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Keep four Cs in mind when choosing a diamond
Or maybe you're the gentleman -- and now you need to figure out where to start.
The four Cs of diamonds are color, cut, clarity and carat weight.
According to jeweler Harry Winston's printed diamond guide, here are things to keep in mind when considering each factor:
- Color: The Gemological Institute of America grades diamonds on a color scale of D through Z, with D being colorless and the most desirable. Moving down the scale, diamonds tend to become more yellow.
The ratings do not, however, apply to fancy colored diamonds. Rare yellow, pink and blue diamonds are among the most sought-after stones.
- Cut: Diamonds -- whether they're big or small -- need to be cut to the proper proportions to allow light to reflect inside. Stones cut too deep or too shallow will have poor brilliance.
- Clarity: Typically, the greater the number and size of the flaws, the lower the clarity grade and the less rare the diamond. The best rating is FL, for flawless, which means the diamond is without any of "nature's birthmarks," called inclusions. The lowest rating is "I," noting that imperfections such as crystals, clouds and feathers are visible or "included."
- Carat weight: Each carat is equal to 100 points. Larger diamonds are more valuable because they're found less frequently in nature, but diamonds of equal size vary in value depending on their brilliance.
Filene's sets day for 'Running of the Brides'
Brides-to-be in search of the perfect dress should put on their sneakers and strategize. Filene's Basement will have its famous "Running of the Brides" on March 11 starting at 8 a.m. This one-day sale of deeply discounted wedding gowns -- all priced from $249 to $699 -- is at Filene's Basement at The Waterfront, Homestead. There, between all of the rushing, grabbing and trading, brides-to-be can try on as many gowns as it takes to find the dress of their dreams.
Chorus to sing at Talbots fashion show
A Talbots fashion show and spring luncheon will open at 11:30 a.m. March 12 in the Chadwick, McCandless, sponsored by the Greater Harmony Chorus of Sweet Adelines International.
Tickets -- $20; $8 for children -- must be purchased in advance.
The chorus will perform and the fashion show will feature styles by Talbots, Talbots Women and Talbots Kids.
The Chadwick is at One Wexford Square (off Route 19), McCandless.
Details: (877) 336-0037.
Keystone Oaks band having prom fashion show
The Keystone Oaks Steel Drum Band will stage its annual prom fashion show at 2 p.m. March 12 in the auditorium of Keystone Oaks High School, Dormont. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.; appetizers will be served at 1 p.m. Tickets are $6 at the door, $5 in advance.
The event will feature prom wear for girls and guys, plus refreshments and entertainment.
Keystone Oaks High School is at 1000 Kelton Ave., Dormont.
Details: (412) 885-9144.
Trend of color spreads to jewelry
Color has come to dominate the fashion scene in recent seasons.
Who ever imagined wearing lilac, baby blue and acres of pink in the dead of winter?
The same phenomenon has hit fine jewelry. Color has been increasingly popular in stones such as tourmaline, amethyst and pale sapphire. Now new rainbow hues are also reflected in pearls. Make way for pink, coral, pale green and bronze, the shades to cast all the more glow on a woman's complexion.
"I think people want to wear what flatters them," says Katy Briggs, director of marketing for Tivol, a Kansas City, Mo., jewelry store, where multicolored freshwater-pearl necklaces glimmer next to traditional ivory pearls and diamonds.
Other trends in jewelry include the return of yellow gold after a long run in platinum and silver.
And say goodbye to chandelier earrings. The new luxury diamond look is a long, thin line, perhaps with a curve at the bottom. It is likely to be the prevailing style on the red carpet at the awards shows, says Tivol merchandising executive Ward Manes.
As for sales, the tip-top end and the lower rung of the jewelry market are holding strong. The middle price ground is the weakest, Briggs and Manes agree. The Tivol perspective is in line with market researchers who report that in all categories consumers are cutting back on spending where they can by shopping discount stores so they can splurge on things they want.
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