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Jewelry
A listing of the finest Jewelers available in the area is presented
in the table below. To learn more about each company, click on the
Company Name to see their Ad, click on their Web Site hyperlink
to access their web site, or contact them through the Email hyperlink
in the table below.
To learn more about selecting your jewelry, please read the article
presented following the table. Click here for Apparel
& Accessories.
All phone numbers are in the 805 area code unless
otherwise noted.
Jewelry
…Add Sparkle to Your Radiance
The wedding ring is the most powerful symbol of the marriage union.
As is the love between the bride and groom, the wedding ring is
continuous, never-ending, without beginning or end. The ring’s
composition is also symbolic. Wedding rings are generally made of
nearly indestructible materials: gold, platinum, titanium, diamonds.
This durability is symbolic of your enduring commitment. Placement
of the wedding ring, on the third finger of the left hand, is symbolic
since it was once believed to contain an artery with a direct connection
to the heart!
Long ago it was said that a gold ring should be given to the bride,
signifying the groom’s financial sacrifice for her hand. This
tradition of spending a significant amount on the engagement and
wedding rings continues today. The current standard for ring cost
is equivalent to two months of the groom’s salary. This is
a substantial investment...so educate yourself and choose wisely.
Wedding Bands
In its simplicity, the plain, classically designed half round wedding
band is symbolic of the essence of love in its purest form. For those
who appreciate the pure nature of this ring or for those who find
jewelry uncomfortable, this ring is a classic. This band may be of
yellow gold, white gold, multi-toned gold, platinum, or titanium.
Titanium is an affordable, very light and durable option that is becoming
more popular. Decorative bands are also an option, with a variety
of patterns in a brushed, matte, or polished finish.
Diamond Rings
Because diamond is the hardest mineral found in nature, it is symbolic
of the unbreakable bond of marriage. Variations of the Tiffany-style
diamond engagement ring with a large diamond center stone is the
most popular option. The engagement ring and the wedding band can
be purchased separately or as a matching set.
Diamonds are evaluated and valued using “The Four C’s”:
color, cut, clarity, and carat. While for many of us girls, carat
size seems most important, “cut” is actually the most
important attribute in determining a diamond’s value.
Cut should not be confused with shape (diamond shapes are round,
oval, marquise, pear, heart, emerald, princess, trilliant, and radiant).
Cut deals with proportion and finish. The brilliant beauty of a
high quality diamond is highly dependent on the cutter’s ability
to maximize the display of the diamond’s inherent properties.
Read more about the four “C’s” at DiamondBuying Guide.com.
Diamonds are found in all colors; however, diamonds are most often
near colorless to very light yellow. Diamonds are graded for color
from D (the absence of color) to Z (fancy yellow color) by being
compared to a set of master stones.
Most diamonds have flaws. The level of flaws in the diamond is
described by its clarity. Clarity grades range from F (flawless)
to Included 3 (flaws visible to the naked eye). Flaws are not visible
to the naked eye in clarity grades F through SI (slightly included).
Therefore, there is no difference to the naked eye in the diamond’s
appearance. However, since the price of a diamond is determined
at the microscopic level, there are significant price differences
between an F and an SI diamond.
A carat is the unit of measure used to weigh a diamond. Each diamond
carat is equal to 200 milligrams. The carat size you choose for
your ring is usually determined based on budget. You can spend the
same dollar amount on a ½ carat diamond as on a 2 carat diamond…it
all depends on the quality of the stone. You will need to strike
a balance between size and quality that works for your taste and
budget.
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