The Savvy Shopper's Engagement Ring Guide

My first post today focused on the history of Valentine's Day, which is only one week away! As we all know, Valentine's Day is a very popular date for marriage proposals. In this post, I'd like to offer some tips on shopping for that perfect ring!

Before purchasing an engagement ring, it is important to know the style of ring you're looking for, as well as the price range you have budgeted for. However, it is equally important to understand the terminology used in evaluating the quality of the diamond and/or fine jewelry. Some may be concerned with the source of the diamond, as well as how the diamond was processed.

First, when evaluating diamonds, always consider the four C’s:
(adapted from Brilliant Earth)

• Cut: determines its beauty, sparkle, fire, and brilliance.
• Clarity: refers to the impurities on and within the stone.
• Color: refers to the degree to which a diamond is colorless.
• Carat: is the unit of the weight of the diamond and not its size.

Next, here are the typical gemstone styles and shapes to consider:

Round, Princess, Emerald, Asscher, Marquise

Oval, Radiant, Pear, Cushion, and Heart

Finally, certified conflict free gems ensure that the mining processing did not sacrifice social and environmental responsibilities. “Conflict diamonds have funded devastating civil wars in Africa, and have been associated with human rights abuses, environmental damage, and terrorism" (Brilliant Earth).

No matter the ring you choose, be confident that your significant other will love and appreciate it! Happy Early Valentine's Day!

The History of Valentine's Day

With Valentine's Day only one week away, I thought it would be interesting to share the story behind Valentine's Day. The following has been paraphrased from The History Channel.

Every February, across the world, St. Valentine’s Day is celebrated. Cards, gifts, candies, and flowers are exchanged. However, it also known that it is the month that many engagement rings are purchased and marriage proposals are made. So, how exactly did this holiday come about? Why is it celebrated in February?

Who was St. Valentine?

One belief is that Valentine was a priest during the third century in Rome under Emperor Claudius II (around 270 A.D). Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than married ones and banned them from getting married. However, Valentine who felt that this was an unjust law, continued to perform marriages in secret. When the Emperor found out, he sentenced Valentine to death.

The second belief is that when Valentine was imprisoned, he fell in love with a young girl who used to visit him. It is alleged that before his death, he wrote her a letter, signed off “From your Valentine” and was therefore the first one to send a valentines letter.

Other stories suggest that Valentine was been killed because he helped Christians who were in Roman captivity.

Why we celebrate Valentine's Day

It is believed that Valentine's Day is celebrated to commemorate Valentine’s death, while others believe that the church decided to celebrate it on February 15 to coincide with the ancient Roman Lupercalia Festival. The latter was a pagan fertile festival dedicated to the Roman god of agriculture, Faunus and the Roman founders Romulus and Remus. It marked the beginning of spring where they would purify their houses by sweeping and sprinkling them with salt and spelt.

Happy Early Valentine's Day!