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We all know that the surprise proposal is a fixture of every romantic comedy, historical film, romance novel, or "chick lit" book. The man sets up some sort of elaborate scenario where he leads his lady love, on a rooftop perhaps, or during a hike, or maybe just a beautiful hotel room… and then bam! He's got the ring in a little velvet box, and it's the perfect style and size to slip on her finger and sparkle as they share a lovely kiss. 

There are certain clothing items every woman should have in her wardrobe, like a great little black dress (or black pants, if you're not the dress-wearing type), a tailored blazer, and jeans that make you feel like a million bucks.

Anyone who's ever tried to buy just about, well, anything knows labels can be confusing. Whether you're trying to decide between an "organic" apple or a "naturally-grown" one at the grocery store, or looking at estate, vintage, or antique jewelry at a jewelry store, it pays to know what you're doing going into any buying experience. If you have any questions about the different types of jewelry beyond "new," here's a handy guide to help you make informed buying choices when you're looking at estate jewelry in Kansas City.

Congratulations—he liked it, and he put a ring on it! But of course, getting that engagement ring on your finger to prove you're engaged is really only step one. 

The months of June, July and August signal it’s finally time to add shorts, t-shirts, tanks and flip-flops to the summer wardrobe and that it’s time to switch up the routine by getting outdoors. This could be in the form of a trip to the local swimming pool or lake, packing a picnic, taking a holiday at the beach, or using weekend time to cultivate the garden or flower bed. While all of these activities are signature elements of the summer season and good for the body and soul, they can cause unintentional damage to the metal and gemstones in your favorite fine and semi-precious jewelry.

With wedding season upon us, it’s time to brush up on the history of wedding anniversary traditions. The origin of assigning a particular gift to an anniversary dates back to the Middle Ages in the Germanic area of Europe. As this time, the primary wedding anniversaries to celebrate were those of 25 years and 50 years. The presents were always silver and gold, gifts symbolizing the blending of the elements. After 25 years of marriage, a bride received a garland of silver from her husband, and after 50 years, she received a gold wreath. The combining of elements into one stronger material was symbolic of the blended harmony necessary for a marriage to endure over many years of togetherness.

Reflecting back on the celebration of Mother’s Day earlier in the month, it can be fun to see how the holiday continues to evolve and change. In fact, motherhood may be one of the most unique jobs any women could imagine. This is a 24/7 job where no day is ever the same and if you’re someone who is blessed with multiple children, you’ve probably found that what works with one child doesn’t necessarily work with another.

The end of May and the three-day Memorial Day weekend is the official start of the summer season. For many, the heat and humidity are a great excuse to adopt a less-is-more mentality of breezy dresses and simple shorts and tanks. The adjustment to simplicity can also be observed in the summer jewelry choices.

Throughout the centuries, mothers have played an important role not only in the raising and rearing of children but also in the function they play as peacemakers within the home and the community. As far back as the Civil War there are recorded examples of women from the North and the South putting aside their difference to gather together to heal the wounds of the divided nation. Mothers from both sides understood well the important role women play in raising the children of a nation and their unifying role as mothers.

One of the most enduring symbols of marriage is the engagement ring. Now with the advent of the internet, the opportunities for education and selection have never been more accessible. Just type, “gemstone buying” or “engagement ring” into a search engine and you’ll be amazed at how much you can learn. These searches also allow you to browse or compare before you even step into a jewelry store. It’s a truly modern take on time-honored methods for selecting the perfect ring.

The decision to propose is a momentous occasion in anyone’s life. It’s an event steeped in tradition yet one that continues to evolve with the times. For those on the receiving end of the proposal, this is often a moment in time imagined and re-imagined time after time. But what makes a proposal truly special is the individual touches that are unique to the couple. Whether that’s a proposal in a special location or in the presence of special people, no two engagements are ever alike.

For many of us our jewelry box is a collection of treasured memories. Special holidays and graduations followed by an engagement, wedding and possibly children and grandchildren. Throughout our life, these occasions are often marked with a symbolic jewelry purchase, each piece a tangible reminder of some of our most important life events.

During the month of February there’s no lack of moments to find love, propose love, or show love. While there might be the potential that you really love to celebrate the former Presidents Washington and Lincoln, it’s probably more likely that you’ll instead set your sights on some of the other February holiday options. Those opportunities kicked off on February 13 with Galentine’s Day.

Behind Christmas, Valentine’s Day may be one of the most favored days for a wedding proposal. Both holidays are filled with anticipation, love, and a fair amount of expectations. If you’re looking to propose this year, it’s a good idea to have an idea of the kind of gemstone your loved one would like for their engagement ring. In addition, it’s also valuable to have some basic knowledge in regard to you what should look for when buying a gemstone.

The holidays, especially from a marketing perspective, can become somewhat of a blur. Before one is close to taking place, the merchandising for another is sitting right alongside it. This year even before the New Year got underway, the stores began displaying hearts of red and pink and a variety of Valentine’s sweets.

Making the decision to spend the rest of your life with someone is often one of the most important and memorable aspects of life. Those who are lucky enough to find that special someone often want to make their proposal and engagement rings as memorable and special as the person they have pledged to marry.

December is the perfect time for the kick-off of the wonders of the season. Whether that means parties with friends and family, volunteering and giving back to the community or just hunkering down in the cold weather, this is a time of year that’s tinged with possibility and magic.

Ready or not, it’s December and that means that it’s time for the gift-giving extravaganza to commence. Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah or Kwanza, there’s a very good chance that you’ll soon be checking off a long list of things to buy. But before you gas up the car and head out to the mall to wait for a parking spot that will lead you into the commercial winter wonderland, take a moment. Yes, a moment to just breathe and think.

Turn on the TV at any time of day and you’re bound to see an advertisement for a jewelry store promoting the holidays. At this time of year, it’s next to impossible to miss the onslaught of ads. Each one promising to wrap up a bit of magic in a tiny box, giving happiness to both the giver and the receiver. While there are few who could find anything wrong with a little bit of holiday sparkle under the tree, it does appear that these commercials are primarily geared toward women.

The holidays are the perfect time for bringing together family and friends for food, fun and fellowship. The cold, dark nights and warm, cozy firelight experienced during this time of year is also the perfect setting for a beautiful and festive wedding proposal.

If you’ve been thinking about popping the question to your significant other this holiday season, there’s really no more romantic time to ask someone one of the most important questions of your life. The glimmer of a beautiful diamond ring is the perfect counterpart to Mother Nature’s backdrop of frosted leaves and icy snow that give off their own natural brilliance and shine.

It’s getting to be the season when it’s time to start thinking about holiday gift giving. While jewelry is always a very personal gift between the giver and the receiver, why not think about choosing a piece that offers further personalization when it is adorned with a birthstone such as a gemstone bracelet, earrings, necklace, ring or estate piece?