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Here are some options to help you navigate based on common needs & enquiries.
Love is a beautiful thing. It makes us do things we wouldn’t normally do. In the initial months of a relationship, even taking out the rubbish is done with a smile. In today’s world, more and more couples are living together before getting married – according to 2012 figures from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 75 per cent of couples are now living together before marriage. So having certain goals on your joint household ‘to do’ list is only natural.
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So whose decision is it really? Whether to get married or not is something most ladies have a say in. Now I’m not sure on the actual numbers, but it’s a well-known fact that, while us guys think we make most of the decisions, it is actually the ladies who are the main decision-makers. If you’re lucky, your lady may even let you ‘think’ that you are in control of making the decision.
This is often especially true when looking at decision relating to the home, with women having the final say on which house to buy, and basing their decision on the kitchen, bathroom and wardrobe space. Major renovating decisions are also often made by women. With the ever-increasing cost of organising a wedding, you may find yourself discussing with your partner whether to buy a ring, or a new kitchen. (If kitchens are not your thing, the choice might be between getting married and an overseas holiday or other significant purchase.)
Sometimes the decision really just comes down to which one your partner wants more at the time. If the fixer upper you just moved into, has a kitchen only good enough for takeout, and you get the feeling from your partner that it’s a new kitchen or moving back in with her parents. Then maybe it might be worthwhile postponing the pending engagement while you make your new home liveable.
For each couple, the timing of when to take the relationship to the next level is different. I have seen couples who have only been together for a matter of months before deciding to take the plunge. Likewise, I have seen couples who have been together for over 17 years, and maybe don’t really want to get married, but still choose to celebrate their relationship with a commitment ring. While there is no right or wrong length of time to ‘be together’ before marriage, one thing is for sure – once the decision has been made, it is time. A proposal is usually not too far away.
In my experience, the three-year mark is usually a rough guide for couples looking to get engaged. However, this time frame usually becomes shorter as you get older – some couples in their forties wait less than a year.
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I think guys who are buying an engagement ring on their own deserve respect. It can be a really daunting experience and there is a lot of pressure to get it right. Over the last 20 years I have helped a lot of gentlemen choose a beautiful diamond engagement ring for their fiancées. Make sure when you are buying an engagement ring, you make it one she will love forever. 
If you think i have missed anything, would love you to post it in the comments section below.
10 things you must ask your jeweller to make sure you are getting the best advice
Is the ring made locally or overseas ? Hand made rings manufactured locally are not only better quality, but will last longer as well. A master jeweller is someone who has spent their whole life perfecting the art of making jewellery. The quality of the piece created by a master jeweller is far superior to that of a mass produced ring.
A lot of the overseas made rings are of lightweight manufacturing design and are not built to stand the test of time.
This is a must. Having a ring specially designed by a professional jewellery designer is incredibly important. Almost every ring can be designed to sit flush with a wedding band. It just comes down to the skill of the designer. Make sure it is drawn for you in 3D before having it made.
Russian and Belgian diamond cutters are the best in the world. While they usually cost a little extra, they will definitely sparkle more . If you are trying to compare apples with apples, it is important to find out where the diamond was cut.
All diamond grading is done by the human eye, which is not infallible. It is vital to have a strict diamond grader with knowledge on diamond cutting check your stone to ensure you get what you pay for.
Any reputable jewellery manufacturer should be able to stand behind the quality of their work. A lifetime manufacturing warranty gives you the greatest piece of mind.
Most jewellers have ultrasonic machines specially designed to keep your rings clean. The ultrasonic literally shakes the dirt out from all the hard to reach places. This should be a free service that comes with all your jewellery.
Longevity and legacy in a business is essential in building credibility and trust. Look for jewellery stores that have ideally been around more than 10 years. Jewellery stores have been known to come and go. A warranty is not worth anything, if the business is not around to fulfill it.
If a minor stone falls out for no apparent reason. Most reputable jewellery stores should replace the stone free of charge. To a manufacturing jewellery it is usually obvious why a stone has fallen out. If it is not due to wear and tear the stone should be replaced free of charge.
It is quite normal for a stone to come loose through every day where. For a jewellery store with a professional diamond setter, it is a simple task to secure your stone. This should also be checked every time the ring is cleaned.
Because jewellers are often dealing with insurance companies through the claim process, they generally have a good idea about which insurance company is going to look after you the best, in the event of a loss.
Would love to hear from you. What questions did you ask your jeweller ? Please post your questions below.
To re-propose or not, is an issue that confronts a lot of men after a proposal mishap. Re-proposing, is there even such a word? Is proposing something that can only happen once? I know there are many times in our lives where we wish we had a re-do button. So if you make a mistake with your first proposal, why not re-propose and create a new memory?
Didn’t have the right ring the first time or you know that she is particular and were unsure as to which ring she would like? Weather destroyed your plans? Lost the element of surprise? Didn’t say all the things you wanted to? If you’ve answered yes to any one of these questions, perhaps you should consider re-proposing?
According to a study by Theknot, 32% of women say the biggest proposal mistake you can make is not having a ring. If you proposed without a ring or it turned out to be the wrong ring, re-proposing could be an excellent idea to recreate the perfect moment. This time, you will have the right ring and the element of surprise still won’t be lost.
If you are worried about choosing the wrong ring, it might be a good idea to walk her past the odd jewellery store or two. Be mindful about timing though. Don’t do it the week before you propose as it will still be quite fresh in her mind. Ideally, try and allow a six month time frame between walking past jewellery stores and popping the question. If you are still unsure and decide to include her in the process, there is no reason why the proposal can’t still be a surprise. In doing so, make sure you reassure her that it will take place at some point it the near future. Once you have chosen the design, it could be a good idea to set a false date in the future. For example, if it is January, tell her you are planning something amazing at Christmas time, but then plan to whisk her away in June to a surprise location.
If you decide to propose without the ring, then choose a different location to re-propose. That way she won’t suspect a thing. If you do propose with a ring that she doesn’t like, try not to take it personally. Better that she says something now, then live the rest of her life with a ring that she doesn’t like. Or worse still, find out 20 years later that she didn’t like it. A beautiful engagement ring is something you should be proud of. It is always a good idea to ask about the exchange policy with the jewellery store you are purchasing the ring from should it not be quite right. That way you can re-propose with the right ring, without losing out.
If you lost the element of surprise the first time, undoubtedly you will have learnt a thing or two for the second time around. It might be because you decided to take your partner out on a date for the first time in six months. So, if you are planning a surprise proposal, it’s not a bad idea to take her out on a few “dummy dates” to throw her off your proposal “scent”. Try and act natural. Getting down on one knee and picking up a napkin off the floor for example, is only going to start putting ideas in her mind that a proposal is imminent.
Think about how you are going to transport the ring. A big ring box in tight jeans is a dead giveaway. A small proposal pouch is a great way to conceal the ring until the right moment arises. A proposal pouch is also a great idea if you are going through customs for example, as it can be easily hidden in your wallet.
Weather destroyed your plans? If you were planning to go hot air ballooning and that morning a hurricane decided to come and spoil all your hard work, then it would be a good idea to re-propose somewhere else where you will be less dependent upon the weather.Try taking a drive up to the top of the mountain to make the most of that picturesque, romantic view, ideally a place that has an indoor setting that can’t be spoiled by bad weather.
Been married for a few years and want to surprise her with the unexpected? A re-proposal might be just what the doctor ordered. Offer to take her rings in for their annual clean and check. Make sure you get the engagement and wedding rings polished so that they appear shiny and new again. It can either be a re-enactment of your original proposal if it was amazing or you can create a whole new proposal concept. Perhaps this could be the perfect opportunity to do all the things you wish you could have done the first time? Whether that means going to the place you wished you could have afforded to take her or saying the words you wished you had said the first time around. I guarantee that no matter what you do, it will be something she will remember forever.
If you need help with choosing the perfect engagement ring, come and see the team at Xennox Diamonds. Our friendly staff will help guide you through the process, and if the ring isn’t quite right, we will let you change it so that you can re-propose with a ring she loves.
Wearing the engagement ring during the wedding is a question I often get asked when brides are picking up their wedding band. As is the custom in most western countries, the wedding band is the first ring on your wedding ring finger, followed by the engagement ring and then the eternity ring. In light of this though, the last thing most brides want to be thinking of when they are exchanging their vows is taking off their engagement ring.
Provided your hands are similar in size, most brides choose to wear their engagement ring on the right hand ring finger temporarily. Being such a special day filled with love and lifelong memories, it is certainly nice to have both rings on. In doing so, you won’t have to worry about your engagement ring as it is never too far away. It is a good idea to check how close your fingers are in size prior to the wedding day, as there is usually a half a size difference between your two hands. The last thing you want is to get the ring stuck on the wrong finger the morning of the wedding.
Similar to the best man carrying the wedding rings, you might entrust your engagement ring with your maid of honour. If the bridesmaids’ dresses don’t have anywhere to discreetly carry the engagement ring, you might also consider giving it to the best man. It’s certainly a good idea to ask your jeweller for a jewellery pouch or something similar for the best man to carry the rings in safely, as ideally you want it to be less bulky than a ring box. Then, at an appropriate time, after you have exchanged your vows (usually just before signing the marriage certificate), add your engagement ring to your ring finger. That way you will be photo ready should your photographer choose to take a photo of your hands whilst you sign the marriage certificate.
Another nice way to include a family member that may not have a job is to give them the task of looking after your engagement ring. Consider asking your mother to hold on to your engagement ring during the ceremony. This is a lovely way of assigning the mother of the bride with a very important task on what is undoubtedly a very special day for her daughter. Another option might be a younger sister or a sister in law that may not have been heavily involved in the wedding prior.
If you are wearing some bridal jewellery, sometimes you might be able to clip your engagement ring into it. Much like a charm bracelet, your engagement ring will adorn your bracelet until you need it. Just be sure to check that the bracelet is secure enough, as the last thing you want to be doing is searching down the isle for your engagement ring.
However, in saying all of this, everyone is different. Ultimately, you want to feel comfortable and stress free on your wedding day, so we recommend you choose the option that works best for you. After all, it is your special day.
If you need further advice or tips for your wedding day, feel free to contact one of our team members on (07) 3210 6288. We are always on hand to help wherever we can!
Jewellers and setters are very different trades even though they are connected to the same industry. Just as plumbers and electricians are separate trades but connected to the building trade, so too are jewellers and setters unique. Jewellers are involved in the construction of the ring, while setters are the ones responsible for securing the stones. While some jewellers can set stones, it is usually best to leave it to a professional gem setter.
In Brisbane to become a jeweller, you must complete a four year apprenticeship under a fully qualified jeweller. As in all apprenticeships, apprentices of the appropriate age are able to receive a learning wage, which makes it economical for the employer to train them. In their 4 years, apprentices should learn all the basic techniques of making simple rings and carrying out repairs. At present, and at least for the next few years you are able to complete your jewellery apprenticeship in Brisbane. However due to falling numbers at Tafe and reduced government funding the future of jewellery apprenticeship scheme seems uncertain.
Jewellery that is made especially for a particular stone is always going to be better than an “off the shelf” setting that is trying to be squeezed or stretched to fit the stone. This is especially important in three stone settings, where it is vital that the stones overlap. A professional jeweller, must not only make sure that the stones and claws are positioned in the correct places, but the shoulder stones must be angled correctly to create a pleasing level appearance. When a jeweller is making a ring, they are constantly making adjustments to improve the aesthetics of the ring, something that is impossible to do in CAD or mass produced style rings. Metal that has been hammered is also always harder and tougher than cast metal. A mass produced ring, has very little room for modification, because all the pieces are set in their current positions.
Setters
In Brisbane there is currently no provision for completing a setters apprenticeship. In England, a setters apprenticeship is normally five years. However here there is no such apprenticeship for setters, neither is there any subsidy for employers to train setters. Consequently there are no new setters being trained. The only new setters entering our industry are those that have traveled here from overseas, or are jewellers that have crossed over to become full time setters.
Setters are crucial to maintaining the highest quality finish of a piece. Even if the ring is expertly hand crafted, if it is set poorly, the finished ring will look terrible. It is the setters job, to ensure that the stones are not only secured correctly and tightly into the ring, but they are also set level and straight. Stones that are not securely are prone to coming loose and falling out over time. If the shoulder diamonds have not been set well, there may be gaps between the stones. Channel set rings, will not have straight bright cuts (the inside lines between the stone and the metal) , and their may be gaps at the end of the channel. This will become noticeable as the rings become dirty, as the dirt often gets trapped in the gaps. It goes without saying that the centre stone should be properly set. Poorly set centre stones, will not only through off the symmetry of the ring, if they are not set in the middle, but they can also be prone to coming loose, and if not regularly checked – lost. Another symptom of a stone that hasn’t been set correctly is catching of threads under the claws. A properly set stone should be nice and smooth on top, and have no gap between the stone and the claw. If you are finding that your clothes are catching on your claws, simply bring them into us, and we can secure the claws correctly on your stone.
At Xennox Diamonds, we have full time jewellers and a setter, to make sure there is never any compromise in the finished product. Our standard for choosing to only work with the best diamonds and metals, applies to our jewellers and setter too, to ensure that you will receive enjoyment from your treasured piece for many years to come. If you are finding your are having problems with your setting, please don’t hesitate to email us, or pop in for a free inspection.
As a family owned Jewellery business, i am proud to say that we are 100% Australian owned. Jewellery has always been in our family and was a big part of my up bringing. Being a second generation business, it gives me a lot of joy, to carry on the Xennox name, and uphold all the values that have been established over the last 37 years. My main drive and passion is to make Xennox diamonds, a name that is synonymous with high quality diamonds, jewellers who specialse in hand made manufacturing and unparalleled service.
My belief is that the answer to any client’s question is “YES”. There is nothing that our jewellers can’t do, or won’t do for our clients. There is always a way to achieve the desired outcome, its just a matter of finding a way. My job as the designer is to find the way. We always strive to do anything we can to help our clients, whether its giving advice, or helping a client restore a piece, their happiness is always paramount.
I never compromise on quality. I would always rather our jewellers scrap a piece and start again, then give something to a client that i am not 100% happy with. One of the great things about being extremely fussy, is that the finished product will always achieve a higher result. The benefit of upholding yourself to the highest standards, is that you get to work with really nice stones.
Our minimum diamond quality that we try and aim for is an F colour. This forms part of the white diamond range. While some jewellers will tell you that a G colour stone sits in the “near colourless” range. For me a G colour diamond pulls too much yellow. I find that most clients, can tell the difference between an F and a G colour, when placed side by side. The colour difference of an E colour is even more noticeable. I like to personally inspect every main diamond that we sell to ensure that our diamonds are “eye clean”. Where ever possible i try and find diamonds that have girdle inclusions. If a diamond must have an inclusion i always try and aim for a white inclusions, instead of a black carbon mark.
Dealing direct with the diamond cutters overseas, i have learnt a lot about how to get the best performance out of a stone. A diamond’s cut standard is something i am really passionate about. It is the only thing man has control over, and is the only reason a diamond sparkles. If you want the brightest cut diamond on the market, we recommend a Passion8 “Hearts and Arrows” diamond. Like a mechanic who listens to an engine to see what is right or wrong with an engine, i love looking into a diamond to see what the cutter has done right or could have done better at.
An excellent cut grade from the GIA, only tells you that a diamond falls within certain parameters. Approximately the top 30% of stones that go to the GIA, will get an excellent cut grade. According to the GIA, a diamond with a table facet percentage of 61% will still be eligible to receive an excellent cut grade. However i would never buy a stone with a percentage over 58%. This is why it is so crucial to have a diamond cut expert to look at your diamond.
At Xennox Diamonds, we are passionate about you and the jewellery we make for you. Whether you have just started your journey or you know exactly what you want, we are always happy to spend the time and sit down with you. Our reward is seeing our clients blown away, and it is what I and my jewellers always strive for.
Karl
