Weddingbee

Today’s behind the scenes at Bridal Guide Magazine post is by Senior Associate Editor, Elena Donovan Mauer,

One of the many hats I wear on our editorial team is that of a fine jewelry market editor. It’s my job to know about engagement rings and other wedding-day jewels, to choose pieces to include in the magazine and to write about shopping for jewelry. This is something that never, ever, ever feels like work.

I recently attended a spectacular event put on by The Diamond Information Center—this is the agency that represents the diamond industry to the press. The event was called “The Art of Diamonds,” and it took place in a beautiful loft space in New York. I was—along with our intern Isabel—whisked there by a car service for what ended up being a nice middle-of-the-day break (well, it felt like a break, but it was business). There, the DIC had diamond jewelry from a variety of designers on display, along with found objects to make them look like part of a modern art exhibit.

Here’s a bracelet and necklace set that’s worthy of the red carpet—or aisle—by Van Cleef & Arpels.

Oooh, look at all the gorgeous diamond jewelry. The necklaces look really interesting draped over those almost-creepy glove mannequin hands. Note the bodyguard in the background. I can’t even imagine the value of all the pieces that were together in this one room.

A group ogles the jewelry. As you can probably gather, there’s lots of excitement at an event like this.

Here are some stunning statement pieces that would work for a bride (a very, very wealthy bride), including a leaf-motif cuff (center) and earrings (right) by Lorraine Schwartz. Now, take your eyes off the diamond deliciousness for just one moment and check out the artist in the background. He was sketching models wearing the jewelry during the exhibit to play up the “art of diamonds” theme. Cool idea, huh?

I was excited to see that the DIC was featuring eco-friendly and socially conscious designers—there’s more to choose from than ever in this category. I love these organic-looking medallion pendants by Tracy Matthews for Ruff & Cut, and earrings by Ruff & Cut. Great for every day or to dress up—something to wear at the rehearsal dinner, maybe?

More decadent gorgeousness (photographed on old album covers—hope you can see). The engagement rings, tennis bracelet and earrings in the front are all by William Goldberg. I swear I could see right through the diamonds in these rings—they weighed a whopping 8.65 total carats (left ring) and 5.10 total carats (right).

Oh, did I mention that the DIC peeps encourage you to try on the jewelry while you’re at these events? All my photo shoots are still life, but it definitely helps for fashion editors who are looking for pieces for models to wear to see what they look like on the bod. And it helps me decide what Bridal Guide readers might like to wear, too. Plus, well, it’s ridiculously fun to try them on.

This Asscher-cut three stone engagement ring is by Daniel K. Sometimes you don’t want to take these pieces off! (Then you look over and see the bodyguard…)

I’m sure that engagement rings and wedding bands are what you want to see most, so here’s a closer look at some of the rings from the event:

This beauty is from Badgley Mischka Bride, which is a new line of engagement rings. I like the marquis shaped stone (you know, looks kinda like a football). It’s a style that was considered passé for a while, but is back!

A lot of colored diamonds, especially yellow and brown, were showcased. This yellow diamond engagement ring is by Neil Lane, who’s known for designing rings for a lot of celebrities.

Catherine Angiel is a designer based in New York’s West Village. I’ve been to her shop a bunch of times and love talking to her—she’s very cool and makes some funky, edgy jewelry, like this brown-diamond ring in rose gold. And I’m slightly obsessed with rose gold—it has a pinky hue that makes it so warm and glowing against the skin.

Okay, technically this is a “right-hand ring,” but I say wear what you like and don’t worry what anyone else calls it. It’s by Diamond in the Rough, and the design is called “Champagne Bubbles,” so I think it’s actually pretty appropriate for an engagement.

Now, on to wedding bands. A lot of brides are choosing some wide, detailed diamond bands that stand alone—like this brown and white diamond sunburst ring from Brown Sugar by Justine Simmons—and then wearing their engagement rings on their right hands. What do you think of this trend?

Here’s another stand-alone band, by Irene Neuwirth. The stacking ring look is a trend that hasn’t gone away, and wouldn’t you love to flash all those yummy rose-cut diamonds?

After we checked out all the amazing diamond jewels (and marked down the ones we thought might work for the magazine’s “All That Glitters” section), Isabel and I made a quick stop at the loft space’s balcony, which had a scenic view of the Hudson (wish I had a pic to show you—sorry I don’t!). For a moment, we imagined living in this huge, gorgeous Manhattan loft with incredible views and owning all the fabulous diamonds there… Then it was back reality: the usual afternoon in the office.

Ah, so now you probably get why this part of my job doesn’t feel like work. Not much of it does, really. Which reminds me—gotta get back to the other stuff. Hope you enjoyed the glimpse—and the diamonds!

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