Etsy Monday: Chocolate Diamonds

'Tis the season for hot chocolate!  It is also the season for proposals.  I read somewhere that one third of all marriage proposals happen over the holidays.  There never seem to be any sources cited for this, so I cannot completely confirm it.  I definitely think it is plausible though.

Getting back to the hot chocolate...

Here are some chocolate diamond rings from Etsy in varying price ranges.  If you are curious about learning more about chocolate diamonds, please refer to this GIA article on "Fancy" diamonds.

Rich Chocolate Diamonds Ring - $38

(The designer of the Rich Chocolate ring has many other similar rings with different stones.  Perfect for stacking!) 

Radiant Cut Chocolate Diamond Ring - $1,585

Chocolate Diamond Ring with Rose Gold and White Gold Twisted Shank - $4,074

Diamonds: Lost and Found

If you need a midweek pick-me-up, a story to give you a little faith, here is a heart warming tale of a woman whose diamond fell out of her setting in a motorcycle accident.  The path to finding her diamond is touching.  I am not even going to try to summarize it, read the whole thing here.

Etsy Monday: Ring Stands

A great gift for the recently engaged is a ring stand.  Everyone feels a little differently about when its appropriate to take your ring off, but many women take their rings off to shower, go to the gym or do housework.  Why not give them a safe place to keep their ring, where it is not likely to get dirty, damaged or worse, fall into the sink!?

Check out these ring stands from two different sellers on Etsy:

Hand Blown Ring Stand by Providenceartglasss

Pressed Art Glass Ring Stand by Wolfartglass

Check out their Etsy stores for more colors and shapes.

Proposal: Pumpkin Carving

I don't know anyone who doesn't love Fall. The weather is lovely, the associated foods and traditions are anticipated all year long. Hay rides, pumpkin carving, hot cider, corn mazes, apple picking, fairs and festivals. The unique opportunities to propose are endless.

This proposal is adorable. I imagine he carved out the pumpkin from the bottom to put the ring in the top. I wonder if they every got around to finishing carving their pumpkins!

Guest on a Budget: Consumer Reports

Planning a wedding comes with a never ending to-do list.  While you may take your time picking out a new vacuum cleaner on a pre-engaged day, when it comes time to register, you may not have time to thoroughly research every small appliance.  At the same time, who wants a blender that will break when you are making frozen margaritas once back from your honeymoon (who can blame you for wanting to keep the feeling alive?!)  For this reason, and many more, a copy of the latest consumer reports is a handy wedding gift.  The bride- and groom-to-be can bring it with them to the store of their choice and have no post wedding regrets about what they scan.  You can easily pick up a copy at your local bookstore or order a copy from Amazon.

Consumer Reports

Check out my Amazon Store for more engagement gift ideas!

Etsy Monday: Magnetic Attraction

It has been a while... my apologies.  Back at it again. 

These magnets are a fun way to propose.  Think of all the magnetic surfaces where they could be applied: kitchen appliances, mirror, car, mailbox... (If you can think of more put them in the comments!). 

Marble Magnets by Sideproject

While this project could definitely be done at home (I have made similar magnets myself), I must say a person about to propose probably has better things to do than try to find time for a secret craft project.  Additionally, it might be tough to explain why you need a glue gun.  Splurge on these magnets for $20. 

Giveaway Alert: $10,000 Ring!!!

Jean Dousset Diamonds is giving away a $10,000 ring!  Sign up by giving them your first and last name and email address.  Enter here!  Contest runs through November 30th.