Diamond Education

Blue Nile has a wonderful section on Education & Guidance for purchasing diamonds.

Everything you need to know about the 4C's Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat Weight is explained in detail with great explanations and illustrations.

WedAlert also has numerous articles about engagement and wedding rings to help you with this important purchase.

Good luck, and please share your experiences with us here regarding your search for the perfect rings.

Christmas and New Year's Proposal and Wedding Ideas

"Here are some proposal and wedding ideas from WedAlert.com for Christmas and New Year’s that are sure to cause elicit some “Oohs” and “Ahs” as well as create the warm, fuzzy feeling of love:"

Proposal Ideas:

· On your Christmas tree, hang the ring box as an ornament, and save this best gift for last!

· Another Christmas proposal could be to put the ring box in a larger box, so that your intended will be surprised to find a small item (the ring!) inside.

· Snow is a great medium to use, and how much you have to work with will depend on where you live—write your proposal in it, or build a snowman to hold a sign asking for your beloved’s hand in marriage.

· Sing your proposal to the tune of a Christmas song—if singing isn’t your thing, you may want to get others perform (e.g., a close friend, or ask child relatives to make a small choir) while you present your beloved with the engagement ring.

· Add more sparkle and surprise to the New Year’s Eve toast by putting the engagement ring in the champagne glass (point it out before your fiancé(e)-to-be takes a sip!), and time it so that you propose precisely at the stroke of midnight!

Wedding Ideas:

· Spread some Christmas cheer by decorating with poinsettias and evergreen wreaths, and adorn floral arrangements with crystals and snowflakes to add some holiday bling!

· Share your first kiss as husband and wife under the mistletoe!

· Serve up the eggnog and hot chocolate with candy cane stirrers!

· Wedding cake can be designed in the form of a Yule log, or to look like a pile of gift wrapped boxes!

· Time the champagne toast at the reception to be precisely at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve!