• 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:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1l_-OJtv-/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF7EtmLp14y/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CE9VYJGp7k6/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    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

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

    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:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF1glLIp8pR/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

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

    Picture: Unsplash

    Spooky season is officially upon us, bringing with it some festive frights and fancies. Halloween is a loved holiday across the world, and some are such big fans that they base their wedding on it.

    In October, many couples throw Halloween themed weddings. It is easy to achieve, all you need is tons of moody tones and vintage touches. You can go full out with miniature skulls and pumpkins.

    Those that want a subtler finish should focus on tones and textures. Black, orange and red are classic Halloween colours, and they look great paired with gold for a vintage flair. Use velvet and lace for extra dimension, and finish off with dried flowers. Of course, you’ll need an array or candles of different heights to light up the night.

    Here are some table decor ideas to inspire your own:

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B4RiLacneAa/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/B3Ng_CcDUp1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFr6fpElcvu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CFZ4gE5gr7n/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF5NiSzDtEc/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CGAH-plnHkp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_WM51j6rE/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-M5XahCKu/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-IZq6D4bC/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF8Rt4sMiwl/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Picture: Unsplash

    How often are you cleaning your wedding ring, and how effective is your process? Most likely, your answer is not often and not thorough enough.

    Your ring can easily be dirtied by everyday wear. Common cosmetic products like hairspray, lotion, makeup or perfume can accumulate dirt, and touching a variety of objects throughout the day will also dull your ring.

    A new and oh-so-satisfying trend on Instagram is ring cleaning. Jewellers are sharing videos of how they take rings from drab to fab with a simple solution.

    The ring is dunked in a blue solution of ring cleaner, and all the dirt expels out of it. The sheer amount of dirt that can accumulate on a ring is truly astounding.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCrfgiSl2O2/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    The solution is held in an ultrasonic machine which sends vibrations through the water in a matter of minutes. The ultrasound waves and chemicals combine to create bubbles that “cling” to foreign particles such as dirt, oil, and unknown substances. The high-frequency waves are sent out and pull the contaminants off the object.

    After a minute, the ring is removed from the solution and is extra sparkly, like the day it was purchased.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CCfcJN8l5re/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CDjj23CF7iZ/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    If you don’t have access to a professional jewellery cleaner, or simply don’t have the funds for this, cleaning your jewellery is an easy process that can be done at home. Make a DIY solution with warm water and dishwashing soap. Soak your ring in the solution for about 20 to 40 minutes and then gently brush it with a soft toothbrush. Rinse under warm running water and repeat if needed.

    Make sure to avoid harsh chemicals like bleach, chlorine and acetone when cleaning your ring, as it can break down the base metals in the ring. Abrasive products like toothpaste, baking soda and powdered cleaners should also be avoided.

    Picture: Pexels

    Iconic country duo Tim McGraw and Faith Hill have been married for 24 years. Taking to social media, the pair wrote sweet messages of devotion to one another on their special day.

    “24 yrs…….These years have rushed by in a series of beautiful, painful and unexpected moments….
    We have loved, laughed and cried through exciting, inspiring and heartbreaking events in our lives together,” McGraw gushed on Instagram.

    “You have been a role model for 3 remarkable young women who have made me a better man than I ever thought I could be…..The future will surely hold more of all of these things. It only matters if I’m with you. It only works if I’m with you. My oxygen only exists if you’re by my side. Forever and always living and loving our way through anything @faithhill

    https://www.instagram.com/p/CF_-9yGAZ-z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

    Hill was short and sweet with her message, writing: “To my guy…The one that stole my heart 24 years ago today. Happy Anniversary my love❤️❤️❤️”

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

    The couple fell in love at first sight when they met at McGraw’s Spontaneous Combustion tour in 1996, which Hill was the opening act for. They tied the knot on October 6, a few months into dating. Soon after, they announced they were expecting their first child.

    They are now parents to three daughters: Gracie (23), Maggie (22), and Audrey (18).

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

    Picture: Instagram / Faith Hill