Tag Archives: More than Diamonds

He said, She said: Shan Wee & Artika Sulaiman

Posted on August 31, 2010 | 6 Comments

Shan Wee and Artika Sulaiman are a fun-loving couple who are currently planning for their grand wedding to be held next year. We were so excited, we just had to find out from Shan about his nerve-wracking ordeal of finding the right ring for his Ashton Kutcher-style surprise proposal.

Shan Wee, 28, is a Radio DJ. You can catch him on weekdays with Rozz from 8pm to midnight on 987FM.

Shan, you bought a pretty unusual ring with a cushion cut Diamond. What is the reason?

2 years into our relationship, Tika conveniently started dropping hints by frequently surfing ring design websites right next to me on her laptop. One day she exclaimed, “I want one which is not square, and not round” and voila, Shan’s brilliantly astute mind decided on a cushion cut.

How did you go about choosing the perfect ring?

One day I opened my email inbox to see a message from Tika titled “ideas”. On further inspection, it was just one photo image of a ring, and that picture became my sherpa, guiding me through the Mount Everest of jewellery. Basically I went to our friends at More Than Diamonds, showed them my sherpa, and they got to work on creating the perfect ring.

What were your most important points to satisfy when looking for the engagement ring?


Tika had stressed that she would emigrate and never talk to me again if I presented her with a ring that had any kind of life like element – a dolphin holding a sapphire, an eagle clutching a ruby in its talons, things of that nature. So avoiding my natural inclination towards that, was the most important decision.

Tell us about the proposal!

The legendary film star Ashton Kutcher once said “to really surprise or prank someone, you have to do it first thing in the morning”. With his wise words in mind, I decided my proposal would be done at 8 am. I slipped out of bed and quietly reminded Tika that I was heading to an early work appointment. 15 minutes later I called her on the phone, to let her know I had arranged a surprise, and that she had to go online to view it. At a domain name that I bought, she found a video photomontage, where the soundtrack was none other than myself – playing guitar and singing a heartfelt ballad about our lives together. The last line of the song was “now go out to the balcony…”.  She stumbled out to our 4th floor balcony and as her eyes adjusted to the morning sun, she noticed an unusual sight on the ground floor. On large printed sheets were the letters WILL YOU MARRY ME? At this moment, the nervous but gallant proposer entered the apartment and went down on one knee on the balcony.

What were your expectations when presenting the ring?

I think that all guys believe that every single aspect of the proposal must be 100% perfect, because this is ‘the moment she has been waiting for all her life’. As my proposal went smoothly, I was expecting the Hollywood moment where she tears a little and cries out YES YES YES! In reality, shock and surprise were the immediate reactions, rather than unbridled joy!



Do you have any tips for nervous boyfriends out there who don’t have a clue what to buy?

I was very fortunate in that Tika gave me some direction, because I would have been quite hopeless trying to find a needle in a haystack. I suppose my advice would be to try and wrestle such information out of her, subtly, and I think this is much better than ‘going shopping with her best friend’ because as much as girls think they share style, in reality I don’t think they do, and you can’t base such an important decision on a third party’s opinion.

Great pointers and a wonderful proposal story from Shan. But what was the reaction from Tika, his object of affection?

Hi Tika, could you please introduce yourself to our readers.
Artika, 28, my card says Director.  I don’t really direct anything since my partner and I do everything ourselves. I started Sloane Elizabeth Robertson, a twice-yearly shopping spree extravaganza featuring cult brands not readily available in Singapore.  We have now taken that online and launched www.oliviamia.com – a members only shopping destination.
I am mostly fun.  Definitely rebellious, and like to laugh A LOT!

Shan custom made a Cushion Cut Diamond Ring. What do you think about his choice?

It’s perfect.  I’m not a square because that’s just too rigid.  But a rounded square?  How awesome is that?! It’s like saying ‘Listen.. this marriage stuff is serious, so you have to have a serious shape, but let’s just ‘take the edge off’ and make it a rounded square’.  I didn’t know what a Cushion Cut was, but when I saw that my Diamond was not just square and not just round, I was like.. “LEGIT”

Was the ring what you had expected?

YES.  Well no.  Kind of.  I could never imagine a ring this pretty.  I’ve seen the vintage/modern look with diamond in the middle and diamonds around it.  I’ve always found it not so traditional, but yet soulful.  But I have not seen one this pretty.  I actually have to say that my favourite part is looking at it from the bottom.  The prongs that supports it all makes it look so old school, they support the frame all the way around.  It is not bulky, it’s so vintage.  I’m sorry, but there is no way I am passing this ring down to my children!

Tell us about the proposal!

One morning I woke up irritated because Shan kept on calling me.  And finally I picked up saying  WHAT DO YOU WANT?

I went to the website as he suggested, a bit annoyed.  I saw what he had done and thought ‘Awww that’s a nice surprise’… But when he said in the video “Now I ask you to go to the balcony” I went back to irritable mode thinking ‘Arrgh, now I have to get up’.  So I got up to look for my present.  I then looked over the balcony and saw big letters by the pool saying WILL YOU MARRY ME?  I proceeded to ignore it and looked around some more for my present but found nothing.

Then Shan came bursting through the door and proposed to me.  This is when I had an outer body experience. I knew it was happening, I could see it, but really, I didn’t believe it.  So the whole time Shan was talking, I didn’t really hear him. All I was thinking was WHAT IS GOING ON???

Afterward, Shan said “Look at the ring!”  I honestly couldn’t, for fear that I would wear some kind of Darth Vader inspired ring – or worse – some kind of Dolphin jumping mid air clinging on to a blue stone.  Later, I went to the bathroom to look without Shan’s presence.  Just in case it was horrid, I didn’t want him to see the expression on my face.  But when I saw it, I went out the door and said IT’S PRETTY!!! YOU DID GOOD YOU DID GOOD!

What were you expecting from Shan in the way of a proposal?

I thought that he would honestly play some kind of prank on me.

Do you have any tips for nervous boyfriends out there who don’t have a clue what to buy?

Well… Shan told me that when he went to Chris and Sara at More than Diamonds, he was asked to describe my jewellery style and said “Egyptian”. So Thank God for Sara and Chris!

My advice would be, ask her friends what they think she would like, bring some of her jewellery to Chris and Sara, and they will help you out… A LOT!

But honestly, one major rule of thumb for me, which I think would be true with most girls: do not buy anything that resembles living things e.g. Dolphin.

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A Ring for All Eternity

Posted on August 19, 2010 | 2 Comments

Diamond Eternity Rings are a popular choice for Wedding Rings. But finding the right one can be like looking for a needle in a haystack. So where do we start?  If you are planning to wear the Eternity Ring together with your Engagement Ring, you will also need to keep in mind how they will sit next to each other.  Find which type of setting you prefer. The most frequently used settings are Claw (or prong) setting and Channel Setting. In the former, the claws hold the Diamonds in place and are visible upon first glance. The latter, holds the Diamonds by two Gold (or Platinum) bars on either side, so there are no visible claws.

Above are two types of Claw Settings. The left one with clearly visible claws, the right one with smaller claws and covered sides for a more solid and even look.

You can choose Round or Princess Cut Diamonds for a Channel setting. The main difference between these two options is that the Round Diamonds leave a visible gap between them, while the princess Cut Diamonds can fit exactly next to each-other creating an ‘unbroken’ line of Diamonds.

Still confused? What it all boils down to is personal preference, so you just need to find the option that appeals to you the most.

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Can Wedding Rings be made in Silver?

Posted on July 15, 2010 | 1 Comment

When on the subject of wedding rings, most people will think of Gold or Platinum as the default materials. But are there other options? Muslim men, for example, are not supposed to wear gold rings and naturally have to turn to other options. This can make their wedding ring shopping more difficult as most shops in Singapore carry only gold.

Most designs that are found in Gold, can also be made in Platinum or Silver. So what is the difference between these materials? Platinum is the hardest metal and because of its durability it is commonly used in wedding jewellery. Platinum is also more rare than Gold or Silver and as a result fetches a much higher price, which makes it a no-go for buyers on a budget. An affordable option is Sterling Silver, which can also be set with stones.

Pair of Diamond Eternity Rings; His in Sterling Silver, hers in 18K White Gold.

Silver Rings can be made into a variety of designs, such as flat bands, rings with rounded edges, rings with gemstones or chunky plain bands.

Even a plain band can have variations. Above in Matte Finish and Glossy Finish

With Silver having a lower price tag than Gold or Platinum, it opens up design opportunities that might otherwise be limited by price. Add a fancy birthstone, a symbolic number of Diamonds, or make a solid broad ring that is stylish as well as meaningful.

Broad Ring with Amethyst and carved out initials, set in Sterling Silver.

If you want to know more about custom making in Silver or Platinum, email info@morethandiamonds.com.sg or call 6235 8873 and speak to Steve.

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Chasing the Carat

Posted on June 12, 2010 | Leave a comment

Being in the trade, people often ask us How big should the Diamond be? What do girls expect? We get these questions from customers, friends, and even people who are nowhere near engagement, but simply curious. The only right answer to that in our opinion, is ‘up to you’. It really depends on how much you have, how much you want to spend and the kind of person you are.

3 Carat

In no way do we think one should see the size of the diamond as a sign of love, even though buying an engagement ring is a romantic gesture.

We hear girls talking about Diamonds and guessing what size their respective boyfriends might buy for them. Actually, some of them have misconceptions about the price of Diamonds and even though they don’t have an accurate idea of the value, they can still have their mind set on 1 carat – or even 2! In fact, very few can tell just by looking, especially after the Diamond has been set into a ring. To further complicate things, the carat tells only the weight, not the size of the Diamond, so it is nearly impossible to tell the carat just by looking, as it all depends on the cut and shape.

Diamond Cut

The Cut determines how big the Diamond looks


So why this fascination with the 1 carat Diamond? Actually it might just be a numerical occurrence. 1 carat sounds like a standard because we start counting from 1. And with this as a reference, anything short of 1 carat will be ‘less’ than required.

So what if we told you that the measurement carat, has nothing to do with a standard Diamond size or what one ‘should’ get. It is simply a historical coincidence. In Roman times, traders needed a way to measure the value of gemstones. As gemstones are relatively small, the merchants had to find a way to measure them correctly. The solution: carob seeds. These seeds were chosen because their weight was believed to be unusually constant and therefore reliable as a weight for measuring small gemstones. Many years of trading passed in this style, until early 20th century, when a standardized system for weighing carat was set in the US. Other countries followed and this is now the worldwide standard. One carat is now equal to 200mg, or 0.2 grams. Doesn’t sound as big in grams, does it? – “One gram of diamond please…”

BnW

Whichever size you choose, be sure to do it for the right reasons. And keep in mind; you can always ‘upgrade’ the Diamond later. Believe us, if you like diamonds in the first place, it is unlikely that the engagement ring is the LAST Diamond that you will ever buy…

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Choosing the Right Engagement Ring

Posted on May 20, 2010 | 3 Comments

Buying an engagement ring is a big step and you want to be sure that you are making the right choice. Apart from Diamond Quality, there is an array of Sizes, Shapes and Designs that need to be taken into consideration.

Classic v Modern

Classic Round Diamond or the increasingly popular Princess Cut Diamond?

First, set a budget for yourself, and do some research on what you can find within that range. Tiffany & Co introduced the idea of using your 3 months salary as a gauge (in their advertising campaign). However, most important is that you can afford it and that your budget matches what you want. If you want to be sure of a positive response, make sure that you are happy with the ring that you are about to present. You will need to be confident with your choice – how else can you expect her to be happy wearing it?

Ringbox

Secondly, try to find out what type of rings she likes. See what she normally wears and be attentive on jewellery that she admires in magazines and shop-windows. Round Diamonds, set in a 6-claw setting are a classic, and are so for a reason. However, other Diamond shapes and settings are also rising in popularity, perhaps as an influence from Hollywood. If you look at recent celebrity engagement rings, they seldom use Round Diamonds as the centrepiece. But then again, some celebrities will do anything to get attention…

Radiant

Radiant Diamond with Tapered Diamonds on the side.

If you want to explore your options beyond the Round Brilliant Diamond, there are plenty of choices!  A Princess Cut Diamond, in a plain setting with a broader flat band will suit a modern lady well. And being a modified Brilliant Cut, it will sparkle just as well.  A plain setting for a square Diamond shows clearly that she is engaged, but also that she has style and knows what she wants. An Emerald Cut or Cushion Cut Diamond in a vintage setting will impress the sophisticated woman. She is one-of-a-kind and appreciates the finer things in life.

Heart

Whichever Diamond and setting you choose for the ring, let it be a symbol of your commitment.  A custom designed ring with your own personal touch is sure to be unforgettable and treasured forever….

Read more about Celebrity Engagement Rings

What the Engagement Ring says about you – from Wedding Guide Asia.

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Are Diamonds a Girl’s Best Friend?

Posted on May 15, 2010 | Leave a comment

Diamonds are without a doubt the most popular precious stone used for engagement rings and wedding bands, but an increasing number of people are seeing the benefits of also letting other gemstones symbolize their love and commitment.

Cheques

Throughout history, European royalty have used Sapphires, Emeralds and Rubies as symbols of their wealth and power, but they also indulge in these precious stones for their engagement and wedding rings. Precious stones allow for more variety and shape, which will give you options to create designs that you might not have considered for plain Diamonds. Instead, let the Diamonds play the supporting role.

Apart from some untreated stones with amazing colour, Sapphires, Rubies and Emeralds are often more affordable than Diamonds, so you might even get bigger stones compared to a single Diamond.

Sapphire Rings

One of the highest-ranking alternatives to Diamond is The Sapphire. Sapphires are known to symbolize loyalty and faithfulness, which has lead it to become a popular stone for engagement and wedding rings. In combination with Diamonds, the colour of Sapphires stand out and make for very impressive conversation pieces. And if you want something unique to symbolize your engagement or marriage, what better way than with a Royal Sapphire.

Trilogy

Diamond Engagement Rings Flanked with gorgeous Blue Sapphires!

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Welcome!

Posted on May 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

Welcome to More than Diamonds Blog, dedicated to the world of fine jewellery.

We are Chris Lim and Sara Ooi, designers of Goldilocks™ Jewellery and the innovators behind More than Diamonds’ eshop. We will investigate a variety of topics to keep you in the know – touching on common queries, expectations, stereotypes and creative ideas.

Whether you are about to propose, planning your wedding, looking for a special gift, or simply love jewellery, this is the spot to check out.

Subscribe to receive news updates or bookmark this page to keep in touch. You can choose if you want to receive your updates immediately or on a weekly basis.

XX Chris & Sara

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