Asking the Parents
Though it may sound cliche, 78% of men keep the tradition of asking the parents of the bride for her hand in marriage. Find out how important this tradition is to your future fiancé.
Allow friends and family to help you keep the surprise
Close friends and family of the soon-to-be bride can be a huge help when planning the proposal. Ask her sister for her ring size and style choice. Run your proposal plans by her best girlfriends- they will love being a part of her big moment and may even have advice on where and when you should pop the question! Ask a friend or family member to help capture the moment on film or by photograph. Proposing soon? When posting your big announcement, use the hashtags #Arnolds_Jewelrs and #flocalmagazine to be featured on our social media pages!
The Four C’s of purchasing the perfect ring: Cut, Color, Clarity & Carat
Cut refers to the symmetry, proportioning and polish of the diamond. It is the greatest influence on how the diamond sparkles. Simple research or the professionals at Arnold’s Jewelery will help you choose the right cut for your ring.
Color reflects the grade of the diamond on the scale of D-to-Z. A perfect diamond sitting at D will seem clear with no hue. This diamond will be rated at a higher value than the cloudier options sitting at H, N and lastly Z. The color of a diamond will determine quality and price.
Clarity in diamonds tends to get overlooked; due to microscopic imperfections, this is where a professional jeweler comes in to help. There are several levels of clarity, beginning with the most valuable: FL & IF (Flawless and Internally Flawless), VVS1 & VVS2 (Very, Very Slightly Included), VS1 & VS2 (Very Slightly Included), SI1 & SI2 (Slightly Included), I1, I2 & I3 (Included).
Carat refers to the diamond’s total weight and is often most important to the wearer of the ring. Know if this is of importance to your future fiancé. She may care more about the design and cut than the carat. Simply put, know your bride (or at least of friends and family that do!)
Keep it close
Guard it with your life! Store the ring in a safe place in your home, away from any possible mishaps and the eyes of your future fiancé. If traveling, keep the ring in your carry-on bag. Be sure to insure your special purchase; ask the professionals at Arnold Jewelers about setting up an insurance policy.
Practice Makes Perfect
Be sure to practice your speech and walk through the entire event, including kneeling in your proposal outfit. You want to make this moment memorable for you both. It will be a day you will never forget, so make it amazing!
