The Huron Expositor, 1994-02-23, Page 52PAGE 14D -Wednesday, February 23, 1994
Buying a diamond engagement ring
The diamond
engagement ring has been a
symbol of love and romance
since 1477 when Archduke
Maximilian of Austria gave Mary
of Burgundy a gold ring set with
a diamond as a token of his
love.
Today, the tradition of
the diamond engagement ring
continues. According to a new
consumer survey, 70 percent of
all brides-to-be receive one.
A diamond is an
expression of individuality. Just
as love is unique, no two
diamonds are alike. Each
diamond has its own personality
and sparkle.
Therefore, when
purchasing a diamond
engagement ring, it is important
,P. to become an informed
consumer.
A little knowledge can
go a long way to help unearth
the best quality diamond within
a budget. Understanding
diamonds requires knowledge of
the four C's: cut, color, clarity
and carat -weight. These four
variables are key to answering
the elusive question as to why
two diamonds of equal size may
not be of equal value.
Cut — Although diamonds can
be cut in several shapes, such as
oval, marquise, pear or round, it
is the quality of the cut which
gives the stone its brilliant
sparkle. Light is reflected best
when all of the facets are
perfectly proportioned.
Color — The best color is no
color. Absolutely colorless
diamonds are very rare.
Clarity — The term clarity
refers to a diamond's lack of
naturally occurring inclusions,
often called "nature's
fingerprints," most of which are
not visible to the naked eye. The
fewer the inclusions, the more
valuable the diamond.
Carat -weight — Carat refers
to the weight of the stone.
There are 100 points in a carat,
therefore, a diamond of 50
points weighs one-half of a carat
and a diamond of 200 points
weighs two carats.
These elements will
determine the cost of a
diamond. For those who are
unsure about what to spend on a
diamond engagement ring,
many jewellers suggest two
months' salary as an appropriate
guideline.
To find out how to get a
quality diamond, consumers
should visit a reputable jeweller
whom they know and trust. The
diamond engagement ring is a
symbol of a couple's future, and
like love, can grow more
precious with time.
Traditionally .. .
Following another
tradition from the Victorian era,
hide a message in your bridal
bouquet or table decorations.
Use flowers whose initial letters
spell out the name of your
groom.
Carry a small, silver
Tussie-Mussie of mixed tiny
blossoms, wrapped with ribbon
streamers to create an old-
fashioned, charming look.
Combine the past and the
present for your wedding
The modem bride
chooses to combine the
romantic customs of the past
with today's current trends.
Too often, though,
traditions are not known or
understood.
Here are three popular
Victorian traditions, certain to
add romance and charm to your
wedding day:
A delightful custom just for
your bridesmaids and widely
followed in the traditional
wedding is the custom of Ribbon
Pulling.
The bride acquires a set
of six special, sterling silver
charms: a ring, a flower, a heart,
a clover, an anchor and a
rocking horse.
A thin, flowing ribbon is
then tied to each charm, as each
is hidden in the wedding cake's
outside edge of frosting.
Just before the bride
cuts her cake, each bridesmaid
"pulls" a ribbon, selecting a
charm and her fortune!
The ring foretells the
next to marry; the rocking
horse, who will have a happy
home.
The anchor symbolizes
a future of adventure; the heart,
true love forthcoming; and the
clover, good luck. The glower
signals the blossoming of new
love.
Presentation of each
charm in special jewelry boxes is
an accepted variation of this
tradition.
'W The next tradition is perhaps
the most widely followed nuptial
custom, but the least
>;erstood',-
Each line of the
commonly known wedding
poem, "Something Old,
Something New, Something
Borrowed, Something Blue, and
a Lucky Sixpence for Your
Shoe," has unique significance
to the wedding.
"Something Old" and
"Borrowed" are items usually
given to the bride by a loved one
to bring happiness to the new
marriage.
"Something New,"
often the gown, represents the
See THE, Page 16D
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