Yes, we believe in romance and tradition. But not at all costs! One of our most important commitments as Little Bird ring specialists is to make absolutely sure that our clients meet or come under their budget - and we're really really good at it. Ringspotters.com asked us: How can an ordinary person get celebrity bling on a reasonable budget? Being experts on price range maximization, we were happy to answer. Read Little Bird's response!

We have always been fans of Here Comes the Guide - an awesome wedding resource run by a crew of strong women folk. We recently discovered that Little Bird and HCTG Bay Area are neighbors! Our offices are on the same block in Berkeley. We teamed up with HCTG to bring you this very short post on the main differences between platinum and white gold. Every ring and every couple is completely unique. These guidelines just skim the surface. If you're interested in learning more about the right metal for you ring, feel free to reach out. We can cover those questions and more in our complimentary consultation. 

Little Bird on picking the right metal for your engagement and wedding rings:

If white metal is what you're after, it's a bright idea to know the major differences between the two most popular options: White gold or platinum?

-Platinum is hypoallergenic and generally more durable and longer wearing but is slightly more malleable, meaning it can bend and scratch more easily.

-White Gold contains metal alloys that some gals are allergic to. It is also more scratch and impact resistant, but requires more maintenance in the long run to keep that white metal color.

In the end, the choice is a matter of personal preference and lifestyle considerations! 

Anyone who lives in the Bay Area can tell you there is a wealth of talented and oh-so-cool local designers and amazing style curators who make their home base this gorgeous part of the world. We decided to pick a neighborhood and visit every fine jewelry store. On our list was Pave, Melissa Joy Manning, Fisher’s Jewelry, Oaks Jewelers, M Lowe & Company, and McManus & Sons. Then we stopped at H Julien Designs even though there is no jewelry, because it is just plain amazing.  (Ladies, this guy KNOWS floral design. Also, gifts for your mom.)

Melissa Joy Manning has an incredibly recognizable style. This is not your typical princess cut solitaire sort of store. Once you've seen her delicate bezels, lovingly presented diamond slices and  amazing variety of gemological designs, you too will be able to spot an MJM ring from down the street.  While we were there we got the skinny on MJM’s process for how to design an engagement ring using uniquely shaped stones. Every piece is one-of-a-kind. As a result, they are happy to work with customers who want to choose their center stone and work with a craftsperson to design a special and amazing ring. 

Next stop: Pavé has a reputation for being a high-end, digestible art jeweler. Their range of rings includes the most streamlined designs to the most delicate and detailed. They happily do custom work, and are known for their customer service. 

At M. Lowe & Company we chatted with the owner Margo about Fall trends, sapphire engagement rings and the process of working with a jeweler to choose your diamonds and settings separately. As usual, Margo was an absolute delight to talk to. We could have spent hours in there looking at the uh-mazing collection of antique and eclectic jewelry as well as all the modern gemmy stuff. She showed us a gorgeous 1.2 carat F VS2 round brilliant diamond that she was planning on putting in an 18k white gold halo setting. (see below) It is a popular and pretty diamond ring design, and with that beautiful center stone it is sure to be the perfect engagement ring for some lucky lady out there. We hope she says yes!