The Power of Platinum
By Linda DiProperzio
Nothing Symbolizes a couple’s
commitment to one another like the wedding band. After all, it is a piece
of jewelry you will be wearing everyday for the rest of your lives. And
when it comes to choosing a style, a growing number of couples are opting
for platinum. In fact, an independent research study found that 76 percent
of brides would only consider platinum for their engagement and wedding
rings. Why is it so popular? “The metal has a cool, elegant quality
and a timeless beauty that appeals to both men and women,” says
Roberta Morton, president of Tiffany, Short Hills (973-467-3600; tiffany.com).
Other reasons it’s fashionable:
It’s Durable The staying power
of platinum is what draws most couples to it, says Michael O’Connor,
a jewelry and style expert and a consultant to the Platinum Guild. “It’s
a dense metal, so it won’t wear down,” he explains. That also
means that any patterns or engravings on the ring will last longer.
It’s Rare Platinum is 30 times
rarer than gold, making it the most precious of all the metals. “The
gift of platinum is special and unique—just what you’d want
on your wedding day,” says David Stone of Fine Jewels in Millburn
(973-912-9640; nancyanddavid.com).
It’s Pure While white gold
is cheaper, it’s not as pure as platinum. “All gold when mined
out of the ground is yellow,” explains O’Connor. “It
is then mixed with other alloys to make it white.” That means that
a white-gold band will always have a tinge of yellow to it, and will even
have to be treated to make sure it doesn’t return to its natural
state.
Showcase Your Stone Platinum’s
natural white luster enhances the sparkle of diamonds and other gemstones.
A white- or yellow-gold ring will cast a yellow color onto the stone,
taking away from the purity and radiance of the diamond (or whatever stone
you choose).
easy to maintain “While both
white gold and platinum scratch, polishing platinum does not remove nearly
as much metal from the ring as gold when bringing it to a high luster,” says
Stone. “Platinum will also retain its luster longer and will not
scratch as easily.” To clean your platinum ring, simply use a mild
soap solution and warm water. Then use a soft cloth for drying.
it’s hypoallergenic Yes, you
read that right. Platinum is naturally hypoallergenic, making it perfect
for people with sensitive skin.
Antique bling 101
Know the difference between an antique and an estate
ring. Here’s the rule: Antique rings are more than 50 years old
(for stricter antique enthusiasts, they must be over 100 years old). Rings
less than 50 years old and purchased used are considered estate rings.
Study up on the eras. For a ring
to be antique, it should originate from the Georgian, Victorian, Art Nouveau,
Edwardian, or Art Deco era. Do some online research to familiarize yourself
with each style, and choose the one that works for you.
Look at the four Cs. Whether you’re
buying old or new, it’s still crucial to pay attention to the four
Cs of ring shopping: clarity, carat, color, and cut. It is the criteria
the pros use to determine the value of a diamond, and it’s foolproof
for non-pros.
Get it appraised. This will ensure
that all of the gems are authentic, and also determine if the ring has
been repaired or if it needs repairs.
Ask for certification. You want
some sort of documentation to show when the ring was authenticated. Ask
the jeweler if there’s a photograph with a hallmark or a written
and signed document as proof that this is indeed an antique.
Buy it in person. Sure, you can
find anything online, but do you really want to make such an important
purchase without seeing and touching the ring itself? Antique rings can
be found in antique stores, estate sales, and even select jewelry stores.
Do some research online, but when it comes down to making the decision,
it’s worth the trip to purchase it in person.
—L.D.
Something borrowed...
By Patricia Koch
You’re renting the venue, the limos, the china…so why not the jewels? For dollar-conscious brides who want to glitter at their wedding, borrowing gorgeous diamond and pearl earrings, necklaces, and bracelets is now an option.
Beginning January 2007, G. Fisher & Son in Wayne (973-237-0411; www.gfisherandson.com) became one of the first New Jersey jewelers to offer this service. As owner Glynis Fisher says, “You wouldn’t carry faux flowers on your wedding day, so why wear faux jewels? Our rental plan allows a bride to dress like a princess in real diamonds and pearls.”
Rental prices start at just $125. Once you get credit approval, you can borrow necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for about 10 percent of their retail prices, plus aninsurance fee under $10. That frees your budget for other wedding expenses, without sacrificing one ounce of glamour.
“You already have the right guy; now get the right jewels,” Fisher advises. “Choose picture-perfect earrings to complement your wedding gown—something elaborate for this day alone—without feeling obligated to wear them for the next 30 years.” She helps you select jewels to suit your gown’s neckline, hairstyle, and personal style. The jewels are yours, from two days before the wedding to two days after.
Is Fisher worried that renting will dissuade customers from buying? “Just the opposite,” she replies. “When a bride falls in love with the earrings she borrowed, her groom often treats her, applying 100 percent of the rental fee toward the purchase.”
But for many, renting simply spoils the romance of the occasion. What do your jewels say about a commitment you’re entering “for keeps,” not just for the day? As Bill Gould, director of marketing for Kwiat explains, “There’s nothing as memorable as receiving a piece of diamond jewelry. At Kwiat, we believe it’s an essential part of your wedding fairytale. Afterward, you’ll have memories, photos, and an exquisite diamond necklace destined to last a lifetime and longer. That’s romance.” Kwiat creates classic diamond jewels sold at Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, and fine jewelry shops throughout New Jersey.
Marsha Watson, vice president of Jewelry at Fortunoff, often helps moms buy brides their first serious piece of jewelry, perhaps a strand of pearls or diamond pendant. “This is one of the most important days of your life,” Watson says. “You want to have something sentimental to treasure and pass down to your daughter someday.”
Watson makes a compelling argument for jewels to have and to hold: “Consider what you’re spending your money on and what you’ll have the day after. The flowers will wilt. Your gown will hang in the closet. But your wedding jewels are yours to wear again and again, reviving fond memories each time.”
New Diamond Cuts
By Sharon Naylor
Diamonds sparkle today more than ever, due to advanced cutting technology and designers’ dreams of creating unique, signature diamonds that capture and reflect light brilliantly in a variety of beautiful shapes. “When a designer takes a traditional diamond, such as a standard 58-facet round, and cuts it to produce 130 facets, it becomes a branded diamond,” says Reed Brown, district manager for Ross-Simons jewelers at the Mall at Short Hills. “We’re seeing more demand for these signature diamonds, especially Asscher and cushion-cut diamonds—ideal-cut diamonds that have perfect proportion and perfect symmetry, reflecting a lot of light.” In diamond lingo, brilliance is the amount of sparkling white light a diamond reflects, and fire is when the diamond reflects colors. “Rounds are still a top choice, as are radiants and princess cuts,” says Brown. Here are some of the newest creations:
- Tiffany & Co.’s exclusive Lucida diamond is named for the astronomy term meaning “the brightest star in a constellation,” and Tiffany calls this their modern classic. Its unique blend of round, Asscher, and cushion-cut angles presents it as a rounded square, and it is the 50 facets, high crown, and angles of the cut that give this stone a tremendous degree of sparkle. For a more traditional round diamond, the Etoile collection features solitaires and multi-stone settings.
- Vera Wang (www.verawang.com) creates sparkle with her new signature Feather Round diamond solitaire, a large round with an intricate stone design, as well as her large princess-cut diamond with micro pavé stones in the band. She also offers a fan emerald-cut diamond solitaire with baguettes, along with her Candy Collection rings in garnet, pink tourmaline, rose quartz, and lavender quartz.
- The Escada cut (www.escada.com) shows how unique geometric shapes have transformed the cut of a brilliant round diamond. These 97-facet stones provide a sleek variation to the traditional round.
- Lili Diamonds’ Lily cut (www.lili-diamonds.com) shows a flower design with four rounded flower petals, with 65 facets in a princess cut. Their Crisscut features 77 facets (as compared to a traditional emerald cut’s 44) forming a crisscross pattern across the length of the stone. This cut is also available in a cushion cut, with triangular facets added to the depth of the stone. Their Caressa cut comes in a hexagonal shape with 59 facets and is known as their fun, retro stone, while their Orchidea cut resembles an orchid.
- Cushette (www.cushette.com) offers a variation on the cushion-cut diamond—the 77-facet Cushette, a pillow-shaped diamond that reflects more light at the corners than a traditional princess or cushion-cut diamond.
- H. Stern’s Stern Star (www.hstern.net) presents a star-shaped design with round brilliant diamond cuts, with 20 internal facets and a wider table surface to reflect more light.
- Benjamin Mor (www.lussori.com) features geometric diamonds, such as trapezoids, as unique side stones to traditional round brilliant, princess cut, or other center stones.
- The Blue Nile Signature Collection (www.bluenile.com) features diamonds cut to a high degree of pristine brilliance. Their princess cut has a higher crown, more exact symmetry of design, and polish for extra brilliance. Their round elevates the hearts and arrows cut of diamonds, where a pattern of hearts can be seen when you look from the bottom and a pattern of arrows can be seen when you look from the top. Their emerald cut features a higher crown and pavilion facets to maximize brilliance. And their Asscher cut shows wider corners to capture light from all angles.
- The Hearts on Fire Diamond has long been a presence in wedding stones, as they create the world’s most perfect diamond cut (www.heartsonfire.com). Now they offer the Dream diamond, a four-sided square stone.
Also hot right now are web-cut diamonds (a favorite of celebrities), as well as rose cuts, trillions, cushion cuts, half moons, spring cuts (a mix of emerald and radiant cuts), the Star Cut (with 86 facets and phenomenal brilliance), the Barocut—also called the Two Heart Diamond (www.baroka.com)— and heart-shaped cuts. See all of these shapes and styles at the Fancy Cuts section of www.diamondarticles.com. For more on diamonds, visit the Gemological Institute of America, www.gia.edu.