Selecting from the choice of perfect engagement rings might require patience, a reputable and trusted jeweller and a bit of knowledge. Another thing to consider is the difference in the metals used in the ring because there is a difference in platinum engagement rings and yellow or white gold engagement rings, when it comes to value, price and durability. This is a matter of personal taste, but when you are considering the highest quality, platinum is more durable and scratch resistant, besides more valuable, but it is also pricier than white or yellow gold. Regardless, it is a matter of personal taste and many young couples will shop for the ring together, for this reason. Because gold is a soft metal, alloys are added, but those can determine the difference between the white or yellow gold colors you will find. The choice of styles can become confusing for many engaged couples that are looking for rings. The best stone to consider from an investment quality are those that are two carats or more, but one carat diamonds are perhaps the most common choice, pricewise. On the other hand, it is not unusual for platinum bands to be protected by rhodium, but regardless, it should be re-coated every five years to keep the metal looking new. Designs can be difficult enough to decide on, but the stones you select require knowledge of the four “C’s” of diamonds, which are cut, colour, clarity and carat weight. All metal bands are measured in carats and the bands will contain the quality stamp indicating the percentage of pure gold. With the choice of a solitaire, you can invest more in a single stone and any embellishments and multiple stones can be added to the wedding band, so this is an option that is frequently chosen. The most common strengths of 18 carat, 14 carat and sometimes, 9 carat gold are used in engagement rings. On the other hand, there are some people that feel these two options resemble sterling silver too closely and opt for yellow gold. For this reason, many men will select a diamond solitaire when they want to surprise their loved one because it is a matter of selecting the band’s metal and the cut of the stone. This choice can become more difficult, when you are not familiar with the differences in the types of rings you will find. When you consider it is an investment that will be worn for many years, it is important that fits the bride’s taste perfectly. When you are considering the difference between metals, there are some that love the look of platinum, but it is more expensive than white gold. There are some beautiful engagement rings that might have coloured stones, such as rubies, sapphires or emeralds, which flank the solitaire diamond. Gold metal bands may be plated with rhodium, to protect the gold and make it shine. 18 carat white gold would tell you that it is 75% gold and the remaining 25% is another white metal, such as silver, palladium or nickel to add strength. For example, one single diamond is worth more than a ring that has several diamonds totaling the same carat weight because the larger a stone is, the more the value increases, on an investment scale.

Queen Camilla opted for sentimental jewellery for her first day in Kenya – including Queen Elizabeth II’s glittering Shell Brooch and a necklace with her grandchildren’s initials on it. The King’s wife, 76, wearing a stylish cream dress, was warmly greeted by Kenya’s President William Ruto and his wife First Lady Rachel Ruto at the State House in Nairobi during the first full day of her and King Charles’ tour. It was designed by Lord Courtauld-Thomson, son of a famous Scottish inventor, and made in 1919 in London by The Goldsmiths and Silversmiths Co., Ltd, before being left to Queen Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, in 1944 by his sister, Winifred Hope Thomson. Adding a touch of glitz to her ensemble, Camilla sported the Queen Mother’s Courtauld Thomson Scallop-Shell Brooch, which was also a favourite of Queen Elizabeth II’s. As the name suggests, the brooch takes the shape of a shell made of rows of diamonds and a single pearl, while several strings of diamonds in varying lengths dangle underneath. It’s not the first time Camilla has sported the item – she wore it during her appearance at Royal Ascot this summer. Her late Majesty wore her mother’s brooch to several special occasions – including the unveiling of the Queen Mother’s statue and to her granddaughter Zara’s wedding to Mike Tindall.

While Queen Camilla is known to sport Royal Family heirlooms along with gifts from her husband King Charles, one piece of jewellery she is frequently spotted wearing surprisingly has no royal links. You are all very good readers. She smiled broadly and gave them a huge round of applause at the end of their reading performance, delivered while sitting cross-legged on the floor. The Queen was at Eastlands Library to meet the founders of Book Bunk, a Kenyan charity that restores public libraries into ‘Palaces for People’. Work hard and keep reading,’ the Queen told the 14 children. She met local performers and artists before viewing the library’s giant chess board and time capsule and greeting the 2021 Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition winner, Ms Kayla Bosire. Meanwhile, the Queen yesterday told children to ‘explore’ the world as they do in story books, after sitting down for a fun-filled Kenyan story time. Camilla, who is a passionate reader and advocate of literacy, joined pupils at Eastlands Library in Nairobi as they read passages from the popular children’s book Lion And Mouse by Catalina Echeverri. In the centre of the beloved pendant is a small circular ruby, which is the Queen’s birthstone. Outside she paused to shake hands with delighted well-wishers and children. It is engraved with five letters to represent her grandchildren on her non-royal family’s side: ‘L’, ‘F’, ‘G’, ‘L’ and ‘E’ for Lola, Freddy, Gus, Eliza and Louis. Camilla’s treasured piece – which she has worn throughout her tour of Kenya so far – is a gold necklace engraved with the initials of her grandchildren, born to her children Tom Parker Bowles and Laura Lopes. Inside she was welcomed by Book Bunk founder and publisher Angela Wanjuka and author Wanjiru Koinange.

REMBRANT CHARMS Do you’ve got a charm bracelet sitting as part of your drawer unlooked at for years? For your anniversary prefer among discs which have “Happy Anniversary” written on them, or only a number to indicate the many years of your marriage. They also have flip-flops with your decision of stone, the stone alone with a scrolled background and discs that name your month and add the appropriate stone. For a additional casual charm select the flip-flop. Or are you ready to start out one but don’t know where to find the best charms using the most variety? What about a new baby, yours, a grandchild, or that of a friend? Do you want to add your own birth date charm? Want a thing elegant? All charms come within your pick of metal from sterling silver – Link Website – to 14 karat yellow and white gold. Do you like charms which have moveable parts? You may want only a disc – with or without the rope edge – to have engraved when using the exact words you would like. You will discover baby shoes while using the child’s birth stone, and discs with an arrow by means of the stone. They’ve 3D heart charms with your birth stone caged inside the heart. If you have multiple children They’ve “the key to my heart” with each child’s stone, a family tree charm, and calendar charms considering the date marked on the month with the baby’s birth! There are numerous other alternatives you are bound to discover anything that excites you. Did you go towards the 2010 Winter Olympics? The alternatives here are phenomenal! How about a carousel or a Ferris wheel? The stone with all the scrolled background is perfect. Rembrant Charms has the charm you would like. They have numerous different categories to select from, i.e., Birthday and Anniversary, Gold Initials, Rembrant Animals, Music and Dance, to mention only a few.