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Is it appropriate to propose at someone else’s wedding?

October 19, 2020 No Comments

With all the love in the air on a wedding day, it’s impossible to not get swept up in it. The stunning venue, the moody lighting, and the delicious food are enough to put anyone in the right mood. Given all the above, it’s easy to see why some people may take this opportunity to pop the big question.

Proposing during someone else’s wedding has been a controversial topic for decades, and continues to polarise the masses.

I give you my blessing

If you are particularly close to the bridal party, it might make the day extra special for them to see you get engaged to your love. Another bonus is that many of your closest friends and family are likely to also be in attendance, which allows them all to share at the moment with you.

Some couples are happy to have someone else get engaged during their wedding, but the key is to have their blessing. It could be quite cute to even have them get involved in the proposal somehow, like having the bride toss her bouquet as a distraction while their partner gets down on one knee behind them.

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Hijacking someone else’s special day

On the other hand, however, the day is not about you. When a couple gets married, their wedding day is a celebration of their love. You were invited to honour their love and commitment to one another. The bridal couple likely spent a lot of money to make the day perfect, and their hard work should not be taken advantage of and used as a free stage for your proposal.

The only time a proposal during someone else’s wedding is appropriate is if you’ve been given permission by the couple getting married. If you don’t have their blessing for the proposal, do not do it as you risk upsetting them on their special day. No matter how close you are or how chilled a person may seem, you don’t know how they will react.

You could also create tension with the bridal couple if they are not happy with you hijacking their big day, which could affect your friendship in the long run.

While it’s not pleasant to think about, your partner could still say no to your proposal. Getting turned down in front of everyone during a wedding will definitely ruin the mood.

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In Advice

The thrilling tension setting: A mesmering finish

October 16, 2020 No Comments

While the shape of the diamond is often the key focus in an engagement ring, the setting is just as important. How your ring is set can make or break it, so it is best to choose wisely.

A less popular yet still stylish choice is the tension setting. This unique setting has the central stone floating in between two metal bands that hold it securely, and is an unusual look for the unique bride.

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The tension setting is designed in a way that the diamond is tightly held in place by the pressure of the metal bands on either side. Usually, there are two tiny grooves carved into the metal where the diamond’s girdle comes into contact with it to keep the stone in place. This setting allows the diamond to appear to be floating between the two sides of the shank, which creates a mesmerising appearance.

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Along with the floating appearnace, the entire profile of the diamond is on show with this setting. Thus, the diamond is more visible than with other settings. The minimal metal surrounding the diamond further enhances its light reflection, making it appear more radiant.

Another benefit to this setting is that is much less maintenance than other diamond setting types, like the prong setting for example.

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However, it is important to note that this tension only works for hard stones like diamonds, rubies and sapphires. The stone must also be of very high quality, as any imperfections will be made even more visible through this setting. It is also an extremely specialised skill to make this setting, so jewellers charge a pretty penny for it.

Another downside to this setting is that it is difficult to resize, and having this done can actually increase the chances of the stone coming loose.

With the diamond being so exposed in this setting, it is not ideal for those that lead an active lifestyle.

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This setting is the perfect choice for those desiring a more modern and minimalist finish for their engagement ring. It is an unusual look that is sure to stand out from the rest.

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

The stylish choice: Salt-and-pepper diamonds

October 12, 2020 No Comments

A classic white diamond is the traditional go-to for engagement rings, but in recent years, alternative colours have become all the rage. From pink to yellow, diamonds come in all hues.

Salt-and-pepper diamonds are trending as a unique alternative stone choice for an engagement ring. Here is everything you need to know.

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A salt-and-pepper diamond is a diamond with inclusions that appear black and white. This type of diamond can appear in a variety of shades, from light to dark grey. Some may have more inclusions than others, which will affect the colouring of the stone.

This diamond is the exact same as a normal diamond, just with a bit more character. As always, the 4 C’s apply when grading a diamond: cut, colour, clarity and carat. The 4 C’s will determine the final price your diamond will fetch.

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Eco-conscious shoppers will love this stone, as it takes fewer resources to mine than regular diamonds. They are also less expensive because they of their carbon inclusions, so they are the more budget-friendly option.

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Like any other diamond, it can be fashioned into any shape you want. Given its alternative nature, we suggest going with the aesthetic and opting for a unique setting like a bezel setting. Go for an unusual cut by shaping your diamond into a pentagon or a diamond-shaped diamond.

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In Advice

5 things to consider when planning your wedding registry

October 8, 2020 No Comments

It is very frustrating to receive three of the same thing from different people as a wedding gift. This is because people think in similar ways and they normally don’t know what to get you and so they resort to common gifting. As the bride, you can avoid this and the admin that comes with it. Here’s how:

Don’t wait until the last minute

Start planning and send out your registry ahead of time, you want your wedding registry to be one of the things you do at the beginning of your wedding planning.

Making and setting up a registry takes more time than you might expect it and deserves your attention because you won’t have time to redo it.

Be realistic and practical

In your wedding registry, you should already be thinking ‘home’ and because of that, your gifts should be practical items that will make the transition of starting a new life easy.

Make a list of things you want in your house but won’t be able to get soon, these should be the gifts your friends and family get you.

Also be mindful of the people buying, you don’t want to make them pay exorbitant amounts but you don’t want cheap gifts, so get a few quotations on each item.

Share your registry

Once you’ve created your wedding registry, make sure you share it with your guests.

This includes coming up with easy ways to access your registry. It could be online where a person can click and get it or share a link with your guests.

Make sure to have a checklist option available for you and the people buying gifts, this makes it easy to see what has been bought and what is left.

Make it a joint project

Put aside some quality couple time to contemplate your future life together and think about what kinds of gifts would make you happy.Your partner must have input on the registry because this is the beginning of your life together, you don’t want anyone feeling left out.

Look for great deals

Before choosing where to register, find out what kinds of perks and discounts you might get.Approach your desired shops for a registry, they usually give discounts for bulk registry purchases.This option helps get expert advice from someone who’s knowledgeable.

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In Advice

Unique wedding rings designed by local jewellers

October 8, 2020 No Comments

As the piece of jewellery you’ll (hopefully) always have and wear, your engagement ring is highly personal. It is important to match the ring to you, and not the other way around.

While shopping from big, established brands is great and often the easiest option, South Africa has a wealth of talented jewellery designers that create incredible custom pieces.

Now more than ever, it is important to support local. Here are a few fantastic jewellers from across the country designing unique engagement rings with personality and flair.

Lorean Jewellery:

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Famke Jewellery:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFwuZotgt1z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NtU5NpJ74/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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Black Betty Design:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBxSYb4HjQ0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Merakije Jewellery Design:

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7N1ggepng0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFo2U-8pc_g/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Botanica Jewellery:

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https://www.instagram.com/p/B62nTN_ptUR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Picture: Unsplash

In Advice

Pretty in a pavé setting

October 5, 2020 No Comments

An engagement ring is a highly treasured jewellery item, one you’ll (hopefully) have forever. It’s thus important to have your ring match your own personal style and taste. With so many designs, settings and stones to choose from, ring shopping can be overwhelming. Luckily, we’re here to help.

While the setting, or the way the stone is secured into the ring, may not be the most important thing one thinks of, it is crucial to the anatomy of the ring. It helps determine the overall design of the ring and its durability.

A pavé setting, also known as a bead setting, is perfect for the bride wanting something a little more sparkly. It is french for ‘paved’ and it is a jewellery technique in which small diamonds are studded along the band of the ring, making it appear like a paved or cobblestoned road.

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Diamonds are closely set together in this setting, and sparkle brilliantly under the light. Typically, diamonds used for this setting must be 0.01 to 0.02 carats to be technically characterised as ‘pavé’, anything smaller falls under a ‘micro-pavé’ setting.

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An advantage of this setting is that it enhances a centre diamond that has a lower brilliance, cut or clarity grade. It adds extra sparkle and is technically the more economical choice, as smaller diamonds are less expensive than one diamond of the exact same weight.

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However, it is important to note that this setting is more susceptible to stone loss, and offers more small spaces for dirt to accumulate. This setting also requires more inspection and maintenance than most other ring settings.

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Picture: Pexels

In Advice

Most popular songs to propose to

October 5, 2020 No Comments

Going down on one knee to pop the question is a special moment, one that requires the perfect setting and atmosphere. Music is an easy way to amplify the romantic spirit, and many opt to play their favourite love songs to serenade the scene.

It turns out there are some love songs that stand above the rest. Learningjewelry.com analysed the top 60 Spotify playlists dedicated proposals and engagements. Here are the sweet songs that appeared most often.

All of Me – John Legend

Perfect – Ed Sheeran

Thinking Out Loud – Ed Sheeran

A Thousand Years – Christina Perry

Make You Feel My Love – Adele

Marry You – Bruno Mars

On Bended Knee – Boys II Men

Just Say Yes – Snow Patrol

I Swear – All-4-One

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In Advice

A bold choice: Bezel set rings

September 29, 2020 No Comments

Looking for an uncommon ring setting? We’ve got the perfect one. The bezel setting is an uncommon choice, and offers a highly unique look.

This setting has been around for decades, and is actually one of the oldest in the history of jewellery design. Poppy Delevigne and Mary-Kate Olsen have rocked this look.

Also known as the Rubover, this setting gives off an Art Deco aesthetic perfect for a bold bride. Here’s what you need to know.

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A bezel setting features diamonds that are completely or partially encircled by a thin border of a precious metal holding it in place. The surface of the ring is thus smooth. Also called a tube setting, it helps to accentuate the diamond and offers a contemporary look. This setting works best with round stones, but can be used on any shape from pear to heart.

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Because the stone is held securely in place, this setting is highly durable and protects the diamond very well. This is perfect for fragile stones. It also prevents anything snagging on the stone or knocking it, making it perfect for a wearer with an active lifestyle.

However, this setting conceals a large part of the stone. It can also be the more expensive option because it requires much more precious metal and is more labour intensive.

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Feature image: Pexels

In Advice

What is a prenup and do you need one?

September 23, 2020 No Comments

In the time leading up to your big day, there are so many moving parts as you plan the wedding of your dreams. Often, the last thing on the mind is the nitty-gritty details of the marriage contract you are about to enter into.

While it’s not the most fun topic, it is important to think about the legal and financial ramifications of your impending nuptials. Some couples choose to enter into a prenuptial agreement, a legal contract that determines the financial rights of each spouse if a divorce or death were to take place. A prenuptial agreement eliminates a battle over assets in the event of death of divorce.

Some may think its a bit negative to think about divorce before you’ve even gotten married. However, it is the practical option, especially if both spouses are financially well off on their own and have important assets they want to protect. Maybe you have an important family heirloom you don’t want to part ways with, a massive inheritance or want to ensure your family or children get certain assets in the event of a divorce or death.

While most people believe a prenup is only for the rich, it is becoming increasingly popular among the middle-class. People who have children from a prior relationship may sign one to ensure property and funding is passed to the child in the event of their death.

A prenup is also helpful to protect spouses from assuming their partner’s debt, which happens if you marry in community of property. If you know you have tons of student loans and don’t want to dump it on your partner in the event of your death, a prenup will protect them.

That being said, a prenuptial agreement is not for everyone. If you don’t have assets you need to protect, you can simply skip this step. Couples who do not sign this agreement automatically marry in community of property, as per South African law. Through this, you share your estate and in the event of divorce, everything is split equally.

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In Advice

5 unusual bridal shower themes

September 22, 2020 No Comments

Throwing a bridal shower should be a fun and exciting event, but it’s a headache for many. It’s hard to be original and unique in a world where everything has been done.

We’ve put together some inspiration for fun, unusual themes for the unconventional bride and her ladies. From the deep blue sea to outer space, take a look at these interesting themes you never thought to turn into a bridal shower.

Bohemian

If you and your friends are not about the glitz and glam, consider a bohemian theme for the bridal shower. Think rustic, dreamy and earthy. Incorporate plants and flowers, wooden decor, feathers and beads. You can specify the dress code, for example everyone has to wear a headband, feathers or flat sandals.

Enchanted Forest

If you have always wanted to live in a fairy tale, this is your chance. Think everything magical. Candles, roses and of course, glitter. Colours that work well are gold and silver, and metallics like pink and purple.

Under the Sea

Mermaids, listen up! Go all out ocean vibes. Tranquil blues and greens, sea horse and star fish decor and faux-coral. Tropical-styled music will add well to the beach atmosphere, and make sure you have vibey cocktails.

Casino Royale

Get your poker face on for this one. Red, black and white are the colours of this glamorous evening. This is a great opportunity to dust off your high heels and show off your gambling skills. You can even watch the movie for the final touch.

Intergalactic

Interested in space? Glow in the dark is the way to go. The sun, moon and stars are the decor inspiration. Get space-themed food and drinks that will ensure a stellar party. Don’t be afraid to turn Star Wars-themed if the bride is a fan.

Images: Pinterest

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