I’d like to share my proposal story when Andrew proposed to me on May 28, 2010!

We had been ring shopping at Jeff Walters earlier so I knew that a proposal was in the future, I suspected that it would be our trip we were taking in July to New York City where we met 5 years prior.  We live slightly out of town and with only 1 vehicle between the two of us, we always drive in to work together, I work 8:30 – 4:30 and he works 10:00 – 6:30.  It was a typical Friday – he dropped me off at work and then at the end of the day I’d take a city bus to get the car or just wait for him in Williams.  But this Friday was different, he was at my office picking me up, and also not wearing his work clothes.  I thought he had gotten sick and took the day off.  I hopped in the car and asked him what was up and he said I’m taking you on a date.  I kept asking him where but his lips were sealed.  I kept complaining saying that I wish I knew so that I could have dressed a little nicer and had my makeup to refresh and he just kept saying don’t worry about that, you look fine.  So, we are driving along heading towards Toronto and I just kept saying I wanted to change and do my makeup so he told me that he had packed me some extra clothes and makeup – so not like him to be so prepared.

As we got into Toronto, he asked me to close my eyes – which is a very difficult thing for me to do!  When he told me to open my eyes, to my surprise, we were at the Royal York, a hotel I said I’d always wanted to stay in.  I still had no idea what was in store.  So we went up to our room, I took a quick shower and off we went to the CN Tower.  We had so much fun walking there laughing and just enjoying each others company.  We made it up to the Observation Deck and we were looking right over Lake Ontario (at sunset, of course because I had to shower!  Perfect timing!!)  and I was enjoying the view and I felt a tug on my pants, looked down and saw him on bended knee proposing to me!  All I could do was nod my head YES!  My jaw dropped and I started tearing up!  I was shaking with excitement and hugging him and wouldn’t let him go!!  The first thing that popped out of my mouth was “It’s kind of small”… of course, my head was doing 1000 thoughts per second.. I meant the size was a bit snug, but he thought I meant the diamond!  Poor Andrew! The look on his face was so devastating.. I felt horrible for saying that – but he knew what I meant shortly afterwards!

It was so neat to be able to call my parents, his parents and siblings to tell them that I was on top of the CN Tower and just got proposed to!  My favorite part though is the fact that he drove three hours home to talk to my mom, my dad and his parents and ask for their blessings!

We then walked back and had some dinner at an amazing pub in Toronto.  It was the best way he could have possibly proposed, nothing over the top and was very relaxed and just “us”.

Thank you so much for your expertise and experience and making this proposal the best one I could possibly ask for!

Annette and Andre

The moment the decision to get married has been made, couples cannot wait to show off their new fiancée, and that beautiful diamond they’ve chosen as a symbol of their love. The excitement rushes in and there are a million things to do as the wedding bells draw closer. One of these tasks is to choose the wedding bands that they’ll be wearing for a life time. Wedding bands not only signify the sanctity of the relationship itself, but also, if done well, compliment the total look of the engagement ring.

Although there are a slew of wedding bands to choose from, the actual making of a custom wedding band is a great option for some. This way you can create the perfect ring to match your taste and of course your diamond engagement ring. Most custom wedding bands are designed to sit flush against the engagement ring. This means that the wedding band will lie directly beside the engagement ring with no gap; the wedding band is designed to curve and bend with the lines of the engagement ring thereby tailoring them perfectly to each other. For customers who plan to solder their engagement ring and wedding band together after the wedding it is an ideal design. Some customers, who aren’t sure if they’ll always wear their wedding band with their engagement ring together due to their work environment, worry about how their wedding band will look on its own with all the notches and curves. In this case, it is recommended that the wedding band is designed with more subtle curves and notches, so that it matches the engagement ring but still manages to look great on its own.

For many, having matching wedding bands is important. In this case, it is popular to have matching patterns or designs on each of the bands. These designs can range from having a similar Celtic pattern, embedded stripes or shapes, and fancy swirls. In all cases, having her band thinner than his does not take away from the concept of matching bands. This is a preference made by the couple at the time of ordering the wedding bands.

So when that special time in your live roles around for you to select your wedding bands, consider having them custom designed. Remember that you’ll be wearing your engagement ring and wedding band for a lifetime, so put that extra effort into making sure they complement each other beautifully.

Shopping for a diamond engagement ring can be one of the most exciting experiences in a couple’s relationship, but it can take up some much needed and deserved time. Diamond engagement rings aren’t like any other piece of jewellery that a woman owns; unlike pendants or bracelets, a diamond engagement ring won’t be switched for another ring depending on the occasion as is often the case with other items of jewellery.  Therefore, you are going to want to put in that extra effort when considering all the variables that go into making the perfect ring.

Choosing between white gold vs. yellow gold is generally the first decision made. For some, platinum becomes the metal of choice. The next step is to decide upon the design of the ring itself.  Settings range from the classic solitaire setting to the more distinctive antique setting of the Victorian era. Once agreed upon, the actual shape of the diamond itself becomes the focal point of discussion. While shopping for engagement rings, be careful not to confuse diamond cut with shape.

Cut refers to how well light reflects off the diamond, while the shape is more of a reflection of the wearer’s personal tastes as it pertains to ones personality. Interesting shapes of diamonds does not indicate that it necessarily has a good cut. When cutting a diamond, considerations are made to internal inclusions within the diamond, proportions of the shape and relative size. How well the diamond sparkles, or sends light back to you, determines how well it has been cut.

The most common shape found in engagement rings is the round and the princess cut diamond. Customers wishing to show off their individuality seek the fancy cut diamonds when choosing and engagement ring. These include Heart shape, Pear shape, Cushion cut, Marquis cut and Trillium shaped diamonds to name a few. There are many factors to consider when choosing a fancy cut diamond for your engagement ring. For example, although the Round shaped diamond is recognized as displaying the best sparkly effect, Marquise diamonds, because of their length are often sought due to the way they accentuate a longer finger.

All said, whatever your finger size or shape, when shopping for a diamond engagement ring make sure that  you put in that extra time and effort into making sure that the ring you choose is perfect for you. After all, After all¸ you will be wearing it for a very long time.

Deciding to get engaged can be a nerve wracking experience for almost any guy. Not only is the whole concept of getting engaged a life altering event, but diamond engagement rings themselves, are admired and stared at more than any other piece of jewellery. For this reason, and many more, customers put a lot of pressure on making sure they get it right, when choosing that one and only engagement ring.

However, the fact is, education on diamonds and engagement rings isn’t something people are commonly taught in the educational. Not knowing much about the difference between white gold vs. platinum, claw setting vs. channel setting or the ins and outs of diamonds in general, makes it hard to know where to begin. Here at Jeff Walters Diamonds we believe that it is important for customers who are looking to purchase an engagement ring, to have some knowledge of the most commonly asked questions around jewellery.  This is exactly why we deliver a hands-on educational process on basic diamond knowledge. It is our belief that education puts customers in the driver’s seat and makes our job so much easier.

Whether you are designing your own engagement ring, or picking one from behind the showcase it is always helpful to know what kind of diamond you’re admiring. A lesson on “the 4 C’s” comes in handy at this stage. Knowing the basics of the Carat, Clarity, Cut, and Colour of a diamond, can be extremely helpful when deciding what kind of engagement ring you’re looking for. While the ability to do this is always available on the internet, including our very own website, examination of an actual loose diamond under magnification, rather than just viewing a diagram or picture, can greatly enhance your knowledge.

Everyone has their own preference when it comes to selecting the metal used for their engagement ring. In the past, primarily yellow gold was high in demand for the majority of engagement rings. These days, white gold has taken on the popularity contest. Some even choose to mix the two metals into what is referred to as, a two-tone ring. In this case, the engagement ring band would be made in yellow gold and the diamond setting would be made in white gold. Since white gold is stronger than yellow gold and tends to show off the diamond better, setting all diamonds into white gold makes sense. For some, staying with a white metal but changing over to a considerably more expensive material called Platinum has its own merits. There was a time when Platinum was allowed to be worn solely by Royalty. Perhaps this is why so many are attracted to its allure. With other metals constantly hitting the market, acquiring knowledge on which to choose will prove useful when selecting your engagement ring.

The more one learns about the many components that go into the choosing and making of an engagement ring, the easier this task becomes. The knowledge not only helps one decide which type of engagement ring design is most appealing, but also, what budget to choose. Knowing the difference between high quality diamonds and low quality diamonds, understanding the karats of gold, and the difference between white gold and platinum can help you to determine what’s most important for your engagement ring.

Remember, once you get down on one knee, present the engagement ring you’ve selected and pop the question, you’ll feel great with the knowledge you have pertaining to her unique engagement ring.

Natural coloured diamonds are graded much in the same way as white/clear diamonds;the cut, clarity, carat, and colour are all important factors. However with coloured diamonds the more vivid and intense the colour the more expensive it will be. This isdue to the fact that color intensity is very rare to achieve. Availability, the supply ofsuch diamonds, also factors into the cost of coloured diamonds. A natural red diamondwill always be the most expensive as they are extremely rare. The price differential issignificant from moderate to intense. The difference however, is dramatic. Chocolate diamonds, even though they take on the name of our favourite past time, are in factthe most affordable because they are readily found in comparison to all the coloured diamonds.

With the desire to be different, the popularity of coloured diamonds is increasing rapidly. Not everyone has the budget for these natural gems of the earth. They maydream of a white gold engagement ring set with pink and white diamonds, but fear the price tag. In this case, it is suggested they consider buying treated stones in the color of choice. Treated diamonds are diamonds that have undergone radiation, to make thenatural internal colour (if it exists) more vivid. Treated stones sell for considerably less than a completely natural coloured diamond, but the colours achieved are brilliant.

So if you know you’re shopping for a diamond engagement ring, but know that you wantone that will stand out from all the others, consider a coloured diamond. Adding a blue orgreen diamond to that three stone setting diamond engagement ring will change it from traditional, to something uniquely stunning.

If you would like to learn more about this topic or have another related question feel free to “Ask the Jeweller” at: jeff@jeffwaltersdiamonds.com

Engagement rings have been gracing the fingers of women for years. Whether it is, a white gold solitaire engagement ring with a princess cut diamond, or a platinum three stone setting engagement ring with round diamonds, customers seem to know exactly what they are looking for. However as they glance down at their engagement ring or diamond wedding band sitting proudly on their finger, special attention must be given to the fact that these sparkly little gems are in themselves, an incredible natural feat.

Diamonds are made of compressed carbon; they are formed between 120 and 200 kilometres below the earth’s surface, in the molten rock of the earth’s mantle. This is a perfect atmosphere for diamond formation; it provides the right amount of pressure, and the required 900 to 1300 degrees Celsius temperature, that is necessary to transform carbon atoms into diamonds. This is a long way to travel for diamonds to reach the surface, making the whole idea of wearing an engagement ring even that much more magical.

Diamonds reach the earth’s surface through a series of kimberlite pipes. These pipes are created when volcanic eruptions occur deep within the earth. After the volcano erupts, magma travels through deep cracks in the earth, creating the pipes, and carrying along with it different types of rocks where diamonds are found! The magma will eventually cool, leaving veins of kimberlite rock that contain diamonds. Kimberlite is a bluish rock that miners seek out when looking for diamonds. Because these eruptions occurred millions and millions of years ago, the diamond jewellery we sport these days on our engagement rings, are indeed, an ancient piece of history.

Not all diamonds are mined from the earth; they may also be found in rivers, or what are more formally known as alluvial diamond sites. Although these diamonds were formed in the same way as mined diamonds, travelling to the surface through kimberlite pipes, due to environmental activity, such as glaciers, flood waters, and wind, they have been displaced differently and deposited along these beds.

Next time you slip on your diamond engagement ring, or put on a diamond pendant, remember you are not only wearing something beautiful, but something naturally remarkable.

Diamonds are formed at temperatures between 900°C and 1,300°C. source: http://www.debeersgroup.com/en/About-diamonds/What-are-diamonds/Origin-and-formation-of-diamonds/

GET LOCKED – Compliments of Jeff Walters Diamonds

STEP 1: Collect 6 of 12 virtual Get Locked Bracelets
STEP 2: Bring in a printout of your gifts to the store.
STEP 3: GET A FREE BRACELET OF YOUR CHOICE

Available at: http://www.facebook.com/jeffwaltersdiamonds (GIFT TAB)
OR http://www.jeffwaltersdiamonds.com/askthejeweller/get-locked-gift

RULES:
- Promotion will run from July 13th 2010 to August 13th 2010
- Each Get Locked gift must have been received from a different person

HINT:
- Send one to a friend and and ask them to send one back to you!

What is a Get Locked Bracelet?
The whole concept here is to Get Locked to someone you love. Husband to Wife, Boyfriend to Girlfriend, Father to Daughter, Friend to Friend, whatever your choice, Get Locked today! For more check out our gallery at: http://jeffwaltersdiamonds.com/our-collections/get-locked-bracelets

Diamonds have been fascinating people for centuries; they shine like no other stone, and come in a beautiful arrange of colours to match almost anyone’s preference. However this day in age black and chocolate diamonds are stealing the spotlight, and are huge trends for this year. From pendants to earrings, and even engagement rings and wedding bands, they are adding a unique flare to all.

Black diamonds, or as they are sometimes known as carbonado diamonds can be found in several places around the world, but the majority are sent to India to be cut. From there they are sent around the world, and with their increased popularity are being bought up by jewellery stores everywhere. Black diamonds don’t sparkle the way other diamonds do, in fact they absorb more light then they reflect, but when paired with other stones they give off a stunning contrast.

Most chocolate diamonds come from the Argyle mine in Australia, but like black diamonds are popular throughout the world. They often fall into the category of “fancy diamonds” because they are just that, especially when set into an engagement ring or wedding band. They add a nice twist, and are great for couples who are looking for something non-traditional when picking out their engagement set. The added bonus to this is that they are much cheaper than white diamonds, so they manage to save you money while looking great. Chocolate diamonds are often paired with aquamarines and amethysts which give the piece of jewellery a beautifully unique look.

Whatever your taste, and whatever the occasion black and chocolate diamonds can be fashioned into a piece of jewellery to fit your every need.

As many of you know already, this has been my second year as an In-School Mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie and District. In-School Mentoring has evolved over the years. The satisfaction and sense of purpose I receive in return is insurmountable in many ways. As a business man in the community, giving back my time is a wonderful way to experience being a kid all over again. Here I am with my little guy as our year comes to an end. Saying good by for the summer was very difficult, but both of us look forward to that first week again in September.

If you were thinking of getting involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Barrie and District, I recommend adults who can make this time, to do so. The organization is constantly seeking mature individuals ready to enhance their lives in unimaginable ways. Please feel free to contact me directly if you wish to discuss this and other programs from a hands-on perspective. As well, you will find their web site very informative. Just go to http://www.bigbrothersbigsisters.ca/