SUZY & JUAN

Complete Engagement Ring Guide

WORDS BY SARA QUIRICONI

PHOTO BY CALEB-OQUENDO (PEXELS.COM)

The temperatures are cooler, the festivities are gearing up, presents being wrapped and perhaps a scent of cinnamon and holiday cheer are in the air. The holiday season is the busiest season for marriage proposals, with December having the highest proposal rate taking the (wedding) cake at 19%.

As you’re planning for your own proposal, here’s a quick and thorough guide to selecting the perfect engagement ring to pop the question with a celebrated piece that will last an eternity of love and wonderment.

WHAT TO SPEND While I am one to believe in investing in a piece that the beholder will cherish for a lifetime, I also believe in not breaking the bank just to pick the biggest rock on the block. Remember, the ring itself is a token of love, not the actual love itself. A personal financing tip: spend what you have without putting yourself into debt, and before getting married, have in depth conversations about finances prior. This will help you both have an equal understanding of money, expenses, your personal financial status, debts, and spending habits prior to tying the knot.

HOW TO SHOP FOR ONE In addition to price, there are quite a few factors that determine how you’ll shop for a ring and what you’ll be looking for. Here’s a list of questions to help you started:

1. Order online, or head to a store? 2. Go with a name brand store, or a certified jeweler? 3. What kind of stone are you seeking: diamond, gemstone, or simply a band? 4. What kind of metal: gold, rose, or white gold, platinum? 5. What shape of stone are you seeking: (round, princess, cushion, oval, emerald, pear, marquise? 6. What “Four C’s” of a diamond stone are you looking for: cut, color, clarity, carat weight?

* if seeking to have external link on details, reference: https://www.borsheims. com/blog/choosing-perfect-engagement-ring/

3. MAKING THE PURCHASE Being married twice, there’s a thing or two I’ve learned being on the receiving side of a ring to add as a bonus.

Ensure the ring you’re purchasing also fits the lifestyle of your bride to be. If the bride is constantly using her hands and having a huge, princess cut with a prong setting and sharp edges will just have her taking the ring off, then it’s not super functional for her lifestyle.

Get the ring from a certified jeweler that ensures it comes with a valid certificate.

Last but not least, ensure she either loves surprises, you know her taste to a tee or she’s given you some hints of exactly what she’d want. Rings lose their value almost instantly off the floor and it’d be a pricey return.

TIFFANY & CO

TIFFANY & CO

Engagements will undoubtedly increase with Valentine’s Day following the holiday season. It’s traditionally the groom — or whoever is asking- to surprise the other with a diamond ring. But it’s an item you must live with for a long time, so it’s best to think long and hard about your ring style. After all, a ring is meant to be worn daily, not just for special occasions or to keep the safety deposit box warm. Stick with the classics — maybe with a twist but don’t choose something so different that you may not like it in 10 years. But diamonds are not the only gem that is forever. Emeralds, pearls, and sapphires are all within the realm of appropriate engagement rings. Any type of ring or gem is acceptable if given with love, but precious metals and gemstones have staying power. They become legacy items attached to stories and memories.

Your bridal look is another opportunity to invest in fine jewelry. Ellagem is a pearl jeweler started by Ella Gafter. She soon became known as the Queen of Pearls, and her daughter Talila joined the business. ”We all like to commemorate a momentous occasion, and fine jewelry is ideal for this. It serves that purpose repeatedly when gifted — typically from one generation to the next. Moreover, a classic piece of jewelry — unlike a wedding dress, can be worn for a lifetime,” states Talila.

Pearls have a luminosity and pair elegantly with a white wedding gown. Jennifer Lopez showed some pearl love when she got married this summer — she accented her Ralph Lauren dress with a single virgin pearl ring worn with a pearl drop earring. She opted for the classic adornment this time around—maybe this is for keeps. Mikimoto is the ultimate purveyor of pearls and has been so for 120 years since founder Kokichi Mikimoto successfully created the world's first cultured pearls. They strive to have innovative collaborations like the one with Comme Des Garcons and keep the designs fresh. Their chic shop on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan is a luxury experience, and purchasing from Mikimoto is an investment that keeps on giving because the legendary name will always hold its value.

Rafka Koblence came to this country from Latvia 40 years ago to follow his jewelry-making dreams. He is known for mixing cutting-edge techniques with old-world methods to create heirlooms and bespoke pieces. His “I Do” collection includes engagement rings, wedding bands, and other adornments. We invited Rafka to bejewel our Real Brides on the photo shoot at Manhattan Manor. He beautified our Real Brides with his authentic diamond jewelry, which made for some happy ladies.

David Yurman’s artistry started over 40 years ago, and since that time, he has built an empire. He’s recently opened a shop in Paris and has included automatic watches, wedding and engagement pieces. Many of his designs recall his iconic rope detail, which sometimes is hidden in a piece's interior - like a secret. Consummate innovator and conceptualist Julie Lamb has been creating jewelry for over seven years. She just launched “Built for Love,” — a wedding and engagement jewelry collection. Included are nine engagement rings inspired by New York City’s architecture and landmarks — The Chrysler Building, The Brooklyn Bridge, The Statue of Liberty, and where she got engaged — Rockefeller Center, which has a distinctly Art Deco vibe. Her studio is in Manhattan at 64 West 48 Street so peruse and try on her pieces if you are a New Yorker at heart or in actuality.

Tiffany & Co has a strong cultural reference point beyond its luxury items. Breakfast at Tiffany's remains a relevant movie known even by millennials and continues the allure of owning a Tiffany & Co piece. They built their reputation by creating exquisite jewelry, impeccable service, and exciting collaborations like Elsa Peretti. Although they are a global brand, its Fifth Ave flagship is an experience that even window-shopping tourists can’t resist. It’s as synonymous with New York as the Brooklyn Bridge.

Bridal Jewelry WORDS BY MIMI LOMBARDO

DAVID YURMAN JULIE LAMB JULIE LAMB

ELLAGEM ELLAGEM

MIKIMOTO

RAFKA RAFKA

DAVID YURMAN

MILLA NOVA

Beauty for Ashes

WORDS BY STEPHANIE BLAKE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BY MARY MEYSKA

A cold lobby. A dark and slow ascension. A jolting halt allows steel elevator doors to open to a sharp contrast of alluring light, unveiling what seemed like an enchanting cohort of angels soldered together, ready to share a divine message. That was my sincere experience entering the presentation for Milla Nova, a 20yr Ukrainian-based international bridal brand featured for New York Bridal Fashion Week. Steel elevator doors did open to a sharp contrast of alluring light, unveiling an enchanting cohort of, in fact, dazzling white gowns suspended all around a rustic New York City penthouse loft.

From the warm greeting given by staff and presenters to stories behind the names of each piece, down to the unpretentious display of a stunning collection, it felt like we experienced a transcendent journey that we must celebrate. Indeed we did! The world watched Ukraine invade and hold its ground to defend and protect its own. Many of us watched, prayed, and took action. Milla Nova’s founders, two Ukrainian sisters, Iryna and Zoryana Senyshyn, took their entire creative corporate body and developed protective gear for their militia. The collection I saw and felt reflected a bone-chilling history in the making. It was evident that the people who crafted these gowns lifted a needle to protect and save the life of another. The brand's CEO, Ulyana Kyrychuck, denotes the success and innovation of the brand to the team members and their dedication.

Milla Nova is undoubtedly a brand to celebrate for its contribution to supporting their troops, marking its 20th anniversary as a successful female-owned international bridal brand and launching Milla by Lorenzo Rossi Collection. It is one of its first high-end bridal collections, established in 2019, and the first Ukrainian bridal collection to debut in the U.S. at New York Bridal Fashion Week.

We saw a mix of dresses displayed from Milla Nova’s classic line while Milla by Lorenzo Rossi ushered in as young goddesses throughout the loft among press and buyers. The collective 28 gowns presented an elegant glamour for what the sisters described is for the “modern, sophisticated bride.” Romance and innocent allure were constant throughout the looks of each garment. Most of the fabric chosen transparencies were fleshcolored for various skin tones, while embellishments like lace appliques, pearls, and crystals covered delicate areas for modesty. Other materials rich in taste were heavily adorned lace, lush tulle, and fine silk satin, just to name a few. Perfectly captured silhouettes were sleek mermaids, shapely trumpets, and classic ballgowns in cocktail and floor-sweeping lengths. As I surveyed each dress, I appreciated the corsetted bodice, a detail as such that provides function and femininity to any attire. Each model sensuously showcased fine seam tailoring and the intention to focus on the most celebrated parts of a woman's body. There are gowns for any woman who wants to highlight her favorite part or cover it with a glamorous tiered tulle ruffled bolero.

The overarching message was well received. ‘Beauty for ashes’ is a profound exchange seen in Milla Nova’s brand history, and they have seeded a political and creative legacy we should honor. Any bride can display the strength, beauty, and femininity of all the women in your wedding party by making Milla Nova’s gowns your choice for your special day.

Although dramatic, my entry to the loft was symbolic of what had occurred during the Ukrainian invasion, and it is what we all pray to come for Ukraine.

WORLD BRIDE MAGAZINE is your destination for all special event needs. We bring you vetted brands that offer sophisticated products and services, and Milla Nova is one of these. Our interviews share knowledgeable perspectives of fine artists and craftsmanship. Should you be planning a wedding or special event, visit www.worldbridemagazine.com to find out how. Milla Nova sells across 50 countries and online. For more information on Milla Nova, Milla by Lorenzo Rossi, please visit www.itsmilladress. com and mention WORLD BRIDE MAGAZINE.