While you’re not likely to focus on a girl’s engagement ring at her wedding, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see it before and after.
By Robin Jovanovich
While you’re not likely to focus on a girl’s engagement ring at her wedding, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to see it before and after.
Give the groom credit; he’s put a lot of thought — and hard-earned money — into its purchase. He’s given up watching a few ESPN repeats to Google diamonds, real and otherwise.
In decades past, it was always a surprise when he was down on his knee asking her to be his. Even today, and even if the future bride has given him a few shopping pointers in advance, the ring is the most meaningful thing a guy can give a girl, other than the key to his sports memorabilia cabinet.
Most of the time the groom still comes in on his own, according to Robert and Michael Woodrow of Woodrow Jewelers. “It’s still a very traditional process, “ says Robert. “Occasionally, his mother will accompany him,” says Michael.
The Woodrow brothers spend a great deal of time with each customer, educating them on quality. “If the groom comes in 
with a ring that’s been in his family, we’ll show him any number of ways he can use all or part of it. And we always encourage him to choose a band that doesn’t compete with the engagement ring,” says Robert.
Rings by Scott Kay and Kwiat are their biggest sellers, for good reason — they’re timeless and elegant.
Hanni Ackerman, owner of Hanni Fine Jewelry, says she begins every first conversation with the groom-to-be with the “four Cs”: color, cut, clarity, and carat weight. “Then, we discuss price. Every groom has a budget.”
On his second visit, she brings him loose stones of different quality for him to choose from. Her husband has a wholesale diamond business in New York and Hanni does all the designs for her customers.
“Most of my clients go for quality,” she says. “I always recommend smaller size, higher quality. You can always trade up later.”
These days, the average engagement ring is one and a half carats. “With second marriages, the sky’s the limit!”
John Givelkian of Royal Jewels of Rye says he’s offered guidance to many a groom. “We can create just about anything. The cushion-cut, which is a princess cut with rounded corners, is in fashion, but I’m in the process of making a ring from a
grandmother’s heirloom bracelet, which will never grow old.”
Many brides come in with their intendeds these days, which he’s gotten used to. “It’s better if she likes it.”
When buying a diamond one should take the time and research what they are looking for and just remember the diamond mounting is just as important as the diamond itself and if the mounting is not done correctly, even with a beautiful diamond the engagement ring will not look right.
David Kirschenbaum, co-owner of Isabelle’s Fine Jewelry with his mother, advises grooms in search of a diamond to take the time and research what they are looking for. “Remember the diamond mounting is just as important as the diamond itself, and if the mounting is not done correctly, even with a beautiful diamond the engagement ring will not look right.”
Kathy Zaltas started off as a teacher and says she’s still teaching, but the subject is no longer French or Spanish, it’s diamonds and other glittering gems at Zaltas Gallery.
“I can look at a woman’s hand and tell her which setting and shape will look the best, and whether or not the mount should be raised,” says Ms. Zaltas.
“The young men who come her on their own are like deer in headlights. It’s often better if they come with their mom, or the bride, which is becoming the norm.” She adds, “If you want someone who takes you from beginning to end and offers really good diamonds at a good price, come to us.”
And they do — from Long Island, Manhattan, New Jersey — because they’ve seen her website or one of her ads.
When a young man comes to her with a ‘horrible’ ring he’s bought on line and asks for help, she holds his hand, comforts him, and explains how she’s going to custom design something a lot better, that the bride will thank him for every day of their married life.
