Whether it’s the romance of a simple diamond pendant or an extravagant multi-colored string of gems, jewelry is an important element for every wedding. The choices are endless, and every year there are new trends. So what’s in store for 2015?
According to Pete Ball of Peter Franklin Jewelers, it’s all about custom pieces. “Whether we’re using a diamond that’s been passed down from generation to generation or it’s the bride’s one-of-a-kind idea, custom designs are the hottest trend.”
“When it comes to trends in wedding jewelry, simple is always in style because it is timeless,” says Darren Will, co-owner of Will Jewelers. “Men like the different finishes we offer rather than just a plain band. We can do satin, ice, bead blasted and hammered, which has become our most popular style.”
In addition to custom designs, Ball says the most sought-after design is engagement rings with a halo of diamonds around the center diamond. “Some of the hottest styles come from designer lines such as Simon G, Peter Storm, Niki J, Fana and Zeghani.”
“White gold remains the most admired option in jewelry,” says Will. “While colored stones and colored diamonds have become very desirable in wedding and engagement rings.”
When searching for the right engagement and wedding jewelry, the quality of the mounting and the experience of the salesperson is something to consider.
“Fast and efficient service is also important,” says Ball. “Naturally, brides don’t like to go very long without the engagement ring, so if the ring needs sized, it’s nice to have an experienced staff with the ability to size a ring and have it back on the bride’s finger the same day.”
Options abound when it comes to choosing wedding jewelry. Whether your choice is traditional or trendy, make sure you find an experienced salesperson to help you make this all-important decision. After all, your ring will be on your finger for a very long time.
The 4Cs
We can’t all be gemologists, so here’s the quick and dirty guide to diamonds.
Cut: Every diamond, regardless of its shape, gets its brilliancy through the cutting and polishing of the facets. This allows the maximum amount of light that enters through its top to be reflected and dispersed back through its top. When a stone is cut too shallow or too deep, the light that enters through the top is allowed to escape through the diamond’s bottom and does not allow maximum beauty of the diamond to show.
Color: The best color for a diamond is no color at all. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Color Scale starts at D and goes to Z.
Clarity: The clarity of a diamond is determined by the number and location of flaws inside the diamond when viewed under 10-power magnification. GIA clarity grades include…
Carat Weight: This is the weight of a diamond measured in carats. One carat is divided into 100 points, so a diamond of 75 points weighs 3/4 carat, 50 points weighs ½ a carat.
