An Essex Wedding - Mar/Apr 2019 (Issue 85)

COLOUR Diamonds are marked on colour. Although they generally appear colourless, they actually include subtle shades of yellow and brown. Colourless gems are marked between D and F, while stones graded S to Z are yellow in colour. The further you work down the alphabet, the more colour the gem will contain and therefore the less valuable it is. IN THE know Adding the finishing touches to your bridal attire can really give it W-day wow factor. We give you the best advice on picking the perfect big-day bling. CARAT A carat is the measure of the weight of the gem. One carat is equal to a fifth of a gram and can also be divided into 100 points, with 25 points being equal to a quarter of a carat. Because smaller carats are more common, they’re less valuable than gems of a higher grade. CLARITY A gem’s clarity is based on how light is reflected into and back out of the stone. This can be affected by small marks called inclusions. It’s extremely rare to find a jewel that has no inclusions and its worth is dependent on how many there are. The clarity grades are: FL – Flawless IF – Internally flawless VVS – Very, very slightly included VS – Very slightly included SI – Slightly included I – Included CUT Brilliant – the traditional shape of an engagement ring. A brilliant-cut gem features a cone-shaped point underneath, its round-faced to maximise the return of light passed through. Princess – the top of a princess cut is square with pointed corners and is pyramid-shaped sideways on. Emerald – with a rectangular shape and cropped corners, the emerald cut is popular with Art Deco-inspired jewellery. Marquise – an elongated shape with pointed edge. Said to mirror the smile of the Marquise of Pompadour, it was commissioned by King Louis XIV. Oval – a symmetrical oval design, developed in the ’60s as a twist on the brilliant cut. Baguette – popular for wedding rings, baguette cuts are slender and rectangular. Pear – also known as a teardrop cut, a pear cut features a single point and a rounded edge. Heart – styled in the shape of a heart, this cut is seen as the most romantic of all. Radiant – with 70 facets and distinguished by its cropped corners, the radiant cut is popularly a rectangle but can also be square in shape. Cushion – cushion cuts have rounded corners and large facets to increase the brilliance of the gem, they can be both a square or rectangle. Trilliant – a dramatic cut, it’s traditionally triangular but can also be rounded. BIRTHSTONES January – Garnet February – Amethyst March – Aquamarine April – Diamond May – Emerald June – Pearl July – Ruby August – Peridot September – Sapphire October – Opal November – Topaz December – Tanzanite GEM STONES Diamonds – diamonds are the symbol of love: the tip of cupid’s arrow was said to be adorned with the colourless gems. Sapphire – the stone has increased in popularity since Prince William presented the Duchess of Cambridge with his late mother’s sapphire engagement ring. The blue stone was discovered in India in 1880 and is said to represent truth and loyalty. Ruby – the deep red stones are mined in Asia and were originally used to decorate amour as they’re believed to bring good fortune. Amethyst – a type of quartz, the clear purple stone was originally used by the ancient Greeks for wine goblets as its thought to stop intoxication. Tanzanite – celebrated as the 20th-century gemstone after being discovered in the foothills of Mount Kilimanjaro in the ’60s, tanzanite is extremely rare and only found in one place worldwide. Emerald – said to represent luxury, the rich green stones are found in Egypt, close to the Red Sea. Garnet – most commonly recognised as a red stone, garnet is a popular choice for vintage jewellery. The gem can also be found in shades of violet, green, black, yellow and a rare blue. Aquamarine – the most versatile of jewels, aquamarine is a pale blue or turquoise green shade and is found in many African nations. Pearl – pearls are a popular choice for brides on their big day. Created by shelled molluscs, there are two types: saltwater, which are usually rounder; and freshwater, which can vary in shape, size and colour. UP-AND-COMING ALTERNATIVES Many brides are breaking tradition when it comes to choosing their bridal jewellery by going with less popular stones, which are just as beautiful – these are the five to keep an eye out for... ❤ Morganite ❤ Moissanite ❤ Onyx ❤ Tourmaline ❤ Labradorite JEWELLERY & ACCESSORIES 79