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3 Reasons to Consider Hiring an Engagement Ring Consultant - Chase Bank

2/17/2017

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Well, there are quite a few ways that an Engagement Ring Consultant can save you money on the purchase of a ring. Chase.com points out three reasons to consider hiring a LITTLE BIRD Engagement Ring Consultant:

1. Hiring a Ring Consultant can save you 20 to 40 percent off the cost of the ring

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Linda DiProperzio of Chase.com says: "This is key, since spending on engagement rings is at its highest ever. A survey by The Knot, a popular wedding resource, found that the average price of an engagement ring is about $6,000. Making sure you get the most for your money is crucial." LITTLE BIRD agrees. Big time. There's not a lively secondary market for private engagement ring sales out there. So, you're likely going to hold on to this ring for a very very long time. Let's make sure it's an investment you can stand behind for the long haul!

2. Ring consultants have insider knowledge

We go way beyond the 4c's. A consultant can inform and educate you on nitty gritty diamond and ring vocabulary that you won't glean online. We can also review diamond and gemstones certificate prior to you pulling the trigger. Furthermore, do you have the right metal type selected? Is this the right style of pavé? How will this ring jive with your future wedding band. We know this stuff inside and out and getting personalized advice based on YOUR goals and your lifestyle is what getting great ring consultation is all about. 

3. We can offer a wider selection

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AND we can help you figure out what you want. Picking out an engagement ring isn't a cake walk. You might not be aware of all your options and of all the bespoke and custom elements that are available to you for each little part of the ring anatomy. The options are endless. Your ultimate ring IS possible. It's just a matter of understanding what's out there!

A word to the wise: check on the commission

The thing is there are a few types of consultants out there. There are consultants with affiliate relationships with 6-8 online diamond companies. There are consultants who also sell diamonds. And then there's LITTLE BIRD. "Consultants like LITTLE BIRD don't profit off the sale of the gems or the design of the ring. Instead, the company charges a flat fee, with packages starting at $75. 'Our clients know that we're giving them unbiased recommendations because we're not profiting in the amount someone pays for the ring,' says Beth Moore, LITTLE BIRD's expert GIA certified Graduate Gemologist."
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9 Essential Things You Need to Know About How Engagement Rings Work

1/19/2017

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​You may be already starting to feel overwhelmed by all the different looks out there, all the diamond information, and the barrage of marketing coming your way. It is time to stop the madness. LOOK, before you even step foot into a jewelry store or spend another hour poking engagement ring shopping online, you'll need answers to these 9 questions below. 

This should give you some insight and help you determine what direction you should focus your attention and research energy. By the end of this lil exercise, you should have a firm idea of your next steps and whether or not you need additional guidance along the way. ​

NOTE: we recommend copy and pasting this list into a Google doc or similar and recording your answers in note form so that you can actually reference back to it. Seriously, if you bring these answers with you anywhere you will have a much more successful experience. Ok, here goes!

  1. What is she like? 
    What does she do professionally? What's her personal style of dress? Does she already wear lots of jewelry? Does she like to shop? You want to get the full picture. Where does she shop, what shoes does she wear on the weekends... what shoes does she gravitate towards. Trust us, simply saying that her style is "classic" won't help you find the coolest "classic" ring to match her personal tastes. Get specific. Perhaps check out her Pinterest page...

  2. What is your timeline? 
    Most rings need to be made from scratch, as very few of them are just sitting on a shelf. Is there a specific trip, date, season, due date or pocket of time in which you would like to have the ring in hand? (For more info on what to expect in terms of timeline check out: How Long Does It Take to Get an Engagement Ring?)

  3. What is your desired price range? 
    We are going to ignore all rules here. Try to steer clear of averages or monthly salary bologna. What feels right? What is realistic for you and for your partnership? (If you're really not sure what to expect based on what you suspect she will want - and you don't want to feel like a sucker - you might benefit from our complimentary BIRD CALL.)

  4. Shopping locally or remotely? 
    There are some major pricing and selection differences based on where you look. Sometimes the ideal jeweler just isn't in your area. Other times the perfect designer is nearby but you're not sure how to find them. Maybe shopping online feels really overwhelming, but you notice the pricing is more in line with what you're looking for. List specific aspects you're looking for in a jeweler so you can narrow your search: Trusted brand name? A small studio jeweler? An indie designer? The list goes on. What are you looking for in a retailer?

  5. What style of setting are you interested in? 
    Rings are a two part process. You pick a setting AND a central stone (see this part in #6). The central stone shape an type can be a bit easier to sort out, and we find that most folks really grapple with understanding the anatomy of the setting itself. You'll want to know exactly what type, shape and number of prongs, what the "gallery view" of the ring looks like, cathedral shoulders or no, will it sit flush with a wedding band, the list goes on. To get started in identifying the ideal setting, check out our Pinterest to learn about the different types of rings and their anatomy:
    Solitaire Engagement Ring Designs
    Diamond Band Engagement Ring Designs
    Halo Engagement Ring Designs
    Three Stone Engagement Ring Designs
    Antique Engagement Ring Designs
    Unconventional Engagement Ring Designs

  6. What type of center gem you are going for? 
    Do some quick research on the 4 c's and decide where you think you might fall. This is important stuff. Again, this is totally stuff we go over during our complimentary BIRD CALL. So, if you think you might benefit from a bit more personalized guidance here, take us up on our offer to help (for freeeee).

  7. Have you figured out her ring size? 
    Yes. You'll need to address this at some point. For the complete guide to ring sizing: 11 Things You Need to Know about Engagement Ring Sizing
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  8. Do you know what type of metal is right for the ring and for your partner?
    Platinum, white gold, yellow gold, rose gold, palladium... the list goes on! If you're just saying "white or silver metal" then you have some research to do. It's  a good idea to look at her other jewelry, survey some of the other rings you see on friends, etc.

  9. Are "ethical origins" important to you? 
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    ​It's ok to say "I don't know". Brush up on your "conflict free diamond" definitions here: Diamond Politics - or - What Would Leonardo DiCaprio Do? (WWLDD)

Ok! This should get you started on the path toward optimizing your engagement ring shopping. If you still have some question marks running through your head, then you might benefit from going through these questions with an unbiased expert (ehm ehm, US!). Together we can go over each question, identify any potential obstacles in your way and get you cleared up so that you can nail this whole engagement ring thing. So before you have a full-blown panic attack, let's get you on a FREE BIRD CALL and go over these questions together.

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Custom Rose Gold Pavé Basket Solitaire with a 1.25 carat round brilliant diamond
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Custom 18K Yellow Gold East-West Emerald Cut Diamond in a Matted Bezel with an Eternity Shared Prong Diamond Band, Nick Engel
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An assortment of bespoke engagement rings by Nick Engel
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Bespoke 18K Yellow Gold Tapered Baguette Setting with a 2 carat Asscher Diamond center, by Scout Mandolin
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The ring stack to end all ring stacks, curated by GemHunt.Co
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HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR DIAMOND SIZE from GH's Expert Panel on Engagement Ring Advice You Haven't Heard Before

12/22/2016

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Jewelry blog GEMHUNT.co hit the Internet like WHOA in 2016. We are honored to be joined by Jewels by Grace, The Clear Cut, Victor Barboné & Designs by Kamni on their expert panel, topic: Engagement Ring Advice You Haven't Heard Before. Among sage advice on how to find imperfections in the diamond and how to find the perfect engagement ring that is utterly personal, and unique is our hot pro tip on how to maximize the size of your diamond:
4. Don’t forget that “carat” refers to the weight, not how large the diamond actually appears when viewed from the top. Therefore, it’s super important to me that my clients choose a high standard for the quality of “cut” and then select the stone with the largest millimeter measurements so that they get the largest top view of the diamond for their money. Danielle, Little Bird
Get all the wisdom here: 
http://www.gemhunt.co/gemtalkblog/2016/10/31/unconventional-engagement-ring-buying-advice
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6 Things You Need to Know to Select the Ideal Men's Wedding Ring + Our Current Favorite Sources

9/23/2016

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Best Men's Wedding Rings

We. Will. Keep. It. SIMPLE. 
​Here are the major things you need to know about men's wedding bands:



1. ON MATCHING: Her wedding band needs to match whatever metal the engagement ring is. So if her engagement ring is platinum, her wedding band needs to be platinum, too. If her engagement ring is 18K yellow gold, so should her wedding ring be. Unless you are mixing metal colors, stick to one metal type. However, YOUR ring doesn't need to match hers. So go with what you truly like the look and feel of! Definitely consider all the options: white gold, platinum, palladium, yellow gold, rose gold, matted, hammered, an alternative metal...

2. ON WIDTH: The most standard width for a men's wedding ring is somewhere between 4 - 6 millimeters. If you want a thinner, lighter band, then choose something closer to 4mm. If you want a wider, heftier band, then skew closer to 6mm. The 5mm is dead on "classic". Thinner than 4mm is totally cool, but on the slimmer and more feminine side. And wider than that is also a great look, but it's certainly going to feel heavier and bulkier. 

3. ON METAL & STYLE CHOICE: If you decide to go with a white metal, then we strongly 


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An Open Letter - from: GEM HUNT to: Men Buying Engagement Rings

8/24/2016

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5 tips on how to buy an engagement ring, GEM HUNT

​Dudes, meet GEM HUNT. This is the place your girlfriend goes on the internet when she’s hunting down the best engagement ring styles for her secret engagement ring Pinterest page or indulging in some online hot diamond materials before moving on to her next task in Asana. Editor Catherine Cason founded GEM HUNT after becoming engaged a few years ago. She is witty, irreverent, fun, and knowledgeable so we asked her to share some sage advice with you.


Dear Men,

Congratulations, you are looking to get engaged. I will be straight with you being engaged is awesome — all champagne bubbles and fun. That said,

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Gem Hunt Interview: The 8 Questions to Ask an Expert about Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds

7/19/2016

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Do you think lab diamonds will be become more popular?

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It's always a pleasure to chat with the good people at GH. Check out this piece on Lab Diamonds vs. Real Diamonds. We answer the following questions:    
​1. What is a lab diamond? 
2. What makes lab diamonds different than earth mined diamonds? 
3. Are there different ways of making a lab diamond? 
4. Do lab diamonds cost less than earth mined diamonds? 
5. Who is a lab diamond for? 
6. Do you think lab diamonds will be become more popular? 
7. 
Where do you think is the best places to shop for a lab diamond? 
8. 
Tell us about the "Real Is Rare" movement and what does it mean to consumers?
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And it turns out that we've got some stuff to say! Check out our answers here....

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5 Essential Questions Pre-Engaged Couples Should Ask Themselves

5/16/2016

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In a sea of fashion bloggers there are but a few standout jewelry bloggers. Chief among them, Gem Hunt. On the average day, Gem Hunt reports on all things hip while eating diamonds for breakfast. Us Little Birds? Well, we are usually deep into diamond selections and proposal planning. So GH interviewed LB on how to make sure you and your finance are on the same page when to comes selecting the perfect engagement ring! 


4. Would you want to design something together or would you want to surprise me out of the blue?
Another huge thing to learn about your partner. Many of my clients are dead set on picking out the center gemstone and the setting. They have this feeling like they want to do it all themselves in stealth mode. Perhaps their bride-to-be really wants to be surprised and has given them a few hints or none at all and let them know that the ball is firmly in their court . Other clients feel like... read more.​

Known for their insatiable appetite for well-cut carbon and rock solid fine designers, Gem Hunt's Intagram is quickly becoming a must-follow...
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Menprovement asks, Little Bird answers. What should every man consider before buying an engagement ring?

2/24/2016

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In an extended podcast, Sean from Menprovement and Little Bird discuss engagements, diamonds, strategies, and culture. When should a man propose? Is two month's salary still an appropriate starting point for the ring budget? Should you always get a GIA report with your diamond? Listen to the podcast here.  
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The podcast also comes with a fantastic article on other commonly asked questions, as well as a guide to getting optimal value on a diamond. There's an excerpt from the article below.... You can read the entire article here, 
Question 8) Are diamonds really that common?
Lot’s of folks wonder whether diamonds prices are high because the supply is controlled. Here’s the deal: diamonds the size of grains of sand are common. Big, facetable, clear, pretty diamonds are quite rare and you have to move literally tons of dirt to dig them up–that is expensive. The price is controlled so that supplies will stay relatively constant. This is good news for you. It would feel really unfair if you had to pay 50 percent more than your buddy did last year for the same diamond just because a random mine in Australia didn’t find any good stuff for a few months. Right?
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11 Things You Need to Know about Engagement Ring Sizing

2/10/2016

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Ring sizing has its own chapter in the book of advice on buying an engagement ring. So as part of your ring education, check out this definitive guide on how engagement ring sizing works. 

1. Understanding Ring Sizing By Numbers

Here in the US the ring sizes are based on a numerical scale. These numbers are based on the circumference of the inside of a band, expressed in millimeters. Sizes start at about a 3 (teensy) and go up to about a 15 (giant). The difference from one whole ring size to the next a matter of 2-3mm in the circumference of the inner part of the band, where it touches your finger. The difference between a comfortable ring size and one that either falls off or causes you to panic it’s so tight could be the matter of a 1mm difference in the inner ring circumference. You’ll see half sizes (size 5.5), quarter sizes (7.25) and even “loose” and “tight” sizes, which are basically like an ⅛ size increment. For example a “tight 6” is basically a 5 ⅞. The vast majority of people have a ring size somewhere between 4 and 12. For those of you abroad, we cover European ring sizing later in this post.

2. Basic Ring Finger Knowledge

Engagement rings and wedding bands are generally worn on the left ring finger, which is usually smaller than the right ring finger, as most people are right-handed. If she’s left-handed, that finger will be a tad larger than her right hand’s ring finger. Why? Usually, the dominant hand’s ring finger is ½ a size larger than the non-dominant hand. This is important, as most women don’t know what their left hand ring finger size is but many know what their right hand ring finger size is. Catch our drift?
engagement ring sizing guide

3. What is Her Ring Size?

The average woman’s ring finger is a size 6, for a ring that is about 2-3mm wide. When you go to a jewelry store, most women’s rings in the case are either 6 or 6.5, and the bands are all about 2-3mm wide with a few exceptions. The vast majority of engagement rings will be in the range of 5.5 - 6.5. Of course it’s not uncommon to be smaller than a 5.5 or larger than a 6.5, but almost all engagement ring orders in the US fall in this tight range. These size differences vary by very small amounts. For example, the difference between a 5.75 and 6 ring size is so so so so slight. Just eating too much salted popcorn can cause your fingers to swell more than a 1/4 size the next day. So don't get stuck in the weeds on sizing. If you know she's somewhere between a 4 and a 4.5, stay with the larger end and you'll be ok. Making adjustments after the fact is totally normal. 
That said, if a ring were a basic t-shirt: 

Small hands: 4.5-5.5
Medium hands: 5.75-6.5
Large hands: 6.75-7.5

4. Consider the Width of the Ring ​

The wider the ring (or rings), the tighter it will fit on a finger. PAY ATTENTION, there will be a test.  If you love a ring that is on the wider side ( 5mm and up) consider going up about a ½ size for every millimeter past 4mm. Keep in mind that adding a wedding band to stack next to an engagement ring will increase the width.
engagement ring sizing guide for wide rings
Strategies for Figuring Out Her Ring Size

5. Strategies for Figuring Out Her Ring Size

Ok, it’s time to get your MacGyver on. Somehow you misplaced that piece of paper with your girlfriend’s professionally measured perfect ring size. DAMMIT. Don’t worry, we have ways:
​
Ring Size Measurement Methods that DO work:
  • Send us a picture of your girlfriend where we can see her hands - we’ll be able to give you a pretty solid size based on a picture. Sounds weird? It is. We are weirdly good at this. (See image to the left, likely a size 5.5) NOTE: we are no longer able to extend this service to folks for free who are not engaged in a client relationship with LITTLE BIRD. If you would like to connect with us for help, contact us here. 
  • Pick a ring that she can resize, and let the jeweler know that you’ll likely need to do that.
  • Ask her close friend or family member.
  • Try swiping a ring that fits her and pressing it down over a tapered candle. Then bring that to a local jeweler and try to match it to one of their official “ring sizing bands” or measure the circumference of the indent in millimeters and use this chart

​Ring Size Measurement Methods that DON’T work:
  • Don’t try to tie a string or wrap a piece of paper around her finger in her sleep. Just don’t. This is a futile mission. Ring sizes vary by such small degrees that you’re just not going to get it right.
  • If she’s in on the secret then don’t use a free plastic ring sizer or a free ring size guide that you printed out online. They can be misleading. Have her go into a store and be professionally sized using a metal ring sizing set.
  • Don’t use the same ring size you got from the giant cocktail ring she wears on her middle finger.

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How to Pick an Emerald Cut Engagement Ring - or - Who is the Mr. Darcy of Diamonds?

10/30/2015

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How to Pick an Emerald Cut Engagement Ring - LITTLE BIRDEmerald Cut Diamonds are just like Mr. Darcy
So let’s just say that you happen to be browsing diamond shapes and cuts. No reason. Just looking. Eventually you come across an emerald cut diamond. Maybe you instantly fall in love with its clear, cool, water-like shine, its self-possessed elegance, its unexpected simplicity. Or maybe you hate it.

Emerald cuts are a lot like Mr. Darcy from Jane Austen’s popular book Sense and Sensibility. In the beginning of the story Mr. Darcy seems cold, but the more we get to know him, the more we learn to recognize what a beautiful person he is. No matter what your reaction is, know that emerald cuts are unmatched in their ability to divide opinions amongst experts and non-experts alike. If you think emerald cuts look cold and unexciting, look longer.

Us? We are in the adoring-emerald-cuts-forever-camp. Firstly, they have step cut pavilions, meaning that the underside of the stone is faceted in a pattern of horizontal lines. This is different from the “disco-ball” effect that a round brilliant faceting pattern creates, and it makes it much harder to disguise any clarity features within the gem. Peering into an emerald cut is like wearing goggles in a pool - you can see pretty much everything there is to see inclusion-wise. The result is that the most crystal clear rough diamonds are given an emerald cut (usually). Secondly, once you calibrate your eyes to the emerald cut’s magically serene look, you’ll get over the typical sparkle-sparkle you’d see in your everyday brilliant cut diamond. Peer into the depths. Watch the light glide over the smooth facets. Fall down the rabbit hole.

Emerald Cut Guidance at a Glance:

  •  It’s ok to be uptight when it comes to clarity - stick to VS2 and above.
  • Symmetry is crucial to an emerald cut. Make sure the symmetry grade on the certificate is “Very Good” or better.
  • For a three stone setting, choose slimmer stones with a length to width ratio closer to 1.50. Otherwise, 1.30-1.50 is standard for l:w ratio.
  • The high clarity and cut grades that come with emerald cuts can push up the prices a bit compared to other rectangular cuts.
  • Consider setting an emerald cut horizontally. It’s rad.
  • Bezel settings can look great on an emerald cut - it’s like adding one more facet to the edge!
  • Antiqued romance meets modern lines? You can’t go wrong.

Also check out our board for some other cool setting and design ideas. Use your imagination, and get creative. Sometimes a designer creates a masterpiece by breaking all the supposed rules. Yeah, we’re looking at you Anna Sheffield. If you are interested in an emerald cut sapphire, emerald cut aquamarine, or an actual emerald cut green emerald then feel free to drop us a line - these gemstones can be trickier to navigate than diamonds.

XOXO,
The Birds
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    the LITTLE BIRD blog, by Danielle Mainas

    Ever wonder how to figure out her ring size? Select the perfect center stone? Pick the ideal jeweler? Read on, my friends. 

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