Should You Design An Engagement Ring From Scratch?

One of the first things to think about when you’ve decided to propose is, do you want to purchase a store-bought ring or have the freedom to design your own? Many jewelers offer both options but it can be hard to decide whether the convenience, quality warranty and being able to see the finished product is better. As on the other hand, you could have the chance to choose a ring that suits your bride to be’s personality, matches your budget and has been flawlessly manufactured. Remember, an engagement ring is a paramount piece of jewelry as it symbolizes the promise the two of you are making to each other and needs to be worthy of that commitment.

Featured photo from People.com

It’ll Be Truly Unique

The last thing you want is your excited fiancé to show off her ring only to be told ‘yeah that style’s nice’ or worse see someone wearing pretty much the same ring as her. Even though there are lots of different designs, it’s entirely possible that sooner or later she may run into someone who has been proposed with the same ring style from the same store. If your future wife has very individual style and tastes  it may be better to pick out your own ring. That way the diamonds, setting and even band color will be different as you’ll be able to incorporate more details. Another way to set her ring apart from the crowd is weave in personal elements, such as engraving, colored stones and a ring box with her name or birth date on.

You’ll Be Able To Control Your Budget

Engagement rings come in a range of price points so by purchasing all the elements of the ring separately you’ll be able to prioritize what’s important to you. If you want a larger diamond you may be able to choose a slightly less precious metal for the band; a smaller setting may give you more room on the band if you’re selecting a pave style. A diamond that is only slightly more colored than another one may vary hugely when it comes to price. Look for loose diamonds for sale that are categorized as I to J as these are good quality, medium priced gems as well as those that weigh between one and two karats for large singular diamonds, such as solitaires, and 0.50 and one karat for three stone styles.

Greater Sentimental Value

Designing a ring is a process that involves quite a few people including yourself, the salesperson, shop designer, gem dealer and the craftsmen that creates setting and band. It isn’t a cheap nor a quick option and so it requires an awful lot of thought and preparation, multiple phone calls or meetings and a lot of trust in your chosen jeweler.

Your fiancé will appreciate the amount of love, time and effort that went into her ring and will be genuinely touched by all your hard work. Remember, engagement rings are designed to be worn for a lifetime alongside wedding or even eternity rings. So if you’ve created one custom piece then you may have to create another for the jewellery to look right together.  David Alan is a master jeweler who works with you to take your vision and create one-of-a-kind custom pieces that you and your partner will love.

collaborative post

Cloud Nine Engagment Ring from Anjolee

Anjolee introduced their new engagement ring sets and stud earrings to the bridal jewelry line. There’s so much excitement when receiving an engagement ring but customers want to ensure its quality and clarity.

I received the Anjolee Cloud Nine Engagement Ring for review and the band is simply gorgeous!

fullsizerender-70

The biggest concern when purchasing an engagement ring is the price. Anjolee has designed pieces that will meet everyone’s budget.  Customers can select payment options through Bill Me Later, Credit Card or Paypal.

Most importantly, the company also educates its customers on setting types and care services.

fullsizerender-68

My birthday’s coming soon and I can’t wait to accessorize with the Anjolee Cloud Nine Engagement Ring.

\\\

About Anjolee –

The mission of Anjolee is to provide our customers with the highest quality of hand-crafted, customized jewelry, using only the finest precious metals, natural diamonds and gemstones. Anjolee’s foremost priority as a leading diamond manufacturer and customized design retailer is two-fold: to provide outstanding customer service and sell only the highest quality diamond jewelry. Each of our diamond jewelry pieces may be customized using the latest technology, with a wide array of options easily accessible on our website. Every single Anjolee jewelry piece is made-to-order, personalized to the customer’s exact preferences under the expert guidance of our specialists.

unnamed-95 unnamed-96

 

 

I was invited to review Anjolee.com in exchange for compensation. All opinions and statements are my own.

GIGI HADID Seen Wearing DYLANLEX

Gigi Hadid is seen wearing Dylanlex while hosting the 2016 iHeartRADIO MuchMusic Video Awards at MuchMusic HQ on June 19, 2016 in Toronto, Canada. Hadid wears the “Parker” necklace from designer Dylanlex. The Dylanlex “Parker” necklace retails for $860.00 and is available for purchase at www.dylanlex.com.

unnamed-12unnamed-91unnamed-90

ABOUT DYLANLEX

DYLANLEX began as Drew Ginsburg, a young jewelry designer, took to documenting her unique jewelry creations in the form of an Instagram photo journal. Her designs and “selfies” ultimately garnered the attention of a cult following and evolved into a social media movement. As a result the young designer was able to cultivate a consumer fan base via her social media platforms. Today DYLANLEX exists as a full a line of original hand crafted statement pieces that has grown to include necklaces, rings, and bracelets. You can “Shop The Instagram” here: http://dylanlex.com/pages/shop-the-instagram

Each DYLANLEX piece is hand crafted in New York City, using the expertise and craftsmanship of artisans gathered from across the globe, to create pieces that blend modern edge with the elegance of traditional techniques. Swarovski Crystal, antiqued metals, and internationally curated elements combine to create statement jewelry that would normally only be possible by combining several distinct pieces. In a world where everyones fashion has something to say, statements must be louder. DYLANLEX.

Celebrity fans of DYLANLEX include Beyonce, Rihanna, Gigi Hadid, Bella Hadid, Katy Perry, Kendall Jenner, Zoe Kravitz, Lady Gaga, Kylie Jenner, Alicia Keys, Laverne Cox, Ashley Tisdale, Shay Mitchell, Hilary Rhoda, and more…

Full collection, shopable now, is available to view at http://dylanlex.com.
Follow Drew Ginsburg of DYLANLEX at https://instagram.com/dylanlex/

Inspired Luxe – Memorial Day Weekend Essentials

Memorial Day Weekend is finally only two weeks away. Whether your plans include jetting off to the beach or celebrating at a poolside BBQ, accessories from Inspired Luxe are just what you need kick off summer both patriotically, and in style.

With a selection of unique, handmade statement pieces, the e-commerce site is your destination to put a fresh spin on that classic all-American look.

image001-4 image002-2

Inspired Luxe – Handcrafted Chic Pieces

image004 Inspired Luxe 1 Inspired Luxe 2 Inspired Luxe 4 Inspired Luxe 5

This season, the handcrafted pieces from InspiredLuxe.com, an e-commerce site that houses sustainable and one-of-a-kind jewelry from artisans throughout the globe, brings you a collection of statement pieces that will be the perfect touch for an effortlessly chic summer look.

Utilizing exotic stones, beads, rocks, leather, metals, along with other materials (many repurposed)— the collections offer a unique twist on the modern bohemian trend. By adding these eccentric pieces to anyone’s wardrobe, it will be easy to create a sense of relaxed luxury.

image002-3

H&M Expands in Maryland – Francis Scott Key Mall

HM

H & M, Hennes & Mauritz AB (H&M), one of the world’s largest fashion retailers famous for offering fashion-forward apparel at affordable prices in a sustainable way, is thrilled to announce a new location in Frederick, Maryland. Measuring approximately 20,000 square feet, the new location at Francis Scott Key Mall is set to open in the fall of 2016. H&M is especially excited to expand its reach in Maryland, a growing market for the retailer, and add to the ten locations currently open in the state.

The new H&M location will offer Frederick residents a one-stop shopping destination for quality clothing for the whole family, with collections for ladies and men, as well as separate “store within a store” sections for accessories, maternity and its plus sized line, H&M+. The Francis Scott Key Mall location will also carry H&M’s children’s collection for newborns to fourteen year olds. The breadth and variety of H&M collections make it easier for any consumer to find fashionable products, no matter their personal style. With an emphasis on design, quality, and sustainability, H&M offers inspiring, high fashion at an unbeatable value.

cq5dam.web.2400.1600
H&M prides itself on its support of local economies by adding jobs with each new location. As a continuously expanding brand, H&M constantly searches for new talent to grow within the company. With the opening of the Francis Scott Key Mall location, H&M is proud to add to the current, ever-expanding total of approximately 16,000 U.S. employees. The brand continues to grow in both new and existing markets while remaining focused on quality, high profitability, and sustainability. In 2015, H&M was ranked number 21 on Interbrand’s list of 100 Best Global Brands and was selected by Great Place to Work as a top 25 Best Multinational Workplace. For available job opportunities, please visit career.hm.com.

Sustainability is an integral part of H&M. The brand is growing and making significant long-term investments for sustainable development. In 2013, H&M launched Garment Collecting, an in-store clothing recycling project and was the first global fashion company to implement such a program. Since 2013, approximately 53.6 million lbs. of garments have been collected globally. H&M was also selected in 2015 as a U.S. EPA Green Power Leadership Award winner. The company has committed to sourcing renewable energy wherever possible in order to reduce indirect emissions stemming from the company’s purchased electricity use.

cq5dam.web.1920.1280

Since H&M opened the doors to its first U.S. store on New York’s Fifth Avenue fifteen years ago, the U.S. has been one of the retailer’s most successful markets. H&M is proud to offer U.S. consumers quality fashion at competitive prices at its four hundred and sixteen locations across the country, and looks forward to continued expansion at the best properties worldwide.

Pandora Jewelry at Westfield Annapolis Mall – Charity Event

Join PANDORA Jewelry at Annapolis to shop for a cause on Saturday, January 30, from 11:00 A.M. – 7:00 P.M. Consumers are invited to celebrate the wonderful philanthropic work of PANDORA.

PANDORA Annapolis Mall has teamed up with Seeds 4 Success in efforts to support children living in Annapolis public and subsidizing housing by providing positive opportunities so they become healthy, successful adults. 10 percent of all proceeds made during the event will be donated directly to the organization.

All guests are welcome, no RSVP is required. Light fare and refreshments will be served, and a raffle to win a $250 shopping spree on a next visit at PANDORA Westfield Annapolis Mall will take place.

FullSizeRender-29

 

WHAT:                                      PANDORA Jewelry at Westfield Annapolis Mall
Hosts Seeds 4 Success Charity Event

                                                     

 

WHERE:                                   PANDORA at Westfield Annapolis Mall

                                                   

 

 

WHEN:                                      Saturday, January 30, 2016

                                                    11:00 A.M. – 7 P.M. EST

 

 

# # #


ABOUT PANDORA
World-renowned for its hand finished and contemporary jewelry at affordable prices, PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets jewelry made from high-quality materials. Designed to inspire women to embrace the self-creator within, PANDORA is a partner in helping to explore and craft a unique personal story to complement any style, every day. PANDORA’s unique and detailed designs combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology are sold in more than 90 countries across six continents through approximately 9,500 points of sale, including more than 1,500 concept stores. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA is publicly listed on the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen stock exchange. Self-creators are encouraged to express and share their curated PANDORA jewelry inspiration with hashtag #PANDORAstyle on their social channels and shop the collections .  Connect with us and join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

ABOUT SEEDS 4 SUCCESS
Guiding children living in Annapolis public and subsidized housing so they become healthy, successful adults. Seeds 4 Success Inc. was founded in 2008 by a group of Annapolis women who wanted to create more positive opportunities for the youth living in the Annapolis public and subsidize communities. Seeds 4 Success currently has four programs: Eastport Girls Club, I am a Reader, Parent Challenge and Alumni College Access.  S4S youth participants will demonstrate increased: (1) academic success, (2) social skills, (3) exposure to positive places and people, (4) health habits, (5) personal goal-setting and attainment, (6) volunteerism/community involvement, and (7) social connection/social support. Participating parents/guardians will demonstrate and report increased: (1) involvement in their child’s academic success, (2) parenting skills, (3) personal and family goal-setting and attainment, (4) social connection/social, and (5) family cohesion.

 

Soft Surroundings – Grande Opening at Westfield Annapolis Mall

image001 (4)

Soft Surroundings, a leading multi-channel retailer committed to providing stylish, casual clothing with a comfort fit, the latest in beauty and skincare, jewelry and accessories, and home furnishings to women of all ages, maintains its dedication to providing an extraordinary shopping experience by announcing plans to open a Maryland location, specifically at the Westfield Annapolis Mall in Annapolis, MD. “We are so excited to expand our East Coast presence with an upcoming Soft Surroundings location in Maryland,” said Sr. Vice President of Retail Stores, Danny Boddy.

“Our Westfield Annapolis Mall location will provide women throughout Anne Arundel County and beyond the opportunity to experience what we are all about. We offer beautiful apparel, luxurious bedding, curated furniture from around the world and beauty solutions – all hand chosen for today’s busy woman. Our passion for customer service and the integrity of our brand gives us the ability to share our story and hopefully make our customers’ lives a little more fulfilled and enjoyable.” The Westfield Annapolis Mall location is part of an eleven store expansion for 2015.

soft

The new location will not only feature the popular merchandise found in the Soft Surroundings catalogs and website, but will also offer customers a variety of unique, store-exclusive merchandise to further enhance their shopping experience. An all-day Grand Opening Event will be held at the store on Friday, November 20th. About Soft Surroundings: Headquartered in St. Louis, MO, Soft Surroundings is an upscale lifestyle brand and retailer of women’s apparel, home, and beauty products. Releasing its first catalog in 1999, Soft Surroundings has been dedicated to making women look and feel their best ever since.

Having experienced record growth in its online and catalog channels, Soft Surroundings opened its first retail location in St. Louis, MO in November of 2005, followed by additional stores in Hartford, CT; Kansas City, MO; Chicago, IL; Denver, CO; San Antonio, TX; Houston, TX; Dallas, TX; Boston, MA; Philadelphia, PA; Atlanta, GA; Richmond, VA; Fairfax, VA; Madison, WI; Paramus, NJ; Bridgewater, NJ; Memphis, TN; Portland, OR; Seattle, WA; Cleveland, OH; Tucson, AZ; Scottsdale, AZ; and Chandler, AZ. Soft Surroundings is continuing to expand its retail division nationally to meet the needs of its many devoted customers.

PANDORA x Junior League of Baltimore Charity Event

Join PANDORA Jewelry at Towson Town Center to shop for a cause and preview PANDORA’s new holiday collection on Thursday, November 5, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. Consumers are invited to celebrate the wonderful philanthropic work of PANDORA.

PANDORA Towson Town Center has teamed up with the Junior League of Baltimore, Inc. to support their mission in promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers.

From the purchases made during the event, the store will donate 10 percent of all proceeds directly to the organization who supports local causes including Kids in the Kitchen, Dress for Success, My Sister’s Place, Govans Elementary, One Love Foundation and Movable Feast.

All guests are welcome, no RSVP is required. Light fare and refreshments provided by La Cakerie will be served, and a raffle to win a $250 shopping spree at PANDORA Towson Town Center, will take place. Guests can also enjoy a complimentary calligraphy station for personalized holiday gift tags.

WHAT:  PANDORA Shop for a Cause Event with The Junior League of Baltimore

                                               

 

WHERE:  PANDORA Towson Town Center  825 Dulaney Valley Road, Towson, Md. 21204

WHEN:  Thursday, November 5, 2015 – 6:00 P.M. – 9:00 P.M. EST

 

# # #


ABOUT PANDORA

World-renowned for its hand-finished and contemporary jewelry at affordable prices, PANDORA designs, manufactures and markets jewelry made from high-quality materials. Designed to inspire women to embrace the self-creator within, PANDORA is a partner in helping to explore and craft a unique personal story to complement any style, every day. PANDORA’s unique and detailed designs combining traditional craftsmanship with modern technology are sold in more than 90 countries across six continents through approximately 9,500 points of sale, including more than 1,500 concept stores. Founded in 1982 and headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, PANDORA is publicly listed on the NASDAQ OMX Copenhagen stock exchange. Self-creators are encouraged to express and share their curated PANDORA jewelry inspiration with hashtag #ArtOfYou on their social channels and shop the collections at www.pandora.net.  Connect with us and join the conversation on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

 

ABOUT JLB
The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc. is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. Its purpose is exclusively educational and charitable. The Junior League of Baltimore, Inc. reaches out to women of all races, religions, and national origins who demonstrate an interest in and commitment to voluntarism.

The Junior League of Baltimore Inc. values the power of voluntarism, the diverse community in which we live, the talents, commitment, and contribution of our members, and our history of community impact and involvement.

Radcliffe Jewelers to host Irene Neuwirth Trunk Show

800x800_1247062575085-INT4

Radcliffe Jewelers has partnered with Irene Neuwirth Jewelry to host a jewelry trunk show featuring the works of the award-winning designer.  On September 30 and October 1, the uniquely modern and sophisticated designs of Irene Neuwirth will be at Radcliffe’s Pikesville location.  A representative from Irene Neuwirth will be in attendance to answer any questions and to assist with your design selections.  This is the first time the jewelry is available in the Baltimore area.

Irene Neuwirth is a leading jewelry brand in the US.  Her collections are widely anticipated season to season by a fashion-forward and discriminating clientele.  A native of Southern California, Irene’s fundamental inspiration is the ocean. Its purity, power and colors are all key elements at the origin of her designs. Her fascination with intense colors and raw, un-manufactured gem cuts, have become signature trademarks of the line.

HANDBAGS2

The jewelry has generated tremendous editorial attention and is featured consistently in Vogue, InStyle, Town & Country, W, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar. The jewelry is worn by some of the most beautiful women in the world, including Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry, and Reese Witherspoon. In 2006, Irene was the recipient of the Town & Country Couture Design Editors’ Choice Award at the Couture Jewelry Collection & Conference. In 2008, Irene was a finalist for the coveted CFDA Vogue Fashion Fund, the pre-eminent honor for young American fashion designers. In 2009, she became a member of the CFDA. In 2012, 2013 and again in 2014, she was nominated for a CFDA Award, the Swarovski Award for Accessory Design; in 2014, she won this award. In 2013 she was the recipient of the Women’s Jewelry Association’s Design Award for Excellence in Fine Jewelry. In 2014 she was nominated for a GEM Award for Design, one of the fine jewelry industry’s premier accolades.

IreneNeuwirthTrunk1

Guests can visit Radcliffe’s Pikesville location at 1848 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD 21208 to view Irene Neuwirth’s jewelry collection.  The jewelry will be showcased on September 30 from 10am to 8pm and on October 1from 10am to 6pm.  Guests are asked to RSVP to Lindsey@radcliffejewelers.com or 443-471-0952.

About Radcliffe Jewelers:

Radcliffe is one of the country’s premier retailers housing an unparalleled selection of luxury merchandise to cater to your needs. Radcliffe prides itself in having the finest selection of jewelry, watches, diamonds, china, crystal, silver and giftware as well as providing top-notch customer service. Radcliffe Jewelers is about offering its customers nothing but the best. From service to selection to customer satisfaction, Radcliffe Jewelers regularly goes above and beyond to create the ultimate shopping experience for its discerning clientele.

From its humble beginnings as a modest, three-employee, 750-squarefoot operations in 1983, Radcliffe Jewelers has evolved into one of Maryland’s premier luxury shopping destinations. There are two magnificent locations in the Baltimore area.