The Great Expert Blog

When choosing a diamond ring, you have to consider the 4 Cs to ensure that you are buying the right quality and the right style of diamond for you. They are Cut, Carat, Color, and Clarity.

Cut: A well cut diamond is beautiful because it’s very brilliant. Of all the variables affecting the value of a diamond ring, the cut is the most crucial.
A well cut diamond is the work of a master diamond cutter, since it is the cut that enables the diamond to reflect light, creating that glitter and sparkle. When a diamond is well proportioned, light is reflected from one facet to another and dispersed through the top of the stone as rainbows of color, making it is so exotic to look at.

Carat: The carat is actually a measurement of weight, not size. One carat is divided into 100 points. 1.00 ct is equal to .20 grams. Carat is the easiest of the 4 C’s to determine.
One carat is divided into 100 “points,” so that a diamond of 75 points, for example, weighs .75 carats, 50 points weighs .50 carat etc. Fine quality can be found in diamonds of all carat weights.

Color: Diamonds are found in a range of colours - from colorless to yellowish, and judged according to a color grading scale from “D”, which is totally colorless through to “Z” which is vivid yellow.
It is the colorless diamond that is the most valued because it is the rarest. The average stone carries an I or J grading for its color. In addition to that, there are twelve other colors called Fancies, and as the name implies, they are expensive.

Clarity: Most diamonds contain tiny natural birthmarks called inclusions and are mostly not visible to the naked eye, but can be seen with a 10X magnification.
Inclusions interfere with the dispersion of light and therefore the diamond’s brilliance gets reduced. The fewer and smaller the inclusions, the rarer the stone and higher the price.

While inclusions do not generally affect the diamond’s beauty and usually cannot be seen, their presence reduces the price. Clarity is graded on a scale with a range from internally flawless (IF), very small inclusions (VVS1-VVS2), very small inclusions (VS1-VS2), small inclusions (SI1-SI2) to imperfect (I1-I2-I3) with eye visible inclusions.

Robert is a Freelance Writer For EngagementRingz.com. They Specialize In All Kinds of engagement ring. No Matter What Kind Of Ring You Are Looking For Whether It Be A diamond engagement ring, Or A Stunning Platinum Engagement Ring You Can Find More Information Here.

Hey - it’s all about you; take back your ceremony!

It is a ritual - time honored and sacred - but that does not mean your wedding ceremony has to be like every other…yawn. Of course, some couples choose to be extremely original and opt for exchanging vows on a roller coaster, while bungee jumping or even dressed as trekies. I say - good for them for such uninhibited displays of originality. But even if you prefer a more traditional and “scream-free” wedding ceremony, you can still find creative ways to infuse your ceremony with elements that are distinctly you. Browse my favorite ceremony ideas:

A Scenic Location

Not every wedding ceremony must take place in a house of worship. Outdoor locations and other unique ceremony sites can make for ceremonies that are both spiritual and memorable.

A Refreshing Welcome

Welcome and refresh your guests by serving lemonade, iced tea or water. It’s a nice touch, and your guests will appreciate the gesture. Depending on the season or nature of your wedding, you can use your refreshment of choice to tie in the theme or style of the day.

Personalized Pew/Row Decorations

Who says your ceremony decorations must be floral? How about draping framed photographs of the bride and groom tied with ribbon over the ends of each row?

Customized Programs

Summer brides - how about ceremony programs in the shape of a fan? Beach brides - use a shell or small piece of drift wood as a weight, and place programs on each guests’ chair before arrival. You get the idea…Or keep the shape and style traditional, and include a personal letter or poem to add some interest to this often overlooked detail.

The Grand Entrance

There are other ways to make your entrance beyond the traditional march with your father. Ride in on a horse…. Or be escorted by both parents, a close uncle, brother, friendeven a pet!

Monogrammed Aisle Runner

You will know this is your ceremony while walking down the isle on a runner personalized with your monogram or logo.

Beyond “Here Comes the Bride”

If walking down the isle to the same song as thousands of brides before you doesn’t sound appealing, let your favorite tune can’t make a memorable substitute!

Gender Bend the Bridal Party

Who says your maid of honor must be a “maid?” If your best pal happens to be a guy, have a “man of honor.” Same goes for the best man; there’s no reason why there can’t be a “best woman.”

Write your own Wedding Vows, Readings, Poems etc.

Nothing puts that special personalized stamp on a ceremony quite like vows and readings prepared by the bride and groom themselves. These spoken words expose your mind and your heart to each other and to your audience.

Cori Locklin is editor-in-chief for http://www.elegala.com/ and Elegala Magazine. Elegala is a new wedding planning resource offering the most comprehensive portfolio of superior wedding reception sites and wedding services, along with planning tips, photo galleries and checklists to keep brides in-the-know on today’s wedding trends and styles.

Honeymoons in Hawaii are being chosen from couples marrying in
all seasons, from blushing June brides to red-nosed December
brides. The lush island state has many faces, from its remote
and isolated beaches to the hot, hip, and happening of downtown
Honolulu, the state’s capital. Consisting of numerous islands,
the archipelago state usually draws visitors to its four main
islands: Oahu, the Big Island of Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui. Each
of these islands has a special aspect that attracts couples
seeking different types of Honeymoons in Hawaii, from the
adventurous to the romantic.

If you are looking to include several islands in your honeymoon,
consider taking a cruise around the island state. Cruise ships
depart from Honolulu’s historic Aloha Tower and embark on a
multi-island itinerary, docking at major ports on the major
islands. These cruises are an excellent way to see more than one
island, since you do not have to switch hotel rooms or wait in
airports for tiny commuter flights. Many honeymooners opt to
cruise because of the all-inclusive nature of the boats, lumping
meals, drinks, and activities into the price.

Another way to see the islands is by commuter flight. All of the
islands have airports and commercial flight services ready to
take you wherever your heart desires. Since most of the island
airports are commuter airports, the usual hassle associated with
air travel is nonexistent. Also, commuter flights allow you to
spend as long as you wish on each island without having to worry
about ships leaving port and leaving you behind.

Most couples that choose Honeymoons in Hawaii end up on Oahu.
Known as the “Gathering Place,” Oahu is home to the state’s
capital, Honolulu, and the world-famous Waikiki Beach. For city
slickers, the Waikiki area is a dream come true, with world
class shopping, five star restaurants, and luxurious hotels and
resorts at every turn. Consider staying in two of the oldest
hotels on the island, the lusciously pink Royal Hawaiian Hotel
and the historic Moana Surfrider, both considered the “Grand
Ladies of Waikiki.”

For an alternative view of Oahu, head up to the North Shore,
where each winter, massive waves bring surfers from all over the
world. When these beasts roll into the shore, popular surfing
tournaments take place, with professional surfers trying to tame
the overwhelming force of the ocean.

Also on Oahu is the Dole Plantations, where pineapples dot the
country side. It is also home to the somber memorial to the
Japanese attack on the United States on December 7, 1941. The
fallen USS Arizona lies buried beneath the waters of Pearl
Harbor and a remarkable monument to those sailors, soldiers,
airmen, and marines that fell during the surprise attack.

If you would rather trade in the crowds, traffic, and noise of
Oahu for a more serene environment, head to Kauai, the “Garden
Isle.” This green sanctuary is perfect for the couple who wants
to experience the natural beauty of the islands without the
added glitz and glamour of commercialization. Sunbathe at
secluded beaches, visit the undersea worlds that wait beneath
the deep blue sea, or check out the natural wonders the island
has to offer, such as the exotic Fern Grotto or the “Grand
Canyon of the Pacific.”

For an adventure seeking couple, be sure to at least make a stop
on the Big Island of Hawaii. Home to the country’s only actively
erupting volcano, much of the eastern side of the island is
occupied by the ancient goddess Pele, who spurts red hot lava
into the sea to continue to expand the mass of the island. This
island is also the location of the southernmost point in the
United States, Kau, as well as numerous coffee plantations in
the rainforest environment of Kona. Consider taking a
breathtaking helicopter ride above the flowing lava or indulge
in spa treatments that use the naturally occurring black sand.

The fourth major island in the Hawaiian archipelago is the
island of Maui. Rich in fishing and whaling history, any couple
who Honeymoons in Hawaii should visit the quaint village of
Lahina, now packed with unique boutiques and scrumptious
restaurants. The town of Maui is generally preferred by
visitors, since it is the perfect combination of city and
country.