Engagement Rings

A Quarter Saved

We were inspired by this young man's decision to save for his future. At the young age of 14, Sean Clayton began saving for an engagement ring. Read his fun story below! I think it teaches us all the value of a quarter saved and the future it can bring.

"Sure, engagement rings can be expensive, but a very practical teenager recently took to Reddit to share his unusual (but kind of brilliant) plan for paying for his future engagement ring.
Reddit user Imriayalde posed the question, "What's the silliest thing you've done to save money on your wedding?" to the Reddit community Tuesday. In response, Sean Clayton (Reddit username SeanAir) explained that when he was 14, he decided to save every quarter he got and use that money to offset the cost of an engagement ring. He's now 19, not engaged or married, and still saving.
"Pretty much been taxing myself for 5 years. Hope it pays off," he wrote. "My friends have been calling me crazy for years."
Clayton, who lives in Snellville, Georgia, told HuffPost Weddings that he began thinking about his future at young age, and was inspired to save money after listening to a radio program in which a woman was encouraged to save dollar bills and put them towards an important future purchase. Since he was only 14 and not earning any money, he decided to save quarters instead.
"I figured that the only guaranteed, big-time spending I would likely conduct in the next 15 years would be at the beginning of a marriage," Clayton said. "I decided from that point that I would save those quarters over a long period of time in the hope that I would avoid a serious financial strain as I enter into marriage, an even greater financial commitment."
Clayton estimated that he has saved about 15 pounds worth of quarters so far. Another Redditor, Kalypso_, wrote that at 80 quarters to the pound, Clayton has probably saved about $300.
"That is actually kind of adorable. I mean, please don't feel like you have to buy an expensive ring (not all girls are into that, believe it or not), but it's very responsible to set money aside for big purchases you anticipate in the future. I hope your lucky girl realizes that when the time comes," Redditor keakealani commented."

via Huffington Post Weddings

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Jennifer Aniston &Justin Theroux

The worth of Aniston’s ring, presented by actor Justin Theroux, has been put in the same range, though it’s been tough to call because Aniston wasn’t quick to show it off (she even kept it covered on the set of We Are The Millers in New Mexico). It wasn’t until two months post-engagement that the paparazzi finally got a shot of the stunner as Aniston caressed her boyfriend’s face. The diamond—which might be emerald cut, might be oval or radiant—looks to be about eight or nine carats, which is certainly larger than Jolie’s. But with both rings being priced in the same ballpark, which bedazzled bride-to-be came out ahead is a matter of preference.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Swarovski Running Shoes

Now these are some running shoes we can really get behind.

Normally the ladies at Measetique Jewels prefer high heels, occasionally the cute and well-styled ballet flat. But after reading the below article from InStore Magazine, we find ourselves coveting this pair of running shoes! (For us US readers, football = soccer!)

"Swarovski has demonstrated in the past their willingness to cover virtually anything with crystals - from the interior of a Lamborghini to Susan Boyle's toenails - in order to get a media hit. Their latest PR stunt is leather Nikes embedded with 4,000 crystals. The company believes that the shoes are the most expensive pair of football boots ever used in action. "Action" here means a pre-match warm-up and photo-op during which they were worn by a French footballer who ditched them for real shoes once the game began."

via InStore Magazine

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie

Even though they’ve both moved on, exes Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston will never be far apart in the headlines. They both got engaged in 2012—Brad in April, and Jen in August—and inevitably, the betrothal rocks were the subject of comparison. If you’re counting carats, Brad’s seven-year partner, Angelina Jolie, has 16—one seven-carat, emerald-cut center stone, and nine carats worth of tapered diamonds covering the platinum band. The ring, designed by Beverly Hills jeweler Robert Procop, has been estimated at half a million, though reports say that Pitt paid twice that.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

All That Glitters at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards

"Pioneered by Joan Rivers just after the Civil War, the age-old “Who are you wearing?” has been supplanted on awards-show red carpets by the more 21st Century “How much are you wearing?” Recording star and domestic-abuse victim Rihanna flashed a $2 million, 100-carat diamond and platinum serpentine bracelet from Neil Lane at the Grammy Awards on Sunday night, which was also the first day of the Chinese Year of the Snake. (Nicole Kidman acknowledged the occasion with Fred Leighton's 19th Century green enamel, diamond and gold snake cuff, no price mentioned because Nicole’s a classy dame.) Never shy about, well, anything, Jennifer Lopez turned up at the Grammy’s sporting $5 million in Norman Silverman rocks, including a 33-carat canary diamond ring. Fortunately, no one asked JLo about her jewelry at the Golden Globes last month, when she wore a diamond and rhodium pendant in the form of a Hershey’s Kiss, $2,620 at Sears (!). As the world now knows, however, country star (and reality show winner) Carrie Underwood placed far ahead in this particular horserace with her record-breaking $31 million diamond necklace (381 carats) by Johnathan Arndt (yes, that’s how he spells his name), who designed fellow American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson’s engagement ring (a paltry $200,000)."

-via InStore Magazine

Jennifer Lopez arrives at the 55th Annual Grammy Awards

J. Lo flashes some arm candy as well as sparkling diamonds

She must charm snakes too, Rihanna showed off her Neil Lane serpent bracelet.

Nicole Kidman at the Grammy's sporting a Fred Leighton cuff 

Close up of Nicole Kidman's Grammy jewelry

          

Carrie Underwood, the jewelry star of the 55th Annual Grammy Awards.

Close up of the country singer's 381 carat diamond, Johnathan Arndt wreath necklace.

Top Valentine's Day Movies

Romantic Movies to Watch with your Valentine 

Looking for the perfect night in before the Valentine's Day festivities? With all of the cold weather we have been having its the perfect time to snuggle up on the couch and enjoy a romantic movie, and yes, it's that time of the year when it's OK for the guys to watch these without complaining.... after all, the Super Bowl is over. And ok, maybe a few of these might be better to watch during a girl's night (Crazy, Stupid, Love, any movie with Ryan Gosling is best for girl's night)!

1. I Hate Valentine's Day- Does she really hate Valentine's Day? You'll have to see in this indie film staring the lead actors from My Big Fat Greek Wedding.

2. When Harry Met Sally- Before we had The Notebook, we had When Harry Met Sally, a classic love story.

3. Crazy, Stupid, Love- Like I said, this might be better suited for a girls night, but the guys can appreciate the great lengths the characters go through to go on a date, and everyone can enjoy Steve Carell's humor.

4. An Affair to Remember- Must have a classic Cary Grant movie such as this on the list!

5. The Notebook- Mandatory on any romantic movie list, men, take note of Noah's chivalry.

6. Love, Actually- People think it's just a Christmas movie, but like the film says "love, actually is all around", and that is very important to remember no matter what time of the year it is.

7. Somewhere in Time- I might be biased since the lead character's name is Elise, but it's a love story with time travel so it definitely makes the list.

8. Return to Me- Quirky and fun, plus a great soundtrack for the Rat Pack fans.

9. French Kiss- Ah, Paris, the City of Love

10. The Princess Bride- There are sword fights and ROUSes, need we say more?

Celebrity Engagement Rings

Hugh Hefner & Crystal Harris

If at first you don’t succeed, try again and keep both rings. That’s the way Crystal Harris, new wife of Playboy icon Hugh Hefner, played it. Hefner first proposed to her on Christmas Eve 2010 with a 3-carat round diamond set in platinum; the couple set a June date, but the 24-year-old bride bailed five days before the big event. A year and a half later, the tenacious octogenarian tried again, presenting Harris with another impressive diamond set in six prongs with a diamond-covered band. “My beautiful ring from Hugh Hefner,” Harris tweeted—with photos. This ring did the trick; the couple exchanged vows, as planned, on New Year’s Eve. We hope Harris likes the rings: an ironclad prenup says she’ll get none of Hef’s estimated $43 million fortune.

via Howard Cohen, http://www.instoremag.com/shine-blog/item/516-the-jeweler-blog-shines-a-light-on-six-celebrity-engagements

Amethyst: The February Birthstone

We found a quick summary of the Greek mythology behind the naming of the Amethyst stone. The stone happens to be the birthstone for those born in February. Enjoy!

"The name amethyst comes from the Greek amythestos for "not drunk" and the story of one of the goddess Diana's proteges, who was turned into a solid piece of quartz until Dionysus spilled his wine on her, turning her purple. The myth lived on in the practice of carving chalices from amethyst, to make water appear to be wine and hence protect the drinker from drunkenness."

via InStore Magazine, source Jim Fiebig