You’re ready to take the plunge with your sweet significant other and you’ve decided to shop for engagement rings. Congratulations!! Now comes the fun ring shopping part. But wait, why does it seem like there is a sea of engagement rings to browse through?? Where do I begin? Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down for you, into three easy categories: classic, modern and vintage. How can you determine what kind of engagement ring would fit your lifestyle and tastes? Take a look at some of our points and it just might lead you in the right direction.

You live an active life and can’t be bothered by the little stuff. Your perfect Saturday starts with a hike up in the trails and ends with a calming session of yoga at the nearest studio. You are a no-fuss, active girl. You would go best with a classic engagement ring. A stunning solitaire engagement ring is what you prefer and you wouldn’t have it any other way. If you prefer extra detail, channel set diamonds won’t snag as you’re carving up fresh powder up in the mountains.

You know your staples: a little black dress, a strand of pearls and a red pout that will stop them dead in their tracks. You’re channeling your inner Audrey Hepburn and Jackie O. You’ll prefer a simple one carat solitaire diamond engagement ring over any other style. Classic engagement rings are timeless.

As you window shop, do you sense that color always grabs your attention? Look in your closet. Do you see a bright rainbow of different colors and styles from the latest trends? You’re a modern girl. Modern engagement rings have clean lines and contemporary designs. A beautiful floating diamond engagement ring that shows off that stunning center diamond would be perfect. Perhaps a brightly colored gemstone engagement ring to show off a unique style and personal touch.

You have playbills and art show flyers covering your self-made magnetic chalk board. You’re creating your own diy project (a tutorial that you’re adding for your blog or Pinterest board). You can see yourself getting married at the corner art gallery for your Modern ceremony and reception. You might like an emerald-shaped diamond ring or perhaps you might even forego the diamond idea. A stunning custom yellow and rose gold wide band just might do for you.

Do you love shopping the local antique store? Do you prefer used and loved cloth bound books over the version with the movie poster as the cover? You’re infatuated with lace, chiffon, afternoon tea and everyone knows that you’re a romantic at heart. You must be a vintage engagement ring kind of girl. A rose gold halo engagement ring will do your style justice.

Instead of catching the latest rom-com, you’ve got a thing for Gone With The Wind. You can recite Casablanca line by line. You have the entire Jane Austen collection on your book shelf and there’s not a single pinch of dust on them. You’re envisioning yourself walking down the aisle in your grandmother’s dress from the 40’s. Vintage pear shaped halo engagement rings remind you of the Old Hollywood Glam style that you love.

Don’t think any of these descriptions speak to you? There isn’t a strict guideline to follow when it comes to style and preference. Just take your time and be sure to try on the ring for yourself and we promise, you’ll know the very moment you slip it on.

The post Find Out Your Engagement Ring Style appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

*Does the 2-months salary rule still exist?
*What are the most sought after engagement ring styles for Fall 2013?
*How many couples shop for the ring together?
*Do I really need engagement ring insurance?
*Top 3 tips for planning the perfect proposal?
*What else do I need to know about getting engaged?

Find out all of these answers and more in Google’s Hangouts On Air hosted by The Man Registry.

The post Groom’s Guide to Getting Engaged appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

At Robbins Brothers we’re known for being just as picky finding the right employees as we are selecting diamonds. Our sales associates, managers, customer service representatives and corporate staff are as diverse as the rings you’ll find in our stores. We’re over-the-moon proud of their accomplishments not only at our company but also in their lives.

Learn more about the Robbins Brothers Culture and how you can become a part of our fun, driven team!

The post We Take Customer Engagement Literally appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

The post Olive Crest “Sparkle & Share” Dress Drive appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

Who’s more romantic? Should the woman propose? When do I change my Facebook relationship status? How much money to spend? Are “Man-gagement” rings legit? The questions are endless when it comes to love, romance and engagements; and yes, men and women have different perspectives. As we enter February, the second most popular month to propose marriage (after December), Steve Elliott Marketing Research conducted an online survey for Robbins Brothers to gauge trends and preferences for dating and popping the question.

Check out some interesting facts to consider during the “season of love.”

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• Needy Is Normal. Men need love too. Over 60% want to be told and shown that they are loved. More than twice as many men as women want to be told daily.

• Surprise. More men than women think the marriage proposal needs to be a surprise.

• Don’t hold back. Romance is still the main desired ingredient in a marriage proposal. One out of every three wishes their proposal could have been more fanciful.

• Very Social Media. Social Media clearly plays an important role in one’s engagement announcement. Half of respondents say they would update their Facebook status right away after a proposal. 75% say within a week.

• Follow Your…Over half of men admit to getting married for good ole fashion love as opposed to sex, social pressure, good health and family.

• YouTube’s Okay. Living in a world where reality shows rule the tube, 2 out of every 3 surveyed said they would allow their proposal to be recorded and posted on YouTube. In fact, one out of every 10 would actually propose via YouTube.

• This Way Please. Contemplating how to execute the perfect proposal? Over half of respondents would accept an electronic proposal but nearly 75% prefer a quiet intimate dinner for two as the ideal setting.

• Man-gagement? Think engagement rings for men are ridiculous? Definitely reconsider. Two-thirds of men are open to the idea of wearing one.

• Go Ahead, Ask. Long gone are the days of women waiting for men to propose marriage, and according to the survey, 30% of women and over 40% of men think it’s perfectly okay for women to pop the question instead.

• Accept No Substitutes. What really makes the engagement official? 80% say the ring seals the deal.

The post Top 10 Truths About Romance, Men and Engagements appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

By guest blogger Jasmine Cameron, Cameron Chronicles

So many times in my single days, I felt like I was on a rollercoaster of what’s next for me in the love department. I had those moments of going to friends’ weddings and wondering, “When is it going to be my turn?” “Where is my Prince?” “What am I going to do?” After asking all those questions and going out on some interesting dates, I decided to take time to be ME and be patient with my Single Life.

Now that I’m married people ask even more, how did you get to where you are today? I know it might be hard to do, live the single life, but here are some things to remember to make it easier.

1. Spend time with your friends. My girls and I usually have a dinner once every 2 months. We would talk about life, have great food and of course cocktails.

2. Travel and see the world. I had the chance to do some traveling in my single life and it was awesome for me.

3. Dating is still an option. Yes dating is still possible. I know that the dating scene is not what it used to be with all different ways to find love nowadays, but that does not mean you can’t date, just date smart.

4. Patience Grasshopper. Love will find its way to you. After years of the single life and waiting for the right one, I am happy to now be Mrs. Cameron. It took a lot of patience on both of our parts but we could not be happier to have found love and each other.

Happy Valentine’s Day,

Love Mrs. Jasmine Cameron

The post Single Women: Trust the Process, Enjoy the Meantime appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

Written By guest blogger Kara Horner, TheManRegistry.com

No idea what kind of gift the lady in your life really wants this year? Don’t take the easy way out by getting her a generic gift card to the mall. She’ll love a more personal gift that will show her you truly “get” her. If you’re not sure where to start, let her personality and interests be your guide. Here are five gift ideas to consider:

— Look around her place, closet or your home. See lots of pink, sparkles, bows, glitter, ruffles, and shiny objects? You likely have a girly girl on your hands. This sparkly and girly Crystalline Bubbles Perfume Bottle will perfectly fit the bill and make a great addition to her vanity or dresser top. She’ll think of you every time she puts on her favorite perfume. https://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/shopgifts-under-fifty/973830.jsp

— Does she love jewelry, travel frequently or both? This Personalized Leather Slim Zip-Around Jewelry Case will keep her favorite pieces of jewelry safe and organized at home or on the road. Add her embossed initials on the outside for an extra personal touch. https://www.themanregistry.com/gifts/personalized-leather-slim-zip-around-jewelry-case.html

— Is she a wine lover? If you’re newly married or engaged, wow her with your sentimental side with this Customized Anniversary Wine Box, which features three separate compartments for wine to be enjoyed on your first, third and fifth anniversaries. A tree bark pattern—customized with your “carved” initials—is engraved on the front, while special commemorative messages are engraved on the back of each sliding panel. https://www.uncommongoods.com/product/anniversary-wine-box

— Does she work hard and rarely take time for herself to just relax? Treat her to a little R&R at home with this Personalized Spa Chic Soap Set with Loofa Sponge. The set includes two personalized bars of soap and a sea sponge with rope, all in an attractive gift box. The refreshing green tea and olive oil-scented soap can be personalized with her monogram. https://www.themanregistry.com/gifts/personalized-spa-chic-soap-set-with-loofa-sponge.html

— Looking for a smaller gift or stocking stuffer? This Mini Emergency Kit for Her includes all the essentials she’ll need and may have forgotten for a weekend trip or night out, such as lip balm, dental floss, breath freshener, emery board, clear nail polish, nail polish remover, hair spray, clear elastics, earring backs, stain remover, double sided tape, mending kit, deodorant towelette, adhesive bandage, tampon & pain reliever. https://www.francescas.com/product/mini+emergency+kit+for+her+in+coral.do

Kara Horner has worked as writer and editor in the magazine and custom publishing industry since 2001. She channels her passion for writing about weddings as a regular contributor to The Man Registry and also frequently writes for its wedding blogging network. Follow Kara on Twitter and Pinterest.

The post For the Clueless Guy: 5 Gift Ideas for Her appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

Fun and sparkly times this Cyber Monday on the set of Hallmark Channel’s new hit talk show Home & Family. Our Director of Education, Tiffany Shimek, shares valuable knowledge on how to shop for diamonds this holiday season, from the must-know 4Cs to the most popular engagement ring styles. And how cool that reality star Dean McDermott from “The Gourmet Dad” re-proposed to his wife Tori Spelling in the most romantic way! (Hand me a kleenex, please.)

The post How To Shop For Diamonds (Home & Family Hallmark Show) appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

We love what we do here: Fulfilling couples’ engagement dreams! I know it sounds a little corny (okay maybe a lot corny), but it really is our #1 priority…from the on-site jewelers to the credit team…from the accounting department to the marketing gurus. It’s all about celebrating couples in love. We aim to make your engagement experience the best ever.

So naturally it’s pretty cool when customers let us know we’re doing things right (and even when they tell us we’ve missed the mark, we work hard and fast on a resolution). Check out what people are saying about Robbins Brothers on the social networks–something we’ve fondly deemed Engagement Central. (A special shout-out to all of our couples in the video! We thank you!)

The post The Experience at Robbins Brothers! appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.

Okay, you’ve talked about where you’ll live, the house with the white picket fence or maybe the split level ranch, and how many kids you’ll have (or not have). Chances are he’s just as ready as you are to get engaged. Well almost as ready. But maybe he needs a little hint.

There are plenty of ways to let him know. You could just come right out and ask him if he’s ready to get engaged soon and how he feels about it. Or, you could print out pictures of engagement ring styles you love and leave them in a convenient place. Hmm, not too subtle. Okay, maybe take him to a restaurant that happens to be near an engagement ring store and then “just have a look around” and see how pale he gets. OR… just go ahead and tell him how much you’d like to be married to him. He should pick up on that.

The post How to Let Him Know You’re Ready to Get Engaged appeared first on Robbins Brothers Blog.