August 20, 2018 - Oh My Heartsie Girl

Engagement Ring Shopping and What You Should Know — Source: GIA

When you are preparing to purchase a diamond engagement ring, there are various factors that you need to keep in mind to ensure that you are making the right choice. These include the basic elements of the 4Cs of diamonds, types of settings, characteristics of metal, cut and shape, picking a diamond and more.

4Cs

Being aware of the 4Cs is an important step in the process of purchasing a diamond. These refer to the carat weight, clarity, cut and color. The 4Cs incorporate the globally recognized standard that is used to compare different diamonds and evaluate their quality.
After understanding the meanings of each C, you can determine what matters most to you. Priorities will make it easier for you to eliminate certain diamonds during your search and focus on what will thrill the love of your life.
Taking some time to become familiar with the 4Cs is a worthwhile task. Understanding the language and descriptions of diamond quality empowers you to confidently buy a diamond.

Different Diamond Shapes, Cutting Styles and Quality

Before you begin looking around for that special engagement ring, it is important to comprehend the differences between the cut quality, cutting style and shape of a diamond.

Shape refers to the outline of the diamond when it is viewed from the top. Round is regarded as the most popular shape for diamonds. However, there are several other shapes that include the heart, square, rectangle, oval and pear
Cutting style is in reference to the arrangement of the facets of the diamond. Cutting styles consist of options such as the brilliant, standard cutting style, emerald cut and radiant cut. Find ID jewelry engagement rings NYC
The cut quality focuses on the interaction between light and facets of a diamond. Diamonds that are cut in similar styles and shapes can vary in terms of aspects like symmetry, polish and thickness. These differences affect appearances and cut quality.

Metal Options

The kind of metal that you choose for an engagement ring has an impact on the general appearance of the piece. Platinum and white gold have been considered to be popular choices for several years due to their modern and sleek look. They are good options for colorless diamonds as well. The diamond will have a yellower appearance if it is set within yellow prongs.

For people who prefer the gold color, white metal is usually incorporated into yellow gold rings that create an interesting contrast when paired with diamonds. One of the popular trends is rose gold that features a soothing and warm appearance.

Setting

Diamonds in engagement rings are held in place within a setting. Settings serve the roles of protecting the diamond form damage and highlighting its beauty. Different settings determine the level of protection. Common settings include prongs, bezels and halos.

Stones

A side stone is an eye-catching way to present an engagement ring. It provides a sparkle of elegance and creates a sophisticated look.

Lighting Conditions

Spot lighting, fluorescent lighting, candlelight and daylight are different lighting conditions that affect how a diamond actually looks. The facets of a diamond function like miniature mirrors that reflect their surroundings. Look at diamond engagement rings under various conditions.

Over the years, the amount of clothes in our wardrobe has grown. We open it, we look at the piles, and piles of stuff, and not only do we think that this is too much, but that we still, somehow, have nothing to wear. The chaos of our closet doesn’t always inspire good fashion choices, and there’s always that sense of guilt because we know that no sane human being would ever even get the chance to wear all the things in there. It’s especially tough if you live in a smaller apartment and are woefully aware that your multitude of garments are just eating away at precious space, creating clutter, and aren’t all that ethical or environmentally conscious.

So, what can be done here, to clean up your closet and enjoy better fashion? A little detox is in order, and here we show you all the steps that you need to take.

Go through everything you have

Time to take everything out of your closet and then sit down and go through it. Yep, it’s going to be a formidable pile of stuff in front of you, but chances are that you’ll be surprised to see some of the old things that were at the back of your closet and that you forgot you even had. Go through every single one of them and make separate piles for the things you want to keep, and the things you want to toss away. It’s also a good chance to give all your old things a wash and really take stock of what you own.

Donate things you no longer need

There should be another pile for the things you want to donate, either to your friends or to shelters in your area. Women’s shelters are usually very much in need of new garments, so check with people who are running the place whether they could use some of the things you’ve got.

Repurpose or repair

Not everything that has a hole in it needs to be tossed away, and it’s actually a good idea for people to learn how to do basic repairs on their garments so they wouldn’t have to keep throwing things away. Missing buttons, small tears, and broken zippers can easily be fixed, and some of your old clothes can be repurposed and made into something entirely new. If nothing else, old t-shirts can be used as cleaning rags, and you can also use old things for your own creative projects if you want to learn how to sew.

Take your things to second-hand shops

You probably won’t earn much, but at least it’s something! If you are in need of some quick cash, this is a good way to get a little money and declutter your wardrobe to boot.

Be a smart shopper

While clothes are cheap and readily available today, it doesn’t mean you actually need to give into the consumerism hype and buy a ton of garments every single time you’re at the mall. You need to think in terms of quality over quantity, and it’s best to buy things that satisfy these three criteria: they fit you perfectly, they’re in a color that you know you’ll wear, and they are made of high-quality fabrics. Look for well-made bamboo clothing that’s made from organically-grown bamboo because it’s really good both for the environment and for your health. It’s especially important to find quality women’s underwear because you want those fabrics to be breathable and hypoallergenic. It’s going to feel comfortable, and you won’t have to waste cash on cheap things that fall apart after being worn two times.

Be wary of sales

Don’t go to sales just to check what’s out there. Go in with a plan, or don’t go in at all. Write down a list of things you know you need, then buy only the things that are at discount prices. Otherwise, you’ll get there and end up with a pair of striped orange tights with green polka dots simply because “they were 50% off, it was a bargain!”

Have a color palette

What are the colors you keep turning to? Pick your own color palette and try not to stray from it too much because clothing is a million times more difficult to mix and match when you’re dealing with a whole rainbow of shades. Besides, most of us look better in certain tones, so find the ones that suit your skin tone and your hair then stick to those. That way you’ll never have a hard time putting together a well-matching outfit in the morning.

Fashion can be ethical, and doing a clothing detox is the first step towards mindfulness. Go through everything you have, see what kind of things you want to keep, and vow to always make smart shopping decisions in the future.