Recently in Jewelry Category

Your engagement ring is one of the most important things, (almost as important as your loved one), you will have for a while. So whether it's a family heirloom or your new fashion accessory you love to show off,  you need to protect it.

One thing everyone forgets to tell you as they try to throw suggestions of cake, dresses, or flowers at you, is to insure your ring. It doesn't have to be a million dollar ring to insure it either, because no matter the cost, if it is lost or damaged it will not be easily replaceable - emotionally and financially.

If you have renters or homeowner's insurance, check with your agent to see if it can be included in your policy, to cover against accidental loss, theft, or damage. Or you can go with a jeweler insurance agent.

Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group offers coverage for the above mentioned and offers a free quote.

It would be a shame to not be covered should something happen, even before your big day.

In honor of Earth Day today, I will focus on how to incorporate "green" into your party planning beyond just "reduce, recycle, reuse."

From the beginning of the planning process, you can start to help reduce waste and your carbon footprint by focusing on the invitations. One of the most eco-friendly ways is by electronic invitations.

Although, a great idea, keep in mind this may not work for all celebrations, or for all your guests who may not be tech-savvy or let alone have access to a computer at all.  There are various sites that offer electronic invitation programs such as Evite and social networking sites MySpace and Facebook. These programs are easy to set up for the planner and offer ease for the guests to reply and communicate, as well as have access to all the party details one can squeeze in there for guests.

Birthday parties, backyard bbq's, pool parties and other non-formal celebrations are perfectly suited for evites, but many consider it a faux-pas to send wedding invitations electronically.

If you are truly committed to going green for your wedding, consider doing both. More acceptable forms of electronic invites are being set-up through sites that offer couple's their own wedding website (www.OurWeddingDay.com, www.mywedding.com, www.weddingwindow.com), where they can send out save-the-date emails, keep guests up-to-date on the planning and also offer an RSVP tracker, where guests can reply. And for guests that may not have access to a computer, look for invitations made from recycled paper and use soy-based ink, or create your own with pressed flowers or other raw, natural materials.

For food, look into caterers or food vendors that use local, organic or sustainable ingredients in their meals. The price may be slightly higher for some items, but just think of the difference you are making on the local farming community and feel good about what you are, and are not, putting into your body.

As far as drinks and libations, there are more and more brands of juices and wineries going organic as well, be sure to look for the seal of approval by the USDA's NOP (National Organic Program). How about squeezing your own juice, using local produce of course, ahead of time and freeze until ready to serve.

For weddings, one of the first things a couple can do to "green" their big celebration is to start with the rings.

Aside from going with a family heirloom or vintage jewelry for the engagement and wedding bands, there are also many jewelers that use recycled gold or silver and lab-created diamonds and stones that not only help the earth but help communities ravaged by the jewelry and diamond industry.

One of those companies is Brilliant Earth, a jewelry company dedicated to providing quality jewelry that originates from "pure sources and harvested using socially responsible practices." They also work to change the image of jewelers and educate consumers "about the social and environmental issues affecting the jewelry industry." The company also donates a share of their profit to help the underdeveloped communities affected by the jewelry industry. Brilliant Earth guarantees their diamonds originate from "conflict free sources of the highest ethical standards."

In honor of Earth Day, Brilliant Earth will include a limited edition Green on the Inside charm necklace with any ring order as a special gift now through April 24. The recycled sterling silver charm necklace features their signature Flower Charm Pendant and a bezel-set ethical origin green sapphire on a delicate cable chain. One complimentary necklace per customer.

Many couples are also opting to give back to the world and their communities with their registries. At www.IDoFoundation.org, a couple can find many ways to personalize their special day and give back to charity at the same time. Couples can select the charity of their choice from thousands of nonprofits and either start a gift registry to donate to a special cause as a gift to you, start a registry where stores like Macy's, Mikasa, and Cooking.com give back up to 10 percent to your charity of choice when you register for gifts through I Do Foundation, or support a charity with a donation in your guest's names as a wedding favor.

For more ideas, check out Brides.com for their essential guide to an eco-chic wedding.

GOT ANY GREEN IDEAS TO SHARE? POST A COMMENT BELOW!

My fiance and I have known each other for almost 16 years now, been a couple for over 10 years, altogether (we had a little break in between), and living together for over a year, so it was to no one's surprise that the proposal was coming.

Although we had talked about marriage before, and I had been dreaming of when the day would come, when the day actually came, it was a complete, sweet surprise for me. And I have some silly infection to thank for that.

The year was coming to a close and I had been secretly thinking that maybe I would have to wait until the coming year to be engaged (at 31, I wasn't feeling any younger), so I just tried to focus on the pending Christmas holidays.

I was enjoying the tree decorating, gift wrapping, and baking lots and lots of cookies and goodies to give away for Christmas. Then, what started as allergy-like symptoms grew to a full sinus and bronchial infection in less than a week. I was a mess - major sinus problems and aches.

Not being able to sleep and on over-the-counter medication all week leading up to Christmas Eve, I didn't feel like myself and it was difficult to get in the holiday spirit, but I didn't want to miss one of my favorite holidays, so I rested as much as I could and overloaded on OTC cold medicine.

I rested as much as I could for a couple days before Christmas Eve, staying in bed for almost the entire day (I can't stand laying still for too long), and it paid off. The sinus pressure was better and I had enough energy to get up and do a little last-minute shopping the morning of Christmas Eve with my mom and sisters. I was done shopping but honestly wanted any excuse to get out of the house.

It's been tradition to spend Christmas Eve at my mom's house but since I was ill she suggested I stay home to keep resting. She was right but since I knew I was going to miss being with family I invited them to at least stay for dinner, which my personal chef boyfriend was cooking. She gracefully declined and said I really should rest. I thought it odd, but just accepted that it was just going to be the three of us at home on Christmas Eve - boyfriend, me and the cat.

I dressed up a little to get more into the spirit. We enjoyed the delicious eats created and after, my boyfriend suggested we take pictures in front of the Christmas tree, a tradition we began together a couple years back.

I thought sure, I can't look that bad. I tried to position my digital camera to get a good shot of us and the tree but I was taking a little longer than my boyfriend expected. Finally, after the second shot, and after he was tired of sitting on his knees for almost ten minutes, we thought it was good enough and got up.

I got up first and he asked for me to help him up, so I reached my hand down for his but as his left arm swung from behind towards mine I saw he was holding a white box. In a matter of five seconds I went from confused to shock as I realized what kind of box it was - a ring box.

I had an 'Oh-my-God' moment as his words blurred through my ears. I threw a big smile right back at his wide-grin and said 'Yes' and we hugged.

I didn't want to let go but he was so eager to get the ring on. I completely forgot about it. As I looked at it, I knew someone else knew about the proposal before I did. (I found out later, there was apparently more than just one person who knew - more on that later.)

I love my fiance but he's not the best gift shopper and I knew as I stared at the beautiful blue sapphire in the middle of the ring as it slipped so perfectly on, that he had help. But I loved him even more for that.

The fact that he wanted me to have a ring I would love and actually reached out to someone else for help is a big thing for him - so it made it even more special. (Thanks BFF!)

Needless to say, despite the infection and the trip to urgent care, it was the best Christmas ever!

Next up: The announcement and the planning - (in soap-opera dramatic fashion) DUNDUNDUN!!