Finding just the right shoes for that special little girl in your wedding can be a bit daunting. These shoes are not only easy to make, but become a keepsake for your flower girl.
Supplies:
Pair of children's ballet slippers.
Tissue paper.
Silk paint. (to coordinate with her dress)
Artificial flowers, leaves, bows, or jewels.
Tools:
Paintbrushes. (one small, one large)
Hairdryer.
Hot glue gun.
Scissors. (for trimming flowers or making bows)
1. To make the shoes easier to paint, stuff them full of tissue paper. Try to fill them enough so that most of the creases flatten out.
2. Read the manufacturers instructions on how best to use the paint. Empty some of the silk paint into a small container and with a small paintbrush test the paint on the bottom of the shoe. Some silk paints dry a bit darker, some a bit lighter, so you will want to allow the paint to dry thoroughly.
3. Once you find a color that you like you are ready to paint the shoes. The key here is to paint the shoe thoroughly but not saturate it. You don't want the paint to soak through to the lining. Start at the toe and with a large brush, use long sweeping strokes to cover the shoe completely.
4. Use a hairdryer to set the dye but let the shoe dry for a full 24 hours before wearing or adding any decoration.
5. Snip the heads off of artificial flowers and hot glue them to the toe of each shoe. If flowers aren't your look, try a small bow on each shoe, a few bits of greenery, or even a jewel or two. If you want to go that one step further, you can use the same decorations to adorn the flower girl's basket as you do her shoes.
Remember that these shoes ARE NOT water proof. So to prevent little feet from turning all shades of lavender, don't wear them on wet days. Or if the rain does come, only wear them inside.
Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Accessories. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2008
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Wedding Accessories: The Finishing Touch
“Accessories are all about the important details which enhance the total picture.”
The perfect wedding day accessories enhance the overall look of the bride and her wedding party, and subtle accents will the complete the picture. The ideal accessories are all about modern nostalgia that embraces tradition. For example, think of timeless, dainty pearls that will look completely of-the-moment on the wedding day and equally modern fifty years from now, when the bride is reflecting on wedding photos. The time of the ceremony, the formality, and the bride’s personal taste will set the tone for her accessory story.
Pearls of wisdom -- From dainty solid strands to equally light illusion styles, anything with pearls stands the test of time and always looks fresh, feminine, and elegant worn with both a white or ivory gown. In keeping with the simplicity of this season’s newest understated and bare gowns, the scale of the pearl is smaller and more delicate. A bride’s personal style will dictate whether she will mirror the simplicity of the gown and wear a single strand, or opt for a play of multiple strands. (Even with multiple strands, it’s all about the smaller-scaled pearl.) For added sparkle, look for strands with interspersed crystals in tints of periwinkle, pink or soft blues.
Shawl for All -- The bridal shawl has become the must-have accessory this season. The bride can wear to and from the reception in a fabric that coordinates with her gown. Shawls will be decorated with embroidery or subtle bead or pearl treatments. Maids will also look fresh wearing shoulder wraps, in sheer and iridescent fabrics.
Jewels are in the Hair -- Hair jewelry is more important than ever. Bridesmaids can wear fresh interpretations of hair bands with multi-faceted beads and sequins, in colors that coordinate with their dresses. The newest takes on headbands are head wraps that are styled similar to illusion necklaces and give the impression of sparkling beads interspersed in the hair. Think of silver or gold wire decorated with crystals, beads and pearls, which wraps around the hair, and is secured by an elastic band hidden under the hair, close to the neck.
Embellished barrettes have been replaced by silk floral and crystal decorated bobbie pins, which are ideal for bridesmaids, and to hold the bride’s hair in place if she takes off her veil for the reception.
Gloving It! -- There is something inherently glamorous about opera, (mid forearm) or elbow length gloves. They are the perfect year-round complement to bare styling for the bride and her maids. Brides will opt for white or ivory and bridesmaids will wear gloves in a color that coordinates with their dress.
What’s the Bag? -- The message with bags for bridesmaids are small structured shapes in colors that coordinate with their dresses. Bags with floral detailed trim and structured handles look newest.
Shoe Business -- Shoes for the bride are strappy, with chunky heels. Brides will opt for white or ivory to match their gown, while bridesmaids will have dyed-to-coordinate or silver and black heels.
The perfect wedding day accessories enhance the overall look of the bride and her wedding party, and subtle accents will the complete the picture. The ideal accessories are all about modern nostalgia that embraces tradition. For example, think of timeless, dainty pearls that will look completely of-the-moment on the wedding day and equally modern fifty years from now, when the bride is reflecting on wedding photos. The time of the ceremony, the formality, and the bride’s personal taste will set the tone for her accessory story.
Pearls of wisdom -- From dainty solid strands to equally light illusion styles, anything with pearls stands the test of time and always looks fresh, feminine, and elegant worn with both a white or ivory gown. In keeping with the simplicity of this season’s newest understated and bare gowns, the scale of the pearl is smaller and more delicate. A bride’s personal style will dictate whether she will mirror the simplicity of the gown and wear a single strand, or opt for a play of multiple strands. (Even with multiple strands, it’s all about the smaller-scaled pearl.) For added sparkle, look for strands with interspersed crystals in tints of periwinkle, pink or soft blues.
Shawl for All -- The bridal shawl has become the must-have accessory this season. The bride can wear to and from the reception in a fabric that coordinates with her gown. Shawls will be decorated with embroidery or subtle bead or pearl treatments. Maids will also look fresh wearing shoulder wraps, in sheer and iridescent fabrics.
Jewels are in the Hair -- Hair jewelry is more important than ever. Bridesmaids can wear fresh interpretations of hair bands with multi-faceted beads and sequins, in colors that coordinate with their dresses. The newest takes on headbands are head wraps that are styled similar to illusion necklaces and give the impression of sparkling beads interspersed in the hair. Think of silver or gold wire decorated with crystals, beads and pearls, which wraps around the hair, and is secured by an elastic band hidden under the hair, close to the neck.
Embellished barrettes have been replaced by silk floral and crystal decorated bobbie pins, which are ideal for bridesmaids, and to hold the bride’s hair in place if she takes off her veil for the reception.
Gloving It! -- There is something inherently glamorous about opera, (mid forearm) or elbow length gloves. They are the perfect year-round complement to bare styling for the bride and her maids. Brides will opt for white or ivory and bridesmaids will wear gloves in a color that coordinates with their dress.
What’s the Bag? -- The message with bags for bridesmaids are small structured shapes in colors that coordinate with their dresses. Bags with floral detailed trim and structured handles look newest.
Shoe Business -- Shoes for the bride are strappy, with chunky heels. Brides will opt for white or ivory to match their gown, while bridesmaids will have dyed-to-coordinate or silver and black heels.
Selecting the Perfect Bridal Veil
You've got a great guy! You've found the perfect dress! Now you need to find the perfect veil.... Selecting the right bridal veil to match your wedding dress can be a confusing task. The following guidelines are to help you find the veil of your dreams, whether you decide to buy one off the rack at a bridal boutique or have one custom made to your taste and style.
Keep in mind the style of your dress and the formality of your wedding when looking for and trying on bridal veils. It is generally best to choose a headpiece style that is in proportion to your dress and has similar styling (pearls, sequins, flowers, etc.). A simple floral wreath can open up your face and add just the right touch to a semi-formal dress. A crown or tiara with a pouf on the back can be very elegant with a formal dress. Wide headband type headpieces are very popular, particularly for hairstyles with bangs. They can have the added touch of being created with the same lace, pearls or sequins used for the dress. A floral cluster or silk bow on a barrette can do a beautiful job of pulling hair off your face and works well with long or upswept hair. A simple layered veil on a comb is very feminine and surrounds the face with shimmery veil.
The veil length is chosen by the formality of your wedding and the decoration on the back of your gown. Blusher/Shoulder length is usually combined with other lengths and is used for both formal and semi-formal weddings. Elbow length is used for short (no train) gowns, and shows off any detailing at the waist of the gown. Finger-tip length is the most popular and is used for formal and semi-formal weddings. Chapel length falls to the floor and is usually combined with other shorter layers. Cathedral length is used for formal weddings when the gown has a cathedral length train, the veil extends one foot or more onto the train of the dress.
Veils can be edged in a variety of ways. For instance with satin ribbon, pearls, a rolled edge or not at all. The heavier the edging, the more the veil will be weighed down. If you are looking for a poufy veil, it is recommended to have no edging at all. Most veils can be made detachable, worn long for the formality of the wedding and shorter or none at all for the fun of the reception.
Remember, your bridal veil should celebrate your individuality, and make you look and feel beautiful. It's your wedding. Enjoy!
Keep in mind the style of your dress and the formality of your wedding when looking for and trying on bridal veils. It is generally best to choose a headpiece style that is in proportion to your dress and has similar styling (pearls, sequins, flowers, etc.). A simple floral wreath can open up your face and add just the right touch to a semi-formal dress. A crown or tiara with a pouf on the back can be very elegant with a formal dress. Wide headband type headpieces are very popular, particularly for hairstyles with bangs. They can have the added touch of being created with the same lace, pearls or sequins used for the dress. A floral cluster or silk bow on a barrette can do a beautiful job of pulling hair off your face and works well with long or upswept hair. A simple layered veil on a comb is very feminine and surrounds the face with shimmery veil.
The veil length is chosen by the formality of your wedding and the decoration on the back of your gown. Blusher/Shoulder length is usually combined with other lengths and is used for both formal and semi-formal weddings. Elbow length is used for short (no train) gowns, and shows off any detailing at the waist of the gown. Finger-tip length is the most popular and is used for formal and semi-formal weddings. Chapel length falls to the floor and is usually combined with other shorter layers. Cathedral length is used for formal weddings when the gown has a cathedral length train, the veil extends one foot or more onto the train of the dress.
Veils can be edged in a variety of ways. For instance with satin ribbon, pearls, a rolled edge or not at all. The heavier the edging, the more the veil will be weighed down. If you are looking for a poufy veil, it is recommended to have no edging at all. Most veils can be made detachable, worn long for the formality of the wedding and shorter or none at all for the fun of the reception.
Remember, your bridal veil should celebrate your individuality, and make you look and feel beautiful. It's your wedding. Enjoy!
How to: Make a Single Layer Veil
There are a couple of benefits to making your own veil. First of all, you have a one of a kind original. Secondly, you get one that is tailor-made for you. If you decide on a fingertip veil, it will be measured to your fingertips.
In the store, compare different colours of tulle to your dress and decide on the best match. Tulle can adapt to a colour, but you want to avoid anything too harsh. Bright white can be too striking against an ivory dress and ivory tulle may be too yellow against a candlelight dress. Diamond white is your best choice for a not-quite-white dress.
Decide on how much tulle to purchase. I made a chapel length veil so I bought 3 meters of fabric. Tulle is not expensive so it is safer to buy too much. While at the fabric store, talk with a sales associate for advice or look for a pattern to make a veil.
You will also need a comb to attach the veil. Don't worry if you can't find the right size comb, long combs can be cut to the size required. In addition, if the comb's teeth are rough, smooth them down with fine sandpaper or an emery board. A needle and thread will also be required.
Before you begin, prepare the area. A dining room table is a great flat surface on which to work. Clean it thoroughly, making sure to remove dust and anything that could catch the veil and create a tear. Line up all your tools. A full-length mirror would be helpful. If you have animals, do what you can to keep them out of the room. Cats find tulle and thread irresistible.
Now you must decide on width. With your hand, gather the tulle width-wise (shorter end) and hold it on top of your head. If you want it less puffy, trim the edges and continue in this fashion until you get the desired size. If you want it puffier, you may want to turn the bolt of fabric over and gather it length-wise over your head. You may not be able to have a chapel or cathedral length veil in this case (how the fabric is cut).
Once the width is decided, you have to choose the length. Again, gather the tulle and hold it above your head. If you don't have someone to measure for you, stand facing the tulle, with it going over your face and in front of your body. Trim the tulle to the desired length.
To create a rounded bottom, lay the tulle out on the table and fold it length-wise, keeping bottom corners together and top corners together. Cut an arc at the outside corner.
You are almost ready to attach the comb. With a needle and white, off-white or clear thread, use a straight stitch, pulling the stitch tight to cause the tulle to gather. Once finished, snip away loose thread and excess tulle. Using the same colour thread, attach the tulle to the underside of the comb using a looping stitch. Only a few stitches are necessary
You now have a finished veil. You may either even out the edges (scissors or a sharp pizza cutter) or opt to add edging.
In the store, compare different colours of tulle to your dress and decide on the best match. Tulle can adapt to a colour, but you want to avoid anything too harsh. Bright white can be too striking against an ivory dress and ivory tulle may be too yellow against a candlelight dress. Diamond white is your best choice for a not-quite-white dress.
Decide on how much tulle to purchase. I made a chapel length veil so I bought 3 meters of fabric. Tulle is not expensive so it is safer to buy too much. While at the fabric store, talk with a sales associate for advice or look for a pattern to make a veil.
You will also need a comb to attach the veil. Don't worry if you can't find the right size comb, long combs can be cut to the size required. In addition, if the comb's teeth are rough, smooth them down with fine sandpaper or an emery board. A needle and thread will also be required.
Before you begin, prepare the area. A dining room table is a great flat surface on which to work. Clean it thoroughly, making sure to remove dust and anything that could catch the veil and create a tear. Line up all your tools. A full-length mirror would be helpful. If you have animals, do what you can to keep them out of the room. Cats find tulle and thread irresistible.
Now you must decide on width. With your hand, gather the tulle width-wise (shorter end) and hold it on top of your head. If you want it less puffy, trim the edges and continue in this fashion until you get the desired size. If you want it puffier, you may want to turn the bolt of fabric over and gather it length-wise over your head. You may not be able to have a chapel or cathedral length veil in this case (how the fabric is cut).
Once the width is decided, you have to choose the length. Again, gather the tulle and hold it above your head. If you don't have someone to measure for you, stand facing the tulle, with it going over your face and in front of your body. Trim the tulle to the desired length.
To create a rounded bottom, lay the tulle out on the table and fold it length-wise, keeping bottom corners together and top corners together. Cut an arc at the outside corner.
You are almost ready to attach the comb. With a needle and white, off-white or clear thread, use a straight stitch, pulling the stitch tight to cause the tulle to gather. Once finished, snip away loose thread and excess tulle. Using the same colour thread, attach the tulle to the underside of the comb using a looping stitch. Only a few stitches are necessary
You now have a finished veil. You may either even out the edges (scissors or a sharp pizza cutter) or opt to add edging.
Veil Making - Attaching a Ribbon Edging by Hand
With a completed, unfinished edge veil, you can opt to have it match your dress. If your dress has an accent colour, you can incorporate it into the veil using ribbon or beads or both.
Study your dress carefully. Note the shape of the beads and shade of accent colour. Is it metallic? Matte?
Visit a craft store and browse through its ribbon and bead sections to get an idea as to what?s available. Fight your excitement, you want your veil to be perfect so take your time in selecting the right pieces. As well, buy more than you need and put the receipt somewhere safe. Unopened packages or unused ribbon can be returned but if you need more, there?s always a chance the product could be out of stock or, God forbid, discontinued.
If you decide on a ribbon, you must choose one that will be easy to attach. A satin or fabric ribbon may not allow a needle to pass through easily, it could leave holes. Some ribbons, mainly metallic ones, are weaved and are excellent for sewing. Select beads that have holes through them so they can be easily attached.
Once you have selected the ribbon and/or beads, find a matching thread.
Clear a work area. A dining room table or a neat bed are ideal. Have all your work materials handy. An important note, only sit down to work on your veil when you can devote a lot of time to it. It?s not worth pulling out all your materials if you only have 15 free minutes.
Starting from one end of the veil, begin to attach the ribbon a couple of centimetres or inches in from the edge. Lie the veil flat on your lap or on the table. Holding it too taut can make the tulle gather and too loose can cause it to pucker. Once you reach the end of the thread, tie the knot as close to the veil as possible and leave a long end.
If you are attaching beads, follow the same pattern. You can either use beads as an edging (again starting at the top and a couple of inches in), scatter them, or sew them alongside the ribbon. Thread through each bead, being careful not to pull the tulle too taut. For strength, double stitch every tenth or so bead.
Once you are finished, try on your veil. Ask another person to look at you in the veil, making sure the edging is straight and the veil hangs flat, ensure there is no puckering or gathering. If there is a problem, it is easy to pull out some stitches and rearrange the ribbon and/or beads. Fix the area and double check the veil again. Once you determine everything is fine, for strength, give the ribbon a second stitch. Fix the loose threads, tying all ends together, getting as close to the veil as possible, then trim the threads as close to the edge as possible. There will be no underside to the veil so you want to keep the seams as invisible as possible. Once you are satisfied that everything is perfect, trim away the excess tulle.
You now have a finished veil. Congratulations.
Study your dress carefully. Note the shape of the beads and shade of accent colour. Is it metallic? Matte?
Visit a craft store and browse through its ribbon and bead sections to get an idea as to what?s available. Fight your excitement, you want your veil to be perfect so take your time in selecting the right pieces. As well, buy more than you need and put the receipt somewhere safe. Unopened packages or unused ribbon can be returned but if you need more, there?s always a chance the product could be out of stock or, God forbid, discontinued.
If you decide on a ribbon, you must choose one that will be easy to attach. A satin or fabric ribbon may not allow a needle to pass through easily, it could leave holes. Some ribbons, mainly metallic ones, are weaved and are excellent for sewing. Select beads that have holes through them so they can be easily attached.
Once you have selected the ribbon and/or beads, find a matching thread.
Clear a work area. A dining room table or a neat bed are ideal. Have all your work materials handy. An important note, only sit down to work on your veil when you can devote a lot of time to it. It?s not worth pulling out all your materials if you only have 15 free minutes.
Starting from one end of the veil, begin to attach the ribbon a couple of centimetres or inches in from the edge. Lie the veil flat on your lap or on the table. Holding it too taut can make the tulle gather and too loose can cause it to pucker. Once you reach the end of the thread, tie the knot as close to the veil as possible and leave a long end.
If you are attaching beads, follow the same pattern. You can either use beads as an edging (again starting at the top and a couple of inches in), scatter them, or sew them alongside the ribbon. Thread through each bead, being careful not to pull the tulle too taut. For strength, double stitch every tenth or so bead.
Once you are finished, try on your veil. Ask another person to look at you in the veil, making sure the edging is straight and the veil hangs flat, ensure there is no puckering or gathering. If there is a problem, it is easy to pull out some stitches and rearrange the ribbon and/or beads. Fix the area and double check the veil again. Once you determine everything is fine, for strength, give the ribbon a second stitch. Fix the loose threads, tying all ends together, getting as close to the veil as possible, then trim the threads as close to the edge as possible. There will be no underside to the veil so you want to keep the seams as invisible as possible. Once you are satisfied that everything is perfect, trim away the excess tulle.
You now have a finished veil. Congratulations.
How to: Make Your Own Hairpins
As we all know, a hairstyle says a lot about a person, especially on our wedding day. We all strive for the perfect hairstyle for us on that special day. Traditionally, brides most often wore the “up do”, and still today, a very popular style. However, brides today are adding their own accents to their hairstyles on their wedding day. One way to do that is by adding decorative hairpins. These hairpins can add the perfect personal touch to any hairstyle, up or down.
Making these hairpins is a simple and inexpensive project. The items you need are hairpins, glue gun, glue gun sticks, paper towel, and beads or items you plan on attaching to the hairpin.
When purchasing the hairpins, it is important to purchase hairpins of the same color as your hair. Black and brown hairpins can be found at almost any K-mart or Wal-Mart. If you’re looking for blond, you may have to go to a specialized beauty store. For the item you’re hot gluing to the hairpin, that is a matter of personal taste. Craft stores carry a large assortment of items to glue such as pearls, small fabric or metal butterflies, fabric bows, fabric flowers, etc. It is entirely up to the individual what to create.
I recommend doing one hairpin at a time, in contrast to laying them all out and doing them all at one time. The reason behind this is when applying the drop of hot glue from the glue gun, it dries relatively quickly, and the last few hairpins will be dried by the time you get there. Lay the hairpin, longer side down on the paper towel. The reason we use the paper towel is if the hot glue sticks to the paper towel, a little water will wash away the paper towel stuck to the glue, if you get your hairpin stuck to anything else, it may be more difficult to get off.
Lay the hairpin longer side down on the paper towel. Drop one small drop of hot glue on the closed end of the hairpin, quickly place your item of choice in the hot glue. Repeat for each hairpin there after. Let dry at least a few hours.
Viola! Personalized hairpins for that special occasion. Just place sporadically in hair, it will add spice to your next style, formal or casual. These also make a great gift for any bride, or even children!
Making these hairpins is a simple and inexpensive project. The items you need are hairpins, glue gun, glue gun sticks, paper towel, and beads or items you plan on attaching to the hairpin.
When purchasing the hairpins, it is important to purchase hairpins of the same color as your hair. Black and brown hairpins can be found at almost any K-mart or Wal-Mart. If you’re looking for blond, you may have to go to a specialized beauty store. For the item you’re hot gluing to the hairpin, that is a matter of personal taste. Craft stores carry a large assortment of items to glue such as pearls, small fabric or metal butterflies, fabric bows, fabric flowers, etc. It is entirely up to the individual what to create.
I recommend doing one hairpin at a time, in contrast to laying them all out and doing them all at one time. The reason behind this is when applying the drop of hot glue from the glue gun, it dries relatively quickly, and the last few hairpins will be dried by the time you get there. Lay the hairpin, longer side down on the paper towel. The reason we use the paper towel is if the hot glue sticks to the paper towel, a little water will wash away the paper towel stuck to the glue, if you get your hairpin stuck to anything else, it may be more difficult to get off.
Lay the hairpin longer side down on the paper towel. Drop one small drop of hot glue on the closed end of the hairpin, quickly place your item of choice in the hot glue. Repeat for each hairpin there after. Let dry at least a few hours.
Viola! Personalized hairpins for that special occasion. Just place sporadically in hair, it will add spice to your next style, formal or casual. These also make a great gift for any bride, or even children!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Caring For Your Diamond Ring
The most precious part of your wedding memories is probably when your beloved asked you to marry him. When he presented you with that diamond ring and said, “Will you marry me?” your heart must have been filled with love. Keeping that memory alive means taking extra special care of your diamond engagement ring.
A diamond will last forever if given special care and treatment. To ensure that your diamond maintains its luster it is important to learn about taking good care of it. Visiting a jeweler at least once a year is highly recommended.
Professionals provide your diamonds with added care. While a professional cleaning is being done, your jeweler can also check to make sure that the prongs have not been weakened or bent. Your diamond will truly shine by this minimal amount of effort.
Jewelery pieces should not be stored together since they can be scratched or tangled. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man but a diamond can still scratch another diamond or another piece of jewelry. Keep your ring in it’s own box, perhaps the very box that it was originally given to you in.
Diamond jewelry should never be worn while doing heavy work. The diamond can chip, scratch, or even worse, get lost. Place your ring in a safe place where you know you will always remember where it is at. Do not put it in your pocket or give it to someone to hold!There are "ring trees" that hold jewelry and keep it safe and secure.
Between visits to your jeweler, use a mild liquid detergent to maintain your diamond's brilliance. Simply fill a bowl of warm sudsy water and gently brush your diamond jewelry with a soft toothbrush while in the suds. Rinse thoroughly under warm water and pat dry. There are also commercial products available that are sold in most jewelry stores. These cleansers are not very expensive, but take care to select one specifically made for diamonds.
Following these simple steps will ensure that your diamond ring will look as beautiful on your 50th wedding anniversary as it did on the day you said "I do!"
A diamond will last forever if given special care and treatment. To ensure that your diamond maintains its luster it is important to learn about taking good care of it. Visiting a jeweler at least once a year is highly recommended.
Professionals provide your diamonds with added care. While a professional cleaning is being done, your jeweler can also check to make sure that the prongs have not been weakened or bent. Your diamond will truly shine by this minimal amount of effort.
Jewelery pieces should not be stored together since they can be scratched or tangled. Diamonds are the hardest substance known to man but a diamond can still scratch another diamond or another piece of jewelry. Keep your ring in it’s own box, perhaps the very box that it was originally given to you in.
Diamond jewelry should never be worn while doing heavy work. The diamond can chip, scratch, or even worse, get lost. Place your ring in a safe place where you know you will always remember where it is at. Do not put it in your pocket or give it to someone to hold!There are "ring trees" that hold jewelry and keep it safe and secure.
Between visits to your jeweler, use a mild liquid detergent to maintain your diamond's brilliance. Simply fill a bowl of warm sudsy water and gently brush your diamond jewelry with a soft toothbrush while in the suds. Rinse thoroughly under warm water and pat dry. There are also commercial products available that are sold in most jewelry stores. These cleansers are not very expensive, but take care to select one specifically made for diamonds.
Following these simple steps will ensure that your diamond ring will look as beautiful on your 50th wedding anniversary as it did on the day you said "I do!"
Colored Gemstones for the Unique Bride!
For the bride who wants a unique ring, colored gemstones are becoming a popular option. You should really love the ring you receive because you will wear it every day for the rest of your life. Like diamonds, gemstones are evaluated according to the Four C's. Stones with muted colors or colors between hues are generally less expensive than those with clear primary colors.
Colors in the Gemstone Rainbow:
Red: ruby, garnet, spinel, alexandrite
Pink: ruby, sapphire, garnet, kunzite, topaz
Orange: sapphire, garnet, citrine, spinel, topaz, zircon, tourmaline, and fire opal
Purple: amethyst, garnet, sapphire, tourmaline, jadeite
Green: emerald, peridot, sapphire, nephrite, chrysoberyl
Blue: sapphire, aquamarine, spinel, iolite, lapis, lazuli, and topaz
Yellow/Gold: sapphire, citrine, gold beryl, amber, garnet, and alusite
As you see from above, we can now identify different varieties of gemstones in all different colors. The bonus for you is that many of these gems are not necessarily rare and are less in demand, and therefore much less expensive than such better known stones as emeralds, sapphires, and rubies! Exciting new gem discoveries include tourmalines, garnets, spinels, tanzanites, aquamarines, amethysts, topaz and more!
Did you know sapphires come in red, pink, orange, green, violet, yellow as well as blue?
Colors in the Gemstone Rainbow:
Red: ruby, garnet, spinel, alexandrite
Pink: ruby, sapphire, garnet, kunzite, topaz
Orange: sapphire, garnet, citrine, spinel, topaz, zircon, tourmaline, and fire opal
Purple: amethyst, garnet, sapphire, tourmaline, jadeite
Green: emerald, peridot, sapphire, nephrite, chrysoberyl
Blue: sapphire, aquamarine, spinel, iolite, lapis, lazuli, and topaz
Yellow/Gold: sapphire, citrine, gold beryl, amber, garnet, and alusite
As you see from above, we can now identify different varieties of gemstones in all different colors. The bonus for you is that many of these gems are not necessarily rare and are less in demand, and therefore much less expensive than such better known stones as emeralds, sapphires, and rubies! Exciting new gem discoveries include tourmalines, garnets, spinels, tanzanites, aquamarines, amethysts, topaz and more!
Did you know sapphires come in red, pink, orange, green, violet, yellow as well as blue?
Shopping for Your Engagement Ring
This article deals with the 4 things that you should look for when choosing your engagement ring design.
An Engagement Ring design has to do 4 things. It has to :
1. be easy and practical to wear
2. withstand everyday wear
3. hold its gemstones securely
4. look good
If an engagement ring lacks any of these properties it is not of good design and is not the engagement ring for you.
1. Easy and practical to wear
What is easy and practical depends on your lifestyle. The higher the setting of the gemstone in your engagement ring, the more often it will catch on things. If you work behind a desk you may be able to wear a very high set ring, whereas a preschool teacher should wear a low safe design that won’t catch.
2. Withstanding Everyday Wear
Your engagement ring must withstand constant every day wear. Some environments are more destructive to jewelry than others. Surprisingly, one of the worst places for jewelry is an office where you use a lot of paper. Paper is mildly abrasive and constant daily exposure to that type of environment will wear your jewelry over the years. So if you are in an environment where your jewelry is likely to wear, a heavier style will last longer. However, “heavy” doesn’t necessarily have to mean wider, it just means a stronger band should be used. If you prefer finer more delicate styles, you should consider Platinum, as it will out wear gold many times over.
3. Holding gemstones securely
Your ring must hold your gemstones securely. The following is a general guide for gemstone settings :
1. 6 claws are normally safer than 4;
2. a bezel (rub-over) setting is safer than a claw setting;
3. a heavier setting is stronger than a light setting; and
4. a lower setting is less likely to be damaged than a higher setting.
4. Looking Good
This one is up to you.
If you find a design that you like and it complies with these four requirements you may have found the engagement ring for you. Happy engagement ring hunting!
An Engagement Ring design has to do 4 things. It has to :
1. be easy and practical to wear
2. withstand everyday wear
3. hold its gemstones securely
4. look good
If an engagement ring lacks any of these properties it is not of good design and is not the engagement ring for you.
1. Easy and practical to wear
What is easy and practical depends on your lifestyle. The higher the setting of the gemstone in your engagement ring, the more often it will catch on things. If you work behind a desk you may be able to wear a very high set ring, whereas a preschool teacher should wear a low safe design that won’t catch.
2. Withstanding Everyday Wear
Your engagement ring must withstand constant every day wear. Some environments are more destructive to jewelry than others. Surprisingly, one of the worst places for jewelry is an office where you use a lot of paper. Paper is mildly abrasive and constant daily exposure to that type of environment will wear your jewelry over the years. So if you are in an environment where your jewelry is likely to wear, a heavier style will last longer. However, “heavy” doesn’t necessarily have to mean wider, it just means a stronger band should be used. If you prefer finer more delicate styles, you should consider Platinum, as it will out wear gold many times over.
3. Holding gemstones securely
Your ring must hold your gemstones securely. The following is a general guide for gemstone settings :
1. 6 claws are normally safer than 4;
2. a bezel (rub-over) setting is safer than a claw setting;
3. a heavier setting is stronger than a light setting; and
4. a lower setting is less likely to be damaged than a higher setting.
4. Looking Good
This one is up to you.
If you find a design that you like and it complies with these four requirements you may have found the engagement ring for you. Happy engagement ring hunting!
Selecting Jewelry: Engaged Rings, Bands, Gem
Deal with reputable jewelers only. It is wiser to deal with a business who has been around for a long time and offer large selections at many price points.
* Buy the best-quality stone you can afford. Request a written guarantee indicating the value of the stone (also called Certification)
* When choosing gold settings and bands, pick 14k or 18k gold, 24k is too soft for rings
* Some gemstones are more durable than others. Sapphires are the toughest and most durable.
* The hardest ring metal is platinum. It is used as prongs in settings and is slightly more expensive
* Discuss prices on guarantees, exchanges and trading up later to larger stones with your jeweler
* Make sure your ring is covered by your insurance policy
* Have your settings routinely checked by your jeweler to make sure prongs are tight and snug
If you have a problem or feel your jeweler has been fraudulent with you, contact
The Jewelers' Vigilance Committee
401 East 34th Street #N13A
New York, NY 10016
* Buy the best-quality stone you can afford. Request a written guarantee indicating the value of the stone (also called Certification)
* When choosing gold settings and bands, pick 14k or 18k gold, 24k is too soft for rings
* Some gemstones are more durable than others. Sapphires are the toughest and most durable.
* The hardest ring metal is platinum. It is used as prongs in settings and is slightly more expensive
* Discuss prices on guarantees, exchanges and trading up later to larger stones with your jeweler
* Make sure your ring is covered by your insurance policy
* Have your settings routinely checked by your jeweler to make sure prongs are tight and snug
If you have a problem or feel your jeweler has been fraudulent with you, contact
The Jewelers' Vigilance Committee
401 East 34th Street #N13A
New York, NY 10016
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