When searching for the engagment ring of your dreams, be sure you get the quality you’d expect in something you’ll wear for a lifetime. This is not a purchase where you’ll want to scrimp. Consider that the engagement ring will be worn 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, for as long as you both shall live, so invest in the very best quality ring, whatever your budget.
Here is a list of “musts” to consider when shopping for your engagement ring. (Courtesy of Steve Robbins, CEO of Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store):
- All diamonds in the ring should be of superior cut, color and clarity, and all should be perfectly matched for maximum brilliance.
- Channels (the side diamonds that may be in a row next to the center diamond) must be straight and strong for extra security.
- The shank (the metal part of the ring) must be extra heavy for lasting strength.
- There should be no porosity and a high polish on the ring shank (you will notice a mirror-like finish)
Things to watch out for when shopping for your ring:
- Mismatched side diamonds. The side diamonds in these rings will have only limited brilliance and vary in size, color and clarity.
- Imperfect metal finish. Mass-produced rings often show casting spots and little bubbles in the metal which are called “porosity.”
- Irregular channels. The channel settings from many jewelers are uneven and sometimes very thin. You may notice that the diamonds are set unevenly or show obvious gaps.
- Lightweight shank. These rings are noticable because they are much lighter in weight and will, as a result, wear out quickly. This is because the gold of the shank is thin and hollowed-out to cut production costs.
Take your time when shopping for your diamond engagement ring and be sure you will be happy with the quality. If you have any questions feel free to email me or call me at 818-662-0357, ext 8227.
Happy Engagement!
Diane
- First, think of some dates that are meaningful to her. The anniversary of your first date is a great place to start. If she loves the big holidays, consider proposing on Christmas Eve or Christmas morning, on New Year’s Eve or even on Valentine’s Day.
- Select a day that is stress-free, perhaps a weekend day or a vacation day.
- Come up with a list of your favorite places spent together as a couple. This could be the location where you met, where you had your first date, or where you said you loved each other the first time.
- Another idea is to pick a place you’ve both talked about visiting, such as a special restaurant, a ski resort, or even the top of the Empire State Building.
- For ideas on how to propose, make it personal and something she’ll love. Engagement experts at a Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement ring store in Los Angeles, Orange County, Riverside/San Bernardino, San Diego, Houston or Dallas can also help you. Or, check out “45 Proposal Ideas” on the Robbins Bros. website.
For more suggestions or ways to personalize your proposal please email me or call me at 818-662-0357, ext 8227.
Happy Proposal!
Diane
Personalize Any Wedding Band with an Engraved Message
Many couples who come to Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store to purchase wedding bands request engraved messages for the inside of the bands. Here are some suggestions for your personal engravings:
- Wedding Date (12/6/05, or Dec 6, 2005)
- I Love You, John!
- Yours Truly
- Love/Love (for tennis players)
- Symbols (a heart, a cross)
- Amor Vincit Omnia (Latin, “Love Conquers All”)
- “A Deal’s a Deal” (engraved on the bands of Courtney Cox-Arquette & David Arquette)
- A favorite verse from scripture (Song of Solomon in the Old Testament, I Corinthians 13:4 in the New Testament)
- XXOO (Kisses and Hugs)
- Your nicknames
- Je t’aime (”I love you” in French)
- My Love
- Always & Forever
- Put Me Back On (for the spouse with a sense of humor)
- With Love, from Mrs. John Ferraro
- A line from a romantic poem (”How Do I Love Thee?” Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
- You are my sunshine
- That’s Amore!
This message will be worn on your left finger forever, so choose wisely. Spend an evening together over a pot of coffee, or a bottle of wine, and jot down some ideas of your own. You just may discover a hidden poet inside yourself or your spouse-to-be!
For a great selection of wedding bands check out a Robbins Bros. in California (Los Angeles: Glendale, San Fernando Valley, Torrance; Orange County: Mission Viejo, Fullerton; Riverside/San Bernardino: Montclair; San Diego) or in Texas (Houston: Willowbrook/Champions, near the Galleria/610 Loop, Baybrook/Webster; Dallas: near the Galleria (opening mid-November 2006.) For more information call 1-800-610-RING.
Most Romantic Places in Houston to Propose
- Japanese Gardens at Herman Park
- TheHouston Museum of Natural Science – Butterfly Exhibit
- Williams Tower and Waterfall
- Kemah Boardwalk
- Northgate Country Club
- Minute Maid Park (for the baseball fans!)
- Spindletop at Hyatt
- In a Hot Air Balloon
- Theater Under the Stars
- Mariposa Ranch Bed & Breakfast (about 90 minutes from Houston)
- Brennan’s of Houston
- Hotel Icon
- Head out to Brenham and propose at the famous Blue Bell Creameries
- Landmark River Oaks Theater
- Propose while sailing at Clear Lake
- The Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa
- Mockingbird Bistro Wine Bar
- The beautiful hamlet of Chappell Hill, amidst the Greek revival homes
- Along the stretch of beautiful beaches in Galveston
- The Brownstone (restaurant)
- Horsedrawn Carriage in a location you select
Houston Grand Opera
- Aquarium Restaurant
- The St. Regis, Houston
- The Ally Theater
For help planning your own Perfect Proposal, call the engagement experts at Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store. 1-800-610-RING
Most romantic places in Southern California to propose
Los Angeles area
- Huntington Library and Gardens –Pasadena
- Cicada Restaurant – downtown L.A.
- Yamashiro restaurant –Hollywood
- Hotel Bel Air
- Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge
- The Standard Hotel – rooftop bar
- Long Beach – Gondola ride in Naples
- Castaways Restaurant – Burbank
- Beau Rivage –Malibu restaurant
- Cafe Mundial – Monrovia
- Duke’s (Malibu or Huntington Beach)
- Traxx at Union Station, Los Angeles
- Japanese Garden at Huntington Ritz Carlton, Pasadena
- Hollywood Bowl
- Twin Palms Restaurant -Pasadena
- Malibu – Point Dume
- Hotel Portofino –Redondo Beach
Central Coast
- Pierpont Inn, Ventura
- James House B&B, Santa Barbara
- Hearst Castle/Cambria
- Wine Country, Solvang
Orange County
- Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Disneyland, Anaheim
- Montage Resort – Laguna Beach
- Hotel del Coronado – San Diego
- During the Christmas Boat Parade in Newport Beach
- Ruby’s Diner, Newport Beach & Huntington Beach Piers
- Heading south on the Amtrak coastal train, as you pull into San Clemente
- Ambrosia, Santa Ana
- Orange Hill Restaurant -Orange
- Las Brisas, Laguna Beach
- The community gazebo in Laguna Beach
- Tortilla Flats –Mission Viejo
- Any lifeguard tower along the coast, at sunrise or sunset
- Little Corona del Mar Beach, Corona del Mar
- Bowers Museum, Santa Ana
Inland Empire
-
The Tram – Palm Springs
- Wine Country – Temecula
- The Mission Inn – Riverside
- Joshua Tree National Park
- Chair lift up mountain at Snow Summit, Big Bear
- Le Vallauris – Palm Springs (closed during summer months)
- Le St. Germain Restaurant – Indian Wells
- Kimberly Crest historic estate, Redlands
- Hot Air Balloon ride, Temecula
- Lake Arrowhead
- Café Sevilla – Riverside
San Diego
- Villa de Valor bed & breakfast – Julian
- Horse Drawn Carriage Ride, Gaslamp Quarter, San Diego
- La Valencia –La Jolla
- Hotel del Coronado, Coronado Island
- Bertrand’s, Mr. A’s – Downtown San Diego
- Mille Fleur – Rancho Santa Fe
- Jakes – Del Mar
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with view of Pacific Ocean
- La Jolla coastline
- Along the beach in Del Mar, near the old train station
- Inn at Rancho Santa Fe
- Dinner cruise at sunset in Coronado Bay
For help planning your own Perfect Proposal, visit Robbins Bros., World’s Biggest Engagement Ring Store. 1-800-610-RING.
