Kirsten Jacobs, Author at Wedding ETC

In Advice

Fit for royalty: Princess-cut diamonds

August 17, 2020 No Comments

Get your fairytale ending with a princess-cut engagement ring. This cut is incredibly popular, and graces the ring fingers of celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski, Cameron Diaz and Kate Bosworth.

The princess-cut is the most popular of the fancy cut diamond shapes, according to Shimansky. It is a timeless shape, with a geometric silhouette that makes the stone appear brighter and whiter.

If you’d like to join the ranks of the rich and famous, here’s what you need to know about the princess-cut.

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The shape:

A princess-cut diamond has a square-shaped stone with pointed corners, and can have up to 78 facets. From the side, it appears as if the stone is the shape of an inverted pyramid. This cut offers stunning sparkle thanks to its high levels of brilliance and fire.

About 80% of a rough stone’s radiance is retained when cutting a princess shape, compared to the 50% of a round brilliant shape. This makes a princess cut the more economical choice as well.

This cut requires master craftmanship. In the wrong hands, the stone’s delicate and intricate facets can appear chunky. It must have a deep cut, a relatively slim girdle and pointed corners. V-shaped prongs hold the body of the stone securely in place while also protecting the corners.

“The square shape of this cut is associated with the personality traits of independence, audacity and confidence. Thanks to its beauty, brilliance and striking appearance, it’s not difficult to understand why the princess cut diamond has become such a popular cut among modern-day brides,” says Shimansky.

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The origin:

This shape is one of the newer cuts on the market, and has had multiple precursors. It is believed its origins began back in the 1960s when diamond cutter Arpad Nagy created the ‘profile’ cut in 1961. This cut has 58 facets and was designed to allow less of the rough stone to be lost in the cutting process.

South African designer Basil Watermeyer then introduced the Barion cut in the 1970s, which was a stunning cut with 81 hard to replicate facets. Israeli diamond duo Betazel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz followed up by creating the ‘quadrillion’ cut, which is the closest to the modern princess cut as we know it.

How it got its current name is not definite, but jewellers suspect it is because of its radiant sparkle that makes the stone appear fit for royalty.

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What to consider:

If you’re on the market for a princess-cut ring, there are a few things to keep in mind. Generally, this cut is priced lower per carat because more of the rough stone is saved during the cutting process. Due to their multiple facets, incusions or natural imperfections are hidden quite well in the stone.

However, because most of the weight is on the underside of the diamond or the pavilion, this cut may make the stone appear smaller than another diamond with the same carat weight.

As such, you get higher brilliance on this cut but may sacrifice size. Each customer must decide for themselves what they care about more.

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Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Siya and Rachel Kolisi celebrate four years of marriage

August 17, 2020 No Comments

It’s been four years since Siya and Rachel Kolisi said ‘I do’. The beloved South African couple took to Instagram to share the love on their big day.

To honour the occasion, Siya shared a series of snaps of the pair. “Happy Anniversary babe @rachel_kolisi ❤️ I can’t imagine my world without you!” Siya captioned the slideshow.

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Rachel got a bit cheeky with her post, writing, “Happy anniversary @siya_kolisi_the_bear !
First 3 years brought up all our beautiful wedding pictures or videos. And DEEEEP captions. From this year going forward feels like a great opportunity for pay back.”

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Siya and Rachel met at a dinner party in Stellenbosch back in 2012. They soon became friends, but Siya always liked Rachel. He eventually plucked up the nerve to ask her out, an experience he has described as scary.

“I knew I liked her and had to tell her,” he wrote on their wedding website. “It was scary. I asked her to lunch and that’s when I told her. She played hard to get in the beginning, but eventually admitted it as well. The rest is history. We have a beautiful family and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with her.”

The couple became engaged whilst sky high. Siya popped the question during a helicopter ride over Cape Town.

They married on August 13, 2016 with a beautiful ceremony in Franschhoek that had many South African athletes and other notable attendees present, such as Aisha Baker. Top Billing was on hand to capture their journey to the aisle.

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Together, they share a big, blended family. They have two children together, son Nicholas Siyamthanda (5) and daughter Keziah (3). They have also adopted Siya’s younger half-siblings Liyema and Liphelo.

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Also read: Siya and Rachel Kolisi’s love story

Feature image: Instagram

In Celebs

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi celebrate 12-year anniversary

August 17, 2020 No Comments

Congratulations are in order for Ellen DeGeneres and Portia De Rossi, who recently celebrated 12 years of marriage.

DeGeneres and De Rossi married on August 16, 2008 soon after same-sex marriage was legalised in California. They said ‘I do’ at their Los Angeles home with only 19 guests present. Both brides wore Zac Posen outfits for the big day.

Late philosopher and self-help guru Wayne Dyer officiated the ceremony.

“Today we have taken a giant step forward toward the ideal that all of us, with no exceptions, are not only created equal, but we each have the unalienable right to pursue our own happiness,” he said during the ceremony.

“I have often said that true nobility is not about being better than anyone else, it’s about being better than you used to be. With your exchange of vows today, you symbolize for many who have gone before you, who were forced to live their lives in quiet desperation, lurking in the shadows, that we as a people, are truly becoming better than we used to be.”

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The pair met at a party back in 2000, and De Rossi told Oprah she fell in love instantaneously. However, at the time she had not come out as a gay woman, so she could not express her feelings. In 2004, they reconnected at VH1’s Big in ’04 Awards.

They went public as a couple in 2005 at the HBO Golden Globe Awards After Party. They soon moved in together.

Speaking to People Magazine, De Rossi said: “It’s the first time that I’ve known in every cell of my being that I’m with somebody for the rest of my life.”

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Over a decade later and the couple still seem as loved up as ever. They did not post any honororary social media posts to celebrate their anniversary, presumably because of the ongoing internal investigation at DeGeneres’s show following allegations of a toxic work environment. De Rossi has come out to say that she stands by her wife.

Feature image: Instagram / Portia De Rossi

In Emotional

Holocaust survivors celebrate 70th wedding anniversary

August 14, 2020 No Comments

Kurt and Edith Leuchter from the Sun Valley East community in southern Palm Beach County have reached a significant milestone in their relationship. This unique couple survived the holocaust, and have been married for 70 years.

Their story is one of love in the face of resistance. After overcoming one of the worst human atrocities, they built a long-lasting love and happy family.

“We’re Holocaust survivors, I fought in the French Resistance,” Kurt Leuchter told Fox 29.

Kurt was born in Austria and Edith in Germany. They met in 1943 at an orphanage in France after their families were sent to concentration camps.

“I liked her very much, and after six months, we all got separated and had to go into hiding because the Nazis came looking for us,” says Kurt.

After surviving the holocaust, they both seperately moved to America to start a new life. It was in New York in 1947 that they were reunited, as if by fate. Kurt had been speaking with a friend when Edith showed up behind him, tapped him on the shoulder and asked him for his phone number.

They soon fell in love, and tied the knot on August 13, 1950. Over the course of their 70-year marriage they have welcomed two daughters and four grandchildren. They both agree that the secret to a long-lasting marriage is compromise.

Neighbours made signs and held balloons to honour the couple on their special day, according to Fox 29.

Feature image: Unsplash

In Celebs

Kevin and Eniko Hart celebrate four-year wedding anniversary

August 14, 2020 No Comments

It’s been four years since funnyman Kevin Hart and model Eniko Parrish said ‘I do’. A pregnant Eniko took to social media to write a sweet message of devotion to her husband.

“HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MY LOVE ? Here’s to US! to our love, our adventures, our hearts, and our forever. 8.13.16,” she wrote on Instagram, along with an image of the two on honeymoon in St. Barths.

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Kevin and Eniko met in 2009. While little is known about the early days of their relationship, we do know that they made their first public appearance as a couple in 2011 after Kevin’s divorce to first wife Torrei Hart was finalised.

On August 9, 2014 (Eniko’s birthday) Kevin popped the question and, of couse, Eniko said yes.

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They married on August 13, 2016 in a lavish ceremony in Santa Barbara, California. Eniko wore two custom Vera Wang bridal gowns for their big day. Kevin’s son Hendrix acted as his best man, and daughter Heaven was also in the bridal party.

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Despite infidelity on Kevin’s side, the couple have maintained a united front. In November 2017, they welcomed their first child together, Kenzo, and in 2020 they announced they are expecting their second child together.

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Feature image: Instagram / Eniko Hart

In Engagements

I’ve got you under my skin: Engagement ring piercings

August 13, 2020 No Comments

An engagement ring is so expected. Why not show off your love in a more permanent and unique way? This is the exact thought process behind the engagement ring piercing trend.

An engagement ring piercing is literally what it sounds like. Instead of a ring, the diamond or whatever gemstone you desire is embedded into the skin of the ring finger.

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It’s the same process as getting a dermal piercing, which is any single-entry piercing on a flat surface of your body like the collarbone, neck, cheeks or back.

Using a dermal punch, the piercing professional creates a hole in the epidermis of the finger then inserts an anchor into the skin layer below the dermis. The jewelled top, typicaly a diamond or gemstone, is fitted into the anchor.

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Like any other piercing, this one will come with some pain, the level will depend on your own pain tolerance. However, it shouldn’t hurt more than a piercing on any other part of the body. It takes several months to heal, during which you may experience some fluid secretions.

Tattoers do warn that this piercing comes with a high risk. Besides the risk of infection, the finger is a high traffic area as you use your hands a lot throughout the day. Constant friction against the piercing will irritate it.

Because a dermal piercing has a single entry point, meaning the piercing enters and exits from the same hole, the rejection rate is quite high, which can lead to bad scarring.

The actual process of getting the piercing is also quite risky, because the finger has so many muscles and nerves. If the piercing is in the dermis then it should not be an issue but any deeper and you run the risk of affecting vital structures in the finger. Considering fingers have little fat underneath the skin, the piercing may hit muscle or bone, which can result in nerve damage.

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If you do decide to go through with this piercing, there is a lot of aftercare. It is important to keep the finger covered as it heels to avoid it getting caught in anything. Piercers recommend twice-daily soaks in warm water and sea salt or warm water and vinegar. You can also use an antiseptic to wipe away any crusty secretions.

Feature image: Pinterest

In Decor

Pretty in pastel wedding decor

August 13, 2020 No Comments

Pastel shades like baby blue, lavender and mint are often associated with spring, so why not embrace the season by incorporating these shades into your big day? These colours can come in a number of ways, from your wedding furniture to your centrepeices and backdrops.

Juxtaposing soft pastel shades with more modern design creates a wonderful contrast. It especially works well with abstract detail, which can add a more artistic flair to your big day. Or, you could lean in to the vibe and use vintage-inspired pieces for a more whimsical look. It all depends on the overall aesthetic you desire.

Pastel does not have to be childish. It’s all about how you use the colours. Here are some unique ideas to inspire you:

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Feature image: Pixabay

In Celebs

Arsenal star Bernd Leno marries girlfriend Sophie Christin

August 13, 2020 No Comments

Lockdown won’t stop love. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, Arsenal star Bernd Leno was committed to marrying long-term girlfriend Sophie Christin.

The pair, who have been together for 5 years, tied the knot in Sophie’s hometown of Dusseldorf, Germany. They had a simple civil ceremony and can be seen grinning from ear to ear in their wedding photos.

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Many of their famous friends took to social media to congratulate the pair, including fellow Arsenal sportstar Rob Holding. Other Bundesliga stars like Julian Brandt, Kevin Volland and Omer Toprak also sent their well wishes for the couple.

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The German shot-stopper and Instagram influencer Christin began dating in 2015. They got engaged in June 2019.

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Feature image: Instagram/Bernd Leno

In Engagements

Engagement ring accidentally thrown overboard during proposal

August 13, 2020 No Comments

A proposal is a special moment that you want to be absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, not everything always goes to plan. This man learned it the hard way when he went down on one knee recently.

Miles Sueharto popped the question to girlfriend Angelina Zalesova. He decided to do it in style by renting a boat off the Sarasota coast in Florida.

With the stunning sunset as a backdrop, it seemed like the perfect time for Sueharto to go down on one knee.

As the proposal continues, he turns to his friend to ask him to pass the ring. The friend then throws him the box so high that Sueharto fails to catch it, which causes the ring to fall in the ocean.

Luckily, another friend quickly jumps into the water to retrieve the ring, and the proposal continues. After all that, of course, she said yes.

Watch the memorable moment here:

When the video was first posted, many were wondering if it was staged. In an interview with ABC 7 News, Sueharto revealed he had planned the whole thing with his friend, but his girlfriend was completely in the dark about it. The box that ended up in the water was actually empty, and the ring was safe inside his best friend’s pocket the entire time.

Feature image: screenshot from video

In uncategorized

Giving face: What your watch style says about you

August 12, 2020 No Comments

Time is time, no matter what. A minute is still 60 seconds and a day 24 hours. While this is a given, the act of time-telling is much greater than a quick glance at a dial. A watch is more than just an accessory. This functional and fashional item speaks of its wearer and how they’d like the world to see them.

Finding your perfect watch is much like finding your perfect partner: it takes time. You might have to try on different types and many won’t fit or feel right to you.

To help your wrist pick its perfect companion, we’ve made things a little easier. There are four four key watch aesthetics, each one with its own story to tell. We’ve paired up these personalities with our favourite Rosefield watches to bring this romance to life.

The Classic:

Classics are classics for a reason: this timeless style defies the ages. The classic watch wearer, like the accessory style, is sturdy and durable. Put her in hot water and she’ll rise to the occasion. There is something so endearing about a woman who needs no fuss, no frills because she knows its her strength and character that keeps people coming back.

Inspired by an iconic NYC neighbourhood and caught between boho-chic and classic, Rosefield’s Bowery collection is perfect for this aesthetic. The collection combines a minimalist, ultra-thin watch case with elegantly stitched leather straps. Style without the drama, for the uncomplicated woman.

The Minimalist:

Sleek, chic and modern, the minimalist style grips viewers without screaming for attention. Minimalism, to its core, is about finding purpose. By stripping back on adornments and distractions, you can live with intention. The woman who follows this lifestyle is bold and assertive. She has no time for irrelevant factors, because her eyes are on the prize.

Rosefield’s Gramercy collection is all about combining a simple watch face with clean-cut leather straps to create a modern and alluring fashion accessory. The elegance and sleekness of the watch speaks for itself, without frills and fancies. It makes a statement without even speaking, perfect for the woman whose presence commands attention.

Quirky:

Time may be straightforward but this wearer is anything but. The quirky woman is not afraid to take a risk. She is rebellious and confident, odd yet lovable. Life is an adventure and this curious woman wants to tackle it head on.

If you march to the beat of your own drum, you need a watch to keep up the pace. Rosefield’s West Village Collection is inspired by the iconic and traditionally rebellious neighborhood of the West Village, a nonchalant area with European flair. The slender watch has stand out details like the delicate metal rings decorating the strap. The rings vary by strap colour, and ampify the vintage-chic character of its wearer.

Rosefield watches are available at Sterns and American Swiss Jewellery stores.

Image/s: supplied