Engagement season is in FULL GEAR! As weddings relatively take a back seat around this time of the year, couples in love all over the world are getting engaged. So we thought what better way to celebrate this joyous time than to dive into the brilliant world of engagement rings and wedding jewelry!

We sat down with the  owner of Angelucci Jewelry, a fine jewelry store in Los Angeles, to learn about all the latest regarding a girl’s best friends: diamonds! And boy was it a TREAT! We cherish all the wonderful and invaluable insights Pasquale Angelucci shared with us. From engagement rings and wedding bands to the latest design trends and smart buying tips, get your pen and paper (more like iPad Notes app) ready because this is some good stuff! Here it is:

Modern LA Weddings (MLW):  So to start things off, can you tell our readers a little about Angelucci Jewelry?

Pasquale Angelucci (PA): Certainly. I am proud to say Angelucci Jewelry is a four-generation international family run business – with locations in Los Angeles and Italy. Our business began in the Italian countryside called Atina by my great grandfather Domenico, who was a nobly-recognized jewelry artisan and master. As the business was handed down to my grandfather, and eventually my uncle and father, our company has expanded to sell not only diamonds but also other high end jewelry, including premiere watches and avant garde collections.

Over the course of the last 35 years, my parents worked hard to develop a loyal U.S. clientele and I have been working in the business literally since the ripe old age of 7. As they officially retired in the summer of 2012, I look forward to bringing the best of the old and new together. My goal is to provide the client with exquisite jewelry that reflects their individuality and anima.

MLW: Love that – “the best of the old and the new.” Tell us, what are old and new design trends in wedding jewelry?

PA: As in fashion, most trends in jewelry tend to be cyclic while the round brilliant diamond remains king.  Eighty percent of the diamonds sold in the world market are round.  This is a big factor as to why round diamonds cost more than any other shape. The princess shape diamond has been strong since the 90s and other novelty shapes such as the cushion, radiant and Asscher are carving territory as well. The shape of the diamond is just as personal as the ring’s design or setting.

As far as general bridal jewelry trends are concerned, rose gold is the new thing.  It has been popular in Europe for almost 10 years now and is slowly gaining popularity here in the States.  The ever-present halo setting, where the center diamond is surrounded by smaller diamonds,  has been very chic for the last 5-7 years.  Almost 60% of the engagement rings I currently sell have some aspect of the halo style incorporated into it. Other jewelry trends such as vintage and platinum are still very strong. We also notice returning trends for the more traditional shapes of diamonds:  pear shapes, marquise (the 80’s superstar), and oval.

MLW: Fascinating! But also a lot to take in. With all this information, what insights can you share for a couple shopping for a ring?

PA: Jewelry is one of the most important components to the engagement and wedding process.  The proposal usually does not happen without a diamond engagement ring. There is a well-warranted fear on the part of the guy when shopping for an engagement ring.  Not only is the cost of the ring intimidating, the whole process is not always the most fun.  I compare it to getting a root canal with most salesmen.  Most national chain stores do not offer the guidance and client-specific education needed for that client to make an informed decision.

Educating and treating my clients with respect  is my first priority. It begins firstly with educating myself about gems, diamonds and jewelry.  I am one class away from earning a Graduate Gemologist degree from GIA (the Gemological Institute of America).  Why is this important?  Because it means I have studied in depth about the world of diamonds. It allows me to have a different, more informed conversation with my clients and I feel I can answer their questions sincerely and thoroughly. It makes the couple’s experience much easier and more relaxed.

Another important aspect couples need to consider is certification of the center diamond.  Granted, diamonds come out of the ground being uncertified.  However, in order to ensure that one is getting what one is paying for, a certified diamond is the way to go.  Although there are countless gemological laboratories that grade and certify diamonds, there are 2-3 in the U.S. that are most significant:  AGS, GIA and EGL.  Industry people argue which lab is best, but in my opinion,  the diamond stands alone and there are good and bad diamonds from every grading lab. Best advice I can give is this: as long as it’s certified, don’t worry too much about the “lab competition” – care more about how the stone looks and feels to you!

MLW: Aside from engagement rings and wedding bands what other wedding jewelry do couples seek?

PA: In many cultures, jewelry is a BIG part throughout the entire wedding.  For instance, a groom may wish to buy his future wife a set of diamond stud earrings or a lovely solitaire diamond pendant.  Often times, the in-laws gift jewelry to the couple.  Jewelry is also an appropriate gift for the bridal party: groomsmen and bridesmaids.  Unlike other gifts, jewelry is timeless and elegant, allowing it to be passed from generation to generation; making it a living part of the family.

MLW: You’ve mentioned to us before about the incredible technology you use to create custom rings. Can you share more?

PA: Of course! Our store uses something called Matrix. It is essentially a jewelry design software program – CAD/CAM (Computer aided design and manufacturing).  It has revolutionized the way I do business at Angelucci Jewelry.  I can now take an image of a ringor any jewelry piece from the client and transform the 2-d image into a 3-d rendering of the piece.  It allows me to create one-of-a-kind jewelry for the client.  More importantly, the client actually becomes part of the design process.  After emailing the rendering to the client, the client can then make changes/recommendations to me as how he/she would like to alter the piece.

Be it engagement ring or necklace, the finished product is literally a collaboration between client and designer. Never before has the client been able to affect and become part of the design process in such a direct way.  The ring becomes something we design together – making it custom and unique. This is a phenomenal distinction from merely picking out a cookie cutter ring that appears in most stores.  Matrix allows us to custom create any piece of jewelry for our clients with a surgical precision never seen before.  The piece becomes a true reflection of the client’s style.

MLW: That is remarkable – and what a great feature for couples. Now, another important feature – price. The BIG question: How much should the guy spend on the ring?

PA: Yes, of course! Well, De Beers advertises “ 3 month’s salary…”  However, different couples have different budgets making each situation unique. The norm though is around $4-5K and up.  But that can change  – very fast. Pink diamonds, for example, are around $100K…a carat! My advice is: do what is comfortable and reasonable for your budget. I really try to convey that to my couples – my goal is to make sure whatever their budget, they are getting a ring they will love. And with Matrix – I can do just that: custom create a couple’s desired piece at a price point they can afford.

MLW: What are your thoughts on purchasing jewelry insurance?

PA: Jewelry insurance is not something jewelers are normally very good at explaining at the point of sale.  Most salesmen are merely concerned with their commission check.  What I like to say is, “Life happens after the sale.”  That is, things happen in life – the ring may be bumped; lost; fall into the kitchen sink; home invasion; eaten by a bird; fall into the ocean, river, stream, etc.  All of these are real-life examples I have seen and heard first hand with various clients.  Guess what?  Most of these clients were not covered.  The cost ofyour yearly premium is insignificant compared to losing a precious piece like your diamond engagement ring.

Jewelry has sentimental value along with its monetary value.  It is often given during life’s hallmark moments that cannot be replaced.  But with the right insurance, an updated appraisal and pictures of the ring, the moment can be salvaged at least partly when you receive a check from the insurance agency –  simply because your jeweler informed you correctly.  Whatever insurance you choose, make sure the scope of the coverage is very broad, including: loss, theft, damage and mysterious disappearance.  These are some of the things that are covered.

MLW: Good stuff! Anything else we should know? 

PA: Yes. Surprises are overrated.  Most women want to know what they are getting.  No one wants to get a ring they hate. I find that the happiest couples are the ones that come in together or the guy at least brings an image of exactly what the girl wants. It makes it much easier and the couple ends up with the ring they imagined. So girls, definitely provide him an image! I can then custom design it and it will be exactly what you want.

Hope you enjoyed the interview as much as we did. Whether you’re planning to get engaged or are already in the wedding planning process, we hope you learned  something valuable about how to do wedding jewelry right! For more information, visit Angelucci Jewelry’s website. You can also connect with Angelucci on Facebook.

Until next time,

Modern LA Weddings

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