How does a man propose to the go-to girl for helping others find the rings of their dreams and live up to her expectations? Well, he plans a private dinner on the beach, produces a beautiful, hand-engraved wedding band alongside tickets to the Tucson Gem Show – the mecca for gemologists! *Swoon*

Needless to say, he exceeded all expectations and was more than ready to be supportive on what was going to be an exciting journey! Take a peek into the mind of The Jewel Princess lead designer as she created the ring that will represent their love for a lifetime and longer:

What was your design inspiration?

I wanted it to be a ring that was fit for a princess! I initially thought that my design was going to be a solitaire, but it evolved as I kept drawing out, and erasing my design. I wanted it to be regal, but not too chunky. So, I designed it with a shank that tapered. I love curvy feminine designs, but also the fierceness of princess diamonds and solid corners. So, I included both in my design. 

A post shared by Jewel Princess (@thejewelprincess) on Apr 21, 2017 at 5:03pm PDT

What metal did you use?

I have always wanted a yellow gold engagement ring, but in the end I picked platinum, which is another of my favorite metals to use. The design, my lavender sapphires and my accent stones looked better with platinum’s color than yellow gold. So, that made my choice easy.

I am not hard on my hands like some clients – who I often tell to choose white gold – so platinum’s softness is never going to be a problem for me. I really love platinum and the fact that I will never have to rhodium plate it, unlike white gold. Depending on the client, I will recommend white gold over platinum any day.

Watch the Journey from Loose Stones to Custom Brillance:

Why sapphire?

I do love my diamonds. But for a gemologist, there is nothing like the beauty found in a colored stone. I have known for a very long time that I wanted my engagement ring to be color. What color I wanted, I couldn’t have told you. My choice of color evolved rapidly and often before finally settling on lavender (pictured below), my longtime favorite color.

When it came down to it, I was deciding between a lavender sapphire and a lavender spinel. Ultimately, it came down to the hardness (sapphire wins) and the cut because the two had equally beautiful colors with sparkles of reds, blues, and purples. 

How did you pick your stone shape?

To begin, I had no idea what shape I wanted. I have short fingers. And the only thing I did know is that I wanted a shape that would complement my hands and elongate my fingers, if possible. The longer shapes, like pears, ovals, and emerald cuts, really did that for me.

What accent stones did you choose?

I adorned my design with the highest quality diamonds and four pear-shaped Paraiba tourmalines, which have the most mesmerizing color. I have always loved the color combination of purple and teal. I wasn’t sure if I would want to see that color combination all day, everyday. So, I designed those accent colors to be in inconspicuous places, under the gallery and on the sides of the ring!

Read more about other Beautiful Alternate Engagement Ring Stones here!

But, the diamond is not the be-all and end-all for engagement rings. Rather, today’s couples are choosing to express the uniqueness of their relationships with equally unique rings. Here are some stunning stone alternatives that deserve the chance to make you sparkle on your big day:

Sapphire

Sapphires are another traditional gemstone. And royals, like Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, have shown just how ideal they can be for the occasion. With a spectrum of deeply saturated color choices (blue, pink, yellow, white and more!), sapphires are thought to bring bright and hopeful futures to those who wear them. What also makes sapphire a great alternative is their hardness. Second to diamonds which have a hardness of 10 on the Mohs scale, sapphires are the hardest colored stone! This means it won't chip down the line after daily wear. (Fun fact: Jewel Princess lead designer dazzles with her own lavender sapphire engagement ring!)

Hardness: 9

Spinel

Is it a ruby? Is it a sapphire? Not quite! Spinel takes on a multitude of hues, and its beauty has left it often mistaken for other, more traditional precious stones. While the richer reds and blues are harder to come by, lighter shades, including lavender, yellow, and mauve, are equally as desirable! Spinel can even offer a unique look with its shades of black and brown. So, if you've got yourself a girl who can do it all – and look amazing doing it – spinel may need to be at the top of your shopping list. Spinel is quickly becoming every gem lover's favorite stone!

Hardness: 7.5-8

Aquamarine

Cerulean to cyan, aquamarine is another beautiful colored stone to replace the diamond. Believed to calm waves and keep men at sea safe, this brilliant stone is representative of positivity. It also inspires truth – an important characteristic of any relationship. This is a great option for the relationship that can tread any and all waters without fear of going under.

Hardness: 7.5-8

Moissanite

So, traditional is the way for you. Sometimes a diamond really is a girl’s best friend. However, the prices associated with the stone aren’t as complementary. Today, more people are getting married with moissanite engagement rings than you would think. Why is that? Because they are SO similar to diamonds that only a trained eye can tell the difference. This man-made stone will offer the strength and brilliance of a true diamond, all while being eco- and pocket-friendly! 

Hardness: 9.25

Pink Tourmaline

Appropriate for your special occasion, pink tourmaline deals with matters of the heart. From pale pink to deep rose, there is a range of shades that gives you options depending on the subtlety or glamour of your girl.

Hardness: 7-7.5

Want a unique, environment-friendly engagement ring? Go vintage! We can create a curated vintage collection just for you, in any price range! 

Do You Want Engagement Photos and Announcements?

Before you move onto the intense wedding planning, you’re allowed to relish in your engagement! Talk to your significant other about how long you’d like to be engaged. Then, talk about getting engagement photos and sending out formal announcements. This will give you some time to process and give you a good answer when people bombard you with curiosity!

What is Your Budget?

Your budget is everything. From location options to the wedding dress, this number is there to keep you in check through everything. Also keep in mind that there’s a honeymoon to hopefully be had after the big day.

How Many Guests?

Before you determine the location, the food (Hello, cake!) and so much more, you should decide what size wedding you want to have. You should also decide if you want kids at wedding. It’s common to ask for adults only, but it depends on the couple.

To Hire a Planner or Not?

It takes a village! Or a really good planner. Now, don’t expect to have JLo showing up. Instead, peruse the services a planner offers and decide if it’s worth hiring one. Putting a wedding together can sometimes feel like a second job, so definitely don’t write a planner off right away. Just be sure to find one you click with and have confidence in.

Where Do You Want to Have It?

Destination weddings can be incredible. But, a ceremony in your parent’s backyard can be just as magical. There are a ton of venue options out there, but narrow them down and see how they fit with your budget, guest list and dreams. Keep in mind that some venues are booked a year or more in advance. So, be sure to call as soon as possible and see if you can arrange a tour to check it out in person.

Who Are Your Vendors?

There are so many cool options and themes for weddings and vendors nowadays! I mean, you can have food trucks and photo booths come to your venue. Think about what you want to offer, make a list and check the prices and availability.

What About the Invites?

Wedding invites typically go out six to eight weeks before the actual ceremony. So, make sure you’ve decided on your style and theme at least a few months before then. Your invite is the first peek into what the actual day will be like, so have fun and be a little picky!

What Are You Going to Wear?

Personalized wedding bands take at least a few weeks to get finished, so just think how long a tailored tux and especially the dress can take! Plus, multiple fittings are even required if your have heavy tailoring taking place. So, go in with an open mind but a few opinions around nine months in advance and find the look that makes you feel like a princess.

Looking for more wedding advice? Subscribe to The Jewel Princess Newsletter!

Photos by Lauren Cate Photography. 

Your Marriage Certificate

Forgetting a marriage license – it’s not unheard of! But, this is the piece of paper that’s going to seal the deal in the eyes of the law. Pick a day anytime three months prior to walking down the aisle and make filling out your application with your fiancé an amazing memory! (Go online to make an appointment and fill out the application to save yourself time!) You'll need a valid drivers license for each person and both of you present at the courthouse to get your license, so don't lose those at the last minute (that actually happened to one of our clients--eek!). 

The Wedding Bands

This is fun because you get to do it together. Some women like one band; others like one on either side of their engagement ring. You can even mix and match colors! This is likely the piece women wear more often than the actual engagement rings due to their job or daily tasks.

Did you know that the girl buys the guy his wedding ring?

Shop at least four to six weeks out from the wedding date in case you need to custom order. Many women want their wedding band to match/fit with their engagement ring exactly, so custom orders are very common! Guys, this ring is on you again!

A Gift for Your Husband/Wife

Girls, your guy got you that flashy ring, so now is the perfect time to get him that nice watch he's had his eye on! Maybe a box full of boudoir photos for his eyes only. Or, even just a sentimental note that doesn’t cost a thing!

Bridesmaids & Groomsmen Gifts

If you’ve chosen these people to be in your wedding party, they play a significant role in your life. Express that with a token of appreciation. Matching necklaces, robes, tie clips or money clips are just a few examples of what you can gift. First, be sure to figure out your budget and we can help you customize a gift that they will love!

Thank You Gifts

Even if you want to plan your own wedding, know that it takes a village. Mother of the Bride and Groom gifts are a nice way to say thank you. And same goes for anyone else who helped! This is a special time to thank everyone you really love for all they do for you.

A Photographer/Videographer

You’re never going to forget your wedding day, so capture those happy moments by finding the perfect photographer and/or videographer. This starts with setting a budget, then discovering your style. Some people prefer a darker, artsier approach while others like simpler, photojournalistic. Either way, these will be the momentos that live on for a lifetime filled with happiness.

Want more from the Jewel Princess? Sign up for my newsletter!

Photos by Lauren Cate Photography. 

After meeting in grad school, the two started off as friends. “I just had a lot of fun hanging out with him even as friends, no matter what we were doing,” said Adena. “We both appreciate each other’s sense of humor. And he manages to make light of things even when I can’t imagine a positive side to a certain situation.”

Bonding over text and platonic hang outs, the state of their friendship began to shift and sparked, pushing Alex to ask Adena out. “The first time we went out to dinner that wasn’t work-related was to Panini Café,” recalls Adena. “He wanted to show me more variety of Mediterranean food because I was tired of the restaurants around campus! There was a full moon that day, and we ended up staying in the car and talking all night in the parking lot.”

It was that natural reaction to each other that set the tone for their relationship. “It was always natural and comfortable,” explained Adena. “I guess the short answer is I knew he was the one because nothing was forced. We had chemistry from the very beginning.”

Fast forward two and half years to May 6th, 2017. After a long morning, Adena was ready for a relaxed night in, but Alex had other plans.  On that chilly, Saturday afternoon, Alex suggested a walk on the beach after dinner at Cliff in Laguna Beach. Soaking up the soothing sandy atmosphere, a common occurrence for the two, Adena was completely unaware of how her life was going to change – something she admits was one of her favorite elements of the evening since she’s typically so observant.

“We walked around the cliff and he said he has something to tell me, and I only realized what was happening as he was kneeling with his torn ACL! And then I saw who I thought was a random person – who was actually one of his friends that I hadn’t met before) – take pictures of us! It all happened very quickly,” shares Adena.

“It took me a few seconds to connect the dots. And I was so emotional that I wasn’t really paying attention to what he was saying! Seriously, not even one word. I have absolutely no idea.”

Behind the nerves and giddiness, Alex popped the question, and the two couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds.

Adena said, “Alex is graduating soon, but I still have a couple of years. I think the plan is to move to the East Coast temporarily after that. He is planning on continuing research in academia, and I want to teach. We will figure out specifics one step at a time. A lot of good things are waiting in the future.” 

As for now, Alex and Adena are enjoying their engagement, and we are so thrilled to be a part of their happily ever after! Congratulations!

First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes a baby... That's the little song we'd sing as children. Nowadays, happy marriages come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and orders. But, Kaitlin and Miguel's happily ever after was exactly the love story we hear crooned in music.

After meeting the modern way – online! – the two weren't expecting to get a lifetime out of their relationship. "We had both recently gotten out of long relationships and we were both looking for a fun, casual dating experience to 'get back out there' in the dating world," they recalled.

"I don't think either of us thought it would end in marriage and a baby! But life has a funny way of taking you in unexpected directions." 

Over the next three years, they began building a life together and looking towards the future. Kaitlin said, "I knew he was 'the one' after he came with me to Thanksgiving at my parent's house. Once I saw him with my family and how he interacted with my niece and nephew, I could see us building a life together."

But Miguel says that there wasn't one moment when he knew that she was "the one." Their time together developed his feelings for who he calls his soul mate and best friend. And after three and a half years, he decided to put a ring on it!

However, Kaitlin had a hand – once again, thanks to the internet – in perfecting the ring she'd don for the rest of her life after stalking beautiful antique rings on an Instagram page. She said, "When January 2016 rolled around I told Miguel that I wanted to go to the gem and mineral show in Tucson – my home town – to look for a sapphire for my future engagement ring," she elaborated. "My dream was to get that perfect vintage ring re-created using brand new gems. I didn't know how it would be possible, but I knew that was the ring I dreamed of! As luck had it, we not only found the perfect sapphire at the Gem show, but we also met you, the jeweler who would eventually make my dream ring a reality!"

And on July 8th the two tied the knot. But, that was only the first chapter of their story because on January 1st, 2017, they welcomed their first child, a baby boy.

We were so happy to play such a special role in Kaitlin and Miguel's fairytale, and wish them nothing but love and happiness this Mother's Day! Thank you so much for sharing your story, and happy Mother's Day to all the other Jewel Princesses out there!  

If you would like to be featured on our blog or Instagram, please email us at: lovestory@thejewelprincess.com or tag us in your photos @thejewelprincess #jewelprincessbride.