Just Ask Leslie: Jewelry Tips

If you’re a regular reader, you already know that July’s birthstone is the ruby. The ruby is also the traditional gift for your 40th wedding anniversary.

If you’re celebrating a July birthday or a 40th anniversary a wonderful way to show how much you care would be with a gift of this 5/8 Carat Ruby and Diamond 14K White Gold Ring for just $195. This simply elegant ring features deep red rubies and diamonds channel set in a delicate white gold setting.

There is no better gift for a June bride than a 1 Carat Diamond 14K White Gold Journey Pendant. The Journey Collection features diamonds that graduate from smaller to larger representing the way love grows over time. This oval pendant features 14K white gold and 24 sparkling diamonds for just $995. This pendant will look great with a wedding gown and then throughout the year.

For all of you June brides, I have the perfect set of wedding accessory jewelry for you. As you know, pearls are the classic accessory for weddings. Their soft femininity is romantic and elegant - perfect for a wedding.

This 14kt 5-6 mm Cultured Freshwater Pearls 2 Piece Set for just $65 is the perfect accessory set for any wedding dress. They’d also make a great bridesmaid gift. This set is versatile - 5-6 mm lustrous round cultured freshwater pearl set consists of a necklace, and earrings. It perfectly enhances any wardrobe.

If you’re looking for the perfect gift for a May or June bride, look no further. This 2 3/4 Carat Sapphire and Diamond 10K White Gold Bracelet is the perfect gift for the spring or summer bride. This regal and glamorous bracelet features deep blue sapphires and sparkling diamonds that are just exquisite. The brilliant stones of the piece are set in lustrous white gold and dazzle with eye-catching movement. The perfect accessory for an elegant affair and a memorable gift for any bride.

One of the most difficult aspects of planning a wedding is choosing bridesmaids’ and groomsmen’s gifts. It’s hard to find something useful, attractive, and affordable enough to buy several sets of - and if that’s a tall order for bridesmaids, imagine it for groomsmen! One of the classic choices for this difficult gift is cufflinks. They’re a great way for a man to add a little bit of style and individuality to formal wear. These sterling silver, onyx, and mother-of-pearl cufflinks are a great choice. Stripes of white mother-of-pearl, colored mother-of-pearl, and black onyx are set into these classy cufflinks. These are a wonderful gift - and at only $70, they won’t strain your wedding budget!

Are you getting ready to pop the question, but having a hard time picking out that special ring for that special lady? Browse ice.com’s collection of diamond engagement jewelry. You can look through both solitaire and multi-diamond engagement rings until you find the perfect ring to show her how much you care. Ice.com has rings for every taste and every budget. Diamond engagement rings also come with an International Gemological Information appraisal at no extra charge for added peace of mind. So surf on over and find a ring she’ll adore at a price you’ll love - because it’s time to save for the honeymoon!

You know the old saying for weddings - something borrowed…something blue… Well, I never thought I would suggest wearing blue gems with your wedding gown, however this 8-9mm Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Blue Swarovski Crystal Sterling Silver Necklace pairs the look of pearls with a hint of light blue to a magical result. If you’re considering a pearl necklace as a wedding accessory, you really must consider this necklace. Pearls are the essence of classic elegance and beauty and many women wear them at their wedding. This gorgeous necklace features lovely white, cultured freshwater pearls, sized between 8 and 9mm, and delicate sky-blue Swarovski crystals.

I’m sure a lot of you upcoming June brides have been running through your checklists and making sure everything is set for the big day. Make sure you don’t forget something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue! If you’re really stressing, why not combine something new and something blue by purchasing this lovely sapphire, diamond, and white gold pendant. A graceful, symmetrical design hold a four diamonds and three sapphires. This is a delicate piece that will accentuate, not overpower, your look for your special day. Best of all, at $150, it won’t make the slightest dent in your honeymoon funds!

Dear Leslie,

Sandra, Nashville

For men, jewelry that is modern and sleek is always in style. You’ll want to consider tough metals and less intricate designs because if your husband is like mine, he won’t take off his ring before his hands get dirty. That means that he’ll appreciate a ring that is easy to clean.

This 1/6 carat diamond ring in 14K white gold is a perfect ring for any man. Simple and unique, this men’s ring features three brilliant white diamonds. It’s crafted from gleaming 14k white gold - timeless in nature, yet contemporary in design. It’s a sleek, comfort-fit ring he’ll treasure forever.

Around this time of year, my inbox is overflowing with questions asking for wedding advice. One question I get over and over is about bridesmaid gifts. What to give? How much to spend? The answer to these questions really varies from bride to bride and wedding to wedding. It depends a lot on your budget, style, and how close you are to the bridesmaids.

That said, pear earrings are always a great way to go. These 14K gold Akoya cultured pearl and diamond earrings really make a perfect gift for any bridesmaid. First, they are budget friendly at just $95. Second, they are quality - large round cultured Akoya pearls are paired with solitaire round brilliant cut diamonds in these classic stud earrings. The pearls are 6.5-7 mm and the total diamond weight is .06 carats. These earrings are a great way to say “thank you” to all of your bridesmaids.

As soon as I finished responding to the ring question last week, I got this email also about commitment rings. I waited to post it until after the Valentine’s Day rush, but here it is:

Dear Leslie,

Bill in St. Louis

Dear Bill,

She’s certainly an unusual lady! But you’re right to take her jewelry preferences into account. An engagement ring should be something she’s thrilled to wear because it reminds her of you, but also because it’s a classic piece of jewelry. I would suggest something that combines the classic diamond with color, so that you can pay heed both to tradition and to your lady’s taste. I suggest this ring, with alternating diamonds and rubies. Rubies are the hardest gem in the world after diamonds, and the rich red has always been associated with deep, passionate love. And, since it’s only $195, you’ll have plenty left to take her on a romantic honeymoon!

Leslie

Dear Leslie,

The folks in your wedding party are probably close friends and family. You don’t want to forget them when it comes time to express your gratitude for their presence at your wedding. They’ve made sacrifices - the gifts, the tux, the time off - to be with you during this special time.

This sterling silver black keyring is a masculine choice for a groomsman gift. Form meets function in this chic, unique key ring. Soft black leather is accompanied by a secure ring and a sleek polished fob of lustrous sterling silver. Men in the wedding party will remember the good times shared at your wedding each time they use this gift!

If the guy in your life doesn’t have them already, shirt studs are a great Father’s Day gift! These sterling silver shirt studs are just $50 and are the perfect formal accessory for any man. Even if he already has a set, it’s nice to have your own personal assortment to change your look from one event to the next. These shirt studs also make a great groomsman gift for all you folks getting married this summer.

Do you have a June wedding coming up? Haven’t been able to decide on the perfect wedding band? It’s tough, I know! I’ve helped hundreds of couples find the perfect wedding band. One that I am particularly enamored with right now is this 1/2 carat diamond and 14K white and pink gold band. At just $695, this ring is a steal! This ring features contrasting tones of precious metal and sparkling diamonds to create a beautiful effect. It reminds me of classic jewelry from the Roman and Byzantine empires. It’s a timeless design that will be perfect for demonstrating your enduring love every day.

Hi Leslie!
I’m newly married and was just wondering in what order wedding and engagement rings should be worn on your finger. I’ve seen different people wearing them different ways, and I’m not sure if there is a right or wrong way. Thanks for your help!
Laura via email

In or modern world there seem to be few hard and fast rules anymore. Wedding traditions change and evolve over time and this allows you to be more creative than ever with your wedding ring. There are many choices about wedding and engagment ring placement. One interpretation states that the woman wears the wedding ring below the engagement ring, thus making it closer to the heart. Another practice holds that the woman should wear the wedding ring above the engagement ring, thus sealing the atmosphere of the engagement into the marriage. Still others prefer that the wedding ring should be worn alone. A bride can even choose to wear her engagement ring on her right hand, and wedding ring on the left!

So after your wedding ring is on you finger then you can try out different options and see what works best for you. Congratuations and best of luck in your new adventure!

While we’re on the topic of engagement rings, I recently saw the beauty pictured above! This lovely engagement ring features a classic three-stone design. A trio of dazzling diamonds sparkles beautifully from an delicately slender band of lustrous white gold.

Dear Leslie,
The woman I’m about to propose to is very unique and untraditional. With any luck, I’ll be her third husband. I know she’ll want something really different and eye-catching in a ring, and I’m looking for some advice. It should be diamonds, but that’s it as for guidelines.
Julius in San Diego
Congrats on your wonderful news. The words “diamond” and “untraditional,” when combined, result in some of the most fabulous designs in jewelry. We should be able to find you something to get you to the altar (after that, you’re on your own, except where jewelry is concerned, of course!).
Let’s start with this amazing diamond and pink gold with white and black rhodium dome ring. What can we say about this one? If you can get away with it, and your soon-to-be fiance sounds like she can, it’s an incredible, incredibly unique piece. With this ring, you’re not just proposing, you’re asking her for a life of adventure with you.
Speaking of adventure, this diamond and white gold starburst ring is sure to set off fireworks as a great sign of fun times to come in your marriage. It’s delicate yet whimsical, a beautiful and original piece that she’ll treasure.
Finally, we are completely blown away by this black diamond and cultured pearl ring. This really sets a new bar in terms of innovation and beauty. Trust us: her friends will have nothing like it. The black diamond is a non-traditional choice, and when offset by the pearl, creates a dramatic style that she’ll be sure to love. Plus, the spherical motif of the ring symbolizes a marriage of completeness and fulfillment. Good luck proposing–just like these pieces, she sounds like a rare find.

….and thankfully, not the troubled kind. Trina, via email, writes:

What is meant by the jewelers term “Bridge over water” in the design or setting of an engagement ring?

A bridge over water design indicates that there is a stone in the middle that’s raised over a row of stones below, creating an effect of a bridge over water.
Seen here in this exquisite bridal ring set, the bridge over water design is traditionally chosen for engagement rings. This may be because of its unusual ornate style, or perhaps a metaphor for crossing a new “bridge” in life together. Whatever the reason is, we fully support this tradition and the gorgeous pieces it has resulted in. Enjoy!

I love to answer questions from readers! If you have a question about jewelry - styles, trends, or care - send me an email and I’ll try to post a response here as quickly as I can. There is a link to my email on the top left portion of the homepage. Also feel free to leave a comment!

Zev writes:
Dear Leslie,
What is the proper way to wear a heart shaped diamond solitaire? Point towardthe nails or the hand?
Zev

While I don’t feel that there is any right or wrong way to wear jewelry, there are definitely traditions when it comes to certain types of jewelry. I searched my etiquette books and resources for guidelines about wearing heart shaped diamonds and gems but didn’t find anything specific. However, one style of ring that is very popular is the Irish claddagh ring. This ring with two hands holding a heart is a symbol of friendship or love. If this ring is worn as just a fashion statement, then it is worn on the right hand with the heart facing outwards (pointing toward your fingertip). If it represents strong friendship or love, it is worn on the right hand but with the hear turned inward (pointing toward the hand). Basically, you just turn the ring around. This ring can also be used as a wedding ring in which case it’s worn on the left hand with the heart facing inwards.

This tradition might be a good rule of thumb when wearing heart rings. However, a diamond solitaire is rarely a “friendship” gift! Check out this recent post featuring some other interesting heart ring styles.

This stunning 5/8 carat ioliteand diamond heart ring in 14K yellow gold is just an amazing example of heart ring design. The colorful deep blue iolite twinkles in a bed of sparkling diamonds. The setting is fabulous too with curves and folds to catch the light. This ring is available at the amazing price of just $115 which makes it a perfect gift for a serious friendship or a symbol of deepening affection.

Dear Leslie,
My boyfriend and I have been looking at many engagement rings. After seeing so many designs, my head is spinning. If you had to pick, what would your dream engagement ring be?
Nicole in Richmond

If money were no object (I wish!) then this incredible 1 1/6 carat diamond ring would be my dream engagement ring. First of all, the center stone is huge but not tacky. The baguettes on the side balance the weighty center stone elegantly. Take a good look at this setting too. It’s a lot of luxurious platinum. There is elegant filigree design work on the setting that adds feminine touches to this stunning ring. At $3,9995, this ring is an investment piece. Many people suggest using two months salary as a guide with buying a wedding ring. That means, whatever you earn in two months is what you should spend on a wedding ring. This is very flexible of course, but is a good guide for how much to spend.

Dear Leslie,
What are the latest trends in gemstone cuts? I am considering buying some new pieces of jewelry and just want to know what’s new.
Adrienne in New Jersey

More than 75% of diamonds sold are round cut stones. However these are mainly used in solitaire settings. Square cut stones like the princess cut are rising in popularity. These cuts offer lots of sparkle and originality. This trend is beautifully expressed in this 1/2 carat diamond 14K white gold bridal engagement ring. I love this setting with channel-set round accent diamonds.

The stylish look of square cut diamonds really gleams in this 1/2 carat princess and baguette diamond band in 14K white gold. Sold as an anniversary band, I think that this ring will make a fabulous accessory for even single gals. It’s an elegant, modern piece but with classic touches. Plus at just $595, it’s a great gift idea!