Wedding Jewelry:
Should your bride-to-be help choose her ring? You have to consider that she will be the one wearing it for the rest of her life. Some brides will be happy with anything their fiancé chooses for them. While others want more input on their ring.

1. Comfort. Some rings are terribly uncomfortable and unwearable. This cannot be known without trying it on. My Grandmother had a gorgeous engagement ring that was so uncomfortable she never wore it. The ring still sits in my jewelry box and I can’t wear it for any length of time. So, this is very important.
2. Lifestyle. If your future bride is a landscaper- that two carat diamond may not be what she had in mind. Then again, maybe she would love to have it but could not wear it very often. On the other hand if she is a business executive who dresses to impress- she may be disappointed with 1/8 carat diamond.
3. Yellow Gold, white gold, silver, or platinum. This is something that you should probably discuss. If you are going for the surprise- ask her what type of metal she prefers and give her a pair of earrings. Some people are sensitive to 14K gold and need 18K instead. While platinum is very trendy it is also very expensive. You will have to check your budget to see what you can afford.
4. Price. How much should you spend on a ring? Traditionally the groom spends two months worth of his salary on an engagement ring. The national average as of this printing was $3,000 for the engagement ring.

Information for this figure was compiled from the following sources:

$3,044 (Bride's Millennium Report)
$2,982 (Bride's Magazine)
$2,909 (Modern Bride, as cited in Weddings for Dummies)
$3,576 (Conde Nast Bridal Group)
$3,165 (Modern Bride Magazine)
$2,807 (National Bride Service)

Bridal Jewelry:
What Is Better Than Jewelry?

'Nothing!' say most women! It makes the giver and the receiver feel special! Jewelry is a very personal gift and is treasured for years to come.

So what will you choose for others when picking jewelry out for special occasions in your life like your wedding? Does it all need to be the same for each bridesmaid or flower girl? I feel it does not. You choose each of your friends and/or relatives to stand by you on your wedding day for the unique way each has added to your life. The gift you choose for them should reflect this uniqueness.

To me, it is most important to buy a piece of jewelry that enhances the personality and beauty of the gals in your wedding party. You should buy a treasure that makes the recipient feel good about herself and that she will associate with the memories of your beautiful day when she wears it.

Look for jewelry that is made of quality materials like .925 sterling silver with a base metal other than nickel. Most sterling pieces that you find in stores have nickel in them and many ladies are allergic. Also look for hypo-allergenic posts or wires on earrings. Ask the jewelry sales person what type of guarantee is associated with the pieces. Lifetime guarantees, like the one offered by Silpada Designs, are an assurance that if the pieces is ever broken it can be replaced free of charge.

So, pick out the jewelry that shows something about your attendants and their style. Express yourself comfortably and be creative in selecting the perfect piece for each of them. They will appreciate the time and thoughtfulness you put into your special gift.

Article provided by:
Bonnie Ladina
Consultant
Silpada Jewelry