The 4 “Cs” of Diamond Rings
Photography by Fred Elcheshen
Engagement Ring by Bijou Design & Creation
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
If you are shopping for an engagement or an anniversary ring, you need to familiarize yourself with the elements of diamond quality before you get to the buying stage. Invented by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), the diamond grading system is commonly known as the “4 Cs” – carat, clarity, colour and cut.
Carat
Carat weight measures a diamond’s size. Each carat is equal to 100 points. Thus, a .75-carat diamond is the same as a 75-point stone or a 3/4-carat diamond. The larger a diamond, the rarer it is. Not only are larger diamonds found infrequently in nature, but they also show off the stone’s colour and cut to their best advantage.
Clarity
The purer a diamond, the more brilliant it is. A diamond’s clarity is judged by the number, colour, type, size and position of inclusions, i.e., “nature’s birthmarks” it contains. The fewer inclusions – the more valuable it is.
Colour
The purer the colour of a diamond, the rarer it is. Truly colourless diamonds are the most valuable, while those with subtle yellow or brown tones – as determined by a grading system – are less so. Comparing stones side by side is the best way to see the colour of each stone.
Cut
Cut alone is the single most important factor in determining the fire and brilliance of a diamond. While nature is responsible for the other three Cs, it is the cut of a stone that releases its sparkle and beauty.
There are several different shapes of cut diamonds. Marquis cuts are no longer popular. Today, Princess, Round, Oval, and Emerald diamond rings are chosen by many couples. The current trend is a ring with a center stone and side diamonds. As for settings, the prong setting is still the first choice for most buyers, but the bezel setting is also popular. The hot metal for diamond rings is still platinum. Although it’s pricier, it’s also heavier, hypoallergenic, and will never tarnish.
The following is the G.I.A. grading system standard for diamond colour:
Grade D, E, F: Colourless - This diamond colour is the finest and rarest.
Grade G, H, I, J: Near Colourless – Known also as White, experts sometimes find them hard to distinguish from Colourless when they’re set and offer excellent value.
Grade K, L, M: Faint Yellow - Referred to as Top Silver, these diamonds have a yellow tinge and are more common.
Grade M, N, O, P, Q, R: Very Light Yellow -- The yellow tint is easily noticeable.
Grade S-Z: Light Yellow - Even though you may not be able to see the almost imperceptible letter grade distinctions between colourless and near colourless, buying a diamond with G.I.A. Certification, will guarantee its quality.
Formal Wear Trends for Guys
Pin stripes and two-toned tuxedos are in, cumberbands are out and bow ties are making a comeback in groom and groomsman wedding attire.
“Traditionally, there are three types of lapels – peak, notch or shawl – for weddings suits,” says Bong Dela Cruz. “Designers are trying to improve on those styles.”
Ray Lozano notes that the look in pants and dress shirts is non-pleated with dress shirts having either wing or lay down collars.
Brighter colours are also in – particularly burgundy, lilac and purple. “Where colour is concerned the groomsmen are becoming better co-ordinated with the bridesmaids,” Lozano says.
Dela Cruz notes that most grooms still rent their tuxedos. “I will never understand why brides buy their wedding dresses but grooms only rent their tuxedos,” he says.
Text by Myron Love
Photography by Fred Elcheshen
2009 Wedding Gowns: Hot Trends from the Runway
1. Short Gowns give brides the chance to show off their legs
2. The Grecian Goddess style is not only classic, but very flattering
3. A Slim Silhouette allows for an elegant and dramatic entrance
4. Floral Embroidery adds a romantic and whimsical touch
5. For added dramatic flair, get Black Accessories & Flowers
6. Hollywood Glamour dresses bring back the screen sirens
Text By Stephanie Dickison 2008.
Raw/Uncut Diamond Wedding Rings… A Trendy Alternative
Rough gemstones have a primordial quality that their multi faceted counterparts have lost. Raw/uncut diamonds offer an unrefined elegance and a more natural, earthy look that is beginning to emerge in all aspects of popular culture.
No longer available just through specialty houses, these unpolished diamond rings are now available at upscale retailers. Often more affordable than their highly polished cousins, a raw/uncut diamond wedding ring creates great interest and is definitely a conversation starter.
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
Wedding Gown Designs
Bridal Gowns used to conjure up visions of shiny white dresses that looked hypnotically similar. But that has changed. 2008 weddings are filled with gowns that are more high fashion and less off-the-rack ordinary. Designers are now creating gowns with pleats and ruffles. You are also seeing off-the shoulder dresses. Even pastels are shown on the runway.
So what’s driving this change? Today’s brides want to look sophisticated…sexy. That’s why strapless gowns are so popular. They show off shoulders and decollete, tastefully. Whether it’s a sweetheart, straight or curved neckline, a strapless dress is glamorous, elegant, and sexy. The classic halter neckline has also become trendy. And the bateau, a boat-shaped neckline that draws the attention away from the bust and toward the neck and collarbone, is very popular.
Designers and wedding gown experts agree neckline selection should be considered first, to frame your beautiful face. After the neckline, look at the shape of the dress. A hot trend in bridal wear for 2008 is the “Mermaid”, a fitting design that hugs the bodice, hips, thighs and flares out dramatically at the knees, giving a silhouette that shows off an hourglass figure.
This spring, other popular shapes include the “A-line”, or the “Princess”, a dress that’s fitted around the bust and flows outward in a subtle A shape. Making a huge impact are “Empire” dresses which feature a waistline that’s positioned just beneath the bust and is figure flattering for many body types. Whatever shape you select, know that the dress silhouette is likely to set the overall tone of your wedding.
This season, designers continue to introduce splashes of color on white and ivory wedding gowns. The color trend certainly didn’t happen overnight and has definitely been gaining momentum the last few years. Now, even more brides are opting for a color accent to customize their look. One of the most popular accent colors is claret red, followed by black and navy blue. Gold, matched to an ivory gown, is also popular. Ultimately, whatever bridal gown style you select from the spectrum, rest assured you’ll look fabulous!
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
Shoe Fashions
Current wedding dress trends show brides opting for sexier plunging necklines strapless styles and even shorter, tea length styles. So what kind of shoes should you look for, especially if you’ve decided to push the envelope of traditional wedding dress conventions? Well, there are different modes of thinking apropos foot apparel.
For diminutive brides a tea length dress is much better than the traditional long wedding dress. If your short dress profile falls at the busy end of the spectrum and your shoes are completely visible, then select simple, elegant foot apparel to balance the look. Choose shoes without ankle straps as that line across your foot will make your legs appear shorter. Opt for simple sling back heels which are minimalist in nature, but deliver a real design punch and height.
If you have decided to wear a traditional long dress that’ll cover your shoes completely, so no one will see them during the ceremony, you might just want to pick shoes that make you feel great (both physically and emotionally)…especially if you plan to keep them on throughout the reception. Just picture the looks when your fantasy shoes peek out from under the hem of your traditional white dress as you walk down the aisle.
With the trend away from pure white dresses, designers have been creating more and more dual and even tri-color gowns. With this color trend in wedding gowns, opt for shoes that match the accent color on your dress.
There are other factors to consider when selecting wedding shoes — heel height, toe style and of course, the comfort level. As a bride, if you feel you’ve got enough to worry about without trying to find shoes that match your dress exactly, you can always choose clear wedding shoes, which have become increasingly popular. Many clear wedding shoes are decorated with dainty rhinestone detailing, with nearly invisible vinyl bands across the top of your foot for structure and support.
All in all, wedding shoes are not typically at the top of a bride’s shopping list, probably because they are among the least noticed accessory. But foot apparel is one of the most important parts of your bridal attire. From a comfort perspective, they’re definitely the most important detail that needs to be addressed.
Text by Norma-Jean Alt
Latest Wedding Gowns
So you have a ring and a date. Now what? It’s time to get to work! You need to decide many things. Do you want a theme wedding, modern, or traditional setting? How many attendants do you want, and which niece and nephew are going to be your “mini bride and groom”, I mean flower girl and ring bearer. The list continues…favors, church, pictures and/or videographer, flowers, music, caterer, cake and topper, vehicle rental, wedding night hotel and honeymoon destination, invites and finally decorations. For the bride there is one more BIG decision left… Her dress!
Most little girls dream of being the princess for a day, and their wedding day is her “princess day”. According to a t-shirt I saw on a wedding website, the wedding day is “All about ME!”
The Dress
Before you start looking for the “perfect dress”, you need to decide on whether you are having a themed, traditional, modern wedding or a destination wedding. Will it be day or night, indoors or out? A theme wedding with traditional wedding dress just won’t work. Do you want the ball gown style, mermaid style, three-quarter-length dress or destination style? Destination attire appears to be simpler, less fussy, and easier to pack for your wedding in the tropics (or Las Vegas). What type of train? Do you want chapel length that goes just past the floor or Cathedral length that is two feet longer than the chapel length?
As a girl, I often dreamed about my dress. From looking at the gowns in a recent bridal magazine and on bridal websites, dresses have changed considerably since my younger girl dreams. Many of the dresses I saw were strapless or at least sleeveless. The designers have started adding color to the dresses. They have red or pink sashes to match bridesmaid/matron dresses.
Another decision for brides, do you want an “off the rack” dress, or one made especially for you by a seamstress. When you get a dress made just for you, there will be no dress like yours, but it also means more decisions. Do you want Chiffon, Taffeta, Silk, or Matte Satin? I had my wedding dress made by a very experienced and talented seamstress from Alberta, and although it may have been a little more expensive than some of the ready-made dresses, it was a dress made in love, just for me, and I helped to style it and pick out all the laces.
It is suggested that you order your dress 6 to 9 months before the wedding. Schedule fittings to make sure that your dress will have necessary alterations. It is a good plan to have the initial fitting done 2 months before the wedding day and have a final dress fitting a month before and make sure to bring all your accessories including shoes. Make sure you arrange to have your dress picked up a week before the wedding.
Now that you have the dress decided on, it’s time to pick your jewelry. Depending on the elegance of the dress, or the theme of the wedding, jewelry needs to compliment what you choose. With the “total princess picture” in mind, choose the perfect headpiece. A lot of brides have been going with a Tiara style. Do you want to be able to remove the veil so you don’t spend all day sitting on it? What about a fan of pearls to replace the veil after? The final fun decision is the garter. It goes under the dress so the choice is completely for fun.
I know, that it is a lot of decisions to be made for just one day for just one dress, but the memories you have years later are so well worth it. I look back at my wedding pictures from 12 years ago, and am in awe, as I’d love for you to be in awe as you look back years from now.
Text By Sheila Kolesar
