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Some bridal couples may be the lucky recipients of jewelry that has been in their families for generations. Others will be making new selections that they hope their future grandchildren may one day wear: -- Because they're worn every day for life, platinum settings should be the choice for bridal jewelry, says designer Scott Kay. Platinum prongs in an engagement ring are stronger than gold, he says, giving the diamond or other stone a more secure anchor.
He offers classic prong rings, which let diamonds shine with maximum sparkle; one variation is his cathedral setting design, with rising slopes on either side of the main stone, giving it more protection from abrasion; one version ($4,000) has four smaller diamonds set in the slope.
Also in his Vintage Collection are platinum bands for the groom in a variety of textures, widths, and finishes, such as the one with rope design ($2,400).
-- Pearls have been associated with weddings since ancient times, and cultured pearls show up on 62 percent of all American brides, according to the Jewelry Information Center, an industry group. The bride can choose color if she wants, because South Sea pearls can be found in a variety of hues and tinges, such as gray, green and gold. Freshwater pearls are likely to come from China, where they are found in profusion, and are a good choice for those on a budget.
The classic button earrings or necklaces may be akoya pearls from Japan, famed for their near-perfect roundness.
-- Heart shapes are the ultimate romantic token. But this cut in diamonds has always been prohibitively expensive and rare, owing to so few rough stones being appropriate. The new Lady Heart Collection by David Arabov & Sons comes up with clever, affordable variation: a diamond heart fashioned from a princess, or square-cut diamond, combined with two modified step-cut half moon stones. Choose from .25 carat to 3 carats total weight -- hand set in 18K white gold settings for rings, earrings, pendants, line bracelets and necklaces. Typical prices are $1,000 for a .35 carat total weight diamond pendant and $3,500 for a 1 carat diamond pendant -- significantly lower than traditional heart-shaped diamonds, the firm says.
-- All that's gold may not glitter. The textured gold (starting at $500) or sterling silver (starting at $200) wedding bands in the Twig Collection by K. Brunini are inspired by twigs, vertebrae and DNA -- all part of the Symbols of Strength Series. Many of these are accented with diamonds, gemstones and pearls and are a good choice for couples who want low-key jewelry.
-- The all-time classic is the engagement diamond, and first-time buyers should be paying attention to the drill about the "4Cs" -- namely cut, color, clarity and carat.
These are the basics of picking a quality stone, but there are other considerations, such as shapes (round, teardrop, heart, marquise) and special styles.
All this information can be found at
http://www.adiamondisforever.com, the Web site of the De Beers information arm, the Diamond Information Center.
Some of the cuts to look for include the Leo Diamond, with brilliant 66-facet cuts, developed by Leo Schacter of the World's Diamondaires. Call 1-800-431-4393 for information.
Another is the Royal Asscher cut from Fabrikant, with a high crown setting, steep pavilion, and 74 facets. Find retailers by calling 1-800-432-8895.
The Rand Diamond from Codiam comes with a provenance report which tracks the stone from mine to the cutting factory to the consumer. Call 1-800-223-6279 for information.
The Elara cut, named after the brightest moon of the planet Jupiter, has square-cut faceting and proportions of a round brilliant. Call 1-888-397-7627 for information.
The Zales Diamond, the jewelry marketer's signature octillion cut, has 82 facets and symmetrical arrangment for maximum light distribution. For information, log on to
http://www.zales.com.
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