When you've found the person you want to spend forever with, The job of choosing an engagement ring for your prospective wife is a potentially intimidating but necessary chore for many hopeful bridegrooms. Diamonds are the classic and traditional choice for an engagement ring. Nevertheless, with a legion color, size and appearance choices available, how does a groom find and pick out the perfect diamond engagement ring for his fiancee?

Style
A man should bear in mind his significant other's preference and life style when selecting a ring. Is she more ladylike or tomboyish? Is she more Pink than Reese Witherspoon? Does she favor large accessories or exquisite pieces? Does she like bling or is she subtle?  Does she own mostly gold or silver jewelry? All these criteria need to be taken into consideration before choosing an engagement ring. The ring should go with its owner's personality. A girl who is happiest in denims and a t-shirt may want a pretty but  understated ring to go with her casual life style, whereas a girly-girl would likely favor a more elaborate ring with a large rock . Active brides may appreciate  comfort over a cumbersome rock that get damaged. Similarly, a woman who dons largely silver jewelry might favor platinum or white gold to go with with her existing collection.

Diamond Rating System
Before purchasing of a diamond engagement ring, men should be familiar with the Four Cs of diamond grading : Carat (weight of the diamond), Clarity (absence of defects), Color (the slight tint of the diamond) and Cut (the shape of the diamond ). All of these factors bear on the rating, and subsequently the cost of the ring . To conserve on cost, the groom can opt for a smaller carat or a ring that is not entirely flawless in terms of clarity and color . 

Metals
The appearance and pricetag of the band is highly dependent on the type of metal used. Platinum rings are often a popular choice because they are hypoallergenic for most people but also strong, beautiful and light in color.  Platinum is the most expensive metal. Gold is a much cheaper metal for jewelry although the price has gone up significantly over the past year. Sterling silver is likewise an increasingly popular alternative for engagement rings because it is a beautiful light color and importantly less expensive than either platinum or gold. 

Customization
A custom ring is a personalized representation of the couples committment. For this reason, you may wish to purchase a custom diamond engagement ring for your intended bride. You don't have to be a designer to create a bespoke ring;  many jewelers can assist to bring his rough thoughts to life.

Wedding dress? Check. Shoes? Check. Hairstyle? Check. The only thing missing to complete your stunning look is your bridal jewelry. You have to pay careful attention to this because this is the final icing on the cake.

Pearls, which are terrific for wedding parties and brides, used to be the sole jewelry that brides donned. These days the available options of brides are almost limitless with the explosion of the internet and the large number of bridal jewelry stores out there.

Are you looking for glitter, or something refined and graceful?  Like most brides, you want to feel and look incredible on your wedding day, and not simply look like every other bride you’ve seen before. Your jewelry can really help you to stand out. Browse the internet for bridal jewelry and you will find a wide variety of resources out there to suit your specific wants. Dull bridal jewelry is a thing of the past. Search for pieces of jewelry that speak to you, that agree with your wedding palette or style for tthe day. You also have the option of a bespoke bridal jewelry piece which bridal jewelers can create for you

When selecting your bridal jewelry, make sure that there are some similarities between your wedding gown or style of shoes and other accessories. Consistency is key to pulling your look together so choose carefully. You will be able to find bridal sites, tiaras, headbands, hairpins and combs that will pair up or match necklaces, earrings and bracelets. Uniformity and a common look and feel throughout your accessories is fundamental to not appearing pieced together.

Remember, this is your big day, make the best of it, feel beautiful and find the bridal jewelry that is right for you. If you want to be a unique bride that looks gorgeous on your big day, search for the bridal jewelry that will compliment your attire.

With the plethora of creams and lotions that one uses on their hands and body, it is easy for a film to develop on your jewelry, especially the pieces that you wear all of the time. Rings and necklaces are prone to looking lackluster or tarnished if they are not cleaned and cared for properly.

In fact, lotion can even create a layer of "gunk" that prevents diamonds and gemstones from refracting properly, thus leaving them dull and lifeless looking. The best way to keep your favorite pieces shiny and beautiful is by cleaning them frequently and taking the best care of them that you can.

Most diamond, gold, and pearl jewelry is quite resistant because of their hardness levels; however, one must be very careful when it comes to scratches and the types of cleaning products that are used on them. Coatings and dipping that are used on gold and other gems may be damaged by regular household substances, so it is best to make use of a specific jewelry cleansing agent.

Some of the best ways to clean these items are actually the gentlest. When it comes to diamond engagement rings, soaking them in a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap detergent may do the trick.

Dish soap is designed to break down oils and other substances that water cannot remove alone. The majority of creams and lotions on the market today and made with some type of oil, so the soap has the ability to break it down and remove it from the surface of the ring.

If there are particles of dirt and other substances stuck in filigree or prongs, you may need to make use of a soft bristled toothbrush to free them and remove them from tight spaces. The biggest thing to remember is soft-you do not want to use any kind of abrasive or damaging brush on metal or stones of your jewels, especially yellow gold.

Those that choose to clean items in the sink should always remember to plug it beforehand; otherwise, it is likely that your prized possession could be washed down the pipes. Plug up the sink before you create a solution, and make sure to remove any objects from the area before you unplug it and let the liquid escape.

If you wish to dry the objects and wear them right away, make sure to use a lint-free or specially designed cloth that will not leave any debris behind. After you have gone through this process, if you still notice gunk or dirt make use of a dental pick that shoots water at a higher pressure.

This should loosen any trouble areas without harming stones or metal. To prevent having to clean the items as often, it is best to remove all jewelry before applying lotion or washing your hands.

You may even wish to let the products sink into your skin for a while before replacing rings, bracelets, and necklaces. The same type of cleansing solutions and practices can be used on pearls that have become dirtied and lost their shine.

Avoid any abrasive home cleansers when you are trying to get rid of build-up on jewelry. If your diamond is true and has not been treated with filler, you may add a small amount of ammonia into water for cleaning.

However, it is best to use the mildest products possible to avoid any long term damage or degradation. Though metal is tough, it can definitely be subjected to damage if you do not take care of it.

Make sure to remove rings before you do any household chores like laundry, cleaning, or dishes. There is a good chance that cleaners will be abrasive and scratch the metal or that you could accidentally scrape it against something sharp.

Keeping jewelry boxes or containers in the kitchen and bathroom is a great way to remind yourself to remove them; it will also keep them in a safe place until you replace them back on your finger. Yellow gold is especially sensitive to scratching.

Unlike white gold or platinum, it has not been mixed with any other stronger metals. Therefore, it is more likely to experience damage.

The better care you take of your valuable and sentimental pieces, the longer they will stay looking their best. Follow proper care instructions; if you are unsure about what these are, ask help of your jeweler!

While your mother and grandmother may have worn classic looking gold necklaces, rings, and bracelets, you can modernize your look with a silver or white update! There are many benefits which come from making this change.

Gone are the days when gold and platinum were considered the most superior, and were seen as the only feasible ornament option. Now, the monopoly of gold and platinum has waned and the contemporary silver is gaining ground.

It is among the most preferred and admired items to wear, these days. They are worn by men and women across the globe.

Nowadays, everyone, especially women, are very enthusiastic about the designer and elegant silver bracelets, rings etc., and there is no surprise in it. If there is any kind of doubt in your mind, read on for the reasons you should make the switch.

First of all, it is more modern and fashionable. Silver and sterling are the metals that offer various modern and fashionable designs of different items like earrings, anklets, bangles, pendants, bracelets, necklaces, etc.

Nowadays, even some well-known film stars and models can be seen wearing sterling pieces. This is enough to prove the fashion appeal of silver jewelry, by itself.

Next, it is available in a wide variety. The number of designs, styles, patterns, and motifs that are available are hard to be found in any other kind of jewelry.

It allows the buyers to choose from a very wide variety. Not only this, the designs available in this metal are found to be the most appealing and fascinating by a majority of women.

It is very durable and sturdy. While on one hand most of the gold ornaments are so delicate that they can be deformed by little manual effort, the silver items are durable and sturdy enough to bear considerable pressure.

The silver ornaments cannot be broken and deformed easily. This quality of these pieces makes it a long-lasting and a choice of many.

It is a more inexpensive and economical choice as a gift. Money is an important consideration for most of the people while purchasing any product.

Any rational man wants the optimum worth of his money; he wants the best thing at the cheapest possible price. That is why the discussed metal perfectly fulfills this requirement because it is quite inexpensive and economical when compared to other materials like that of gold and platinum.

Also, it is far ahead in elegance and design than other types. It is also completely appropriate for all.

As was aforementioned, it is worn by both men and women the world over. The designs and styles available in these ornaments look good on, and are appropriate for all.

Also, it has the quality to beautifully blend with both fair and dark skin in the same manner. You do not have to worry about contamination as well.

Almost all of these items are made as a result of alloying silver with copper. Legally, the sterling silver used for making ornaments is 92.5% pure, thus it is marked with a stamp of "925," which is a mark of authentication.

So, on one side where there is a lot of contamination found in gold metal, the chances of contamination in sterling are practically none. Perfect for earrings!

It is an intelligent investment option. Recent history clearly shows that it has outstripped other metals in several instances.

The prices have almost tripled since 2000. Nowadays, more and more industries are making use of it in various manufacturing operations.

Despite the comparatively low price in relation to others, the former is showing tremendous upside potential than the latter. All this shows that buying it not only makes you fashionable, but an intelligent investor.

Last, believe it or not, it actually helps in maintaining good health. We all agree upon the proverb that, "Health is Wealth."

It might sound strange, but wearing pieces of this precious metal helps you in maintaining good health. A recent medical research has revealed some interesting health benefits of wearing it.

According to the research, it has the property of balancing various body elements. Silver keeps the blood vessels elastic, and it facilitates bone and skin formation and healing.

It even acts as a pain killer for muscular aches, and also, it is an effective remedy for arthritis. Why would you not make the change?

Check out some pieces today. It could be just in time for a Christmas gift!

Cleaning cubic zirconia jewelry is much easier than you think! So take advantage of these simple tips that will keep your precious jewelry sparkling and lustrous—so you can enjoy them for years to come.

Like diamonds, the precious cubic zirconia (CZ) gems need to be cleaned to maintain their original brilliance and luster. Many variables in our surrounding can dull the shine of precious gems: body lotion, perfume, hairspray, perspiration, or just simply, normal everyday wear.

All lotions and soap film are some of the more difficult materials to remove. Just a little of any of these materials on your CZ stone, will take away much of the visual brilliance of the stone. So it is vital to keep your CZ clean to maintain its sparkling diamond look.

A convenient way to clean your CZ jewelry is to use a small brushing device with soft bristles (preferably a toothbrush), along with warm to hot water mixed with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent (such as the brand, Joy), and brush as well as possible to remove any scum build-up.

Then, rinse well in warm to hot water, pat dry with a clean cloth, and take a look. If more cleaning is needed, soak the jewelry piece in hot water, with about 1/3 detergent to 2/3 hot water. (The mix is not critical.) Then, just brush again. When you’re done cleaning your jewelry, be sure to dry it well so to keep its brilliant shine.

Avoid exposing your CZ jewelry to abrasive substances such as household chemicals when cleaning with bleach or ammonia, or when swimming in chlorinated water, as these chemicals can damage your jewelry. Although most abrasive cleansers will not damage a CZ stone, they will, however, take the lustrous shine off the metal in which the stone is set.

Gemologists can agree that CZ comes closer than any other gem material to matching the characteristics of a diamond—it’s uncanny. As CZ is quickly becoming more popular as a desirable substitute for diamond, it’s important to care for it the same way you would a diamond.

So if for some reason you cannot remove the dirt off your CZ jewelry, take it to a jeweler and give it a high-pressure steam clean, as would be done to a diamond. This will remove almost any scum off your jewelry.

When we clean a customer’s jewelry and inspect it for wear, and loose or missing stones, we find the jewelry needing repair is most often a jewelry piece that has never been cleaned by the owner. Persistent dirt gets between the metal settings and the stones, causing abrasive wear and eventually, perhaps a loose stone.

One of the most basic rules of jewelry care is to apply all lotions, make-up, hair spray, etc. first, before you put on your jewelry. To minimize scratches and other damage, store your jewelry either in a cloth pouch or in a separate compartment in your jewelry box.

Now that you know how easy it is to care for your CZ, be sure to clean your CZ jewelry regularly—depending on how often you wear it; if you wear it everyday, cleaning it once a week is sufficient.

Follow our simple tips on cleaning cubic zirconia, and you can be certain your CZ jewelry will not only maintain its original brilliance and luster for years to come, but it will continue to sparkle radiantly for you when you wear it, and show it off!

Silver is the most popular type of metal used for Jewellery today. 

Jewellers love it, jewellery shoppers love it and it is relatively inexpensive. It seems like such a win-win situation, doesn’t it? But there’s one huge down-fall to Silver. It tarnishes and leaves dark black, blue, purple stains on your fingers, wrists and neck. It even sometimes leaves stains on your clothes. Strangely, all of that hasn’t stopped people from buying or wearing it. It’s still highly popular. 

The truth is that nothing stops Silver from tarnishing. When Silver is exposed to the air and atmosphere, it causes a chemical reaction that creates something called Silver Sulphate. That lovely little black mark on your finger is Sulphate stain. By its nature, Silver reacts to chemicals in the air, or chemicals touching it. This is why most Sterling Silver sold today is plated with a thin layer of metal protection by aprocess called “Flashing”. Silver or Rhodium is applied as a coating to the outside of the jewellery to keep the tarnishing down to a minimum. So until that plating wears off, your Silver will actually hold up pretty well.

WAY OUT

1. Avoid Silver haters i.e. things that Silver has a bad reaction with: Wool, Rubber Bands, Latex Gloves, Oils from your Hands and Fingers, Perfumes, Hair Sprays, and believe it or not, some foods like: Onions, Mayonnaise, Salad Dressing, Eggs and Salty Foods like Pringles. 
2. In fact, just the humidity alone can cause Silver to corrode! That is a never-ending battle in a city like Lagos but with just a little effort …. Hhhm ? 
3. Cleaning your Silver Jewellery with warm water and drying it with a soft cloth after you wear it, will remove any oily residue and slow down the process as well. 
4. Store your Silver Jewellery in zip-lock bags with those cute little Silica Gel Packs(from shoes and bags, yes oh, I don’t throw them away because they help remove any moisture from the air.)This won’t keep your Jewellery from tarnishing, but it will delay the process. 
5. The best medicine, believe it or not… is to wear it! It’s true. And if it starts to tarnish, whatever you do… Don’t use local “cleaners”. Instead, I recommend using a good Silver Polish or a soft Polishing Cloth made specifically for Silver, or better still to take it to a reputable Jewellery Store and have them buff and clean your Jewellery for a token fee. It surely will keep your jewellery smiling and worth every kobo! 

See you next Week for more Tips!