Congratulations! You have done the hard part and found the person you intend to spend the rest of your life with. The rest is easy. Organisation is the key to a perfect wedding so relax and let Aspirational Weddings help you with the planning and guide you through wedding etiquette.
It is an old fashioned but lovely tradition for the man to ask his intended wife’s father for her hand in marriage. Nowadays this is really just a respectful formality but one which is certain to be appreciated by the future father in law.
Having gained permission, the next stage is to announce your engagement and tell the world your happy news. The usual way is to place a notice in the local or national press and perhaps hold an engagement party for friends and family.
MR C THOROGOOD AND MISS E. LAITHWAITE
The engagement is announced between
Charles, son of Jonathon Thorogood of
Burley, Hampshire and Mrs Louise
Sylvester of Farnham Common, Hampshire, and Eloise ,
daughter of Mr and Mrs Simon Laithwaite of Longparish, Hampshire.
Guide to Choosing your Diamond Engagement Ring
Engagement rings can be various styles, settings and gems. You may well have a family heirloom or prefer a coloured stone but if you are planning on purchasing a diamond, it is important that you know as much as possible about how diamonds are classified. Diamonds have the capacity to produce more brilliance that any other gemstone and are the most popular choice for an engagement ring. Take your time and do not rush into the purchase of your diamond. It took thousands of years for nature to form your diamond and the skill of a master cutter to transform it into a beautiful gem. The time you take now can give you a lifetime of pleasure.
The value of a diamond is determined by the 4 C’s Cut | Colour | Clairity | Carat Weight
Cut
The cut of a diamond allows it to make best use of light. When a diamond is cut correctly, light is reflected from one facet to another then dispersed through the top of the stone. If the cut of the diamond is too deep, some light escapes through the opposite side of the pavilion. If the cut is too shallow, light escapes through the pavilion before it can be reflected. The more sparkly the diamond, the better the cut with a well cut diamond being the work of a master diamond cutter.
The cut of a diamond should not be confused with the shape. Diamonds can be cut into a number of shapes, depending on the qualities of the rough stone before it is cut.
The most popular diamond shapes are round, marquise, pear, emerald, princess, trillion, oval and heart
Colour
Diamonds range in colour from totally colourless to light yellow. A totally colourless diamond allows light to pass through it easily resulting in the light being dispersed as the colours of the rainbow. While the majority of gem diamonds appear to be colorless, others can contain increasing shades of colour. However, the less colour a diamond has, the rarer it is. The color grading scale varies from totally colorless to light color or tinted. The difference between one grade and its neighbor is very subtle and experts never try to remember color; they use master diamonds of known color for comparison, or they use the latest technology: the Gran Colorimeter.
Clarity
A diamond’s clarity is determined by using a 10 power magnifying glass by a trained eye. Most diamonds contain very tiny impurities known as inclusions which are largely unnoticeable without magnification. An inclusion can interfere with the light passing through the diamond but do not necessarily mar the diamond’s beauty. Very few diamonds are blemish free and the fewer the inclusions, the rarer and more valuable the diamond will be. Diamonds have the capacity to produce more brilliance than any other gemstone.
Carat
The carat is the unit of weight for diamonds with one carat being divided into 100 “points” so that a diamond of 25 points weights .25 carats. Carat-weight is the easiest of the 4 C’s to determine. Two diamonds of equal weight can vary enormously in value, depending on their cut, colour, and clarity.
There is also another C – Certificates
Sometimes known as a grading report, it is a complete evaluation of a diamond.
A diamond certificate is issued following an unbiased and professional examination to authenticate a diamond’s attributes.
The carat weight, colour and clarity are all validated, together with the diamond’s exact measurements. Cut grades are also included for round brilliant cuts.
Always buy a diamond certified by one of the 5 internatinally recognised bodies:
GIA, AGS, HRD, IGI, and EGL.
Recent measure to protect the consumer has resulted in certificated diamonds being laser inscribed, usually on the diamond’s girdle, which gives confidence that the diamond purchased is the diamond received. The laser inscription can be easily verified with a magnification loop.
When choosing where to buy your ring, look for a solid reputation from your jeweller and find one prepared to sell you a stone certified by one of the recognised 5 and be wary of self styled certification. Ask what warranties and guarantees will come with your ring, and be sure you obtain a detailed receipt.
Advice on certification and recommended retailers, can be found in our suppliers directory.
Finally, the Setting
Colour and design of the setting is purely personal choice and may include one or more stones.
Always remember to consult and purchase from a certified master jeweller. Please see our preferred suppliers directory of recommended diamond jewellers near you.