EMERALD CUT My fiance proposed with a Haribo ring as he knows how fussy I am with jewellery. I have my heart set on an emerald engagement ring. What should we look out for when we go shopping? Firstly, I do hope you enjoyed your Haribo ring... Secondly, an emerald is an excellent choice for the real deal! Before you go shopping, you’ll want to do some research on the four C’s for emeralds (colour, clarity, cut and carat). The most important factor for emeralds specifically is the colour. If you’re picking a pre-made ring you’ll want to closely compare the emeralds they have, a deeper green hue with minimal hints of blue and yellow are seen as the most desirable and therefore most expensive. It comes down to personal taste on which one you pick but knowing this makes sure you get a good price! Remember that emeralds are a relatively soft gemstone compared to others like diamonds or sapphires, so slight imperfections (known as inclusions) are to be expected. However, we think these markings only lend to the one-of-a-kind, vintage feel of these ethereal stones so they shouldn’t put you off. With that said, this softness does limit the style of cuts available. We generally recommend against pointed cuts like pear or marquise because the risk of damage is much higher with emeralds. When it comes to the design, this is where you want to select or create something original to you and your partner. Research different styles online to get a feel for what you like and be sure to try on different styles in store to see what looks right on your hand. Do you want a simple solitaire where the emerald takes centre stage? Or would you prefer a halo to add some sparkle? Lastly, you should always remember to ask your jeweller which country, organisation and mine the emerald originates from to ensure it’s from an ethical mine (Brazil is our top choice for ethical emerald mining). Alternatively, you can always opt for a lab grown emerald instead which is considerably cheaper without compromising on quality or ethics. Lab grown emeralds actually tend to have a much higher clarity than natural emeralds due to the fact they have far less inclusions as a result of being grown in a lab. As a final curveball, you might also want to look into green sapphires. They’re more durable and come in a wider variety of cuts but finding one with the same deep green hue of an emerald can be tricky. Again, it all comes down to personal taste! Claire Beatson | General Manager of Nightingale https://nightingale.co.uk PARTY ON! Like many couples, our wedding has been postponed due to the pandemic, and we’re having to re-book our entertainment. What should we take into consideration before booking? If you’re re-booking wedding entertainment for a wedding that you’ve had to postpone, the first thing you need to find out is if your original band is still available. If you booked through a reputable agency, they should be able to transfer your booking to your new date or to a new band – no problem! Maybe you’ve booked directly with your band? Find out about their cancellation policy. They might be able to perform on your new date instead or might have a refund policy. If you need to book a new band last minute – don’t panic! Give your agency a ring and tell them your new date. They’ll be able to give you a list of bands who are available on your wedding day and help match you to the perfect act. The chances are, you’ll still have a great variety of options to choose from. Finally, if you have your heart set on a band, you could always find out which dates they are free and find out if your venue is able to amend your booking to match. You never know, and it’s always worth asking! Good luck on your search and congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! Steven Robertson | Entertainment Nation www.entertainment-nation.co.uk TEAM EFFORT Can you say ‘no’ to the bridesmaid dress if you absolutely hate it? As a bridesmaid it can be tricky to know what to do or say to your bride without causing all-out war when you’re faced with a particular style of dress that you may not like, either because you know it won’t flatter you or because you simply just don’t like it! Bridesmaid dresses have come a long way in recent years and there are some gorgeous mix and match styles and colours which have been developed to work together, to bring joy and delight to all your bridesmaids when shopping for those all-important dresses, so that they too can feel confident and special for the big day. One such brand is Motee Maids, which offers over 1,000 different ways the dresses can be worn. With a choice of nine flattering bodice shapes, three different skirt options, four different beaded embellishments and 13 gorgeous colours including ivory, bridesmaid dresses have never been so beautiful! Kerensa Dyson | Bijou Bridal Boutique www.bijoubridalboutique.co.uk Motee Maids 78
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