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The Citizen, 1988-02-10, Page 29THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1988. PAGE 29. Buying that diamond is a big commitment Beautiful simplicity sets the tone for modern engagement rings but choosing the right ring is one of the first tough tasks the prospective groom must tackle. “The Moment’’ has arrived. You want to present a diamond ring to vour fiance or that special person in your life. How do you shop for a diamond? No two diamonds are alike - but they all look alike, aside from the obvious differences of shapes and sizes. What do you need to know to make an intelligent choice? How can you get the best value? The list of questions goes on. Should I surprise her or should I ask her first what kind of diamond she wants? How do I know what style suits her best? Although some women do like to be surprised, most have a definite preference for the shape of dia­ mond they like best. Round diamonds are the most popular overall, because their perfectly rounded proportions give the Developing a team approach to money Developing money habits as a team is one of the biggest adjustments you will make as newlyweds. First, decide together how you want to handle your money. Then make setting up your account (s) with a financial institu­ tion a priority. Here are three primary approaches to dealing with funds. One joint checking account With this system, both pay­ checks are deposited into one account and all bills are paid from it. The money becomes more psychologically ‘‘ours” with this setup. Because you both know where you stand as a couple, it’s often easier to be budget con­ scious. In addition, bookkeeping and account costs are at a minimum. On the other hand, some copules may feel restricted with this method because neither has his or her own money. The strictest approach to handling the account is to have only one checkbook; whoever needs it carries it. The other approach is to have two books that draw from the single account. Always having access to the funds is the advantage. The problem is that the left hand doesn’t know what the right is doing, so overspending and over­ drawing are dangers. Reconciling the two books is slightly more trouble. appearance of increased size and brilliance. The slender marquise, however, is fast becoming another favourite. Other young ladies have their hearts set on a pear, an oval, a heart or an emerald shape dia­ mond. Are there any clues as to what diamond shape she may want? If she’s basically a “home­ body”, she may very well prefer a round diamond. Someone who likes keeping up with the latest fashions and enjoys new experi­ ences could easily be the type who longs for a pear shape diamond. The square symmetry of an emerald shape may appeal to her if she’s an organized career person who loves tailored clothes, while the marquise diamond is frequent­ ly the choice of someone who’s an extrovert and always on the go. What is more important, the Two checking accounts Using two personal checking accounts is often a good choice when one of you travels extensively or when you divide up your purchasing duties minutely. Then you both have more financial security when you are not together, and there’s less chance of over­ drawing. If the person travelling pays business expenses out of one accou nt, it simplifies bookkeeping. Depending on your circumstan­ ces, you might put separate pay into separate accounts, split the combined income between the accounts, or divide the money to reflect which bills come out of which account. One joint, two personal accounts If you prefer handling your own money, this approach may be a good choice. Put the majority of your funds in a joint account from which you pay daiiy living expenses. The remain­ der is divided between two person­ al accounts. The positive side is that you have your own money to control, as well as joint funds. There are a few flaws: If you are not careful about saving, thissystemmakesiteasyto cut into your joint goals because you’re feeding the two separate accounts. Handling three accounts will cost you extra in account charges and bookkeeping time. diamond or the setting? According to recent research findings approximately 60 per cent of the first time brides in Canada chose a diamond solitaire. Aesthe­ tically and practically the diamond is most important. A diamond’s beauty and brilli­ ance will never diminish. In addition, it will maintain and increase in value over the years. But, above all, an engagement diamond symbolizes love, belief in each other, and the life two people will share. Should I ask herto come with me when I pick the ring out? If you decide not to surprise her, the two of you should discuss looking at rings together for she may have strong feelings about how the ring looks on her hand. It might be a good idea to visit the jeweller, or jewellers, alone first, to get an idea of how much you want to spend and to make a few initial selections for her to consider. Do I tell the jeweller how much I want to spend? It’s a good idea to look over several styles and prices before you arrive at a definite conclusion as to what you want to spend. The Diamond Information Centre re­ commends that prospective pur­ chasers use two months salary as a spending guideline and choose the finest quality in thatbracket. There is an enormous variety in the range of diamond qualities and prices. Who do I go to? How do I find a good jeweller? Check first with people you know who have patronized a jeweller. An established jeweller prizes his good reputation. He stocks dia­ monds of representative qualities and he prices them fairly, because he wants to keep on selling them to satisfied customers. There are diamonds of all sizes and prices, and you can discuss them quite frankly with your jeweller. Don’tbeembarassed, because he knows you are making one of your most important purchases. Find someone who understands what you are looking for and who can answer all your questions. It does take an expert to identify and evaluate the factors contributing to the beauty of a diamond. How do I know if it is a perfect diamond? Because nature is rarely perfect, most diamonds contain tiny birth­ marks or “inclusions’’ - small, black dots, tiny white lines or “feathers” included by nature in theprocessofcrystallization. A flawless diamond is one in which no imperfections are visible to a trained eye when the stone is magnified lOtimes. Flawless gems are few in number and they command high prices. A diamond will always be very For 'Your Special Gatherings! Let Brussels EMA prepare your meat trays, cheese trays & salad trays for your wedding, banquet, anniver­ sary or dance. Large or small, we’re the place to call Great for Stag & Does too! BRUSSELS 887-9740 beautiful, evenifit does have flaws that cannot be seen by the naked eye. In a sense, the inclusions in a diamond are its fingerprints, because their number, type and location are almost never duplicat­ ed in another diamond. Your jeweller will show you any imperfections within a diamond, and he will explain their effect on the behaviour of the light that passes through it. What about a guarantee or an appraisal? Many Jewellers do have guaran­ tees and they will give you a refund for the amount paid, should you want to return the diamond or make an exchange later on. The most important thing to remember is to give her a diamond she'll be happiest with. You’ll be sharing it for a lifetime with someone you love.