Z-TRENDS Blog

Finding The Perfect Match

You two are perfectly matched - shouldn't your wedding rings be as well? 

Long after the last piece of cake has been eaten and the candles have been blown out, your wedding rings will be there to symbolically declare the love between a bride and a groom.  Although many different styles of wedding bands and engagement rings exist, many opt for matching sets for a number of reasons.

 

For the man who wants to make sure everything about her ring is perfect - a bridal set is a clear winner.  A perfectly matched engagement ring and wedding band ensure both bride and groom of a seamless fit without  gaps, slips or sliding.  The diamonds in a set are also hand-chosen to match one another in color and clarity.  Whether the bride favors a framed ring with lots of glittering diamonds to accent a great center stone, a three-stone look to forever remind her of your past, present and future love, or a sculpted vintage look to boldly display her timeless elegance, there are hundreds of bridal sets available to accent her beauty on the wedding day and for years to come. 

For those who want to make sure both bride and groom are perfectly styled, a Trio Ensemble shines bright!  Trios ensure matching diamonds and designs for all without sacrificing sizing and customization.  Each ring is ordered and sized separately, and rings can be purchased as add-ons or at a future date. 

Find these and other amazing designs at your local Zales Jewelers store or at Zales.com!

How to Plan the Perfect Proposal

With Valentine’s Day just a heartbeat away, we thought it would be the perfect time to share some tips on crafting the perfect proposal – and to spread the love with a few of our favorite proposal stories from our offices.

1. Know your audience. A sporting-event proposal on the Kiss Cam isn’t right for everyone! If you aren’t sure how your lady love would react to your plan, check with her closest confidantes (after swearing them to secrecy, of course) before you set anything in stone.
2. Outline your proposal. This will be a moment that both of you will remember for the rest of your lives. Spend some time pre-planning what you’ll say to her so you don’t find yourself fishing for words while you’re down on one knee.
3. Dress the part. Whether you’re planning on popping the question in a 5-star restaurant or a more low-key locale, spruce up so that you’re looking your best for this special moment. Odds are that she’ll want to share a post-proposal photo with friends and family, so looking polished is doubly important.
4. Get the OK from her family. Although some don’t consider this a must-do anymore, know your soon-to-be-fiancee – if family is super important to her, then be sure to get the stamp of approval from her parents.
5. Find the perfect engagement ring. Some brides want to be involved in choosing a ring, while others would rather be completely surprised. If you aren’t sure which camp your love falls into, check with a friend or family member.

If you’re looking for a little inspiration for your big day, here are a few of our favorite proposal stories from around our offices, plus the scoop on where you can find rings just like theirs.

Richard & Linda

Richard planned an elaborate proposal with a little help from Linda’s boss. She arrived at a local restaurant, under the impression that she was there for a work event. Linda was led to a private wine room, where a red ribbon and a card were hanging from the doorway with instructions to “follow the ribbon and take a trip down memory lane.” The ribbon led Linda to 6 different tables, each of which held a memento and a poem. The final note instructed Linda to turn around, and Richard was standing there with a beautiful ring.

For a look similar to Linda's, try this elegant 1.5 carat solitaire ring.

David & Laura

After rekindling a romance from years before, David and Laura worked together to build the perfect ring from the Zales Design Your Own Ring program. Laura had no idea that the ring was created when the two took a romantic weekend trip to Seattle. After checking out the wares in a souvenir shop, Laura and David boarded a boat to an island in the Puget Sound. On the island, the pair stopped to sit on a bench by a pond. David told Laura he had gotten her a gift at the souvenir shop – which turned out to be the ring! Laura happily accepted his sweet proposal. 

For a similar look, try designing your own ring, or scoop up this gorgeous Vera Wang engagement ring.

Matt & Jennifer

Matt's sweet and simple proposal took place on a Saturday morning. Although Jennifer had helped to pick her engagement ring, she was unsure when the proposal would take place. Matt woke up early that morning and snuck into another room with their Yorkie pup. He tied the ring around the dog's collar, and the dog immediately headed back to bed. Jennifer woke up to see her perfect ring on their puppy's collar, and Matt followed up with his proposal.

For a ring similar to Jennifer's, try this princess cut engagement ring.

Want to read more sweet engagement stories, or share the details of your own engagement? Stop by Love Stories at Zales.com!

Design Your Own Engagement Ring

Have you ever wandered through a store, knowing exactly what you’re looking for, only to end up empty-handed? If you (or your love) feel that way about the search for the right engagement ring, designing your own ring is the easy way to get the ring of your dreams.

Our Design Your Own Ring program lets you choose every element of your engagement ring or bridal set – from metal type and setting style to the diamond’s carat weight, color, cut, and clarity.  You can pick your perfect diamond from a selection of more than 40,000 stones of up to 10 shining carats. Whether you’ve got your heart set on a princess cut, or you’re looking for a traditional, round stone, we’ve got you covered with 10 shapes to choose from.

Designing your own engagement ring on the Zales website is an easy, 4-step process.

1. Start by picking your style – you can customize your own engagement ring, 3-stone ring, bridal set, or even choose a quick-ship engagement ring that you can have in just 5 business days.
2. Choose your setting. In this step, you can pick everything from your metal type and ring size to whether you’d like your solitaire to stand alone, be paired with side stones, or boast a gorgeous vintage setting. Metal choices include 14K and 18K white or yellow gold, platinum, or palladium. We’ve even got a rundown on the benefits of each metal type if you aren’t sure which one is right for you. 
3. Find your diamond! With easy-to-use slides for each characteristic, picking the ideal stone is a snap. Narrow your choices by adjusting the range for carat weight, clarity, color, cut, or price.
4. Review your choices, and add the perfect engagement ring to your cart.  Your creation will arrive in a pretty rosewood box, so it’s instantly presentation ready – just in case you can’t wait to share it!  

So, although the choices are endless (or at least higher than we’d care to count) when it comes to designing your own ring on Zales.com, here are a few of our favorites.

If you love the styles above, just go to the Design Your Own Ring page and follow the steps below to get started.

1. 3-stone engagement ring - select 3-stone as your style, then search style 64-S14531.
2. Vintage-style engagement ring - select engagement ring as your style, then search style 64-S0046.
3. Princess-cut solitaire ring - select engagement ring as your style, then search style 64-S0032.
4. Square-framed engagement ring - select engagement ring as your style, then search style 64-S0508.

What's Your Diamond Shape?

Diamond jewelry has charmed generations of people across the world for centuries. Traditionally only available to the rich and famous, diamond jewelry has become an aspirational item that is as important for the message it conveys as its brilliant appearance.

 

When picking the perfect diamond ring for your engagement, it's important to find a look and style that mirrors her personality. The diamond shape you choose is based on personal preference. Each unique diamond shape has its own distinct characteristics that express personal style and individuality. Which diamond shape best describes the one you love?

 Round-Cut: The Girl Next Door

You can always count on this woman. She is trustworthy, caring and devoted, and she holds her friends and family in the highest regard.    

Princess-Cut: The Romantic

This woman dreams of fairytale romance. She is full of passion and imagination, and she can find beauty in anything. Her optimism inspires others. 

Marquise-Cut: The Creative

This innovative woman is full of ideas, and she's not afraid to share them with the world. She shines with ambition and thrives on independence. Emerald-Cut: The Traditional Woman

This woman's top priorities are class and sophistication. She is neat and proper, and she deserves only the best. She conveys a pleasant, positive aura.

Pear-Cut: The Socialite

This outgoing social butterfly can be friends with anyone. She is warm-hearted and lively.  Being secure in her surroundings allows her to get along with everyone.

 

Asscher-Cut: The Artist

She's down-to-earth and looks for the best in everything around her, and she strives on inner peace and perfection. Along with having a knack for creativity, this woman is up for anything.

Oval-Cut: The Leader

This woman is focused and dependable. She's always looking forward, leading to great success. She takes risks, and she thrives on her ability to focus on the task at hand.

 

Heart-Cut: The Lover

This woman is always dreaming for her knight and shining armor. She cares for friends, family and animals alike with the upmost love. She is never found without a smile on her face.

 

Radiant-Cut: The Diva

Vivacious and energetic don't even begin to describe this woman. She's amazing, and she knows it. People admire her confidence and her glamorous style.

Cushion-Cut: The Perfectionist

She knows what she wants, and she will go to great lengths to get it. She expects only the best, so she won't let herself fall short of success. What makes this woman amazing is that no matter how hard she works, she always exhibits a calm and classy attitude.