 2013

What's Your Engagement Story?

I wasn't the most subtle bride-in-waiting. I started Before the Big Day before I got engaged, and all of my now-husband's friends thought it was one giant hint. It wasn't, but I did have an unhealthy interest in weddings, long before my time! When my husband eventually proposed, I knew it was coming. We took a skiing holiday in France to celebrate New Year, and I just had that feeling he was going to pop the question. What I didn't expect was for him to do it on the first day! I got back from the slopes earlier than him, and soaked in a blissfully hot bath. Once I was all wrapped up in a fluffy dressing gown, he came in, and told me to look out of the window at something. I peeked out over the balcony and saw 'Will You Marry Me' written in the snow. When I turned back, he was down on one knee! It was an amazing, if slightly surreal moment. I'd waited so long for the proposal, that afterwards it didn't quite seem real, and the snow was falling so fast, that the proposal soon disappeared, making it our secret. We eventually told our friends and family a few days later. What's your engagement story? Did your husband propose with a diamond ring? My husband chose my gorgeous solitaire for me, but if you're still looking, there's a great selection of stunning rings on Samara James. Learn more about diamonds and take a look at their collection by clicking here, and if you're interested, read more about me and my wedding.


{Picture Credit} Jose Villa

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Tuesday 30 April 2013

Five Wedding Jewellery Traditions

Weddings are one giant tradition-fest! From the white wedding gown, to the church service, the best man's speech, the first dance and the bouquet toss, your big day will be a constant nod to tradition. You might find some of the customs restricting, but when it comes to bridal jewellery, you're going to L-O-V-E the traditions, mainly because the bride comes out of it pretty well!



1. Pearl Earrings - Traditionally the groom or the father-of-the-bride gives the bride pearls on her wedding day. The jewels symbolise unblemished perfection, purity and innocence, and the ancient Greeks believed pearls would help ensure marital bliss and prevent newlywed brides from crying. Needless to say, I'm particularly keen on this custom!

2. Bridesmaids' Jewellery - I discovered this fabulous tradition when my cousin asked me to be her bridesmaid. Aged nine, I was thrilled to be given an elegant gold necklace. It was the most exciting present I'd ever received, and to this day I still have it as a momento of their wedding day. You don't have to spend a fortune on your bridesmaids' present - a lovely piece of prom jewellery from Jon Richard would be a lovely thank you gift for their help and support on your big day. Plus it'll make them look glam in the wedding pictures.


{Photo Credit} 1. Unknown | 2. Ben Q Photography - view the whole shoot on the Wedding Chicks

3. Cufflinks - Just like your bridesmaids, it's traditional for your ushers to receive a present on your wedding day. On our big day we skipped this custom, and gave our ushers sunglasses instead {we had a destination wedding in France}! But I did give my husband a lovely pair of cufflinks on the morning of our wedding day, and he now wears them every day to work.

4. Your Engagement Ring - a solitaire diamond is traditional, but we all know engagement rings come in every shape and size. Men are meant to spend one month's salary, but according to a recent survey, a third of brides are happy to chip in for their engagement ring!



{Photo Credit} 1. Elizabeth Messina of Kiss the Groom - view entire shoot on Inspired By This

5. Wedding Ring - Of course! We all know about the tradition of giving wedding rings, but did you know it started in ancient Rome? It used to be just the bride who received a ring, but in the 1920s the American jewellery industry started a marketing campaign aimed at encouraging men to wear a wedding ring as well. Those Mad Men were pretty successful, and by the late 1940s, double-ring ceremonies made up for 80% of all weddings. Will your husband wear a wedding ring?

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Thursday 21 March 2013

How To Care For Your Engagement Ring

It's your pride and joy, a symbol of your future husband's love for you, and probably the most expensive piece of jewellery you'll ever own - unless you're really lucky! But it's amazing how few of us actually know how to care for our engagement rings. Just because diamonds are the hardest substance on earth, doesn't mean that they don't need a little love and attention. Here are some top tips from Diamond Manufacturers on how to care for your engagement ring, and keep it super-shiny, ready for your wedding day.



{Photo Credit} Jose Villa

1. Take your ring off before you work with greasy or dirty substances to keep your engagement ring looking cleaner for longer.

2. Certain cleaning chemicals can cause lasting damage to your engagement ring. Don't let substances like hair spray, furniture polish or bleach near your ring. Either take it off when you spring clean, or wear gloves.

3. If you want to clean your diamond ring, soak it in a bowl that contains four parts warm water and one part household ammonia for no more than ten minutes. Brush the ring very gently with an old toothbrush, dip it back into the solution, rinse and leave it to drain on some tissue paper. Use a hair dryer to air dry your engagement ring to avoid water spots.

4. As an alternative, Diamond Manufacturers recommends adding a mild liquid detergent to a bowl of warm water and leaving your ring to soak in the bubbles for around thirty minutes.

5. Last but not least, vodka will give your diamond ring a brilliant sheen! Drop your diamond engagement ring into a glass of vodka to give it its sparkle back. Simply rinse it under a warm tap and rub it dry with a lint-free cloth.

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Friday 21 December 2012

Tie the Knot Wedding Rings

Spotted! This gorgeous ring from fabulous Etsy-seller Sparklethots.  Each ring is individually handcrafted and made to measure - perfect for a promise ring, if you're planning to pick out your engagement ring together. Or they'd made fantastic bridesmaid's presents - a lasting momento of the day they watched you tie the knot!



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Thursday 15 November 2012

Autumn & Winter Wedding Ring Bearer Pillow

There's a moment at every UK wedding when everyone turns their attention to the best man - it's his big moment, time to hand over the wedding rings. At US weddings they do things differently - usually the rings are carried on a pillow by a pageboy or flower girl. I'm super-keen on the American tradition, particularly because it's another opportunity for you to personalise your big day with pretty wedding details! For example, take a look at this rustic pine cone ring pillow by Etsy-seller Rustic Blend. It's the perfect accessory for an autumn or winter wedding, and I love its handmade charm. For more ring pillow ideas, take a look at my Pinterest board.


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Friday 8 June 2012

Simple & Elegant Wedding Rings

You've gotta love simple, elegant wedding jewellery, so when I stumbled across the New York online boutique Cat Bird NYC, I got that excited Christmas Eve feeling. The shop is actually in Williamsburg in Brooklyn, which happens to be the coolest neighbourhood in the world right now, but don't despair, because you can shop online. The best thing about them is that they don't just do incredible wedding rings, they unearth new and exciting items from all over the globe, including terrariums, candlesticks, tooth fairy boxes and compasses. Most of all though, I love their reasonably priced, but gorgeous designer wedding rings and engagement rings.


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Sunday 4 March 2012

Gorgeous Ring-Bearing Dishes for Your Wedding Day

When planning our wedding, it was often the smallest wedding details that I found the hardest to choose. Venue, photographer, wedding planner caterer - all those decisions were easy to make, but the agonies of indecision I had over the table plan and place markers, was something to be seen. The other decision I found impossible, was how to display our wedding rings. I knew that I wanted us to do a 'warming of the rings ceremony', where the wedding rings are passed around the congregation, so each guest can privately wish you the best, but I didn't know how to package them up. In the end, we used a silly little soft bag from Anthropologie, but I wish I'd found these incredible ring-bearing dishes from Paloma's Nest. They're made from white ceramic, and you can either buy one of their designs, or have one personalised with your own message. Described as modern heirlooms, you can see them staying in your family for years - a wonderful momento from your big day.


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Wednesday 20 July 2011

Engagement Rings Advice

It's surprising how many of my male friends say they don't want to get married because they're worried about the cost of an engagement ring. If only they knew that their girlfriend would be happy with a Hula Hoop, if only they'd propose! But there's no doubt that the boys do get the more expensive end of the deal, and many of them are nervous about going into jewellery shops, and getting laughed out the room because of their puny budget. Or course they don't need to worry, because engagement rings come in all shapes and sizes, and in all budgets. From solitaire diamond rings to multi-jewelled knuckle dusters, there's something out there for everyone. Here are a few of my hints and tips on how to buy wedding jewellery....leave this page open on your laptop, so they can 'accidentally' read it! Plus if you've got any advice, please do add it to the Comments section below.

{Photo Credit} Stephanie Williams Photography

1. Traditionally a wedding ring should cost two month's salary before tax. I've heard some US jewellers suggest it should be three months!! But there in the UK it's definitely supposed to be two.

2. Lots of little diamonds give a really dramatic effect, but don't cost nearly as much as solitaire diamonds.

3. Coloured stones are often a cheaper option, but remember that diamonds match everything, and your bride is going to want to wear her engagement ring every day of her life.

4. If the clarity isn't perfect, don't worry. If the flaw can't be seen by the naked eye, then who cares!

5. Why not buy a smaller solitaire diamond ring for your proposal, and promise to replace it with a bigger rock when you've saved up the money? Your bride will be thrilled to be engaged - she won't care about the size of the rock.

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Wednesday 18 May 2011

Simple, Stunning Gold Wedding Band

Ever since Prince William struggled to get 'that' Welsh gold band on Catherine Middleton's finger, I've had a thing about simple wedding rings. I love the organic feel to this gold ring - it's satiny finish and smudgy edges! Created by Beth Cyr Weddings out of 100% recycled gold, it's also an eco-friendly option. Beth makes each one as a bespoke project, so you can choose any size you like. Simply elegant and gorgeous!


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Monday 16 May 2011

Boys! Feeling left out?

Okay, so I'm the first to admit Before the Big day errs a bit on the side of the bride, and although I don't want to send the men away, I would recommend future husbands check out GroomGroove and Staggered. GroomGroove is an American site, but it's still got plenty of hints that translate into English {!}.  One of my favourite tools is the Diamond Engagement Ring Calculator, where you can enter your salary and find out how much you should be spending....although I always thought it was supposed to be one months, not two?



Product Credit - Cake Toppers from Goose Grease

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Wednesday 4 May 2011

With This Ring...Choosing a Diamond Ring

Diamonds are a girl's best friend, except when you're picking one with your husband-to-be, under the watchful eye of a pushy salesperson. It helps to know what you want, but unless you've made a habit of wondering into jewellers and trying on rings just-in-case {ahem}, then there's a fair chance you won't have the slightest idea. Diamonds are a tricky thing - there's the four C's to balance, plus your boyfriend's bank balance, and knowledge (of the former) is key. One of the best sites I've seen in a while is Blue Nile. Check out their Diamond Guide, and then enjoy fiddling with the sliders to work out just what you can get for your money. Next comes the fun bit, picking a setting, choosing a matching wedding ring and best of all, pressing Buy!


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Thursday 17 March 2011

Supporting Japan

With the crisis in Japan on all our minds, here's one way you can support their local businesses, and donate money to the Relief Fund. Pick up some of these gorgeous creations from independent craft sellers on Etsy. I'll be featuring more ideas all day.




{Product Credits - 1. Koide Studio, 2. MaaP Studio, 3. Green Optimist}

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