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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 1997-02-05, Page 15i ’/nr p<i:j ,{j /‘U -!• < . A<’ THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5,1997 PAGE 15. Diamonds a matter of taste Whether the traditional round brilliants or exquisite marquise, the selection of the perfect diamond is one of the first considerations for a couple planning to many. The diamond engagement ring, the eternal sign of connection, of belonging with another person, should reflect both the wishes of the bride-to-be and yet allow the groom to impress his intended. "Unlike what some may suspect, the bride often chooses a smaller diamond with the groom opting for the larger carats," said Ed Foie of Wholesale Jewellers Plus in Goderich. "Men don't mind spending $2,000 to $3,000 on a ring if they see the value in the investment. They love the women and want to impress them." As for how much to spend on a diamond and what to look for when selecting one, all jewellers inter­ viewed said it is important to deal with someone you know and trust. "Don’t be afraid to ask a lot of questions," said David Hicks of Gemini Jewellers in Listowel. "Doing a little pre-shopping research can also help," he said, "to leam about cut, quality and clarity." "And definitely shop around, Comparison shopping is one of the wisest things a couple can do. However, they must be sure they are comparing apples to apples. Don't just look al the price, but at the quality of the ring." Foie told of a woman who had purchased a ring, at a very good price, while on vacation in the south. Soon after, three diamonds were lost and considerable repair was required. "A good quality ring could have been purchased for approximately the same price as the original plus all the repairs," he said. The cutting quality of the gem is very important, said Dave Anstett of Anstett Jewellers, Clinton. "If the diamond is not cut properly it won't have the sparkle." It is suggested the couple spend time with the jeweller, looking at the differing qualities of diamonds and understanding the differences before making a selection. As a gemologist, Anstett said he spends time in Antwerp, Holland, selecting the diamond from the cut­ ter, then is able to demonstrate the quality to the client by detailed inspection under a microscope. Once the quality issue has been Decorate with flair Continued from page 14 both Wheeler and Papple stress the importance of giving consideration to where the reception will be held. "The decorations need to suit the hall," says Wheeler. "A small place can look cluttered very quickly." "The hall is a big factor," agrees Papple. "A lot of your choices should depend on the height of the ceilings and the room temperature." The ideal decorations can be worked within a reasonable budget, Wheeler says, anywhere between $300 to $900 is average, depending on what a person wants. And the freedom of setting the stage for the biggest day in your life, without the pressure of putting it all together, most newlyweds would agree is worth every penny spent. "People expect to spend money for a wedding. They wil' spend thousands on a wedding dress, so they don't want to walk into an undccoratcd hall. A decorat­ ed hall just makes the day that much more festive." determined, what do couples con­ sider next? The most apparent difference is the shape. The round brilliant has been a traditional favourite, but in recent months, local jewellers are seeing a trend to the fancy shapes such as marquise, pear, oval, emer­ ald and starburst. "Even younger couples are look­ ing for larger, fancy-cut stones," said Hicks. "The average size is 1/4 to 1/2 carat." Anstett said he has seen an increased interest in oval and pear shapes, though the rounds are still the most popular. Couples may select from stan­ dard rings which are manufactured or choose a unique piece designed in shops such as Anstctt's. "We stock a variety of settings and create unique products. We don't repeat the same design. Alter­ ations and custom designs are also done in-store." Along with an increase in the size of diamonds couples are selecting, the price range is also moving upward. Hicks has seen the average price rise from $1,000 to $1,500 while Foie said clients arc looking in the $1,500 to $2,000 range or $3,000 to $5,000. "It doesn't seem to matter the age of the pair," he said, "as younger ones are spending more money as well." "The purchase should look nice and show nicely, but it doesn't need to break the bank. The couple needs to be happy with what they can afford and retailers should help them with common sense." Foie has noticed that older cou­ ples, often on a second marriage, lend more to the larger stones. "They have friends who have been married 10, 15 or 20 years with the husbands buying large anniversary rings. The new groom feels his wife should have a ring of the same size." When shopping for that major purchase of a diamond engagement ring, the consensus is that trust in the firm with which one is dealing is the most important factor. "The client must have confidence in the integrity of the company," said Anstett. CELEBRATE WITH BUD GOWAN FORMAL WEAR AND RECEIVE YOUR GROOM’S TUXEDO RENTAL FREE* * Please call us for details BUD GOWAN FORMAL WEAR RENTALS AND SALES HEAD OFFICE & SHOWROOM Downtown London 184 York Street N6A 1B5 (519) 672-6210 Fax: (519) 672-5713 Opposite CN/VIA Station WHITE OAKS LOCATION White Oaks Mall 1105 Wellington Rd. S. 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