Are you thinking about taking your relationship to the next level and proposing to your significant other? Choosing the perfect engagement ring that symbolizes a promise, commitment, and devotion is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make. Below, we’ll walk you through a few tips on things you should consider when buying an engagement ring.

Set Your Budget

The most important factor to take into consideration when picking out an engagement ring is how much you can spend. It’s no secret that the average cost of diamond rings is high, ranging from $3,000 to $7,000 and up. Many people follow the three-month salary rule when figuring out a price range, but it ultimately depends on how much you can afford and what best fits your budget moving into this next phase of life.

If you have other bills to pay, such as student loans, a mortgage, or credit card debt, saving money ahead of time can help you purchase the perfect engagement ring. Start by taking a percentage from every paycheck and putting it into a savings account. If your savings account is combined with your significant other, consider opening a separate account so they can’t see how much you’re putting away. Try to avoid using a credit card if you can. If you’re a homeowner and your partner does not live with you, a safe way to purchase a diamond ring is by utilizing the equity you’ve built up in your home as collateral to borrow money. An equity loan provides borrowers with a lump-sum payment that can be paid back in fixed installments over a predetermined period. This is why setting your budget first is crucial so you know what you can afford and make the best decision for you.

Consider Your Partner’s Lifestyle

Now that you have a set budget in place, it’s time to take a look at your partner’s lifestyle. There’s a lot that goes into selecting the perfect engagement ring. Taste, style, job, and hobbies all play a huge role in the process. If she works in healthcare or a career that requires her to help others all day, you may want to avoid an elevated diamond setting. If she works out or plays sports regularly, consider buying a ring that isn’t as heavy or bold so that she can keep it on while enjoying her physical activity.

While determining what style and color to pick out, don’t be afraid to snoop. Look through her other jewelry to see if she wears more silver or gold. Ask her friends or family for advice (if you can trust them not to tell her) to get a better idea of what she’d like versus going into the jewelry store blindly. You might also want to explore engagement ring ideas on Pinterest for inspiration. Remember, this is something your partner will wear forever so don’t rush the process.

Educate Yourself on Diamonds

After grasping a better understanding of your partner’s lifestyle, you should also take time to learn everything there is to know about diamonds. First, you should know how to judge a diamond. Just because something is shiny and big, that may not mean it’s a quality ring. There are four aspects of diamond quality, also known as the 4Cs, you should look for: cut, color, clarity, and carat. Cut refers to the polish of a diamond coupled with balancing proportions and symmetry to maximize light return. Color is the diamond’s depth of color and how noticeable it is. Clarity refers to the purity of the diamond, and it’s based on the absence or presence of internal characteristics. Lastly, diamonds are sold by carat, which is a unit of weight, not size. The larger the carat, the more expensive the ring is. This will play a significant role in the cost of the ring you pick out!

Along with the 4Cs, you should know that diamonds come in a variety of shapes, including oval, round, emerald, pear, radiant, cushion, marquise, princess, heart, and Asscher. When selecting the shape of the diamond, this is when your partner’s lifestyle can come into play, and a Shane Co. expert jewelry consultant will assist you with finding the perfect center stone for your partner. We only offer the best ethically sourced, conflict-free natural and lab-grown diamonds for you to select from.

Whether you visit us online or find your nearest Shane Co. store, you’ll love the experience of shopping with us.

The post Buying an Engagement Ring: 3 Tips to Consider appeared first on The Loupe.

We’re dumbfounded at the prospect of staying in a terrace apartment in Paris or a beachside bungalow in Tulum, Mexico, for under $100 a night. With Airbnb, budget-conscious newlyweds now have more options for affordable honeymoon accommodations.

In homage to honeymoons that won’t break the bank, Shane Co. explored the average cost of a week-long honeymoon booked on Airbnb in over 80 cities across every continent, based on The Knot’s and Travel & Leisure’s lists of top honeymoon destinations in 2023. In each destination, we tallied up the average costs of airfare, Airbnb stays, Airbnb experiences, food, drink, and more to find the most affordable cities and countries for your dream honeymoon on a budget!

Key Findings

• Based on our study data, the average Airbnb honeymoon cost is $5,255.
• With an average cost of $6,884, Australia is the most expensive continent for an Airbnb honeymoon — 31% more expensive than the average cost.
• Turks & Caicos, Greece, and St. Barts are the most expensive countries for honeymooners staying in an Airbnb — each averages more than $7,000.
• Grace Bay in Turks & Caicos is the most expensive Airbnb honeymoon destination, averaging $9,382 — over 75% more expensive than the average cost.

Bon Voyage: The Average Cost of an Airbnb Honeymoon by Continent

Although airfare can get pricey for those beautiful honeymoon destinations in Asia, Africa, and South America, once you get there, you will be pleased to find that you can save roughly a thousand dollars on average compared to honeymoon destinations in Europe and North America. For example, eating dinner out for six nights in Cartagena, Colombia, will cost a newlywed couple $122.34 on average, while doing the same in Ibiza, Spain, will set you back $509.34.

On the other hand, a honeymoon down under might force you to go a little over budget. An Aussie vacation is costly all around, making it the most expensive continent for a romantic getaway. On Hamilton Island, for instance, the average Airbnb nightly price is $522, while a couple of round-trip tickets for Byron Bay are $3,441. If you have your heart set on the outback, you might want to start planning ahead.

Mapping Out the Cost of an Airbnb Honeymoon by Country

On the interactive map below, hover over each country to see its average Airbnb honeymoon cost and its percentage above or below the average honeymoon cost. Zoom in to get a closer look at costs on each continent!

Turks & Caicos is the most expensive country to honeymoon in by far. The cost of an Airbnb honeymoon in Grace Bay is roughly $9,382, making it over $4,000 more than the average cost. For many travelers, Grace Bay is a bucket list destination for its crystal clear waters and expansive beaches with soft white sand that stretch for miles; however, you might just have to stretch your money if you plan on visiting.

If you were thinking of saving money by honeymooning domestically, think again if your plans include visiting Aspen, Colorado, or Nantucket, Massachusetts. While you might be able to save a few bucks by turning it into a road trip, you will surely make it up once you get there. The cost of an Airbnb honeymoon in either location will cost you just over $8,000, putting it nearly $3,000 over the average. 

With average honeymoon costs over $7,000, Maui (#8), Key West (#9), Big Sur in California (#12), and the Hamptons in New York (#14) are the other U.S. destinations that landed on the list of the top 20 most expensive places for an Airbnb honeymoon.

The Most & Least Expensive Destinations for an Airbnb Honeymoon

If you are looking for cost-efficient honeymoon destinations far from the beaten path, Southeast Asia is home to a hidden treasure trove of things to do and sights to see. Luang Prabang in Laos is the cheapest honeymoon destination on our list ($2,517) and remains relatively untouched by tourism.

Despite being off the radar for many, Luang Prabang has much to offer. The city is home to many beautiful temples, French-villas-turned-boutique-hotels, and gold-leaf Buddhas. Luang Prabang also has many nature trails that go deep into the hills and the mesmerizing Kuang Si waterfall.

Mykonos ($9,208) and Santorini ($8,969) in Greece are the second and third most expensive honeymoon destinations on our list, respectively. The pair of islands in the Aegean Sea are known for their rich histories, remarkable views, and first-class restaurants and wineries.

While Mykonos and Santorini are perfect for honeymooning, they are also busy tourist spots, meaning there aren’t a lot of cost-effective accommodations available if you’re keeping a close eye on your spending.

If you and your fiancé have your hearts set on a European honeymoon but aren’t trying to spend an arm and a leg to make it happen, consider visiting cities like Prague and Budapest, where the average Airbnb honeymoon cost hovers around $3,200. Both locations offer budget-friendly options for lovebirds looking to experience the best of what European cities have to offer.

Prague in the Czech Republic is home to over a thousand years of history and is widely known for its Old Town Square, Gothic churches, and vibrant Baroque architecture. Similarly, Hungary’s capital city is known for its lively culture, underground caves, and local eats. Did we mention Budapest is also the mineral spa capital of the world?

Full Data

Interested in diving deeper into the numbers of the most and least expensive destinations for an Airbnb honeymoon? We’ve compiled our full data study for all 85 honeymoon destinations analyzed into the interactive data table below. Search for the destination you’re most intrigued by or click on the heading of each column to sort by that category!

Closing Thoughts

We were amazed to find that Airbnb has opened up new possibilities for newlyweds looking for an affordable honeymoon. Through our analysis of cities across every continent, based on the top honeymoon destinations for 2022, we discovered a range of options for a cost-effective romantic getaway. We hope our findings help you plan the honeymoon of your dreams and the journey of a lifetime!

If you’re not engaged yet but dreaming of that special moment, let Shane Co. help make your vision a reality. Our collection of engagement rings and wedding bands is full of stunning pieces that will take you from dating to forever. With so much to plan for your future, why not make the transition to engagement just as memorable as your dream honeymoon? Start your journey toward happily ever after with Shane Co.

Methodology

In our quest to uncover the most and least expensive locations for an Airbnb honeymoon across the globe, we analyzed 85 destinations based on the lists of best honeymoon destinations from The Knot and Travel & Leisure for 2022-2023.

To determine the cost of an Airbnb honeymoon, we considered nine cost factors, including airfare, Airbnb accommodations, Airbnb experiences, food, alcohol, and taxi fare for an average honeymoon length of seven days and six nights, as advised by Brides.com. The total cost for each destination was calculated by adding up all nine cost factors. 

In the context of this study, an “Airbnb honeymoon” refers to the cost of accommodations and experiences using Airbnb listings only and does not include the cost of other hotels or resorts not listed on Airbnb’s site. Airbnb experiences vary by destination and can range from snorkeling and horseback riding to cooking classes and wine tours.

Cost factors include:

Average Airbnb Nightly Price (Entire Home)

• Source: Airbnb

Average Airbnb Experience Price (For 2)

• Source: Airbnb Experiences

Average Flight Cost (Round-Trip For 2)

• Source: Champion Traveler & Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS)

Cost of a Three-Course Dinner at a Restaurant (For 2)

• Source: Numbeo

Cost of Breakfast/Lunch Meals (For 2)

• Source: Expatistan

Cost of Beer at a Bar (For 2)

• Source: Expatistan

Cost of Cocktails at a Bar (For 2)

• Source: Expatistan

Cost of Wine at a Market

• Source: Expatistan

Cost of Taxi Rides

• Source: Expatistan

The post The Average Cost of an Airbnb Honeymoon on Every Continent appeared first on The Loupe.

There’s no worse feeling than getting all dressed up for a special event and reaching for the final touches to your outfit (jewelry, of course), only to discover that they’re in need of a major shine-up! 

Jewelry maintenance may not be the most exciting thing on your to-do list, but it’s the only way to ensure you’re getting the most out of your favorite pieces. Luckily, Shane Co. makes it as easy as possible for you to keep your jewelry clean, sparkling, and in perfect condition.

The Shane Co. Guarantee

We offer the best Free Lifetime Warranty in the business because we stand by our jewelry — from hand-picking the sparkliest gemstones to using more metal in our rings, all of our pieces are built to last. We want you to get the most out of your jewelry, which is why our Free Lifetime Warranty covers free Care & Cleaning services, including:

• Jewelry polishing
• Inspections
• Stone replacement
• Prong adjustment
• Ring resizing
• Much more!

Simply bring in your jewelry every six months to ensure your lifetime warranty remains active. This is so we can make sure your jewelry is in good condition and catch any small issues before they become major ones! If you don’t live near a Shane Co. store, you can also ship your jewelry to us free of charge.

How We Do It

Shane Co. employs in-store jewelers who can clean and repair your jewelry on site. Because we don’t have to outsource repair and cleaning, we can get it done much more efficiently than other jewelers. We’re also able to keep track of any issues that may come up more than once, so that we can come up with the correct fix to best prolong the life of your jewelry. 

Even our online store has its own set of Shane Co. jewelers, working to clean and repair your jewelry! We only hire the best in the business, so you can be sure your jewelry is in good hands.

Frequently Asked Questions

Have any other questions? Feel free to visit us in-store to speak with an expert jewelry consultant, or contact us via chat on our website. Our non-commissioned jewelry experts will be happy to answer any questions you have about keeping your jewelry clean and sparkling!

The post Shane Co. Care & Cleaning appeared first on The Loupe.

It’s 1997, and you just turned 25. You see a cutie across the bar. You exchange a couple of bashful yet confident glances with each other until you finally gain enough courage to grab a stool near them and introduce yourself. After countless hours that feel like mere minutes of chatting, you ask the sassy bartender for a napkin and pen. You write your number with a saucy wink face and “Call me!” next to it. 

Dating in the ’90s was cute, and in dive bars, we can pretend it’s the ’90s once again. From the delicious food to the giant mugs of beer, dive bars are a special place that explode with character and personality you can’t find anywhere else. That’s why we want to share where the best ones are with you. To capture that old-school romance, read on to check out the best U.S. cities for dive bars! 

Methodology

Let’s dive in! To find out the best cities to dive-bar hop, we began with a list of 75 of the largest cities in the U.S. We collected data on nine factors sourced from Yelp and compiled them in several categories, including entertainment, parking, and average star ratings. Our team assigned each factor a weight. From there, we converted the data into a score between 0 and 5; the closer to 5, the better. The calculated scores were multiplied by their factors’ weight and added together for a possible total score of 50. Read on to see what we found!

Factors:

• Number of Dive Bars
  • Weight: 2.5
• Average Star Rating of Dive Bars
  • Weight: 2.0
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Live Music
  • Weight: 0.5
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Karaoke
  • Weight: 0.5
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Outdoor Seating
  • Weight: .75
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Street Parking
  • Weight: .75
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Garage Parking
  • Weight: .75
• Number of Dive Bars w/ Private Lot Parking
  • Weight: .75
• Number of Dive Bars w/ a Pool Table
  • Weight: 1.5

The Top 20 Best U.S. Cities for Dive Bars

Affordable drinks, greasy comfort food, and intimate ambiance — what’s not to love about the all-American dive bar? Whether you’re hunting for a comfy-cozy local hidden gem or a classy night out on the town, these top 20 cities have you covered.

And the award for the diviest city in the U.S. goes to … San Francisco, with a leading score of 44.8 out of 50. Known for its landmarks, rich history, and diverse culture, San Fran can officially add vibrant nightlife to the list. So, next time you find yourself in Golden Gate City, drop by one of their neighborhood bars for a cold one. But California isn’t the only state where you can find a chill atmosphere and good drinks — the East Coast dominated the charts. Hartford, the capital of Connecticut, came in second with a high score of 43.1 out of 50, closely followed by the sun-kissed city of Tampa (41.7). 

One of the best parts of traveling is the joy of finding a place to indulge in a chilled drink poured to the brim. It’s undoubtedly the best way to take in a city, and luckily you won’t have to travel too far if you’re in Connecticut. After you finish up in Hartford, it’s only a 43-minute journey to the fourth-ranked city, New Haven (41.2). 

The Best U.S. Cities by Category

If there’s one thing we know about the American people, it’s that they know how to have a blast. No matter what city you land in, you’ll never be too far away from a vibrant nightlife scene. You could party it up in almost every big city in the country, but only a few cities stand out among the rest with nighttime festivities you won’t find anywhere else.

Dive bar lovers, unite! There’s no doubt, especially with San Francisco’s star-studded reviews, that you should make the marquee city the base for your exploring. But if you want to put on your dancing shoes, pack your bags and head to North Port, Florida. No single recipe creates a great dive bar, but jamming to live music with the love of your life while sipping on $3 PBRs certainly hits the spot.

Dive bars and pool tables go together like … you know the rest. If you and bae want to take your iPhone 8-Ball game to the next level, Albany, New York, is another good starter city for those down-home spots. The capital city has a laundry list of options, and each one is decked out with pool tables. 

Looking for a drunk karaoke session? Sixty miles east of Los Angeles, Riverside — the largest city in Orange County — is one of the best cities for karaoke enthusiasts to visit. Whether you are a karaoke expert or a novice singer, nothing beats belting out your favorite songs while enjoying mouth-watering food and boozy fun in the laid-back environment of a neighborhood bar. And they’ve got plenty of liquid courage to help get you under the spotlight. 

But of course, you can’t unwind — or rather, unwined — without the perfect setting. Many cities have both inside and outside seating to pick from, but being outdoors allows you to enjoy a fresh breeze easily. If you’re craving a nice drink on a warm day, Hartford has a tremendous outdoor dive bar selection to cater to your every need.

Closing Thoughts

Romance is everything — especially pub love. At Shane Co., we hope to inspire you to visit some of these amazing cities with your partner and experience their unique charm. And if you’re thinking about popping the question, Shane Co. has one-of-a-kind diamond rings that are just as charming. Engagement news makes beer taste even better — trust us. 

The post The Best U.S. Cities for Dive Bars appeared first on The Loupe.

Humans first started domesticating dogs over 30,000 years ago, and dogs’ unconditional love for us hasn’t stopped since. It’s no secret that dogs take up a huge place in their owners’ hearts, which is why some couples choose to go all-in by buying or adopting their first pup together! With dogs playing a front-seat role in their owners’ love stories — some even walking down the aisle at their owners’ weddings — Shane Co. wanted to deliver the inside scoop from these self-proclaimed dog-obsessed owners.

We surveyed over 1,000 dog moms and dads across the country to find out which respondents have a social media account for their dog and how many of them like to order a puppuccino in the drive-through! Whether you’re obsessed with dogs or side with #teamcat, we wanted to find out all of the behind-the-scenes madness when you let your dog live in your house rent-free! 

Methodology

We analyzed dog obsession by surveying 1,414 people for two days in May 2022. We asked questions like “If you have more than one pet, do you have a favorite?” and “Have you ever thrown away one of your dog’s toys because it annoyed you?” Find out how many owners let their dogs take up the majority of space on the bed and which generation is most likely to wear matching outfits with their pet!

Life with a Furry Friend at Home

Marriage experts agree that saying, “I love you” in a relationship shows commitment and care, but it begs the question — do dogs understand our love? 98.0% of respondents said that they feel their dog(s) appreciate their love! While technically researchers can’t prove that your dog loves you back, it doesn’t stop man’s best friend from giving affection to their dog-obsessed owners. 

White lies are sometimes necessary to tell your pets, as nearly one in five dog-obsessed parents (18.0%) admitted to telling their dogs that they were going somewhere fun, only to deceive them by taking them to the vet. How else would we get those hilarious videos of German shepherds suddenly realizing they’re at the vet? Speaking of videos on social media, one in eight dog owners (12.0%) say they have made an account specifically for their dog!

While your dog may not appreciate the surprise, plan something special for your human partner instead to create more intimacy and joy-filled fun in your relationship!

More and more people are letting their dog third wheel for date night, as one in two people (53.0%) are more likely to travel to a dog-friendly location. Nowadays there are plenty of dog-friendly date ideas that let man’s best friend in on the romance! 

Spoiling Our Favorite Pups

If your dog obsession runs deep, chances are you love spoiling your pup with treats, table scraps, or even a luxury dog spa day! 10.1% of respondents admit to ordering a whipped cream-filled puppuccino for their very good boys and girls. 

As 22% of millennials and Gen Zers are choosing to expand their families with dogs instead of babies, those hard-earned dollars have to go somewhere! 6.2% of those obsessed with dogs admit to spending their money on cute clothes for their fur babies! When we took an even closer look, we found that 11.0% of Gen Zers are more likely than older generations to wear matching outfits/accessories with their dog. 

Low funds in the bank don’t stop 37.0% of respondents from spending frivolously on their pets even when they’re supposed to be saving. What’s a little bit of debt compared to putting a smile on your pup’s face?

If you’ve ever wondered, “Am I obsessed with my dog?” after opening dog gifts from a treat and toy subscription service, chances are you don’t even have to ask! Dogs are like family, which gives 4.0% of respondents a good reason to purchase monthly gifts for their pets. 
Four in 10 people (40.0%) say they are more likely to do something special for their dog than their partner. Even if your dog’s love language is receiving gifts, just be sure to check how your partner feels most loved too.

That’s Classified Information

We may not find it acceptable to pick a favorite child, but 40.0% of dog owners with more than one dog have no shame in choosing which one they prefer! Have trouble bonding with one of your dogs over the other? Play games and take naps together to make your bond stronger — which may apply to your human relationships too! 

There are some aspects of owning a dog that you just want to keep close to the chest. 21.0% of women who are dog lovers experience jealousy when their dogs show someone else more attention, compared to only 12.0% of men. 

One study found that humans and dogs bond the same way moms and their babies do — by releasing a feedback loop of oxytocin, which may be one reason why women happen to be more overprotective over their fur babies than their male counterparts.

Even if you are obsessed with dogs, they can still be a lot of work. From bathing, brushing, and picking up poop to daily walks, dogs require tons of time and attention. It’s no surprise that one in six people (16.0%) wish their partner would help them out with their pet(s) more. 

Whether you have a high-energy dog like a border collie or a lazy bulldog that doesn’t require as much work, relationship experts reveal that expressing your needs to your partner can either make or break your relationship! 

One benefit of having a dog obsession is that your pet becomes the perfect escape plan when you want to avoid social functions. Nearly one in two people (45.0%) agree, as they have used their dog as an excuse to not go to an event a couple of times. Ditching friends and family for some alone time isn’t necessarily a bad thing, as time apart from them helps you to connect with yourself and become more empowered to do things on your own. 

Closing Thoughts

And there you have it! Doggie data straight from the mouth of dog-obsessed owners. 

Buying or adopting a dog is a major milestone in anyone’s relationship. Ready for the next step? Pick out the perfect engagement ring and prepare to pop the question with our helpful proposal tips!

The post Confessions of Americans Obsessed with Dogs appeared first on The Loupe.

The symbolism of your ring will never change, but your ring size might. Things like weight gain, pregnancy, swelling, salt intake, and weather can change your ring size, and that’s normal. Most of us experience changes in ring size throughout our lives, and even throughout the day. 

If your ring is too tight, you may need to get it resized. Here’s how you’ll know:

• You have trouble getting it on or off
• The ring leaves an indent on your finger
• Your ring is painful or uncomfortable to wear
• Your ring won’t turn
• The skin around your ring bulges

Shane Co.’s Free Lifetime Warranty

At Shane Co., our warranty includes free ring resizing for life. No need to make an appointment. Just drop by and we’ll help you out. Learn more about our free lifetime warranty.

How to Remove a Tight Ring

• Use lotion or soap to help slip the ring off. If you do this over a sink, make sure to close the drain first!
• Use the string trick or ribbon. (Google it!) 
• Ice your finger while holding it over your head, then try to remove the ring.

Need Help Finding Your Size?

Maybe you have no idea what your ring size is. You can use our free downloadable ring sizer to find the perfect fit! Or, you can drop by the store and we’ll check your size. But don’t worry, if you’re buying a ring for someone else and you don’t know their size, we can always resize it later.

Ready to find an engagement ring? Browse All Engagement Rings and find the perfect fit. Not sure where to start? Drop by the store, chat with an online jewelry consultant, or book an in-store or virtual appointment.

The post Signs Your Ring Is Too Tight appeared first on The Loupe.

We hope you’re seated for this one because what you’re about to read just might be our most dramatic blog post yet. If you’re anything like the team at Shane Co., you know that Monday nights are reserved for Bachelor-themed viewing parties, complete with your best friends and maybe a bottle of rosé or two. 

With a historic season of The Bachelorette featuring not one but two women setting out to find their soulmate, we wanted to do a deep dive into the popularity of past Bachelor and Bachelorette leads throughout the history of the show. We all have our favorite seasons where we have felt just as invested in the journey as the lead themselves, but which seasons are the most popular in every U.S. state? Do hometown heroes dominate the popularity contest, or is the audience more interested in the overall love stories?

Methodology

We analyzed the 18 Bachelorette and 26 Bachelor leads from the series’ history. Using all-time Google Trends search volume (from 2004 to present), we were able to compare the online search interest for each lead across U.S. states. Note that Gabby Windey and Rachel Recchia were not included in the data due to insufficient search volume at the time of research (April 2022). 

The Most Popular Bachelor in Every U.S. State

Our first set of roses goes out to 19 of the 26 Bachelors that earned the title of the most popular Bachelor lead in at least one U.S. state. While there are some men that appear in several states across the map, it’s clear that the nation is undivided on who deserves the ultimate title of the most popular Bachelor of all time.

Matt James of season 25 represents several of the U.S. states, particularly in the Northeast (Connecticut, Maine, Maryland, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island, to name a few). He is also the leading man in his home state of North Carolina, where he was born, raised, attended college, and still spends much of his time, despite moving to New York around 2017.

James isn’t the only one who represents his hometown proudly. Ben Higgins, born in Warsaw, Indiana; Chris Soules, from Arlington, Iowa; Clayton Echard, native to Eureka, Missouri; and Ben Flajnik, of Sonoma, California, are four more Bachelors who won their home state. 

Even some names such as Bob Guiney and Byron Velvivk, whose seasons aired in 2003 and 2004, respectively, appear on the map. It just goes to show that the legacy of these Bachelors extends long beyond their seasons’ air dates.

The Most Popular Bachelorette in Every U.S. State

Thanks to the success of the first seasons of The Bachelor, a spin-off reversing gender roles and putting the women in charge of their own romance stories was first aired in 2003, featuring Trista Rehn. Trista also happens to be the most popular Bachelorette in Colorado. While Trista is not originally from the Centennial State, she now lives there full-time with her chosen winner and husband Ryan Sutter.

Bachelor Nation is probably not surprised to see that Alabama Hannah won her home state of — you guessed it — Alabama. Similarly, Katie Thurston leads in her birthplace of Washington, Ali Fedotowsky in Massachusetts, Andi Dorfman in Georgia, and Becca Kufrin in Minnesota. 

Rachel Lindsay and Jillian Harris are two of the more popular Bachelorettes, claiming a total of 21 combined U.S. states. Rachel Lindsay made history as the show’s first African-American lead and is still married to her chosen winner, Bryan Abasolo, today. Harris, on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky. Her relationship lasted just around a year before it came to light that her partner, Ed Swiderski, was cheating on her.

The Most Popular Bachelor & Bachelorettes Overall

Next, we wanted to look at the most popular Bachelors and Bachelorettes overall. Our final rose goes out to Rachel Lindsay, who secured the title of the most popular in a whopping 14 states. Lindsay was recently involved in a controversy with Chris Harrison and others, which caused her to informally part ways with the franchise — possibly explaining her high search interest. 

On top of the list of Bachelors is none other than Matt James, whose season ironically fueled said controversy. Not exempt from the spotlight is perhaps one of the most notorious bachelors, Juan Pablo Galavis, who takes the second-place title of the most popular leading man overall.

In recent years, there’s representation from either a Bachelor or Bachelorette on the overall list from each year dating back to 2014. Clayton’s most recent season may not have wowed the audience enough to make the list, but we have high hopes for the Bachelorette duo of Gabby and Rachel! 

Closing Thoughts

The Bachelor franchise might look a lot different in 2022 than it did when it first aired two decades ago, but that’s not stopping us from tuning in each Monday night. The hopeless romantic inside us can’t help but root for the contestants to find happily-ever-afters of their own. 

Whenever the time comes for you to give or accept the final rose, Shane Co. is here to help you find the perfect engagement ring. We know you’re there for all the right reasons, and we can’t wait to be a part of your once-in-a-lifetime journey!

The post The Most Popular Bachelor in Every U.S. State appeared first on The Loupe.

As the summer begins to heat up, romantic ruby takes its place as the July birthstone. With a deep red color and a long and complicated history, these stones are steeped in tradition and beauty. Learn more about this gem and browse some of our most popular ruby birthstone jewelry on the Shane Co. blog.

What are rubies?

Rubies are the red variety of the mineral corundum, which you might recognize as the mineral sapphire is made of, too. In fact, all colored corundum is considered a sapphire except for this particular gem. This red stone gets its color from the element chromium, and when treated to extreme heat and pressure over millions of years, crystals are formed under the earth’s surface. The presence of silica or iron, two minerals that are extremely common within the earth’s crust, will prevent the formation of ruby, making them one of the rarest stones known to man. Scientists have said that it’s a “minor geological miracle” that they’re formed at all — we’re actually still unsure how the exact conditions are met.

Did you know?

Besides being our July birthstone and a beautiful choice for Valentine’s Day jewelry, ruby is also the stone for the 15th and 40th wedding anniversaries.

Gem qualities

Their formation is not the only thing that makes this special stone so unique. The chromium that gives rubies their red color can cause fluorescence, which causes them to appear to glow like a fire from the inside out. However, chromium can also cause cracks and fissures, so few grow large enough to crystallize into gem-quality stones — another reason why they’re so rare. Despite this, rubies are durable, rating a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, second only to diamond. This strength and fluorescence means the gem has uses beyond just jewelry; it’s also used to create watches, medical instruments and even lasers.

Myanmar (formerly Burma) is famous for its ruby deposits, producing deep red stones that are known as “Pigeon’s blood.” Other deposits exist in Vietnam, Thailand, East Africa, India, parts of the Middle East and even certain areas of the United States. Thailand is today’s main source and produces gems of a dark red shade.

Did you know?

The first ever laser was created in 1960 using the red fluorescence emitted by a ruby crystal.

Myths and symbolism

There are a variety of myths and legends associated with the ruby, particularly because of its unique red color. In the Orient, this stone was described as a “drop of the heart’s blood of Mother Earth,” while other ancient cultures believed that they grew on trees like fruit, starting off as small white stones and ripening in the sun to the red gem we know today. In the Middle Ages, these gems were viewed as a stone of prophecy, as well as having a number of purported health benefits. Ivan the Terrible of Russia stated that rubies were good for the heart, brain and memory, while in the 15th and 16th centuries, they were thought to counteract poison and restore youth and vitality.

Coupled with a strong association with the sun, the ruby is considered the stone of love, energy, passion and power, believed to restore vital life forces and increase energy and vigor in its wearers. Also known as the stone of courage, this gem is thought to preserve mental and physical health, making it a great choice for any special occasion.

Famous rubies

The Sunrise Ruby

This Burmese stone is the most expensive piece of ruby jewelry ever sold at auction, raking in close to $30 million. Weighing in at 25.29 carats, the ruby is named after a poem by Rumi and is said to have extraordinary color, purity and cut.

The DeLong Star Ruby

This gem was named after its owner, Edith Haggin DeLong, and uncovered in Burma during the 1930s. It was donated to the American Museum of Natural History in 1937, and later stolen in a notorious heist by J.R. Murphy in 1964. A massive ransom was paid by a wealthy businessman to get the DeLong Star Ruby back to its original home.

The Liberty Bell Ruby

Discovered in the 1950s in eastern Africa, this stone is the largest mined ruby known to man. It was sculpted to represent a miniature version of the Liberty Bell, with 50 diamonds also included in its design. It was stolen during a jewelry heist in 2014 and is unfortunately yet to be recovered.

The Burmese Ruby Tiara

When Queen Elizabeth married her husband, Philip, she received a number of spectacular-quality rubies from the people of Burma. In 1973, she commissioned Gerrard & Co. to create a tiara using 96 of the gems she received as a gift and named it for the Burmese people.

Ruby birthstone gifts

With hundreds of high-quality styles to choose from, Shane Co. has the largest selection of exclusive ruby jewelry and birthstone gifts. With our Free Lifetime Warranty, your purchase is protected — even when the ruby is the center stone of an engagement ring. And with fast and free shipping for all online orders, as well as the option to book a virtual appointment or use our No-Contact Curbside Service, you’re sure to get your gift right on time. Worried about getting what you really want for your birthday? Use the “Drop a hint” button to email your sweetie with all your favorite designs. Here are some of the most popular ruby jewelry styles for our July babies:

Ruby rings

Highlighting this gem’s unique color with a halo of diamonds adds a trendy and elegant touch to an already-beautiful ring. Try this Oval Double Halo Ring with 72 round diamonds to surround the loose ruby of your choice for superior sparkle.

Ruby necklaces

This versatile stone looks beautiful on its own or complemented by other gems, as in this Ruby and Diamond Pendant in high-quality 14k yellow gold. Created by our design team, this necklace offers sophisticated simplicity to show off your July birthstone.

Ruby earrings

If you’re looking for some old Hollywood glamour, these Vintage Ruby and Diamond Earrings were carefully crafted with 34 round diamonds and delicate details.

We also have a large collection of ruby bracelets as well as our loose stones, which look great in a pair of hand-matched studs, a customized pendant, or a unique ring.

No matter what you choose, you can feel good knowing that Shane Co. rubies are ethically sourced. We buy our gems directly from the stone cutters, eliminating the middlemen and their markups, and pass the savings on to you. Our high-quality rubies are hand-picked by Tom Shane himself, then recut to maximize their brilliance. In fact, we’re so confident you’ll love your purchase that we offer a 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Find a Shane Co. store near you using our store locator, or start shopping online at ShaneCo.com.

The post Ruby – July Birthstone appeared first on The Loupe.

There’s something for everyone in the romantic comedy genre. For the fans of fairytales and happy endings, the swoon-worthy love stories are sure to appease the heart. For those who like to laugh off the stress of life, the punchlines and humorous scenarios will certainly fill that void. Screenwriters, directors, and producers are experts at bringing the best of the two worlds together.

But we can’t forget about the actors and actresses that bring this genre to life. While many Hollywood celebrities inhabit this genre, there are a select few men and women that dominate the rom-com industry. We’re talking about the people who consistently star in your favorite flicks, time and time again. But which of these actors and actresses are America’s favorites? We called on our research team to find out. Read on to see what we uncovered.

Methodology

In order to determine the most popular romantic comedy actors and actresses in the U.S., we evaluated Google Trends search data over the past five years (from March of 2017 to March of 2022). First, we compiled a list of 60 actors from sites like IMDB and MovieWeb. From there, we compared search volume for each actor across all 50 states in order to determine the most popular rom-com actor and actress in every U.S. state.  

The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors Overall

Overall, Tom Hanks and Jennifer Aniston have earned the ultimate title of the most popular rom-com actor and actress in the U.S. While Tom Hanks is known for playing a slew of different roles, it’s his work in films like “Sleepless in Seattle” and “You’ve Got Mail” that make him rise to the top of this category. 

Similarly, Jennifer Aniston has played several iconic roles. “He’s Just Not That Into You” and “Just Go With It” are just two in a long list of rom-coms made successful in part by Aniston. While Aniston made her career in this genre, she’s also done work on the other side of the screen in the producer role. 

Close behind that iconic Hanks-Aniston duo are the likes of Heath Ledger, Billy Crystal, Drew Barrymore, and Sandra Bullock. It’s hard to think of a movie in this genre that doesn’t feature one of these stars, so we can’t blame America for falling for them! 

The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors in Every U.S. State

Based on the top overall actors, you’re likely not surprised to see Tom Hanks’ face dominate the U.S. map as the most popular rom-com actor in 11 different states. But not all states agree that he is the indisputable number one. In fact, there are many states that support their hometown heroes. 

Alright, alright, alright! Unsurprisingly, Matthew McConaughey and his iconic accent reign supreme in his home state of Texas. Similarly, Josh Lucas and Patrick Dempsey both came on top in only their home states of Arkansas and Maine, respectively. 

Other than these hometown favorites, there are only a few other geographic trends. Many of the northeastern states (like Delaware, Rhode Island, and Connecticut) love Billy Crystal, and many of the midwestern states (like Nebraska, Wyoming, and North Dakota) favor Heath Ledger. 

The Most Popular Rom-Com Actresses in Every U.S. State

There are similar themes when shifting our heart-eyed gaze to the top rom-com actresses. For instance, Emma Stone — who hails from Arizona — was the most popular in her home state. In that same vein, Jennifer Garner was raised in West Virginia, which also happens to be the only state she won.

But Garner isn’t the only Jennifer to make the map. Between Jennifer Garner, Jennifer Aniston, and Jennifer Lopez, 14 of the 50 U.S. states’ favorite rom-com actresses are named Jennifer. That trend is also present with Julias — Julia Roberts and Julia Stiles represent six other states. 

This map includes 20 unique women claiming the title of “queen of rom-coms” in at least one state. From 33-year-old Emma Stone to 72-year-old Meryl Streep, our data proves that age certainly does not play a role in an actress’ ability to make her mark on the romance genre.

Closing Thoughts

Whether your go-to is “No Strings Attached” or “Crazy Stupid Love,” we can all agree that our favorite flicks wouldn’t be what they are without each iconic cast. The actors and actresses featured in our study have made their own impressions on the entertainment industry and our hearts.

If you’re experiencing your own real-life rom-com, Shane Co. has an unbeatable collection of jewelry to show your affection. We know there’s no object that can fully express your feelings, but a sparkling engagement ring is certainly a statement in the right direction!

The post The Most Popular Rom-Com Actors in the U.S. appeared first on The Loupe.

First dates can be awkward, there’s no arguing that! But they can also be the start of something new and exciting. How far into a date do you know there will be a second? Do you prefer a dinner date or just grabbing drinks? Do you order more conservatively or get exactly what you want on the menu? These are just some of the questions we asked in our survey to discover what American first date habits and preferences were. Read on to learn more!

Methodology

We surveyed 1,617 Americans over a week in March 2022 to get their thoughts on everything related to first dates. We asked about the best locations and times, how they feel leading up to them, how they typically act on them, and what makes a bad first date. 

Setting the Perfect First Date Scene

The first step of a first date is getting asked out, right? Well, there are a few ways to go about this, such as asking through a text message, in person, and even over the phone. You may not be surprised to learn that these preferences differ with every generation. For example, the Gen Z and millennial generations, who grew up with SMS communication being the norm, are more okay setting up a first date via text messaging (38% and 41%) than the older Gen X and baby boomer generations (21% and 8%). While communication preferences shift over time, your best bet for asking someone out is still to do it in person, as 60% of our respondents agree it’s how they would prefer to set up a first date.

When it comes to choosing a first date location, 30% of Americans prefer to go to a restaurant for dinner and 24% prefer a coffee shop. There is also a preference on the day of the week to go on a first date. Almost 75% of Americans would prefer a first date to be on a weekend rather than a weekday. This is probably to take into account the extra time in preparing for a first date, as 86% of Americans said they spend more time getting ready for a first date than they normally would. They say first impressions are everything!

What is your perfect first date scene?

First Date Preferences

After choosing the location and getting ready, it’s now time to go on the date! Who pays for what, what do you order, and do you end the date with a kiss? 

According to our results, when it comes to food, 80% of respondents try to eat light and stay away from messy foods. No one wants to end the night with sauce stains on their clothes! A dinner date allows for great conversation in which 20% of Americans said they have pre-set questions and topics they bring up. A great idea in order to avoid any awkward silences! So you’ve ordered and talked while you ate, and now it comes time for the check. Who pays? Well, 34% of Americans believe that whoever initiated the first date should be the one to pay for it. Do you agree?

Lastly, before you part ways, do you end the date with a kiss? Well, the majority of both men and women said it depends! 

When the First Date Goes Wrong

While we all want first dates to go well, not all of them do. According to our research, 11% of Americans have walked out on a first date before, and 7% have stood someone up on the first date. If you feel the date isn’t going well, it’s best to be honest. 39% of Americans would rather be told and cut the date short. 

The three biggest reasons Americans would not want a second date are if their date was rude to the waitstaff (89%), if their date was on their phone constantly (87%), and if they talked about past relationships entirely too much (78%). The major takeaways here if you’re looking for a second date? Be kind, and be present!

Closing Thoughts

You may have had a lot of first dates, but it only takes one! If you’ve found that special someone after a great first date and see a future with them, we’ve got you covered! We have a huge selection of engagement rings and other jewelry to gift that special someone in your life.

The post Americans’ First Date Habits & Preferences appeared first on The Loupe.

With so many small yet important pieces, packing jewelry for a trip can seem like a monumental task. After you’ve decided on a few key styles you’d like to bring, follow these packing tips to ensure a safe arrival for all your favorite bling.

Rings

Use a jewelry roll or organizer to keep track of all your rings. Jewelry rolls will contain a soft tube that holds your rings in place so they don’t accidentally slip from your bag. You can also opt to use a small plastic bag to keep these pieces separate and safe from the rest of your stuff.

Earrings

There are two simple ways you can safely pack your earrings without the use of a jewelry organizer.

• Buttons

Insert your earring through the button hole, using one button per earring pair. Place the completed buttons in a smaller plastic bag or soft pouch to keep them all in one place.

• Cardboard

Find a stiff piece of cardboard and use a pen tip to punch small holes (in pairs) into the board. Insert your earrings into the holes and place the entire piece into a plastic bag. This way, you can easily see all the earrings you’ve brought with you but don’t have to worry about losing your smaller studs.

Bracelets

Use a rolled-up washcloth to keep track of all your favorites. Slide your bracelets over the towel, then tuck it into a plastic bag to prevent any potential slippage.

Necklaces

The trickiest part of packing necklaces is figuring out how to prevent the chain from knotting up on itself. Luckily, there are a few easy ways to prevent this from happening.

• Straws

Thread one end of the necklace into the straw, pulling it out the other. Then, you can secure the latch without worrying about it catching and becoming impossible to pull apart.

• Jewelry bag

A small silk jewelry bag looks great and protects your most precious pieces. Drape the chain out of the bag and around the clasp so your necklace won’t get knotted. You can also use small plastic bags and leave a bit of the chain outside for a similar result.

Other unique ways to pack your jewelry

With a little ingenuity, it’s easy to pack your jewelry using items you already have in your home. Try using a few of our favorite packing materials the next time you go on vacation:

Mint tins — An old mint tin is perfect for keeping track of smaller pieces, such as rings and stud earrings. Here’s a hint: Stick a few cotton balls in there along with your jewelry and you’ll avoid any potential scratches.

Carabiners — Perfect to hold your rings, hoop earrings, and bracelets. Just clip them on and pack them up with the rest of your jewelry for a cheap and easy way to store your travel pieces.

Baseball card holders — For an interesting use of what may be an outdated item, these plastic dividers are great for separating jewelry. Put each item into its own area to keep them from getting lost or tangled.

Glasses case — If you’re a glasses wearer, make use of one of the glasses cases you have lying around by filling it up with some of your smaller items.

Socks — You’re already packing socks, so why not slip a few rings or earrings in before folding them together? The fabric will protect your jewelry from damage and you’ll save space by using something you’ll be wearing, too!

Contacts case — Especially great for your smallest pieces. You can also separate out earrings by packing them up in your contacts case.

Cling wrap — Protect your necklaces with this affordable tip: Lay out your jewelry on a piece of cling wrap and press down another layer over it. Make sure to leave space between each piece so they’ll remain tight and in shape for when you decide to wear them.

Erasers — Place your earring backs into erasers to keep them from getting lost during transit. You can also use small pencil erasers as makeshift earring backs, in case you forget the ones you have.

Keep it simple

One of the easiest ways to ensure a stress-free vacation is to invest in a good jewelry organizer. This way, all your jewelry will be in one place and easily accessible, even if you’re living out of your suitcase for a while. For more tips on traveling with jewelry, check out our blog on our favorite travel jewelry before heading over to ShaneCo.com to view our trendy summer styles.

The post Summer Travel Series: How to Pack Your Jewelry appeared first on The Loupe.

The best part about Pride Month is celebrating love — the parades and rainbow outfits are just a bonus. 

Pride wasn’t initially all glitter and rainbows. Before it became a festivity, it was a protest. June 28, 1969, marks the anniversary of the Stonewall riots. At the time, homosexuality in public was illegal. Due to this, there weren’t many places where people could be openly gay. Police arrived at the Stonewall Inn, a bar catered to the gay community, to perform a routine raid and arrest anyone breaking the rules. However, they were met with resistance, which became a catalyst in the LGBTQIA+ movement.

Today, cities all over the nation will be celebrating equality, acceptance, and inclusion. Pride is about being proud of who you are, no matter who you love. That’s why Shane Co. is your ally in the jewelry business.

Key Findings

• Los Angeles, Dallas, and San Antonio are the top three cities with the most LGBTQ-friendly hotel rooms for two available in June. 
• Miami, Philadelphia, and New York are the top three cities with the most LGBTQIA+ events in June. 

Having options is arguably one of the most important parts of planning a trip. According to our research, these are the most vibrant cities in the U.S. to embrace the rainbow. If you are looking to travel out of state, you’re in luck. Two of the three cities with the most LGBTQ-friendly hotels are in the same state.

Methodology

Affordability

• Cost of a Beer, 0.50
  • www.expatisan.com
• Cost of a Cocktail, 0.50
  • www.expatisan.com
• Cost of a Taxi, 0.50
  • www.expatisan.com

Community and Support

• LGBTQ Population Estimate, 0.75
  • https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu
• HRC’s Municipal Equality Index, 0.75
  • https://www.hrc.org

Pride Readiness

• Amount of LGBTQ Events in June, 2.00
  • www.eventbrite.com
• Amount of LGBTQ Hotels for 2 in June, 1.50 
  • Misterbandb.com
• Amount of Gay Bars & Clubs, 1.00
  • www.yelp.com

Safety

• Strength of Transgender Health & Safety Laws, 1.00
  • www.yelp.com

Weather

• Precipitation in June
  • usclimatedata.com

To help you kick off Pride Month, we’ve compiled the best cities to visit to celebrate by pulling the top 100 cities by metropolitan statistical area in the U.S. However, only 60 were included in our ranking due to a lack of data on the ranking factors for these cities. For this study, we considered several factors: affordability, community and support, safety, and weather.

The 20 Best U.S. Cities for Celebrating Pride

How to celebrate Pride 101: Travel to these top 20 cities. 

California has the most Pride-centric cities to enjoy out of all the states. This Pride season, paint the Golden Gate Bridge with rainbows. San Francisco, California, the eclectic city, ranked number one, with a 45.1 out of 50. San Fran hosts one of the largest Pride gatherings in the world, with over 300 exhibitors.

Los Angeles, the second-ranked city, was home to the first parade in 1970. With a long history of acceptance, it comes as no surprise this city scored 44.3. Sacramento (38) and San Jose (33) are other California cities to rank. 

If you live in the Midwest, Chicago and Milwaukee are great options for celebrating Pride. The two hot spots are only two hours away from each other. The Windy City’s confetti-filled air ranked third in the top cities, with a high score of 42.1. At the same time, Milwaukee placed 12th, with 35.2 out of 50. 

Boston, the first place to legalize gay marriage, is right behind Chicago, with a score of 41.8. The Golden State appears on our list most often, but it’s not the only repeating state. New York has two cities ranked in the top 10, including the fifth-best city Buffalo (39.1) and NYC (38.4).

The Top 5 Cities

If you need an excuse to celebrate love, celebrate in the (unofficial) Pride capital, California. And according to our results, your plans look very bright. So, dust off your rainbow attire and get packing! The Golden State cities are a land of many options. Combined, San Fran and LA have 605 LGBTQ-friendly hotels for two to browse and 1,440 events to discover. The Municipal Equality Index examines how inclusive municipal laws, policies, and services are of the LGBTQ+ community that lives and works in the area — both cities rated 100. 

Or dance down the streets of Chicago, where the infamous Stonewall Riots inspired the first-ever Pride parade. With a booming population of over 2 million, 4.3% a part of the LGBTQ+ community, Chicago Pride is one of the most iconic, with 320 inclusive events. If you’re leaning toward celebrating in the Windy City, don’t forget to bring a jacket. Chilly weather is only one of your concerns. Out of the top five cities, it has the highest precipitation in June, with 4.72 inches of rain.

Boston, located in the first state to legalize same-sex marriage, ranked fourth. The historical city has promising weather and 660 events to enjoy. Whether you’re walking the vibrant streets decorated with rainbow flags or a diverse line-up of entertainment, Boston is a place to be in June.

As the birthplace of the Stonewall Riots, New York State is a pivotal player in the fight for gay rights. Although Buffalo has the lowest Municipal Equality Index, the whole month of June is a party for anyone in the LGBTQ+ community to come out and celebrate. Explore the smaller, lively city after booking a room for two at one of the 181 queer-friendly hotels.

Cities with the Most Pride Events

If there’s one Pride event you need to attend at least once, it’s one in Miami. All the magic happens in Magic City, with over 3,820 events. The South Florida city is known for its “anything goes” atmosphere and gay-friendly community. Whereas Philly, the second city with the most events, is known for cheesesteak and beer — the perfect celebration meal. 

It’s not surprising to see New York rated third. Also known as one of the earliest LGBTQ+ hubs in the U.S., the city that never sleeps truly never sleeps in June, with 2,580 events. Baltimore, with one of the oldest Pride celebrations around, also packs a sultry punch. Celebrate Pride at one of the vibrant city’s 1,440 events.

It’s called Hotlanta for a reason. Unlike other Pride events around the U.S., Atlanta Pride is meant to honor National Coming Out Day on October 11. This means the city’s Pride doesn’t take place in June. Instead, it takes place in October. But don’t fear — the Southern city is still bustling with 1,280 LGBTQ-friendly events in June.  

Other cities jam-packed with festivities include Hartford (920), Sacramento (700), Providence (700), and San Jose (660). 

Closing Thoughts

In 2005, same-sex marriage was only legal in one state. 18 years later, marriage equality is everywhere. Same-sex couples fought a long, hard battle for the right to marry and be loud and proud. So, how to celebrate Pride 2022? I do believe we gave you some great proposal destinations. And don’t worry, we’ve got you covered for rings too.

If you’re looking to buy your honey the ultimate gift to celebrate Pride, shop our collection of engagement rings! With a selection of over 1,000 exclusive designs and customizable options that fit any event, there’s nowhere better to get the most important gift you’ll ever give.

The post The Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate Pride appeared first on The Loupe.

Whether it’s your first, 10th, or 100th time out together, a picnic is never a bad idea for a fun date! All you need is a few of your favorite snacks, a blanket, and some sunscreen, and you’ve got everything you need. 

While you can picnic literally anywhere, from a public park to your own backyard, some cities are simply better designed for picnics than others. That’s why we at Shane Co. called on our research team to map out picnic hotspots around the U.S. We analyzed a variety of factors relating to the outdoors, food options, costs, and more in order to determine the best cities for a picnic. 

Methodology

To conduct our analysis, we started with a list of 100 of the largest cities in the U.S. We collected data on 14 different factors in three categories: weather, food and beverage, and parks. Each factor was assigned a weight, based on its importance to a picnic. From there, we converted the data into a score of 0 to 5, with 5 being the most favorable conditions. Those scores were multiplied by their factors’ weight and added together for a possible total score of 100. You can find a complete list of ranking factors, weights, and sources at the bottom of this page. 

Key Findings

• Three California cities — Sacramento, San Francisco, and San Jose — rank as the top three cities in the U.S. for picnics, thanks to their warm environment and abundance of picnic must-haves. 
• Atlanta, Georgia, ranks No. 1 for both the number and quality of parks and No. 10 overall for the best places in the U.S. to picnic. 
• The West dominates the top overall rankings with Salt Lake City, Utah; Portland, Oregon; Boise City, Idaho; and Ogden, Utah, rounding out the top seven.

The 20 Best U.S. Cities for a Picnic

Californians, pack your baskets because the Golden State is home to the best picnics in the nation! Sacramento tops the list at No. 1, closely followed by its neighboring cities of San Francisco and San Jose. 

But California isn’t the only state to boast an ideal picnic environment. In fact, there are 12 different states represented in the top 20 best cities. From Portland, Oregon, to Boston, Massachusetts, there are great picnic options for residents from coast to coast.

There’s also a healthy variation in city size on the list. For example, No. 7 Ogden, Utah, is roughly one-tenth the size of No. 2 San Francisco, California. A smaller city might mean more privacy for an intimate picnic. On the other hand, a larger city typically comes with more options for food or where you can spread out your blanket. With the right amount of sunshine and a group of great people, we say you really can’t go wrong!

The Best Cities for a Picnic, by Category

Next, we wanted to know if isolating the specific categories included in our analysis made a difference in ranking factors. While many of the cities pictured above are familiar names from the repeated section, there are a few call-outs worth highlighting. 

San Jose, which ranked No. 3 in our overall ranking, comes in at the top spot when isolating weather factors. While Silicon Valley might have the sweat dripping at your picnic, you can surely count on sunshine to brighten the sky. The city also has a high number of days with good air quality and a low overall allergen score.

Moving to food, many of these cities were ones we weren’t surprised to see at the top of the list. San Diego, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Philadelphia are all often referred to as food capitals in their own rights. Planning a picnic is certainly easier when you don’t have to rely on a trusty PB&J to fill your stomach. 

But of course, you can’t have the perfect picnic without the perfect setting — and for that, Atlanta is just the place! Atlanta has a whopping 11.2 parks per 10,000 people, second only to Hartford, Connecticut. 72% of them are pedestrian-friendly, and they’ve got the social media engagement to back up the high rating, too.

Breaking Down the Top Cities

Finally, let’s dive deeper into the top cities and why they came out on top. Starting with Sacramento, the capital city has one of the lowest precipitation rates in the perfect picnic months. Residents here deal with just over half an inch of rain between April and August, compared to the rest of the nation, which faces 3.1 inches on average during these months. 

Additionally, Sacramento is home to 33 different charcuterie options, a relatively low allergen score, and high engagement with #SacramentoPicnic on Instagram.

The second-place position belongs to San Francisco for slightly different reasons. The city features a high volume of both delis and bakeries, which means that whether you’re looking to have a full lunch or simply satisfy your sweet tooth, there are plenty of options for locals. 

On top of that, a whopping 100% of parks are considered walkable, meaning they’ve got easy access to and from by foot. That’s a pretty impressive feat, considering that just 69.6% of all U.S. parks can say the same. 

Closing Thoughts

If your city didn’t make the list of the top places to have a picnic, fear not! A place can go a long way to cultivate the perfect picnic environment, but at the end of the day, it’s the memories you make that will last a lifetime. 

And if you’re planning a picnic proposal, your friends at Shane Co. are just the jewelers you need to help find the diamond of your dreams. Head over to our engagement rings page to shop our stunning selection. It would certainly be a picnic you’ll never forget! 

Complete Dataset and Ranking Factors

Weather Ranking Factors 

Average Percentage of Sunshine from April through August

• Weight: 2.25
• Source: city-data.com 

Average Precipitation in Inches from April through August

• Weight: 2.00 
• Source: usclimatedata.com 

Average Temperature Deviation from 75°F from April through August

• Weight: 2.25 
• Source: usclimatedata.com 

Average Humidity Percentage from April through August

• Weight: 1.50
• Source: city-data.com 

Allergen Index

• Weight: 1.00
• Source: AAFA.org

Number of Good Air Quality Days 

• Weight: 2.00
• Source: EPA.gov

Food and Beverage Ranking Factors 

Number of Restaurants with Charcuterie Options

• Weight: 0.75
• Source: Yelp

Number of Local Delis 

• Weight: 0.75
• Source: Yellow Pages 

Number of Local Bakeries

• Weight: 0.75
• Source: Yellow Pages 

Cost of Block of Cheese 

• Weight: 1.00 
• Source: Numbeo 

Cost of Bottle of Wine

• Weight: 1.00 
• Source: Numbeo 

Parks Ranking Factors 

Number of Parks per 10,000 People 

• Weight: 2.00 
• Source: Trust for Public Land

Walkable Park Access 

• Weight: 2.00 
• Source: Trust for Public Land

Number of Instagram Hashtags for #[City]Picnic (i.e. #DenverPicnic) 

• Weight: 0.75
• Source: Instagram

The post The Best U.S. Cities for a Picnic appeared first on The Loupe.

Father’s Day is the best time of year to celebrate the man who raised you, spent countless hours driving you to friends’ houses after school, and imparted those cringy yet arguably hilarious dad jokes that still have you cracking a smile. For the man in your life who knows how to keep a pristine lawn and can play a round of golf in under 90 strokes, planning the best Father’s Day trip is no easy feat. 

On a score out of 100, we decided to rank the most Father’s Day-friendly cities that will leave no shortage of manly activities for you and your dad or husband to enjoy. So if you’re not sure where to go for Father’s Day, read on to find out which cities were “dad-approved.” 

The 20 Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate Father’s Day

Cleveland, Ohio, shatters records as the top place to celebrate Father’s Day. With the highest number of steakhouses (10), breweries (34), and hardware stores (19) per 100,000 residents, it’s no wonder dads could spend countless hours wandering this city. Cleveland is known for its bars and nightlife at places like The Chocolate Bar, which features desserts like triple chocolate mousse and martini glasses filled with warm chocolate and served with strawberries for dipping. What hardworking dad doesn’t deserve a nightcap fit for a double-O agent paired with something sweet?

Fort Wayne, Indiana, ranked second as one of the best places to go on Father’s Day with a total city score of 64 out of 100, overflowing with countless Father’s Day trip ideas. Swig down a pint of domestic beer for $3.50 (average cost) or visit one of their seven fishing trails per 100,000 residents. This midsize metropolis is host to countless rivers, reservoirs, and lakes sure to allow for optimal father-child bonding time and bright blood-orange sunsets.  

Madison, Wisconsin, ranked third with the most basketball hoops (10) on the list per 10,000 residents. Reno, Nevada, and Omaha, Nebraska, nearly tied for fifth, proving dads can celebrate Father’s Day rain or shine. 

Rounding out the top 20 are places like Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Nashville, Tennessee; and Raleigh, North Carolina. Pittsburgh, dubbed the City of Bridges, contains three steakhouses and five men’s clothing stores per 100,000 residents. Meanwhile, Nashville has 1.5 golf courses per 100,000 people and an average lawn size of 0.215 acres, slightly inhibiting dads’ evolutionary urges to stop and admire other men’s lawns.

The Best Cities for Father’s Day Activities

When it comes to picking one of the best places to go for Father’s Day, it’s important to understand what’s at the core of your husband’s or father’s desires. Is he an “active” dad, interested in basketball or exposing his dad bod while he clears the gutter? Is he the kind of guy who likes to work with his hands, always coming home with the latest gadget and disappearing for hours on end in the garage? Whoever your dad might be, we narrowed down the top four “dad personas” to help make it even easier for you to plan the most epic dad’s day off. 

Spokane, Washington, received a top score of 19.6 out of 25 for our “Brews & a Ball Game” category, making it one of the best places to go for Father’s Day. Buy your father some peanuts and Cracker Jack at Spokane’s 6,800-seat Avista Stadium, which hosts minor league baseball games. 

Cleveland, Ohio, is the top city to spoil your dad with gifts while stopping at one of their mouthwatering Michelin star restaurants, ranking highest for both the “Father’s Day Gifts” and “Steakhouse Dinner” categories.

For the man in your life who would rather spend the day outside coating on sunscreen and watching his fishing bobber float in a lake, consider taking a trip to Madison, Wisconsin. Madison is known for its top-rated, picturesque golf courses and variety of fishing spots, which means your dad will be sure to come home with a classic sock tan and Moby-Dick level fishing stories.

The 10 Worst U.S. Cities to Celebrate Father’s Day

The top four worst cities to celebrate a Father’s Day trip are located in California: Bakersfield, Los Angeles, Riverside, and San Francisco. Bakersfield is a letdown, featuring no live sporting events per 100,000 people. 

New York places eighth as one of the worst places to go on Father’s Day. The average cost of a domestic pint of beer in New York will run you $8.00, and there are only 0.4 fishing trails per 100,000 residents, making a Bud Light out on a lake virtually impossible. 

Surprisingly, Boston, Massachusetts, a city rich with history, is the seventh-worst city to visit for Father’s Day. Imagine all those dad bods crammed into only one steakhouse and 0.6 golf courses per 100,000 people. When it comes to showering your dad with gifts galore, it might be best to skip Beantown. 

Methodology

We determined the best places to go on Father’s Day by sourcing data from Ballotpedia, Wikipedia, Yelp, Yellow Pages, Lawn Starter, Trail Link, Numbeo, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Trust for Public Land, and Ticketmaster. Next, we categorized and assigned a weight to 14 dad-approved factors like the number of golf courses, breweries, and steakhouses with a score out of 100 and compared that data across 70 of the most populated U.S. cities. 

Number of steakhouses – 2.00

• Source: Yellow Pages

Number of golf courses – 2.00

• Source: Yellow Pages

Number of breweries – 2.00

• Source: Yellow Pages

Average star-rating of steakhouses – 1.50

• Source: Yelp

Average star-rating of golf courses – 1.50

• Source: Yelp

Average star-rating of breweries – 1.50

• Source: Yelp

Number of hardware stores – 1.50

• Source: Yellow Pages

Number of men’s clothing stores – 1.50

• Source: Yellow Pages

Average lawn size – 1.00

• Source: Lawn Starter

Number of fishing trails – 1.00

• Source: Trail Link

Cost of a pint of domestic beer – 1.00

• Source: Numbeo

Number of childcare workers – 1.00

• Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Number of basketball hoops – 1.00

• Source: Trust for Public Land

Number of upcoming live sporting events – 1.50

• Source: Ticketmaster

We then took it one step further by compiling our “dad-approved” factors into four main categories: Steakhouse Dinner, Brews & a Ball Game, The “Active” Dad, and Father’s Day Gifts. We gave each category a weighted score out of 25.

Steakhouse Dinner

• Number of steakhouses, average steakhouse star-rating, and number of childcare workers

Brews & a Ball Game

• Number of breweries, average brewery star-rating, cost of a pint of domestic beer, number of live sporting events, and number of childcare workers

The “Active” Dad

• Number of golf courses, average golf course star-rating, average lawn size, number of fishing trails, number of basketball hoops

Father’s Day Gifts

• Number of hardware stores and number of men’s clothing stores

Closing Thoughts

There are certain things only a father can do, like rock a fanny pack, cut the umbilical cord, and most of all, support their kids like no one is watching. So that you don’t waste precious bonding time wondering where to go for Father’s Day, Shane Co. wanted to arm you with the best places to take Dad out on the town — as long as he won’t be required to ask for directions. 

On the off chance you can’t make it to one of the top cities on our list, Shane Co. offers a stylish selection of men’s jewelry and customizable wedding bands to still make your Father’s Day a memorable one.

The post The Best U.S. Cities to Celebrate Father’s Day appeared first on The Loupe.

Update

Shane Co. found a romantic reality show fanatic that took on the binge-watch job role! Congratulations to Emily Laird for winning $1,000 to binge-watch reality love TV shows, including “The Bachelorette” and “Married at First Sight.” Emily’s emotional answers about these shows helping her to unwind after a long day with kids while her husband was in Iraq really left us no choice but to select her as the winner of the contest. Check out her bio and winning submission below!

The Winning Binge-watcher — Emily Laird

Emily Laird is a lawyer who has dabbled in fiction writing and background investigations. She has traveled the world with her husband and three kids, and has loved the chance to call Jordan, Hungary, and Malaysia home. Outside of work, Emily can be found torturing her family with her favorite ballad-heavy show tunes playlist.

The Winner’s Submission

Tell us why we should pick you to binge-watch reality love TV shows.

​​Romantic reality shows were my savior when my husband was posted in Iraq for a year. I’d tuck my three kids into bed, exhausted by a long day of working and caring for them, grab a bevvie, then switch on romantic reality TV shows. Watching these love stories provided such an escape at the end of a long day. The dramatic family objections! The too-sweet moments when strangers fall in love! The shocking moments when it all goes wrong! The dumb (or sweet) things people say! I love it all. My husband is back safe and sound, and my load juggling kids and work is not quite as heavy, but I still love to escape for a little bit at the end of each night by watching strangers fall in (and out of) love. Please pick me! 

If you could be a contestant on a love reality TV show, which one would you pick and why?

The Bachelorette — the power to choose my best match would be in my hands!

Summary

Let’s face it, we all enjoy a few reality TV shows here and there, but the ones that surround the subject of love are really attention-grabbing. By now, at least someone you know has suggested you watch a reality love TV show that soon makes its rounds in pop culture news. From the good “chats” and finding your type on paper on Love Island, to who’s marrying and who’s moving on in “The Ultimatum”, the drama is just too good to turn a blind eye. What better way to spend a Friday night than at home in your PJs with a glass of wine and a bowl of popcorn, binge-watching a reality TV show? And guess what? You can get paid for it! 

What We’re Looking For

We are looking for a lover of reality TV love shows who has an attention to detail and enthusiasm for meeting deadlines. The winner will choose three shows from the following list to watch one entire season of and answer questions that we provide.  

• The Bachelorette
• Love Island
• The Ultimatum
• Love on the Spectrum
• Married at First Sight

Requirements: 

• Watch one season for each of the three love reality TV shows selected from the list above
• Answer the questions provided regarding the shows
• Applicants must be 18 years or older and a U.S. citizen or permanent resident to apply

Disregarding any of these requirements is grounds for immediate disqualification.

The post Get Paid to Binge-watch Reality Love TV Shows appeared first on The Loupe.

What Is Love Bombing?

Are you dating someone new who offers too many grand gestures too early in a relationship? Are you being showered with an excessive amount of flattery, gifts, or even proclamations of love one month into dating? Believe it or not, you may be being “love bombed.” 

These overzealous displays of affection may seem endearing at first, but can quickly morph into a sinister attachment, where a new romantic partner may leverage these symbols of love in order to manipulate or isolate you further down the line. According to relationship therapists at Insider, love bombing occurs when a person you are dating “moves at lightning speed, taking things way too seriously way too early in the relationship.” Therapists say love bombers tend to be narcissistic, with a history of emotional abuse and “anxious attachment styles.”

Love bombing is a viral topic that’s flooding relationship news in 2022; therefore, we surveyed a diverse set of people across the U.S. to determine the percentage of the population that has experienced love bombing and gauge Americans’ thoughts on this dating phenomenon.

Methodology

In March 2022, Shane Co. surveyed 1,014 people, ages 18-55, across the U.S. to uncover how many Americans have been love bombed and which habits of new romantic partners are the biggest red flags (or indicators of love bombing). The survey included a representative sample across gender, age groups, relationship status, and dating app usage in order to analyze insights by these different demographics in the study.

The Rise of Love Bombing in America

We provided all survey respondents with the love bombing definition above, and a whopping 70% of respondents say they have fallen victim to love bombing at least once in their lifetime. When we looked at responses from specific segments of people, we found that 78% of dating app users have been love bombed as well as 75% of millennials (higher than any other generation). There also appears to be a gender divide on the love bombing front — 76% of women say they have been love bombed, compared to only 63% of men who say the same.

Key Love Bombing Statistics

Love bombers notoriously pressure their partners into a commitment too early into a relationship. For example, they may say, “I love you” within the first few weeks of seeing someone and expect reciprocation. They may pressure people into sleeping together, being exclusive, or moving in together sooner than normal. We had survey respondents weigh in on these eager acts, among others.

70% of respondents have had a new romantic partner say, “I love you” within the first month of seeing each other; but, the majority of respondents (58%) think it’s appropriate to profess your love only after four to six months of seeing someone or longer. Many of our respondents agree that they need adequate time to get to know someone before saying those three sacred words. 

When it comes to dating app users, 60% have felt pressured to say, “I love you” too early into a relationship, while 31% would break up with someone who said, “I love you” within the first month of seeing each other. The pressure to move quickly also applies to the bedroom. Over half of female respondents (52%) have felt pressured to have sex with a romantic partner who has love bombed them (compared to 30% of male respondents who have felt the same). 

So what about DTR (defining the relationship)? A shocking 28% of respondents had a romantic partner ask to be exclusive after only one week of knowing each other! Our respondents agree that one week is jumping the gun. The majority of respondents (71%) think it’s appropriate to be exclusive after one month of dating each other or longer. 

Now, what about moving in together? 40% of respondents have been asked to move in with someone after only a few months of seeing each other or earlier. Call us crazy, but this seems rather quick! With love bombers moving at lightning speed, it’s no wonder that 65% of dating app users have felt suffocated by someone who wanted to spend too much time together too early, and that a quarter of women that have been love bombed needed to seek therapy afterward. 

What’s worse than a love bomber? Apparently, someone who is emotionally unavailable or non-committal. Even though 70% of respondents have been love bombed, the majority of respondents (66%) still say dating a love bomber is better than dating someone who is emotionally unavailable or won’t commit. Hey, we get it. Non-committal partners spin webs no spider ever would.  

Common Habits of a Love Bomber

According to respondents, the biggest red flags of a new romantic partner are when they want to take things to the next level at warp speed (69%); when they ask you to choose them over friends or family (61%); and when they text or call you several times throughout the day (57%).

What are the biggest indicators of dating a love bomber? Respondents say when they encourage you to spend time away from your friends or family (68%); when they call your mom, “Mom” (weird) (62%); and when they constantly contact you throughout the day by texting, calling, or DMing you on social media (56%). No one wants to feel like they’re being overly checked up on!

Where Do Love Bombers Prey?

According to dating app users, you’ll find the majority of love bombers lurking on Tinder, Bumble, and Hinge. Many love bombers on these apps and others may try to manipulate you early on with statements like, “We are soulmates,” “I like to check on you because I get worried,” or, “I just want to be with you all the time.” If you hear any of the above and it doesn’t feel genuine in your gut … run. 

Are American Daters Getting Swindled?

Con artists like Simon Leviev on Netflix’s “The Tinder Swindler” have us wondering: how often are love bombers swindling new romantic partners out of their money? When asking respondents, “Have you ever lent money to a new romantic partner?” (i.e. someone they have been dating for a few months or less), a shocking 28% of dating app users said yes! What’s more, a strong 37% of Gen Zers admit to lending money to a new romantic partner — the lengths we’ll go for love!

Where Are Americans Most Curious About Love Bombing?

To finalize our study, we dived into Google search volume of the term “love bombing” to see how far this dating phenomenon has spread over the past year. It turns out that U.S. search volume for the term “love bombing” grew by over 500% between January 2021 and January 2022, per Google Trends search data. Take a peek at the map below to see which U.S. regions are Googling love bombing the most!

Whether things moved quickly or you fell in love with your sweetie slow and steady, Shane Co. has the perfect engagement rings to suit any relationship. Shop our Perfectly Preset Engagement Rings or design your own!

The post The Love Bombing Survey appeared first on The Loupe.

If you’re anything like us, you were probably convinced that you were going to marry your celebrity crush back in the day. You might have even planned out your wedding down to the matching wedding rings. Whether it was Matthew McConaughey or Kate Upton, a celebrity falling in love with an “average” person is what romance movie dreams are made of — so why couldn’t it happen to us? 

In reality, it’s pretty rare that these mesmeric moguls entertain love interests beyond their circle of fame. Still, it never hurts to dream! That got the team at Shane Co. thinking, which celebrities are most commonly crushed on by Americans? Do residents in different states have different celebrity crushes? We set out to uncover all that and more. Read on to see what we found!

Methodology

In order to uncover the most popular dream celebrity crushes in every state, we analyzed search volume for over 130 male and female celebrities. We used lists like People’s sexiest men alive, Trend Spotter’s hottest female celebrities, and others in order to compile our base of celebrities. From there, we turned to Google Trends data from March 2021 through March 2022 in order to determine which male and female celebrities each state is searching for the most.

The Top Dream Celebrity Partners Overall

Drum roll, please… The top celebrity crushes over the past year are Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Jennifer Aniston! The Rock may be the focal point of many memes and jokes, but turns out Americans can’t resist his perfectly carved physique. Representing the women is the star-studded actress Jennifer Aniston, who seems to only get more beautiful with time. And good news for all who have her at the top of their list: she’s single! 

The men that round out the list come from a variety of demographics and industries. Drake is the youngest of the men at 35, while 68-year-old Pierce Brosnan also makes an appearance.

The same is true for the opposing sex. There’s a solid mix of singers like Beyoncé and Shakira and actresses like Emilia Clarke and Mila Kunis that have caught the attention of the nation. 

The Top Dream Celebrity Husband in Every State

Though Dwayne Johnson can claim the title of “dream celebrity husband” for 11 U.S. states, the nation is divided on which male celebrity deserves the title of all-time dreamiest. In fact, 30 different men are represented on the map as the most swoon-worthy man by at least one state. 

There are a few local heroes worth noting. For example, Channing Tatum reigns supreme in his home state of Alabama; Ashton Kutcher, Cedar Rapids native, won Iowa; and Matthew McConaughey represents Texas, the state he hails from.

Many neighboring states have similar opinions, such as both North and South Dakota having the hots for Jensen Ackles, or the two Southern states of Louisiana and Georgia both loving Will Smith. Outside of a few geographical trends, there’s plenty of diversity in the most loved male celebrity. 

The Top Dream Celebrity Wife in Every State

There are similar trends when we look at the female celebrities stealing hearts. Twenty-nine different females made the map, with 21 of those being uniquely beloved by just one state.

While Jennifer Aniston is a clear fan favorite across the nation, other household names like Sandra Bullock, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna also made the map. These women are responsible for shaping their respective industries, so we can’t blame America for catching feelings. 

These women also prove that love knows no age. From 26-year-old Kendall Jenner coming on top in Arizona to 68-year-old Oprah Winfrey winning in Hawaii, there’s a large range of women represented as dream celebrity wives! 

Closing Thoughts

We likely didn’t change your mind on your dream celebrity crush, but we hope this analysis provided you with interesting insights to discuss with your family and friends. And we won’t judge you if you still secretly believe you and that special someone will end up together one day. 

Whether it’s for someone who’s world-renowned or star-studded in your eyes, Shane Co. offers a beautiful selection of engagement rings to choose from when you’re ready. Our world-class designs and high-quality diamonds are sure to live up to celebrity standards!

The post The Most Popular Celebrity Crushes in the U.S. appeared first on The Loupe.

Happy birthday, May babies! With spring in full swing, the landscape is beginning to fill with bright colors and seasonal delights. Flowers and lush vegetation appear out of seemingly nowhere, fed by the thirst-quenching rains of April — so it’s only fitting that rich, leafy green would be our May birthstone color.

While emerald is traditionally considered May’s birthstone, it’s a softer stone that may not hold up to regular wear over a number of years. We only carry jewelry that is worthy of our Free Lifetime Warranty because we know it will retain its beauty over the years. For this reason, we do not carry emerald jewelry at Shane Co. Instead, we offer similarly colored stones like beautiful green sapphire and peridot. With our selection of green jewelry with hand-picked stones, you’ll still be able to show off your month’s birthstone color with versatile Shane Co. styles.

Want to learn more about these stunning stones? Let’s start with green sapphire.

Green Sapphire: A May Birthstone Alternative

Shane Co. carries a gorgeous alternative for May birthstone babies: green sapphire. This beautiful green birthstone is one of three precious gems Shane Co. carries (the other two being diamond and ruby), making it the closest quality and an excellent alternative to emerald. Sapphire is a variety of corundum, an aluminum oxide mineral that forms in crystals and can range from transparent to opaque. With a high rating on the Mohs hardness scale, green sapphire is appropriate for a wide variety of jewelry. It’s also very durable and easy to clean, meaning you can safely wear a green sapphire ring to show off your birthstone without worrying about potential nicks or damage.

While you probably imagine sapphire as the traditional blue you see in most cases, sapphire comes in a number of different colors, depending on the presence of certain elements in its makeup. Green sapphire owes its rich color to iron, giving it a higher density than most gemstones. It can range from pale to deep green, sometimes with hints of yellow or blue. It’s also one of the rarer colors of naturally occurring sapphire. Its unique tone is the result of both yellow and blue bands, which make the gem appear green to the naked eye.

Did You Know?

Legend has it that the first person to wear sapphire was Zeus’ rival, Prometheus, who stole the gemstone from Caucasus along with fire from heaven. The idea that sapphire was a “Gem of Heaven” was also popular with the ancient Persians, who believed that cut sapphires were a chip from the pedestal that supported Earth and reflected back onto the sky.

Spiritual and Mystical Properties

Like many other gemstones, sapphire is believed to have a number of healing properties. Sapphires of all colors are considered stones of wisdom, with green sapphire in particular pointing to wisdom of fidelity, integrity, loyalty and trust. It is associated with stimulation of the heart chakra, encouraging compassion and enhancing one’s spiritual vision, as well as calming and focusing the mind. When the heart chakra is out of balance, we can begin to feel controlling effects within relationships and become quite critical of others. This green gem helps to resolve blocks and re-balance, so that we can understand our needs and emotions more clearly. Wearers of sapphire can enjoy the effects of tranquility and thoughtfulness, releasing mental tension and restoring balance within the body.

Where Can I Find May Birthstone Jewelry?

At Shane Co., we offer May birthstone jewelry made only with directly and ethically sourced stones. Our green sapphires are vibrant and carefully cut to bring out the best of these unique gems. You can find our entire selection of green sapphire jewelry here, or check out some of our individual designs below to find the right piece for your style and budget.

Round Green Sapphire and Diamond Ring: This classic three-stone ring highlights your May birthstone color with a perfectly shaped round green sapphire center stone and a diamond flanking each side.

Green Sapphire & Diamond Swirl Pendant: This one-of-a-kind pendant necklace features one stunning green sapphire taking center stage, with 17 round diamonds to add that hint of extra sparkle. Shaped in a beautiful infinity design and crafted with 14k yellow gold, this is a special gift for any May baby.

Green Sapphire Branch Necklace: This simple but stunning necklace has a unique branch-like design made with our high-quality sterling silver, studded with one round green sapphire.

Peridot

Another great choice for a May birthstone is peridot. A less widely known stone than sapphire, peridot is the gem-quality variety of the mineral olivine, named for its rich olive-like color. Its color comes from properties of the mineral itself, rather than trace impurities, like many other gemstones. On rare occasions, peridot is even found inside meteorites!

Did You Know?

In Hawaii, peridot once symbolized the tears of Pele, the goddess of fire, who controls the flow of lava in volcanic eruptions.

Where Can I Find Peridot Jewelry?

Shop all peridot and other green jewelry online at ShaneCo.com, or visit us in-store to speak with one of our expert jewelry consultants for help finding the perfect gift.

Green Quartz, Peridot, and Diamond Ring: Featuring a few shades of May’s birthstone color, this unique ring showcases peridot and green quartz stones in a shimmering design alongside some of our sparkling diamonds.

Peridot Bolo Bracelet: Peridot’s lower price point makes it a great way to gift your favorite May baby without breaking your budget. This bolo bracelet features 11 round peridot stones on a high-quality sterling silver chain!

Checkerboard Cut Marquise Peridot Earrings: Simple yet unique, these marquise peridot earrings feature varying sizes of peridot stones set into a sparkling design. They’re sure to be a new everyday piece for anyone who loves this exquisite stone.

No matter what you choose, Shane Co.’s selection of green gemstones and handcrafted designs will look beautiful with any skin tone and style. Easily shop online at ShaneCo.com to find the perfect gift for a loved one or to treat yourself. You can even book a virtual appointment to speak with one of our in-house jewelry consultants.

The post May Birthstone — Green Sapphire and Peridot appeared first on The Loupe.

There are lots of ways to judge a potential partner. For many Americans, age plays a very small role in that decision-making process. But others have a preferred dating age range that they take quite seriously. For this campaign, we conducted a survey to learn more about the dating age range preferences of the average American.

Methodology

Our survey ran for 10 days in February 2022 and received over 3,500 responses overall. We asked questions about the largest age gaps people have had in relationships, if a person’s income or occupation affects how young or old people will date, and if people would rather date someone older or younger than themselves.

Dating Age Range Insights

The people of Delaware and Minnesota strongly prefer to date someone their own age, but there are actually more states that prefer a partner that’s a little bit older (1-5 years). The second least popular age preference is partners that are 1-5 years younger, with only New Mexico’s population exceeding a 20% preference for partners in that age range, while Mississippi and Oklahoma are the only two states that have a population of more than 15% that prefers a much older partner (6-10 years).  

Dating Age Ranges Overall

The trend of dating older being preferred to dating younger continues when we switch from asking our respondents for their preferred dating age range to asking our respondents how young or old they’d be willing to date. Over 50% say they would date someone 1-5 years older while not even 45% say they’d date someone 1-5 years younger, and 30% say they’d date someone that’s up to 6-10 years older while just 20% say they’d date someone that’s 6-10 years younger.

Generational & Gender Age Preferences

The different genders and generations each have their own specific thoughts regarding dating age ranges. For example, while men were split about 50/50, 70% of women agreed that dating someone too young (when compared to their preferred dating range) is probably going to mean dating someone that’s immature. Meanwhile, about three in four men prefer to date someone younger than themselves.

Divorce is an interesting point of contention between generations. For example, the overwhelming majority of Baby Boomers (89%) don’t mind if a partner has been divorced before, but over one in four Millennials (28%) say it would make them reconsider pursuing a relationship with an individual if said individual had been divorced before.

Would you Rather Meet Someone Online or in Person?

Even in the age of the internet, the majority of people prefer to meet others in person rather than online regardless of gender or generation. For example, about 80% of both men and women prefer to meet someone in person, while just 20% prefer meeting online, and the furthest any of the generations get from those same percentages are Millennials (28% prefer to meet others online and 72% prefer in person) and Baby Boomers (85% prefer to meet in person and 15% prefer to meet online). 

However, you can’t always get what you want. Even though the majority of our respondents prefer to meet others in person, 22% of baby boomers, 32% of Gen Xers, 43% of millennials, and 38% of Gen Zers say they typically meet people online.

Closing Thoughts

As it turns out, maybe people out there do have a preferred dating age range, but at the end of the day, love is love. If and when you decide to make your 20-year-old partner or 55-year-old partner your one and only for the rest of your lives, do it with a beautiful engagement ring from Shane Co. With over 1,000 exclusive designs and customizable options that can fit any budget, there’s nowhere better to get the most important gift you’ll ever give.

The post The Average Dating Age Range in Each U.S. State appeared first on The Loupe.

How are diamonds made?

You’ve probably heard somewhere that diamonds are made of carbon, the same life-giving element that can be found in the tip of your pencil, that lump of coal in the fireplace, and even in you — 18.5% of you, in fact. But what causes this common element to transform into the stunning stone that takes center stage in most engagement rings?

It all starts with carbon-bearing materials deep underneath the Earth. There are only two places where these gems are able to form: the lithospheric mantle, found below stable continental plates, and the site of a previous meteorite strike. Here, the carbon is exposed to high pressure while maintaining relatively low temperatures, where it begins its process of transforming into a raw diamond. Diamond-bearing rock is then carried from the mantle to the earth’s surface by deep-origin volcanic eruptions. The magma from these eruptions comes from the same layer of the earth where diamonds are formed, so the rock is able to travel through volcanic pipes, spreading it all over the world. That’s why we find deposits in South Africa, India, Brazil and even some areas of the U.S. Because of the long and arduous process that they go through, diamonds are the strongest gem we know of. They get their name from the Greek word “adamas,” which translates to “unconquerable,” a reference to the stone’s unparalleled hardness.

Did you know?

If you’ve ever stared at a diamond and thought it looked other-worldly, you might not be too far off — many of the ones on our planet today actually originated in space. There’s even a specific type called “carbonado,” found in South America and Africa, thought to be deposited via an ancient asteroid impact about 3 billion years ago. While some of these stones came to us embedded in meteorites, diamonds are also formed in the craters created when an asteroid impacts the earth.

The history of diamonds

Some historians estimate that the first diamond trading began as early as 4 B.C. Because they were one of the only materials that could be used to engrave metal, they were prized for this strength and their ability to reflect light. Some ancient civilizations even believed that the stones were lightning made real on Earth, and many believed that the stone had great healing powers. These powers included the ability to heal brain disease, alleviate pituitary gland disorders, draw toxins from the blood and more.

Diamonds were first popularized in India, when the Moghuls and Imperial Colony mined them from deposits along three major rivers. By the 1400s, the gem was becoming fashionable among Europe’s elite, particularly because they were so rare at the time. In the early 1700s, India’s diamond mines were being depleted and Brazil emerged as a new and important source. Diamonds were discovered in the pans of gold miners sifting through local rivers, and Brazil dominated the market for over 150 years afterward.

The late 1800s marked a shift in the industry because of two major events. The first was that South African deposits were discovered and began to be mined, and the second was the establishment of De Beers, an international corporation specializing in diamond exploration and mining, in 1888. By 1900, De Beers controlled an estimated 90% of the world’s production of rough diamonds.

New mines continued to be discovered throughout the late 1900s and early 2000s, including mines in Australia, Canada and the former Soviet Union. De Beers began to greatly reduce its role as the custodian of supply, with diamonds flowing through multiple channels, rather than a single-channel path from the well-known supplier.

Today, our diamond deposits are being slowly depleted. The finite nature of this gem is one of the reasons why they are so highly prized as the rare and beautiful stone they are. In fact, less than 20% of diamonds pulled from the earth today are considered gem quality, and even fewer are considered “investment diamonds” (a.k.a. the ones you’ll find in most engagement rings). You need 250 tons of ore to produce a 1.00-carat, gem-quality stone. Diamonds that don’t qualify as gem quality are used in industrial applications.

Did you know?

In 2007, the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics announced the discovery of a 10 billion-trillion-trillion-carat diamond in the sky, which they named “Lucy” after the Beatles song “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.” This white dwarf star is essentially a giant chunk of crystallized carbon that weighs a whopping 5 million-trillion-trillion pounds. However, this enormous rock is located 50 light years from Earth, so don’t get your hopes up about claiming it as your own just yet.

Famous diamonds

The Blue Hope: Sometimes referred to as the Hope Diamond, this gem is known less for its appearance than its turbulent history and legendary “curse.” It was named after its purchaser, Henry Thomas Hope, and was part of a larger stone brought to Europe from India in the 1600s. It was stolen during the French Revolution and sold to Hope in 1830, but after inheriting the gem, Hope’s son lost his entire family fortune, giving it a reputation for carrying bad luck to its owners. This reputation stuck when Mrs. Edward McLean acquired the stone and subsequently lost her fortune, experienced her only child dying from an accident, then took her own life in the mid-1900s. The Hope Diamond was purchased by Harry Winston in 1949 but was eventually put on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, to save any future owners from the bad luck it was believed to carry.

The Great Star of Africa: This stone is the largest cut diamond in the world, weighing in at 530.20 carats. The Great Star of Africa is a pear cut with 74 facets and is currently set in the royal scepter, held with the other Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. It was cut from a 3106-carat gem called the Cullinan, which is the largest diamond ever found to date. Discovered at a mine in Transvaal, South Africa, the Cullinan was cut into nine major diamonds and 96 smaller diamonds, though it’s believed that it may have only been half of a much larger stone.

The Orloff: Another famous diamond is the Orloff, which is believed to have been once used as the eye of a Hindu god at a temple in India. In the 1700s, it was stolen by a French deserter who sold it to an English captain for only 2,000 pounds. When it arrived in Amsterdam, Russian count Grigori Orloff purchased it for 90,000 pounds, hoping to bring it back to Russia to impress his lover, Catherine the Great. Legend has it that the stone was hidden in a priest’s tomb when Napoleon’s army advanced on Moscow in 1812. The stone now sits in the Diamond Treasury of Russia in Moscow.

Did you know?

Text: There are an endless number of interesting facts about the beautiful April birthstone. If you’re curious, here are a few more things you probably didn’t know about diamonds:

1. Around 1.5 million diamond nanoparticles can be found in a candle’s flame, which may be why its light is often compared to the sparkle of this rare gem. We knew there was a reason why candlelit dinners are so romantic!
2. The first diamond in South Africa, called the Eureka, was discovered by a 15-year-old boy named Erasmus Stephanus. At first glance, he thought the 21.24-carat raw stone was nothing but a simple pebble.
3. Not all diamonds are colorless. Natural colored diamonds are extremely rare but can be found in shades of red, blue, pink, yellow, brown, black and even green.
4. A diamond loses up to 50% of its weight during the cutting and polishing operation. This process is essential to producing the incredible sparkle and unique shapes we find in popular diamond cuts.
5. Despite being mined all around the world, almost 80% of diamonds are sold in New York City.

Shane Co.: the diamond experts

If you want to see all of Shane Co.’s diamond jewelry to find the perfect gift for your April sweetheart (or you just want to buy something for yourself), you can browse our entire collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces and more here. Shane Co.’s jewelers buy diamonds directly from the cutters and hand-pick each stone for its individual beauty and sparkle. With a Free Lifetime Warranty included on most of our jewelry, even the center stones of diamond engagement rings, it’s easy to embrace the meaningful shine of this rare gem. Looking for something more specific? Some of our more popular trends include:

Stud earrings: Our diamond studs are hand-matched by experienced jewelers for the perfect everyday or special occasion pair. Choose from round or princess cut stones and high-quality 14k yellow or white gold to create your new favorite piece.

Custom pendants: Shane Co. has dozens of pendant necklace designs just waiting to be completed with the sparkling gem of your choice. Explore romantic styles like this Round Diamond Double Halo Pendant, or choose a unique Diamond Intertwined Circle Necklace for a stylish look.

Loose diamonds: With hundreds of ethically and directly sourced stones to choose from, we’re proud to offer the prettiest loose gems in every GIA grade. Find the right shape for your style and budget with our wide selection of one-of-a-kind diamonds.

Diamond rings: Shop hundreds of diamond rings for a gift that never fails to impress. This Diamond Ring in Rose Gold will definitely set her heart aflutter, while timeless white gold is sure to please. With stackable bands, contemporary designs and intricate details, it’s easy to find a ring to fall in love with at Shane Co.

The post Diamond, April’s Birthstone appeared first on The Loupe.

Apparently romance is not dead, and according to romance novels they’re alive and well! Whether it’s the smoldering descriptions, the cheesiness, or steamy fantasy that pulls you in, romance novels bring great comfort by captivating our hearts. It’s hard to resist the passionate reading experience these books transport you to, but which true-love story is the best of the best?

Methodology

Are you ready to swoon? For our study, we analyzed Google Trends search volumes for “The Best Romance Novels” for every U.S. state in January 2022. 

The Most Popular Romance Novels in the U.S.

Which romance novels are sweeping Americans off their feet? Most states have different preferences for what gets their hearts racing. However, 14 states agree that “Normal People” by Sally Rooney is the definition of romance, earning the number 1 spot, while Shakespeare’s classic, “Romeo and Juliet,” was second. Three states chose “A Walk to Remember,” while “Gone with the Wind,” “Tipping the Velvet,” and “Something Borrowed” didn’t fall far behind and charmed two states each.

The Most Popular Romance Novel Overall

Sally Rooney’s “Normal People” transports you into a world of exploring intense love across social classes. It takes place during the economic downturn from 2011 through 2015, and the story follows a complex relationship between two deeply damaged teenagers who attend the same school in Ireland. Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina are hooked on this one-of-a-kind coming-of-age novel. 

Everyone loves a classic love story, especially Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee. “Romeo and Juliet” by William Shakespeare tells the age-old tale of vendetta between two powerful and rich families. The conflict explodes into bloodshed as lovesick Romeo falls in love with Juliet, who is due to marry her father’s first choice. The star-crossed lovers are destined to be together forever, one way or another. 

Set in the 1950s, Nicholas Sparks’ “A Walk to Remember” is about the only son of a wealthy family finding true love with an unlikely character. He and the minister’s daughter develop an inspirational relationship and fall in love through hard times and bittersweet passions. Alabama, Nebraska, and Missouri love a book based on a true story. The romance was inspired by the author’s sister, who was diagnosed with cancer. 

“Gone with the Wind” by Margaret Mitchell is a southern gem. Set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction era, the novel is about a strong-willed daughter of a plantation owner and her romantic pursuit of Ashley Wilkes. The complicated love story engages readers in an emotional journey — a journey Arkansas and Maine are willing to take. 

There’s just something about a good coming-of-age story America can’t get enough of! “Tipping the Velvet” by Sarah Waters is the top novel in Georgia and Texas. The story follows a young woman who falls in love with a male impersonator in 1890s England. The colorfully passionate, addicting story is about the growing pains of womanhood. 

In Emily Giffin’s “Something Borrowed,” a young attorney, who has always been known as the good girl, lives and works in the hustle and bustle of Manhattan. On her 30th birthday, her best friend throws her a party, where she has one too many drinks and somehow ends up in bed with her best friend’s fiancé. Does the synopsis have you on the edge of your seat? Nevada and Wisconsin surely are.

Closing Thoughts

Love is in the air — or in a book. Before you get cozy by the fireplace to read these enchanting books, let us warn you, you won’t want to put any of them down. But don’t just get wrapped up in enthralling dialogue — you can make your fiction a reality.

Experience a storybook proposal with the engagement ring of your dreams. At Shane Co., we have a wide variety to choose from to match your romance novel standards effortlessly.

The post The Most Popular Romance Novel in Every U.S. State appeared first on The Loupe.

What is aquamarine?

The name aquamarine comes from the Latin word “aqua marina,” which means “sea water.” This makes it the perfect Pisces birthstone, reminding its wearers of the water-loving fish in which this zodiac is embodied. As a semiprecious member of the beryl family, aquamarine is closely related to emerald and morganite and shares many similarities to golden beryl. Its distinct color and clarity match its name — with shades ranging from seafoam green to teal and light blue, it resembles the ocean in its appearance. Aquamarine is especially prized for its clarity, having little to no inclusions in most stones.

The clear nature of aquamarine makes it a great stone for faceting. With a rating of 7.8 on the Mohs hardness scale, it’s tough enough to be durable but still soft enough to accommodate a wide variety of gemstone cutting styles and shapes. It’s not unusual to find aquamarine in a variety of hues, making every aquamarine ring, necklace, or other piece unique to the wearer. Most aquamarine is mined in Brazil or Colombia, but it can also be found in Kenya, Zambia, Pakistan, Madagascar, and Russia. It’s even found in the snowy peaks of Mount Antero and White Mountain in the Colorado Rocky Mountain range. In fact, aquamarine was named the official state gemstone of Colorado in 1971! For that reason and many others, it holds a special place in our hearts.

Did you know?

The world’s largest cut aquamarine currently sits in the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. It was cut from a huge aquamarine stone found in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil. Weighing a grand total of 10,363 carats, the stone features wide cuts in the back to create the illusion that the crystal is glowing from within. It was named the Dom Pedro after Brazilian emperors Pedro I and Pedro II.

History and mythology

Aquamarine has been a popular stone in jewelry making for about as long as humans have known about it. Decorative jewelry and protective aquamarine amulets have been found dated as far back as 500 B.C.

The Romans used aquamarine frequently in their jewelry, even giving it as a wedding gift to their brides. They believed it promoted feelings of happiness, youthfulness, wisdom, and stability, promising newlyweds a long-lasting and happy marriage. During the Middle Ages, its relationship-related properties were cited as having the ability to reawaken the love of married couples. It was also believed, like its Neptune-ruled Pisces counterparts, to have mystical properties that helped in developing fortune-telling skills. It was often cut into crystal balls and adopted by psychics and seers.

Notably, it is used to help its wearers get in touch with suppressed emotions, heal emotional trauma, and clear the mind. For this reason, it’s celebrated as a powerful meditation tool, with believers saying that it leads the meditator to his or her “core spirituality.” Just like the body of water it’s named for, this incredible stone calms the heart and encourages clarity.

Aquamarine was also used to protect sailors during their journeys across the ocean. The story goes that Neptune, god of the sea, took hold of the stone when it fell out of a siren’s jewel box and washed up on shore. Seamen would wear the stone throughout their trips to ensure safe passage through the choppy waters.

Did you know?

After Princess Diana and Prince Charles divorced in 1996, the beloved princess wore an Art Deco-style emerald cut aquamarine and diamond ring on her engagement hand. She had a matching bracelet to go with it and, for many, the ring exemplified Diana’s impeccable taste and independent spirit. The sparkling blue ring matched Diana’s trademark eyes and symbolized her courage as she embarked on a new life journey. The large aquamarine stone is estimated to be worth around £75,000 in today’s market, but its historic appeal and sentimental value is priceless.

The ring was last seen worn by Meghan Markle as she and Prince Harry drove off to the evening reception following their royal wedding. It’s certainly a testament to aquamarine’s durable qualities that the stone remains as polished and flawless as when it was worn by the late princess.

Why aquamarine makes the perfect gift

Besides being a great March birthday gift idea, aquamarine is also the official stone of the 19th wedding anniversary. Whether you’re searching for a traditional anniversary gift like a stunning aquamarine necklace or want to surprise your Pisces girl with a unique birthday gift for her, Shane Co.’s collection of aquamarine jewelry comes in a wide variety of budget-friendly styles.

Unlike many other stones, it comes in a range of sizes, so you can pick from delicate pendants to eye-catching fashion rings and more. It’s also very easy to care for because of its durability. Just gently scrub with a soft brush and soapy water until it’s free of any dirt or grime picked up along the way. Its lower price point makes it a great alternative to traditional diamonds, in both fashion jewelry and even as the center stone of an engagement ring. With its love-enhancing qualities, it’s not unusual to see aquamarine engagement rings, especially with the stone’s trendy color recently coming to light.

Did you know?

An old wives’ tale says that aquamarine receives many of its mystical qualities from the moon and tides — so if your aquamarine ring is showing signs of fading and discoloration, legend has it that placing it under the full moon for a night will renew its energy reserve and restore the stone to its former beauty. While we can’t promise that this is true, aquamarine is durable enough that you probably won’t have to worry about its beauty diminishing much throughout its lifetime.

What makes Shane Co. aquamarine jewelry special?

Shane Co.’s dedication to high-quality jewelry means that all of our aquamarine birthstone gifts are handcrafted by experienced Shane Co. designers. Every stone is hand-picked based on sparkle and beauty. We source only natural stones, not lab-created, so you’ll find a wide variety of colors and hues in our aquamarine collection. With customization options like engraving, you can create a unique birthday or anniversary gift highlighting the inherent beauty of this incredible gemstone.

Whether you choose to shop online or visit your nearest Shane Co. store, our non-commissioned, no-pressure team will be happy to help you pick out the perfect gift. All online orders come with free 2-day shipping, anywhere in the U.S., as well as our 60-Day Money-Back Guarantee. Of course, we offer a Free Lifetime Warranty on almost all Shane Co. purchases, because we believe in creating jewelry that truly lasts forever. Still looking for gift ideas? Check out these unique aquamarine options.

Necklaces

Choose from vintage-style oval shapes and traditional round or pear-shaped pendants with our extensive collection of aquamarine necklaces. With diamond accents and updated classics like this Aquamarine & Diamond Pendant, we know you’ll find a gorgeous piece to grace any neckline.

Earrings

Aquamarine’s expansive size range makes it easy for the expert designers at Shane Co. to craft distinctive earrings made just for her. Check out these Aquamarine Stud Earrings for a hint of sparkle, or stand out from the crowd with our Infinity Aquamarine Earrings. No matter what you choose, she’ll love her heartfelt birthstone gift.

Rings

In classic 14k white gold and sterling silver, as well as standout yellow gold and Shane Co.’s signature shade of rose gold, find a sparkling ring for any occasion with the help of this versatile gemstone. Make it the star of the show with simple and stunning looks, such as this Aquamarine and Diamond Ring, or enhance its striking qualities with hand-picked gemstone accents.

Bracelets

Give her a meaningful gift with Shane Co.’s selection of bracelets. With plenty of options to choose, from you’re sure to find the perfect gift! Need an idea? This Vintage Aquamarine and Diamond Bracelet is a wearable, sparkling delight.

The post Aquamarine | March Birthstone appeared first on The Loupe.

The first home is one of the biggest chapters in the lives of many, but what new homeowners go through is anything but straightforward. To learn more about all of the different aspects that make up the first home experience of the average American, we surveyed over 1,000 homeowners in early December 2021 and asked about the type of house they first purchased, how they initially learned about the home buying process, how their relationship was affected by moving in with a partner (if applicable), and more.

The Typical First Home

The detached, single-family house is the most popular starter home and was the initial purchase of 42.2% of our respondents. Townhouses and condos each got some representation too, however, with close to 30% of respondents originally buying one or the other.

Even though older generations tend to carry the reputation of being more hands-on in their work and side projects, our results actually showed the opposite to be true. More Gen Z and millennial buyers claimed that they bought their first house with the intention of making major renovations, while more of our Gen X and baby boomer respondents claimed that they bought something to keep as-is. 

If you’re still in that 18-24 age range, don’t put too much pressure on yourself: Over half of our respondents didn’t purchase their first home until they were at least 25. And there’s no need to rush into such a big decision, as 11.7% of our respondents’ first homes were smaller than they were hoping for, 11.6% were more poorly located than expected, and 19.7% didn’t come with all of the features the buyer desired. 

Funding the First Home

If rules are meant to be broken, budgets are meant to be ignored…right? If you’re a member of Gen Z, you might agree with us on this one. 27.9% of our Gen Z respondents spent more than planned on their first home purchase, while only 16.7% of the second most over-budget generation, millennials, did the same. And these weren’t necessarily small steps out of line, either. Of the respondents that spent more than they originally intended to, 22.2% spent over $10,000 more than they originally intended to. 

So where is all of this money coming from? Well, a majority claim that they paid out of pocket, but there were also plenty of loans doled out, whether by a parent or by a bank. Acquiring funding isn’t the only hurdle in home buying, however, as 40.5% said they struggled with finding the house they wanted to buy in the first place, and almost 15% experienced delays in at least one part of the process. 

Even in today’s internet-dominated world, more of our respondents claim that they got the majority of their initial home buying information from their friends and family rather than from the web. But while the internet hasn’t surpassed the power of personal relationships, it has definitely surpassed the banks and mortgage brokers of old, as almost twice as many respondents said they used the web instead of a bank, and over twice as many respondents used the web instead of a mortgage broker.

Living With Your Partner

Maybe it’s just the honeymoon phase, but it’s smooth sailing for a lot of our respondents that have experience living with a partner. While 72.5% agree that it’s good for both parties to have somewhere they can retreat to, 65% have a place, or places, like this in their house. 82.3% always sleep in the same bed, and 89.1% generally agree on home maintenance needs. Overall, 85.5% of our respondents are “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with living with their partners.

Nothing in life is perfect, though, and our respondents are most annoyed by things like their partner’s messiness, and spending habits and neediness are other issues for many. Compromises were also somewhat rare when couples were still in the house hunting phase, with only about 15-25% of respondents from any generation claiming they made at least one compromise with their partner regarding the house they bought together.

Closing Thoughts

While there are certainly some that buy their first house solo, a large majority of first-time homeowners are newlyweds that are looking to lock down the place where they’ll start their life together. And if there’s something that’s almost as important to a newlywed as the house, it’s the ring. Shane Co. has high-quality engagement rings that fit any budget, and even the option to design your own ring so you can get exactly what you want, whatever that may be.

The post The First Home Survey appeared first on The Loupe.

It was love at first sight — or was it? In the dating world, it’s common to be attracted to a certain “type” of person. Maybe you’re interested in someone whose height is model-esque or someone who has deep coffee-stain brown eyes. Or perhaps you’re into personality and are attracted to extroverts over introverts, or vice versa. No matter what your preferences are, falling in love can mean something different for everyone. But how many people actually end up dating their preferred “type”?  

Methodology

In this study, we surveyed over 1,000 Americans with questions to find out more about their ideal relationship and perfect partner. From physical attraction to personality preferences to traits you wish your current partner had, we collected and analyzed the data to determine the most popular traits people look for in their relationships. Does your partner fit the perfect partner description? Read on for more! 

Physical Characteristics

If we were to build the perfect partner, what would they look like? Tall? Short? One in two Americans (54.02%) say body type is the most important physical attribute when picking their “perfect” partner. When it comes to their partner’s physical attributes, Generation Z ranked height as more important than any other generation. 28.80% of Americans have no preference for any features, whereas 13.60% have heart eyes for someone who is tall. Hair and eye color were the least important features Americans looked for in their perfect partner, but Generation X, Generation Z, and Baby Boomers especially favored brown eyes.

Men versus Women Preferences

If you’re between 5′3″ and 5′7″, one in two men described you as a “perfect” partner, whereas 39% of women prefer someone 6’ feet or taller. Although most Americans say they have no preference for hair color, men and women of all generations seem to prefer brown (33.2%). Black hair was preferred by 5.1% more than blonde, meanwhile, and red hair had the lowest percentage with 4.7%. 

Personality Traits in the “Perfect” Partner

Close your eyes and imagine: What is your dream partner like? Are they confident comedians who tell knee-slapping jokes at dinner parties, or the shy, creative types? Most Americans find themselves swooning over a funny (89.8%), compassionate (88.7%), loyal (87%), and smart (84.7%) partner. Both men (42%) and women (45%) rank “funny” as the most important characteristic in their “perfect” partner. Artistic (34.8%), athletic (37.1%), and successful (43.4%) aren’t the first characteristics that come to Americans’ minds. One in two Americans prefer their partner to be extroverted.

Desired Characteristics versus Current Partner’s Characteristics

Now open your eyes! One in two married Americans say their current partner has two or more of their ideal physical characteristics. One in 10 of the respondents’ current partners (10%) have at least seven desired characteristics, while one in 10 (10.9%) say their partner doesn’t have any at all.

Overall, most Americans’ current partners match their dream partners by being funny (70.5%), smart (71.8%), and compassionate (63.4%). Almost half are falling in love with someone’s radiant confidence (50.3%). The lowest scoring personality traits correspond with the characteristics of current partners, with artistic and successful scoring 29.3% and 43.6%.

Americans’ Type

Most of America wants their partner to be funny (90%), smart (85%), and loyal (65%). 50% prefer their partner to be extroverted over introverted. But is there a deal-breaker for the perfect partner? 43% of separated respondents and 21% of Baby Boomers say differing religious views are an overall deal-breaker when picking their partner. While Generation Z isn’t as religiously driven, 43% say their deal-breaker would be different political views. 

Closing Thoughts

Everyone daydreams of falling in love and their dream qualities of a perfect partner: tall, funny, smart, compassionate, etc. But whether you’re with your dream partner who checks all the boxes or are still waiting, “There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.” So when you fall in love with your perfect partner and want to begin planning the perfect wedding, we’ve got you covered at Shane Co.!

The post How Often Do Americans Fall in Love With Their Type? appeared first on The Loupe.

Many couples dream about what the day that one of them gets down on one knee might look like. Will it be a hot summer afternoon on the beach or a crisp autumn evening in the woods? Will it be a public spectacle for everyone to see or an intimate ritual shared by just themselves? In this survey, we sought to piece together a picture of the perfect 2021 proposal by asking our respondents all about popping the question. 

Methodology

We surveyed over 1,200 Americans across four days in December 2021 and asked them questions about their ideal proposal setting, their thoughts regarding classic proposal elements like the proposer getting down on one knee, and what parts of a proposal they could do without. Read on to see what we found out!

Setting the Scene for the Perfect Proposal

Competition among the top three proposal locations is fierce, with the beach edging out the first date spot (wherever that may be) by just 0.2%! The third most popular location, the mountains, is then behind the first date spot by just 3.8%. The least popular location is an amusement park, as just 1.7% of our respondents say it’s their first choice. So unless you’re dating the biggest rollercoaster fan in the world, probability suggests that you do not propose at your nearest Six Flags if you’re looking for a “yes.”  

The early bird does not necessarily get the worm when it comes to proposals. While 18.9% of our respondents do think the morning would be a good time to pop the question, the majority would sooner opt for a proposal later in the day. Opinions regarding seasons are a bit less divided, however. Spring and fall are the favorites, with spring beating out fall by a margin of just 1.5%, and then summer is only about 10% behind that. This leaves winter as the proposal season underdog, but with just under 25% of our respondents reporting as pro-winter, it really isn’t that unpopular! 

Americans’ Thoughts on Classic Proposal Elements

If you’ve ever wondered whether a proposal should be agreed upon ahead of time or a surprise, our results tell us that 77% of people prefer a surprise proposal to one that’s previously arranged. This probably doesn’t mean that your partner wants you to propose to them in the grocery store three weeks into the relationship, however! 

Times change, and some evidence of this lies in over half of our respondents agreeing that parental permission is no longer a requirement of engagement. Also, if you go from the oldest generation to the youngest, the opinion on time that couples should be together before marriage becomes more conservative. For example, about 85% of Gen Z thinks that a couple should be together for two years or longer before they get married, while only about 50% of baby boomers think the same. 

It might be best to avoid donning your good pants when you’re planning to pop the question. While a bit of dressing up is surely required, 69% of Americans still think the proposer should get down on one knee, and if you’re proposing in the mountains or your first date took place on a hiking trail, a dirt spot on one of your pant legs might be inevitable. 

Considerations for Planning the Perfect Proposal

There are a lot of different opinions surrounding the specifics of the ideal proposal, so let’s start with the most popular ones: 65% of our respondents think a proposal should take place in a meaningful location. This is likely why 21.7% said the first date location would be their location preference, but even if that’s not where you end up, that 65% is a good indication that the chosen location should have some sort of meaning attached to it. 

Our second highest percentage here is the 56% of our respondents that think what is said prior to the proposal is more important than the question itself, so proposer, make sure you have some choice words ready to go before popping the question! But at the same time, 44% of our respondents think that reading a pre-written speech makes a proposal worse, so just try your best to walk that line between preparation and improvisation. 

36% of our respondents say that a proposal should be seen as an event instead of just a question, which probably explains why almost a quarter also say that they’d like for there to be a party afterward. There’s also a small percentage that would like a photographer to be present (10%), and another small percentage that would want their pets nearby (11%). 

The Not-So-Perfect Proposal

You’ve now spent the last five minutes or so reading all about what people think makes a good proposal, but what do people think makes a bad one?

For starters, over 90% of our respondents are against putting the ring in any food or drink at a restaurant. Perhaps it’s the messiness of it all, or maybe it’s the potential choking hazard? But the biggest takeaway from the entire survey might actually be just how opposed many people are to public proposals. A whopping 90% of our respondents think that public proposals pressure the proposee to say yes, and 56% would hate to be proposed to publicly. And if you want to get specific about the public location, 85% of our respondents say they’d rather be proposed to in a parking lot than at someone else’s wedding. So be careful with public proposals in general, but especially if they’re going to take place at another wedding! 

Closing Thoughts

According to our survey, more than three out of every four Americans would rather propose or be proposed to without parental permission than without a ring. While we can’t guarantee that the future in-laws are going to love you, we can make sure you’ve got the perfect wedding ring for your perfect partner. Shane Co. has a variety of engagement rings in every price range and even the option to buy a ring customized to your loved one’s liking. 

The post An Analysis of the Perfect Proposal in 2021 appeared first on The Loupe.

Gold is a dense, natural element that has captured the attention of humans for thousands of years. Since the time of the ancient Egyptians, who spared no expense in their lavish adoration of gold, this magnificent yellow metal has captivated humankind.

Today, gold is still a dominant choice for jewelry aficionados with a taste for luxury and class. Yet not all gold is equal, and figuring out which gold to get can be a nuanced and time-consuming process. From different levels of purity to a variety of ways to apply it to non-precious metals, not all that glitters is gold.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about gold. We’ll discuss gold application processes, purities, and even prices so you can have a better understanding of what your gold is worth. Let’s start with the major types of gold.

What Are the Different Types of Gold?

Solid gold is a metal that is made either entirely out of pure gold or includes a large percentage of gold in addition to base metals. Gold doesn’t tarnish, rust, or corrode, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer to sweat, swim, and shower in their jewelry. It comes in a variety of colors, from its natural flaxen hue to white and even rosy pink.

Here are the types of solid gold jewelry found at most jewelers:

Pure Gold

Pure gold is exactly what it sounds like — 100 percent gold unearthed from rocks, veins, and alluvial deposits as nuggets or grain. It is the purest, most natural form of gold with no additional metals added. Because it is the most authentic, it is also the most expensive gold on the market.

But despite its alluring value, it isn’t used for jewelry because of how incredibly soft it is. It is the most malleable metal, making it very susceptible to scuffing, scratching, bending, and breaking. Therefore, alloys are used when making gold jewelry in order to blend value and rarity with the hardness that allows for everyday use without fear of damage.

Gold Alloys

Smelters can change the hardness, color, and value of natural gold by mixing it with other metals, creating a combination metal called an alloy. This allows for gold with different physical or aesthetic properties — primarily, alloys are used to increase the durability of gold and to make more affordable jewelry available to the masses.

Gold alloys are considered to be “solid” gold, despite not including 100 percent pure gold. Copper, zinc, nickel, and silver are all common materials used in gold alloys. There are three major alloys you can find at most jewelry stores, including yellow, white, and rose gold.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold is a traditional style and exudes a timeless essence. Yellow gold jewelry, while looking similar to pure gold, is actually alloyed with copper and silver to varying extents depending on the hardness level desired for the piece. It loses some of its yellow appearance as more base metals are added, but gains additional durability in the process.

White Gold

White gold is made from mixing gold with metals like nickel, palladium, zinc, and copper, and is one of the most popular solid gold alloys due to its contemporary appeal. Because of the addition of non-precious or semi-precious metals, white gold is not only beautiful but also an affordable choice.

Note: One of the myths surrounding white gold is that it yellows over time. But in fact, that straw yellow hue is actually the true color of the gold! No white gold is purely white, so it is often plated with rhodium, a metal from the platinum family. Over time, the rhodium wears away from daily use and reveals the straw-tinted white gold underneath. To protect your gold and bring it back to its original color, bring it to a jeweler for a simple re-plating process.

Rose Gold

Rose gold is the beautiful, blush-pink alloy of gold that has risen in popularity during recent years. Typically, rose gold is 14 karats, but more or less copper can be mixed with the gold to achieve unique shades of pink. This keeps rose gold ever-intriguing and flattering for a wide variety of skin tones.

At Shane Co., we use a proprietary alloy for rose gold that no one else has. Dubbed our “signature shade,” it is consistent across all of our rose gold jewelry and can’t be found anywhere else. We’ve found this shade to match incredibly well with the widest range of skin tones and combines beautifully with a rainbow of colorful gems.

What Is the Difference Between Gold Karats?

Yellow, white, and rose gold alloys can all be adjusted to control for their purity, which affects their durability and price. The purity of gold alloys is measured in karats, with a K, not to be confused with carats, which is a measurement for diamond weight. Essentially, the more karats, the more pure gold an alloy contains. Of course, pure gold itself carries the highest purity rating that can be bestowed upon gold — 24 karats.

Because 100 percent gold is 24 karat, we can uncover the gold percentages of lesser karat golds with simple math. The percent of gold will be equal to the karat rating of your gold divided by 24. For instance, 22 karat gold is 91.7% pure gold because 22 / 24 = 0.917

• 22K is 91.7% gold
• 18K is 75.0% gold
• 14K is 58.3% gold
• 10K is 41.7% gold

How do you know the purity of gold in your collection or that you intend to buy? Each piece of jewelry is stamped with a hallmark or a small script that dictates the karat measurement of the metal. Hallmarking dates back to 1238, when Henry III made the first attempt at regulating the standard of gold and silver wares in England.

Today, you’ll either see a modern or a traditional hallmark on jewelry. Modern hallmarks are straightforward, including a number and the letter “K” to distinguish the number of karats. Traditional hallmarks include three digits that describe the percentage of pure gold to the tenth place. For example, the hallmark “916” represents an alloy containing 91.6% pure gold, which is 22 karat.

If you have an heirloom piece that is missing a hallmark or it flattened from wear, there are chemical testing kits to help determine the purity of your gold at home. However, if you don’t trust these DIY kits, you can always bring your piece to a reputable jeweler like Shane Co. to have it tested professionally.

High vs. Low Levels of Gold Purity

Choosing the right level of gold purity is a delicate dance between desirability, usability, and color. Purer forms of gold are richer in color and value, yet suffer low durability. They are better suited for treasured pieces that you might use rarely for very special occasions. Less pure gold, then, sacrifices value and color for increased durability. These alloys are used for everyday pieces like engagement rings or wedding rings that users tend to wear every day and even work or shower in.

It is possible for gold to be so impure that it loses too much value. Anything below 50% gold is often considered to be discount gold or costume jewelry and most jewelers will not carry it. At Shane Co., you will only find gold jewelry of 14k and above, as 10k gold and below does not meet our high standards of quality.

Average Price Ranges for Solid Gold Jewelry

So, how much should you pay for gold, and how much are your own pieces worth? There are several factors that go into the price of new gold jewelry, including the purity of the gold itself, labor to fashion the piece, overhead, and even distribution costs.

If you’re looking to get some extra cash out of old, unwanted pieces you already own, the value will be determined by the amount of pure gold in the piece (its karat measurement) and the world market price for gold as a commodity. Here is more information on determining the price of gold.

As a commodity, the price of pure gold fluctuates. See the chart below for the average price for gold in January of each year from 2017 through 2021.

How Is Gold Applied to Other Metals?

If you’re looking for a cheaper option and don’t mind forgoing some of the authenticity of solid gold jewelry, there are methods of adhering thin layers of gold over cheaper base metals. This allows a piece to look just like gold but carries a drastically lower sticker price.

Gold Plated

Gold-plated jewelry is the most affordable option compared to pieces made with karat gold. A very thin layer of gold adheres to a low-quality base metal through a process called electroplating. Typically, copper or brass are used as base metals and make up the bulk of the piece. However, the base metal is completely covered by the gold veneer, giving off a convincing appearance of solid gold jewelry. Because the gold plating is so thin, these pieces are keen to tarnish and must be taken care of especially well.

Gold Vermeil

Gold vermeil, pronounced “ver-may,” is the Cadillac of gold plating. The process is extremely similar to gold plating, except for the base metal used and the thickness of the plating. Vermeil uses high-quality silver as a base for the gold electroplating process. In addition, the layer of gold is thicker and more durable.

True vermeil plating is at least 100 millionths of an inch thick and consists of at least 10k gold. The gold alloy used is nickel-free and the base metal is silver, meaning gold vermeil is hypo-allergenic. Good news for those who break out in skin irritations when wearing certain jewelry!

Gold Fill

Gold fill has a low-quality base metal, similar to gold-plated pieces. However, it features the thickest layer of gold out of the three methods. The gold is also bonded to its base using high heat instead of electroplating. To qualify as authentic gold fill, the gold must make up at least five percent of the weight of the entire piece. Gold fill pieces typically use 14k gold, making them the most durable and least susceptible to tarnish, compared to gold plating or gold vermeil.

Final Thoughts

You should now be equipped to knowledgeably shop for your next gold piece. Whether it be a gift for someone you love or a splurge for yourself, you can rest assured you’ll choose the right gold type, purity, or plating method. Remember, Shane Co. offers a wide variety of the finest gold jewelry to make your shopping as easy as possible. Still have questions? No problem! We’re always available to chat.

Looking for more information on gold terminology? Make sure to check out our gold glossary below.

Gold Glossary

Alloy: The resulting material when metal is mixed with another metal to achieve desired properties.

Corrosion: The chemical degradation of material through exposure to oxygen. Gold is impervious to tarnish and corrosion, but base metals are not.

Element: A naturally occurring substance that can’t be broken down any further. Pure gold is an element, abbreviated by Au on the periodic table of elements.

Karat: A measure of the amount of pure gold that is in an alloy. One karat is 1/24 of the mass of the metal. Therefore, pure gold has 24 karats.

Hardness: A measurement of how hard a material is relative to a diamond, the hardest material on Earth. Pure gold is incredibly soft, scoring just 2.5 on the Mohs scale. 14k gold, by comparison, is between 3.5 and 4 on the Mohs scale.

Malleability: Similar to hardness, this is a description of how easy it is to bend or hammer metal into shapes. Gold is very malleable and can be easily hammered into thin sheets.

Metal: A class of elements with specific physical properties, such as light reflection, electrical conduction, and malleability. 

Ore: A piece of rock from which minerals and metals may be extracted.

Tarnish: A form of corrosion, tarnish is a physical effect that dulls the luster of a mineral or metal when it is exposed to air and dirt.

Vein: A deposit of minerals or metals in a fracture in the earth.

The post Everything You Need to Know About Types of Gold appeared first on The Loupe.

When you marry someone, you don’t just get the love of your life, but their family, too. While in-laws sometimes get a bad rap, there are other times where they end up being the extended family you never knew you needed. We wanted to see how people in different states feel about their family-in-law, so we put together a survey that garnered both simple ratings and also answers to supplemental questions about mothers-in-law, fathers-in-law, and everyone-else-in-law.

Methodology

Our survey ran for a three-week period at the end of November. We recorded responses from 1,900 people in 41 states and an additional 1,000 people for the general portion of the survey. Participants were asked to rate their in-laws on a scale of 1 to 5 (with 1 being awful and 5 being great) to see which states, per opinion, have the best and worst in-laws overall. The supplemental portion of the survey then gave us some detailed insights into things like how well people get along with their in-laws, how similar they are to them, how likely they are to spend time with them without their spouse, and what traits make a good or bad in-law. Note that the states of Alaska, Delaware, Hawaii, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, South Dakota, Vermont, and Wyoming didn’t have enough participants to draw conclusive data from, and thus were left out of this article. 

States With the Best In-law

And the state that loves its in-laws the most is… Rhode Island! Rhode Island is actually the only state that hit an average of 4 or higher on our 1-to-5 rating scale, as every other state falls somewhere between 3.19 and 3.94. That 3.19 belongs to Arkansas, or as we can now call it, the state that hates its in-laws the most, and the 3.94 belongs to, get this, Massachusetts. This means that the number one and number two states for in-laws are actually bordering each other. But it actually goes even further: The second-worst rating after Arkansas is a 3.38 belonging to Connecticut. This means that the geographic triangle created by Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut is actually just the most conflicted area in the country when it comes to opinions of in-laws. 

Now let’s take a look at how our survey respondents, on average, answered some in-law-specific questions. In the battle between mothers-in-law and fathers-in-law, people are just over 1% more likely to have an “awful” relationship with their father-in-law and just under 4% more likely to have a “great” relationship with their mother-in-law.

When we look at generations, there’s an apparent trend toward getting along better with in-laws the younger you are. However, when looking at the likelihood of spending time with in-laws without their spouse present, basically every generation is about even except for baby boomers, who are much less likely to spend time with any children-in-law.

A Look at In-law Relationships

If you’re like us and thought that in-laws stay with their kids more often than said kids would like, think again. Our survey data shows that the preferred visiting time versus the actual visiting time of in-laws never differs by more than 7%.

If you don’t have the best relationship with your in-laws, there is still hope! While about 10% of our respondents have seen their relationship with the in-laws get worse, a whopping 44.6% report that they’ve seen improvements in the relationship as time has gone on. The majority of our other statistics also lean positive. For example, only about 15% of respondents think their in-laws act differently toward them if their spouse isn’t around, about 78% don’t feel additional stress with their in-laws during the holidays or special occasions, and over 75% say they are comfortable being themselves around their in-laws.

There is a whole one out of five people that said they’d never see their in-laws again if given the choice, however, so there is at least a little truth to the old stereotype about the rocky relationship some have with their spouse’s parents.   

What Makes a Good (or Bad) In-law

If you yourself are an in-law, here’s the section you can actually draw some useful information from! If you want your son- or daughter-in-law to love you more, avoid giving unsolicited advice, keep your distance from their personal life whenever you aren’t invited, dial down the drama, and don’t talk about them behind their back. As for things you should do? Welcome them warmly into the family, treat them like your own child (maybe those two go hand in hand?), provide all the help you can when it’s asked for, and respect their space. 

Closing Thoughts

Families are always welcoming new members through marriage, which means new in-law relationships are being created and developed every day. If you’re thinking about tying the knot and getting some in-laws soon, don’t settle for less when finding the perfect ring to symbolize your love. Visit the Shane Co. website to browse our gorgeous selection of wedding rings and other fine jewelry today. 

The post The States With the Best (& Worst) In-laws appeared first on The Loupe.

The U.S. States with the Best and Worst Kissers – A Survey

Those of us who have experienced a bad kiss know just how cringeworthy the experience can be. Whether it’s a peck on the cheek or a long-lasting lip lock, there are countless ways for the act to go wrong, or very right.

As lifelong students in the school of love, we at Shane Co. became interested in kissing experiences across the U.S. Are there states where poor kissing is standard or states where all the expert kissers reside? To find out, we went straight to the source — American mouths.

Methodology

No, we didn’t start kissing Americans willy-nilly. We conducted a lighthearted survey of more than 2,300 U.S. residents, ensuring at least 50 in every state. We asked them to confess their own kissing prowess on a scale from 1 to 5, with 1 being the worst at kissing and 5 being Aphrodite’s equal. We also asked them to disclose how many different people they have smooched and answer a variety of questions targeted at uncovering kissing preferences in the U.S.

Read on to see what we found!

The States with the Best and Worst Kissers

As a whole, Americans were very modest when it came to ranking themselves as kissers. The national average kissing score was just 3.54 out of 5 — a rating that would cause most to steer clear of an establishment they found on Yelp, let alone lock lips with someone for a steamy make-out session!

But how did individual states rank themselves? Florida’s beach babes and hunks flocked to the top of the list as the country’s best kissers, according to themselves. Floridians rated themselves 3.82, which is 7.86% above the national average!

Other kissers who reckon they’re better than most include those living in New York, Nevada, and Texas, coming in at 7.51%, 6.42%, and 5.19% higher than the national average, respectively.

On the flip side, Alabamans are the least confident in their ability to smooch, ranking themselves a whopping 9.08% below the national average. Midwesterners in Illinois and Michigan come in at fourth and ninth on the list of the 10 states that are the worst at kissing, respectively. Of course, these self-reported kissing disasters could actually be the best kissers in the country and also the most modest.

To look at American kissing talent from another angle, we decided to find out how many partners people kiss on average in every U.S. state.

The States with the Most and Least Kissing Partners

Interestingly, we didn’t see complete overlap between high numbers of kissing partners and high opinions of one’s own kissing talent. In fact, only two of the states that are the best at kissing appeared on the list of the 10 states with the most kissing partners on average. So who admitted to testing out the most merchandise?

Washingtonians exercise their freedom to kiss more than any other state, as residents of D.C. have kissed 28.1 partners on average. That’s 51.15% higher than the national average of 18.6 kissing partners! Mississippians, New Mexicans, and Arkansans also kissed 49.56%, 44.94%, and 43.79% more partners than average.

It’s clear that residents in some states are planting kisses on far more partners than others. But why? What makes the average American pucker up?

Kiss and Tell

The most important asset to a successful kiss is the confidence of the kissing partner. Or so say 1 in 4 Americans we surveyed (26.41%). Exploratory kissers get rewarded too, with 24.27% saying neck kissing is their biggest turn-on. We suppose confidence is a prerequisite for planting hickies, though. Other notable turn-ons include incorporating hands (14.56%), fresh breath (9.90%), biting/nibbling on lips (9.42%), and words of affirmation (9.03%). Surprisingly, in the wake of the Me Too movement, asking for permission was the biggest kissing turn-on for just 3.69% of respondents.

Curious to know if kissing has changed over the years and among the sexes, we gathered insights by gender and generation. We discovered that the spark has all but fizzled for 21.01% of boomers, who never kiss their partner. On the other hand, 44% of Gen X respondents have experienced the romantic cliche of kissing in the rain.

In terms of gender, we asked about the elephant in the kissing booth — mustaches. According to our results, 16.84% of women would not kiss a mustachioed partner while 15.37% of men would.

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall

If you’d kiss a mustache, why not the next hairiest thing — a cute, slobbering pupper? That’s the same question 23.68% of respondents asked, and answered, by kissing their dogs on the mouth! In fact, 13.95% of respondents actually owned up to kissing their floof more than their actual romantic partners.

But wait, there’s more. Dogs aren’t the only non-human thing people are kissing. 30.78% of respondents are very uncomfortable with kissing in public, leading 34.47% to kiss someone or something for practice. A larger percentage (38.25%) kiss platonic partners while 7.81% of Gen Zers have gotten to first base with their mirror for practice.

Final Thoughts

After conducting this survey, we learned that kissing isn’t as simple as locking lips with the nearest human. For example, Americans in some states have more kissing partners than those in other states, and ascribe themselves kissing competency ratings that don’t correlate with the number of partners they’ve smooched. Additionally, dogs are quite possibly the most kissed Americans, and we can’t totally count out platonic friends and inanimate objects from being on the receiving end of puckered lips.

It may sound sappy, but this survey proves that every relationship, every romance, and even every kiss is completely unique. At Shane Co., we believe you should celebrate that with a one-of-a-kind diamond that can only capture the fire of your specific love. We’ll help you find the perfect one in our unmatched selection of engagement rings, jewelry, and loose stones.

The post The U.S. States with the Best and Worst Kissers appeared first on The Loupe.

It’s true what they say — diamonds are forever. They’re one of the hardest substances on Earth, ranking a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. They also symbolize our unbreakable bond of love and commitment, sentiments that we hope to share forever with our better half. And yet, you might find that the inevitable passage of time erodes the once pristine brilliance of your diamond.

Don’t worry, this is completely normal and doesn’t foreshadow any trouble in the department of love. Instead, it simply means your diamond needs a good cleaning to restore its blinding fire.

Why Should You Clean Your Diamond?

Although diamonds themselves are nearly indestructible, their brilliant shine is more fragile. But to understand why you should clean your diamond, you first should understand why they shine so brightly.

Diamonds get their fire from phenomena of light — reflection and refraction. At any given moment, light is cast down on your diamond. Some of that light immediately bounces back off of its surface, which is called reflection. The rest travels through the diamond, bouncing — or refracting — off of its carefully crafted facets and back through the top toward your eye. This creates the fiery shimmer diamonds are known for.

Over time, oil from your fingers transfers to the gemstone’s surface and creates the perfect environment for dust and dirt to collect. This makes the surface more opaque or cloudy, blocking out precious light and reducing its refraction. The result is a duller appearance. But how often do you need to restore your diamond’s natural shine?

How Often Should You Clean Your Diamond?

A diamond should be cleaned regularly to maintain brilliance and fire. In fact, we recommend various levels of cleaning at various intervals to keep diamonds looking at their best. For best results, clean your diamonds at the following intervals:

Daily. For daily touch-ups, it’s perfectly safe to wipe down your diamonds with a soft, lint-free microfiber cloth. Just don’t rub too hard or use anything that could scratch metal or leave unwanted fibers stuck underneath prongs or fittings.

Semi-monthly. As dirt and debris collect on your diamond over the course of weeks and months, give the stone a more thorough cleaning. Aim to accomplish this every two months. There are a variety of DIY ways to safely clean your diamond and some that can cause harm. We will cover all of this and more later in this guide.

Semi-annually. Every six months, we recommend having your diamond cleaned professionally for optimal head-turning brilliance. At Shane Co., we offer free cleanings in-store to make it easier for our customers to show off their rocks year-round. Along with restoring that pristine shine, a knowledgeable gemologist will check for loose stones and bent prongs and ensure your piece leaves our store in great condition.

So how do you spruce up your jewelry in between professional cleanings? Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of cleaning diamonds at home.

Diamond-Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t scrub your diamond with the nearest chemicals and abrasives. Yes, it’s easy to assume that due to its stalwart composition, a diamond can handle the harshest suds in your cleaning closet. However, this could not be further from the truth.

1. Don’t use bleach, chlorine, or acetone. It is imperative that you keep your diamond jewelry far away from this harmful chemical trio, according to the Gemological Institute of America. While the stones themselves might survive unscathed, these harsh chemicals can erode precious metals, worsening the overall look of the piece or allowing the diamond to fall out of its setting, never to be found again.

2. Don’t use manual abrasives. The main problem with using abrasive materials to clean your diamond, again, is the damage they can cause to any metal rings or fittings. As brides.com reported after interviewing Mark Mann, director of Global Jewelry Manufacturing Arts at GIA, abrasive products like toothpaste, baking soda, or powdered cleaners will easily scratch gold and other precious metals.
3. Don’t work next to a sink or drain. No, seriously. Just don’t do it. It’s no use playing the hero and thinking that you definitely won’t be that person who drops their diamond down the drain. And yet, it’s happened to the best of us and simply is not worth the risk. A large serving bowl filled with water is a much more suitable environment for your diamond-cleaning needs.

How to Clean Your Diamond Properly

Now that you know what not to do, let’s cover the best ways to clean your diamond at home. There are several popular schools of thought as to the best process and we will go over the pros and cons of each.

1. Use a gentle degreaser. The best way to clean your diamond at home is to bathe it in a gentle degreasing solution such as warm water and regular dish soap. Allow the diamond to sit in this bath for 20 to 40 minutes to loosen dirt particles and finger oil. Then retrieve the piece of jewelry and wipe it down with a lint-free dishcloth or microfiber towel.

If stuck-on dirt remains, particularly in the grooves where diamond and prong meet, you might need to employ a toothbrush with very soft bristles and gently brush the problem areas. Be especially careful when brushing antique jewelry or a tension setting where the diamond is being held in place by pressure alone.

Then, rinse off the diamond again (not near the sink!), assess your progress, and if satisfactory, pat dry once more with the lint-free towel of your choice. Diamond jewelry should not be allowed to air dry in order to avoid water stains.

2. Use a formulated cleaning solution. Store-bought solutions are another incredibly cheap option, but slightly riskier. Unlike over-the-counter household cleaners, these are specially designed to be safe on jewelry. However, you need to read the label to ensure you have the right product for the job.

For instance, some solutions are formulated for specific jobs or metals, such as Connoisseurs Silver Jewelry Cleaner, which targets tarnish on silver. For diamonds, you’d want to go for their Fine Jewelry Cleaner instead. Choosing the wrong cleaner still could lead to damage if you’re not careful.

3. Use a steam cleaner. Steam cleaning is an effective albeit pricier process for restoring shine to your diamonds. This method uses pressurized steam to rid jewelry of grease and grime without resorting to harmful chemicals. It’s safe for precious metals as well as diamonds and other gemstones. Plus, they have the added benefit of killing bacteria in the process!

Some considerations are whether the size of the holding cup is large enough for your jewelry and which cleaning modes are available. You’ll want to match the cleaning mode and cleaning solution to the condition of your jewelry. Plus, if you have especially tarnished or blackened pieces, a steam cleaner might not have the chops to clean them fully.

4. Use an ultrasonic cleaner (proceed with caution). Ultrasonic cleaners work by sending sonic micro-vibrations through liquid (usually water or a gentle cleaning solution) to jostle free dirt and residue stuck to the surface of the piece. This is a very effective way to clean diamonds and is common practice for trained professionals. However, it can be risky when tried at home.

Even consumer-grade ultrasonic cleaners produce a brilliant result, but the risks often overshadow the rewards. If you’re cleaning jewelry with fragile diamond settings, they can knock stones loose and cause more harm than good. The vibrations can cause diamonds to become loose or break free.

If you use an ultrasonic cleaner, be judicial when selecting appropriate pieces for the method. Anything with pavé stones or delicate settings should be left out of the question. If your stone has a lower clarity grade or has been treated by a non-permanent method to attain its color, it is not suitable for ultrasonic cleaning either. Check the diamond’s grading report to be sure. While Shane Co. never treats its stones to enhance their color using non-permanent methods, some less reputable jewelers do. If your stone didn’t come from Shane Co., it may have been treated to enhance its color by a method other than heating with beryllium, and putting such a stone in an ultrasonic could remove its enhanced color.

Keeping Diamonds Clean and Safe Care Practices

So you already have your diamonds professionally cleaned twice a year, clean them yourself every other month, and wipe them down daily, but dirt and grime still cloud their brilliant shine? Don’t worry, all hope is not lost. Here are some lifestyle alterations that can help your diamonds shine on.

1. Handle as sparingly as possible. This one seems obvious, but it’s sort of like avoiding touching your face when you’re sick. Many jewelry owners subconsciously adjust a ring, fiddle with a necklace, and otherwise touch their diamond jewelry constantly without even realizing it. And each time they do, they deposit finger oil that attracts more dirt. Try to be aware of this bad habit and kick it for a longer-lasting diamond sparkle.

2. Avoid thick lotions and creams. Whether you’re applying sunscreen before a day at the beach or hairspray before a night on the town, this is an excellent time to remove your diamond ring. In general, you should avoid applying thick lotions, creams, and sprays on or around your diamond to prevent residue build-up or discoloration.

3. Avoid sweat, grease, and grime. Your diamond doesn’t have bills to pay or mouths to feed, so leave it off your finger when doing manual labor or cooking! There is no sense in subjecting your diamond to any activities that will cause a build-up of dirt, sweat, or grease.

4. Store diamonds properly. A key to keeping your diamonds in good condition is proper storage. Here’s how to keep your diamonds (and other jewelry) safe while not in use.

• Avoid extreme temperatures and humidity. Admittedly, this one is more for the precious metal that your diamond is likely attached to. Nevertheless, high humidity and temperature extremes can tarnish or discolor jewelry. Store your diamond jewelry in a temperate place with consistently low humidity.
• Store your diamonds away from other jewelry. Because they rank a 10 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, they can scratch every other material in your jewelry collection. That’s why it’s best to store them away from other gemstones — and even each other. Instead, store them in their original box, a felt-lined compartmentalized jewelry box, or wrapped in a microfiber cloth.
• Store away from dirt and corrosion. A dusty old heirloom box is not the best place to store your diamond jewelry. Equally important, that smelly, tarnished pawn shop find doesn’t belong next to your grandma’s wedding ring. The smell, and even corrosion, could transfer over to the priceless piece. Instead, keep your jewelry in a clean and well-maintained space.

Final Thoughts

There you have it. You are now fully equipped to take care of your diamond jewelry for unending enjoyment. And remember, our free lifetime warranty covers every aspect of your jewelry, including the center stone. That means we will take care of you even if you do lose a few pavé stones during an ultrasonic cleaning tragedy. But if you still have questions about how to clean your diamond, refer to our FAQs below.

Frequently Asked

How can I make my diamond shiny at home?

The best way to clean a diamond at home is to put it into a bath of warm water and a few drops of dish soap. Let it soak for 20-40 minutes and wipe it dry with a lint-free cloth. If stubborn stuck-on dirt remains, repeat the process but scrub the ring gently with a soft-bristled toothbrush this time.

Can you clean diamonds with vinegar?

Yes and no. Vinegar will not harm diamonds themselves as they are impervious to acids. However, it will harm other semi-precious stones as well as any metals with a copper alloy like rose gold. Since vinegar is temperamental with some materials likely to be found in your jewelry box, it’s best to avoid this solution altogether.

Is it OK to clean diamonds with toothpaste?

No, it isn’t safe to clean diamonds with toothpaste. The abrasive grit will cause harm to any metal settings, rings, or chains.

Can I use Windex to clean my diamond ring?

According to The Knot, Windex is benign enough to be used on diamonds in a 50/50 solution with hydrogen peroxide. Still, though, we recommend not taking any chances with household cleaning products that could potentially damage your stone or ring.

Why does my diamond look cloudy?

Over time, finger oil builds up on your diamond’s facets through regular use. Dirt then sticks to the oil, causing a dull, cloudy appearance. In this case, simply cleaning the rock will suffice. If the cloudy look isn’t replaced by shine after a good cleaning, it could be a permanent affliction caused by inclusions (or defects) in the stone itself.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Diamond Cleaning appeared first on The Loupe.

No matter what they’re up to –– pandemic weddings, music video collabs, even stepping down from royal life –– celebrities are just more magnetic when they’re coupled up.

Whether they’re posing on a red carpet or secretly vacationing in Saint Tropez, one thing’s for sure: we care whom they’re doing it with. And we all have a favorite pairing!

At Shane Co., we’re no different. We keep a close eye on all things pop culture, particularly celebrity couples. You never know when someone might be on the best-dressed list with a new rock on their finger! Our enthusiasm for celebrity duos led us to investigate: which celebrity couples are the masses Googling most in 2021? We turned to Google Trends to find out.

In Google Trends, we analyzed the search volume of 40 iconic celebrity couples over the past 12 months to find the most popular celebrity couple in each state and nationwide. Find out if the couple you’re swooning over made the list!

The Most Popular Celebrity Couple in Every U.S. State

Justin and Hailey Bieber

Justin and Hailey Bieber were most popular in Arizona, Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Pennsylvania.

The couple has known each other since they were young teenagers, and while their relationship oscillated between friendly and romantic through their youth, in 2018 they married in a secret courthouse ceremony.

While there’s no glaring geographic connection between the states that chose Justin and Hailey Bieber (the Biebers themselves actually seem to spend most of their time in a Canadian mansion), Justin does have 2022 world tour stops set in Glendale, Chicago, Indianapolis, Des Moines, Minneapolis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. Perhaps someone should tell him to book a tour stop in Arkansas, and bring Hailey!

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin

Alec and Hilaria Baldwin’s relationship may have been most popular in three states (Colorado, Ohio, and Tennessee) for a number of reasons. They are both active on social media and a Twitter thread went viral in December 2020 speculating the misrepresentation of Hilaria’s heritage, which she later apologized for on Instagram.

They also welcomed a newborn son and a daughter within six months of each other.

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi

Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi were most popular in Alabama, Massachusetts, and Missouri.

“The Ellen DeGeneres Show” began its final season in September 2021 after a year of controversy surrounding the workplace environment, which may have led to the search popularity of the couple.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck were most popular in Washington D.C., Florida, and Nevada.

The pair famously got engaged in 2002 and split due to media pressure, but 19 years later they’re back together and reportedly shopping for engagement rings. They’ve been Insta official since July 2021. We can see why the rekindled lovers appeal to anyone who’s ever championed a second chance at romance.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker

Connecticut, Kentucky, and Rhode Island’s most popular celebrity couple is Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.

This particular instance of friends-to-lovers appeals to Blink-182 fans (Travis is the drummer) and reality TV junkies alike (hello, “Keeping Up with the Kardashians”). This might be a couple for fans interested in how celebrities parent. Both Kourtney and Travis have three kids of their own.

The Most Popular Celebrity Couples Overall

The top-searched celebrity couple is Justin and Hailey Bieber, reigning supreme across seven states. Runner-up couples who were most Googled in three states were Alec and Hilaria Baldwin; Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi; Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck; and Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker.

Wrapping Up

Which couple is next to tie the knot? We’ll be watching those ring fingers. Shop our collection of red carpet-worthy engagement rings to see styles that might get their time in the limelight next!

The post The Most Popular Celebrity Couple in Every U.S. State appeared first on The Loupe.

At Shane Co., we have a soft spot for love and the music that goes along with it. So, we began to wonder: What are the most popular love songs for when you’re falling for someone? We turned to Spotify and Google Trends to find out.

Methodology

We found the most popular love songs by using Spotify’s Playlist Miner. The Playlist Miner aggregates the top tracks from the most popular public playlists on Spotify that match certain search criteria. Our search term for this campaign was “love songs.” We entered the term “love songs” and Spotify found the tracks that have appeared most frequently on love song playlists. We then replicated this process for the search term “classic love songs” to find the oldies/classic love songs that appeared most frequently on love song playlists.

After finding the top 50 modern love songs and the top 50 classic love songs using the methods above, we found the Spotify popularity score and the number of Spotify streams for each song. Spotify’s popularity score is based on the total number of plays a track has and how recent those plays are. Artist popularity and album popularity are also factored into the score.

From there, we analyzed Google Trends search data of Spotify’s top 50 modern and classic love songs over the past 12 months to uncover the most popular modern and classic love songs in each state. Lastly, we scraped the lyrics of the top 100 love songs to find the most commonly used words in these popular tunes.

Read on to see if your favorite love track made the list!

The 20 Most Popular Modern Love Songs

To no surprise, Ed Sheeran, the red-headed icon himself, dominated the charts with his romantic hits. With over 2.8 billion streams, “Shape of You” ranked at the top of the list. A total of four Ed Sheeran songs not only made our list but placed in the top seven modern love songs: “Shape of You” (#1), “Thinking Out Loud” (#4), “Perfect” (#6), and “Photograph” (#7). Of those four, “Perfect” had the highest Spotify popularity score of 81. 

Of course, non-Sheeran songs also scored high on our list. The Chainsmokers and Halsey secured the spot for the second-most-popular modern love song, “Closer,” at over 2 billion streams on Spotify. “Someone You Loved” by Lewis Capaldi followed closely behind, earning 1.9 million Spotify streams. 

To our delight, Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s show-stopping duet, “Shallow,” made the top 10. John Legend and Bruno Mars were other household names landing in the top 20.  

The 20 Most Popular Classic Love Songs

No love song analysis would be complete without including the classics. Whitney Houston is the only artist to place in the top 20 most streamed classic love songs more than once. The eternal staple party song, “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” took first place in the rankings at 655 million streams. Whitney Houston’s famous power ballad, “I Will Always Love You,” also made the list, ranking eighth with nearly 400 million streams. 

The Temptations song “My Girl” captured the hearts of women across generations, with over 500 million Spotify streams to date. I mean, who doesn’t love pretending a song is written for them? This classic secured the number two spot in the ranking at nearly 505 million streams. The king of rock ‘n’ roll himself, Elvis Presley, followed closely behind with classic love song number three, “Can’t Help Falling in Love.” Rounding out the top five classic love songs are Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl” and “Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac. 

The Top-Searched Modern-Day Love Song in Every State

Next, we decided to look at which top songs lovebirds in each state are Googling the most. Using Google Trends, we identified the top-searched modern love song in each U.S. state over the past year. 

Again, Ed Sheeran makes a strong showing. His sweet song “Thinking Out Loud” is most searched in three states, and a go-to first-dance song for freshly wed couples. Love tunes by Harry Styles, BTS, Justin Bieber, and Florence + the Machine are also sprinkled across the map. 

The Top-Searched Classic Love Song in Every State

Using Google Trends, we also identified the top-searched classic or “oldies” love songs in each U.S. state. George Michael’s “Careless Whisper,” Billy Joel’s “Uptown Girl,” and Aretha Franklin’s “I Say a Little Prayer” were all the top-searched song in three states. The rock ‘n’ roll band with horns, Chicago, also made their mark on this map. Their hit song “If You Leave Me Now” is the top-searched song in Massachusetts and West Virginia, while “Hard to Say I’m Sorry” is the top-searched song in Iowa. 

The Most Common Words Found in Top-Ranked Love Songs

Lastly, we took a look into what exactly goes into a love song. More specifically, we uncovered the most commonly used words in the Top 100 Love Songs on Spotify. To no surprise, the word “love” dominated this lyric scrape. Terms of endearment also sprinkled our findings, like “baby,” “beautiful,” and “darling.” We also found high numbers of words that describe desire, like “now,” “want,” “forever,” “need,” and “always.”
That wraps up our ultimate love song analysis. We hope these findings inspire you to create your own “feel-good” love song playlists. Perhaps you have Whitney Houston on repeat and are ready to start ring shopping? Shop our collection of beautiful engagement rings, or show yourself some love with our personalized jewelry!

The post The Most Popular Love Songs in 2021, Ranked appeared first on The Loupe.

The story of diamonds has long been a romantic tale. From their formation underneath the earth for millions of years to their use in sentimental jewelry like custom engagement rings, anniversary gifts, birthday presents, and wedding bands, it’s no wonder we find their story so intoxicating. But what about the mining process? Did you know that the diamond industry actually creates jobs in communities all over the world? Read on to find out how diamonds are mined and what makes this process so special.

What Type of Mining Is Used for Diamonds?

There are three main processes for mining diamonds: alluvial mining, marine mining, and pipe mining.

Alluvial Mining

Alluvial diamond mining focuses on extracting diamonds found in the sand and mud along river banks. Over a long period of time, these diamonds have been carried by the river from a rock formation where they were grown to their eventual place deposited along the river banks. Alluvial miners will sift through the sediment to find these gemstones. Larger alluvial mining projects may separate the earth from the water in order to simplify the process.

Marine Mining

Marine diamond mining, as its name suggests, occurs in the ocean. This process uses large ships to dredge up material along the seafloor, then transfers it to a treatment plant on the ship where the gravel and other earth are sifted to locate the diamonds. Leftover sediment is usually returned to the ocean. Before any ships go out, the seafloor is scanned and sampled, and a plan is devised for which areas are most likely to hold diamonds.

Pipe Mining

The method of diamond mining you’re probably most familiar with is called pipe mining. First, prospectors locate the primary sources for pipe deposits (in other words, where the diamonds are most likely to be found). Ore samples are then collected to evaluate the area. Then, shanks are inserted into the ground and soil is extracted. Raw rock and soil are not usually examined onsite, instead being transported to plants where the ore is processed and the rough diamonds can be extracted.

Where Are Diamonds Found?

Natural diamonds have been found all over the world! In fact, 35 countries have been known to hold deposits of natural diamond, including the United States. Some of the most well-known countries for diamond mining include Australia, Botswana, Brazil, China, Russia, and South Africa.

How Is a Rough Diamond Extracted?

The process of extracting a rough diamond is a long one. It takes time and effort to obtain the rough diamonds that will eventually become beautiful pieces of jewelry.

Stage One: Crushing

Ore is collected and transferred to a crusher, which will crush the much larger pieces of ore into smaller ones, making them more manageable. A secondary crusher is sometimes used to break the ore down into even smaller pieces.

Stage Two: Scrubbing

Pieces of ore are scrubbed to remove any excess material. They are then screened and pieces of ore that are smaller than 1.5mm are removed, as it’s too expensive to try to extract diamonds from these small pieces.

Stage Three: Cyclonic Separation Plant

A solution is mixed, containing ferrosilicon powder and water, and then mixed with the diamond-bearing ore. This mixture is then put into a cyclone and tumbled, forcing the materials with the highest density to sink to the bottom of the cyclone.

Stage Four: Recovery

The leftover diamond-rich concentrate goes through various processes, including magnetic susceptibility, x-ray luminescence, and crystallographic laser fluorescence. These processes will separate the rough diamonds from other dense materials that were collected in the cyclone separation plant. Diamonds will also emit flashes of light, which are detected by sensors, and in turn the diamonds receive a blast of air and are spit into a collection box.

Stage Five: Cleaning, Weighing, and Packaging

The diamonds are then cleaned in an acid solution, washed, weighed, and packaged for transport. Each container is thoroughly sealed with a tamper-resistant seal and numbered onsite.

To learn more about diamonds, or to start the process of buying your own, you can visit Shane Co.’s Engagement Ring Buying Guide.

The post How Are Diamonds Mined? appeared first on The Loupe.

Are Lab-Created Diamonds Real?

A lab-created diamond is a diamond that is grown in a controlled laboratory setting through a process which helps to mimic the structure of a natural diamond as it’s being formed. While natural diamonds can take millions of years (and an extensive amount of pressure!) to form, lab-created diamonds can be formed within only weeks. Although they are not the same as natural diamonds, their chemical structure is inherently similar, and if they are not graded by the GIA and marked as lab-created, it’s possible to confuse them for natural diamonds because of their similarities in structure.

The Cost of Lab-Created Diamonds

Because of their lower price point, you can get a bigger diamond for your budget with a lab-grown diamond. Shane Co. carries both natural and lab-grown diamonds, so you can make the choice that works best for you and your significant other!

How Are Lab-Created Diamonds Made?

Labs that produce lab-created diamonds use two different methods to create them: High Pressure-High Temperature (HPHT), and Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD). 

With HPHT, a small diamond “seed” is put into a piece of carbon, then pressurized to 1.5 million pounds per square inch using a belt press, cubic press, or split-sphere press. It’s also exposed to temperatures ranging over 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. The combined pressure and heat melt the carbon, forming a diamond around the “seed” that is subsequently cooled once formed.

CVD also begins with a diamond seed, which is placed inside a sealed chamber and then heated to over 1,400 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s filled with carbon-rich gases, such as methane and hydrogen, then ionized into plasma using a technology that’s similar to lasers or microwaves. This process breaks down the molecular bond of the gas, causing pure carbon to begin to stick to the seed, forming a new diamond.

What Makes Shane Co. Diamonds Better

At Shane Co., we value long-lasting relationships — whether it’s the love of two partners or our relationships with our customers and diamond suppliers. We believe that an engagement ring is more than just a token, it’s a symbol of your love. Both our lab-grown diamonds and are natural diamonds are hand-picked for quality, and cut by the best diamond cutters for superior sparkle. We get first pick of all natural and lab-grown diamonds because of our long-standing relationships with our suppliers, enabling us to ensure only the highest quality for all our stones. Whether you choose a natural or a lab-grown diamond for your engagement ring, you’ll have all the perks of our Free Lifetime Warranty…because that’s what a friend would do.

The post What Are Lab-Created Diamonds? appeared first on The Loupe.

What is sapphire?

As the gemstone variety of the mineral corundum, this stone is created much like other natural stones: with millions of years of pressure beneath the earth’s surface. Trace elements like iron, titanium, chromium, copper and magnesium give sapphires their unique colors. Though September is usually known for the rich blue variety, this superstar gem also comes in pink, green, yellow and many more colors. The only one missing is red — this color of corundum is known as ruby.

Did you know?

Some sapphires can create a starburst effect, also known as asterism, when you look closely. This is due to trapped inclusions that create a six-ray star pattern in the surface of the stone.

Sapphire’s history

This special stone has been mined since at least 800 B.C., probably earlier. While we don’t know the details surrounding the first discovery of sapphire, most historians guess that it was discovered in streams and riverbeds, where they have been washed away by erosion and many years of rain. With a long and storied history, this gem has always been prized for its rich blue hue and sparkling exterior.

Greeks wore them when they sought guidance from an oracle, while Buddhists believed the stone brought spiritual enlightenment. Hindus also used it during worship, and the ancient Hebrews at one time believed the Ten Commandments had been carved into tablets made of sapphire, though the references in the Bible may also have been referring to another blue stone — lapis lazuli.

Did you know?

Because of its extreme durability, this stone is also used in industrial application. The Apple Watch has a screen made of sapphire glass, while other electronics and similar products make use of its hardness.

Royal origins

This vibrant blue stone is well known for being popular among royals and has been the stone of choice for some famous engagement rings. In 1796, French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte proposed to his wife-to-be Josephine with a sapphire engagement ring. Featuring a pear-shaped sapphire and diamond on a simple gold band, the ring later sold at auction for close to a million dollars.

Britain’s Prince Charles also famously gifted Lady Diana Spencer with a 12-carat sapphire engagement ring, becoming one of the most recognizable rings we know of. In 2010, Prince William proposed to Kate Middleton with this same ring.

Did you know?

According to a well-known legend, Helen of Troy owned a blue star sapphire that held the key to her unmatched desirability — she apparently had at least 30 suitors looking to wed! It’s possible that the face that launched a thousand ships actually owed it all to our favorite September birthstone.

Other famous gems

One of the most famous (and biggest) sapphires ever discovered is the Star of India. At an incredible 563 carats, this star sapphire was found in Sri Lanka. After discovery, George Frederick Kunz procured it for John Pierpont Morgan to be displayed at the 1900 Paris Exposition. It was later donated to the Museum of Natural History, where it remains — though it was stolen in October 1964 before being returned in January of 1965.

The Rockefeller Sapphire is an internally flawless blue stone weighing 62.02 carats, getting its name from one-time owner John D. Rockefeller Jr. The famous Rockefeller purchased the stone from an Indian maharajah in 1934.

The Logan Sapphire was mined in Sri Lanka during the 1900s before being purchased by Colonel M. Robert Guggenheim as a gift for his wife, Rebecca, in 1952. She ended up donating the stone to the Smithsonian. It received the name “Logan” after Rebecca’s new surname. This stone weighs in at 422.99 carats and is the largest set gem in the National Gem Collection.

Spiritual and mystical properties

Also known as the “stone of wisdom,” sapphire is believed to release mental tension, unwanted thoughts and spiritual confusion, restoring balance within the body and mind. It is believed that wearers of this gem are better able to focus, maintain self-discipline and channel higher powers. The deep blue color of the stone once symbolized heaven, attracting divine favor and wise judgement.

September birthstone gifts

Necklaces

This Traditional Blue Sapphire and Diamond Three-Stone Pendant features three beautiful round sapphires with five round diamonds adding a touch of sparkly detail. A simple, classic design, this necklace will delight any September baby.

In our signature shade of Kentucky blue, this Pear-Shaped Sapphire and Round Diamond Pendant features a single pear-shaped September birthstone highlighted by 33 round diamonds, crafted in 14k white gold. Elegant and sophisticated, this necklace makes the perfect special occasion piece.

Shop all sapphire necklaces here.

Rings

For a pop of contemporary style, this Baguette Traditional Sapphire and Diamond Ring in 14k Rose Gold is just the thing. The tapered baguette sapphires show off a fashionable trend, with our signature shade of rose gold complementing every skin tone perfectly.

One of our favorites, this Multi-Blue Sapphire and Diamond Ring is a show-stopping piece that’s still great for everyday wear. A collection of 85 round stones in many shades of blue are paired up with diamonds perfectly on this gorgeous cluster ring.

Shop all sapphire rings here.

Earrings

These floral-inspired Traditional Blue Sapphire and Diamond Earrings are a fun and flirty gift for your September baby. With eight pear-shaped sapphires and round accent diamonds, you can even find a matching pendant necklace for the ultimate look.

With 10 round traditional blue sapphires and 72 round diamonds, these sparkling Traditional Blue Sapphire and Diamond Hoop Earrings will transform any outfit into a runway-ready look.

Shop all sapphire earrings here.

Bracelets

This Kentucky Blue and White Sapphire Bracelet features classic style that will go beautifully with any wardrobe choice. Pair it with other bracelets for a stackable look or by itself as an elegant addition to their jewelry collection.

For a hint of vintage style, this Kentucky Blue Sapphire and Diamond Bracelet is perfect. With 14k rose gold and five pear-shaped stones, chances are she’ll love to wear this unique piece.

Shop all sapphire bracelets here.

Want to see more beautiful birthstones? Visit ShaneCo.com to find out why we’re the best place to go for gifts, no matter the occasion. Shop online or visit us in-store to explore all our gorgeous gifts. You can even book a virtual or in-store appointment for help from our expert jewelry consultants!

The post Sapphire – September’s Birthstone appeared first on The Loupe.

But before you actually move, there are a few questions worth thinking about.

1. Why do we want to move in together?

The first (and, arguably, most important) question you should ask yourselves is: Why are we doing this? No, seriously. It may seem obvious, but there are a million reasons why you’d want to share a home with your partner…and not all of them might be worth making the decision for. Is it primarily financially motivated? Do you hate having to travel back and forth? Can’t stand to spend another minute living without them? Whatever your reasons are, make sure you’re both on the same page before jumping into a lease together.

2. How will you divide expenses?

Talking about money can be awkward, but it’s necessary if you want to avoid some potentially huge arguments in the future. Once you’re cohabitating, do you continue to keep separate bank accounts and pay from each, or do you open up a shared one you pay your living expenses from? How do you divide up rent, groceries, utilities, and other shared expenses? It’s worth writing down how you plan to work out finances once you move in together, so that you both have a record of how you’ve agreed to contribute to the household.

3. What happens if we break up?

Another not-so-fun but vital question to ponder before moving in together is what happens if things end. Is all your furniture considered shared? Does one person get to stay in the home while the other leaves? If you own the property together, do you sell it and divide the cost? These questions can be uncomfortable, so set aside some time together as a couple. You can even pair it with something fun, like a Friday night cocktail or your favorite takeout meal, and take your time figuring out where you stand beforehand.

4. What does the future hold for us?

There’s no doubt about it — moving in together is a big deal, which is why it’s also a good time to discuss how you see the relationship growing in the future. Are you both looking forward to marriage or are you happy with the way things are? Does one of you want kids while the other doesn’t? These are all good questions to ask yourselves as you move on to the next big step in your relationship.

5. How much personal space do you need?

Are you okay with spending all your time together in a studio apartment, or do you want to make sure you have a room of your own where you can escape from each other a little bit? If one of you tends to need a lot of time alone while the other prefers to spend most of your time together, that’s probably something you should discuss before moving in. That way, at least you know that if one of you is getting a little cranky, it may be time to spend some time apart. You can also designate certain areas or come up with “signals” to give each other so that you know when it’s time for some privacy.

6. How do you navigate chores/cleaning?

Is one of you a clean freak while the other couldn’t care less? Besides discussing what your personal cleaning and hygiene patterns are, this is also a good time to figure out how you would like to divide up chores once you’re living together. Trust us — you’ll avoid a lot of arguments by deciding whose turn it is to do the dishes or take the trash out beforehand.

Can you think of any other questions to ask before moving in together? Ready to take the plunge? Let us know what you think by following us on social media @shanecompany or leaving a comment on the blog. You can also start exploring housewarming gifts for your honey, promise rings, engagement rings, and more on ShaneCo.com.

The post 6 Questions to Ask Your Partner Before Moving in Together appeared first on The Loupe.

It’s no surprise that at Shane Co., we love natural diamonds. As the most popular stone used in engagement ring designs, diamonds are classically beautiful and full of meaning. However, they are not the only choice for engagement rings. Whether you’re looking for a more affordable option, something colorful, or just want to explore what’s out there, these alternatives to diamond rings are certainly gorgeous.

1. Colorful Sapphires

Sapphires are one of the most common choices as an alternative to diamonds, because of their stunning sparkle and wide range of colors. Once thought to bring spiritual enlightenment, sapphires are rated a 9 out of 10 on the Mohs scale of hardness, meaning they’re exceptionally durable and will last a long time in your ring. While traditional sapphires are usually thought of as blue, Shane Co. carries over a dozen colorful shades of sapphires, ranging from bright yellow to sultry black and everything in between.

2. Aquamarine

A newly popular stone, aquamarine shines a light blue and will look gorgeous with any engagement ring setting. Named after the ocean because of its calming color, aquamarine is strong enough to wear as a ring, though not as strong as diamond or sapphire, rated a 7.5-8 on the Mohs scale. It was often used by fishermen for protection at sea and is perfect for a unique look, even if you’re not a big swimmer.

3. Morganite

Morganite is very on trend right now, and it’s no wonder why! This gorgeous peachy-pink gemstone looks beautiful with every skin tone, creates a romantic, rose-like feel, and works particularly well with vintage and halo-style rings. Also rated a 7.5-8, it will hold up for everyday wear, especially if you’re taking good care of it.

4. Ruby

Known for symbolizing passion, protection, and prosperity, deep red rubies are always a wonderful choice for an engagement ring. Shane Co. rubies, like all our gemstones, are hand-picked to ensure the highest quality and depth of color. Bring out the exceptional color of your ruby by surrounding it with a halo of sparkling diamonds. Like sapphires, rubies rate a 9 on the Mohs scale of hardness, making them remarkably durable for long-term wear.

5. Amethyst

Did you know that accounts say St. Valentine had an amethyst ring carved with the image of Cupid? This rich stone is a beautiful option if you’re looking for something a little more out of the box. While Shane Co. doesn’t carry loose amethyst gemstones for use in engagement ring settings, we have plenty of amethyst fashion rings that can easily be worn as an engagement ring. Just remember that amethyst is only a 7 on the Mohs scale, so you may have to take a little more care when choosing when to wear it.

6. White Sapphires

If you prefer the look of diamonds because of their ability to match with everything, but are worried about the size of your budget, try choosing a white sapphire as a center stone for your engagement ring. These sparkling beauties offer the same clean look as a diamond at a much lower price point. They’re strong, simple, and sparkly!

The post 6 Alternatives to Diamond Rings appeared first on The Loupe.

Lustrous and sophisticated pearls are the June birthstone. The June birthstone is a unique gem because it is the only one that is not actually a stone, since it’s formed within various species of freshwater and saltwater mollusks, rather than as minerals underneath the earth. Pearls’ feminine elegance makes them perfect to wear for any occasion, and their unique history makes them one of the most interesting gems in the world.

How are pearls made?

There are two types of real pearls: natural and cultured.

Natural pearls are very rare and valuable because they form at random in nature. When an irritant such as a parasite ends up inside an oyster, mussel or clam, the mollusk reacts by producing a fluid, which coats the irritant. This coating, called nacre, continues to build up layers until the pearl as we know it is created.

Cultured pearls are formed by the same process, but instead of randomly occurring in nature, pearl farmers implant a bead or piece of shell tissue into the mollusks. The mollusks are then suspended in salt water or fresh water while the pearls grow until they are harvested. The length of time to grow the pearls depends on the type of mollusk and the desired pearl size.

Are cultured pearls considered real pearls?

Yes. Cultured pearls have the same chemical makeup as natural pearls, in contrast to imitation pearls, which are made when a glass bead is dipped into a solution made from fish scales. This coating is much thinner than that of a real pearl and will eventually wear off. There are no physical differences between cultured and natural pearls and both will hold their value over time.

Did you know?

To convince Rome that Egypt possessed a wealth greater than its conquerors, Cleopatra made a bet with Mark Antony that she could host the most expensive dinner in history. She then crushed a large pair of pearl earrings into a cup and dissolved it in liquid, drinking it down to the last drop. Antony subsequently declined the dinner and admitted defeat to Cleopatra.

The unique history of pearls

While today it’s relatively easy to find real pearl jewelry that features the June birthstone at an affordable price, this wasn’t always the case. In fact, before the creation of cultured pearls in the early 1900s, pearls were so expensive and rare that only the very rich could afford them.

Humble beginnings

While we don’t know exactly who the earliest pearl collectors are, it’s been hypothesized by George Frederick Kunz, author of the 1908 publication “The Book of the Pearl,” that an ancient fish-eating tribe along the coast of India initially appreciated the appeal of pearls after discovering them from the oysters they consumed in their diet. India’s sacred books have many references to pearls, as do China’s long-recorded historical documents.

The first discovered oyster beds lay in the Persian Gulf along the coasts of India and current-day Sri Lanka as well as the Red Sea, but other centers for pearl cultivation, like Panama and Venezuela, were soon discovered. While Chinese pearls came mainly from freshwater rivers and ponds, Japanese pearls were found near the saltwater coasts. The rarity of pearls began to lessen when English colonizers discovered pearls in the riverbeds of Ohio, Mississippi and Tennessee. In fact, so many gems were exported to Europe that the New World gained the nickname “Land of Pearls.”

Did you know?

At the height of the Roman Empire, historian Suetonius wrote that the Roman general Vitellius financed an entire military campaign by selling just one of his mother’s pearl earrings.

The introduction of cultured pearls

In the 1800s, overfishing in Central and North America depleted oyster beds just as pollution began to set in from industrialization in the United States. This is where the story of cultured pearls begins.

Kokichi Mikimoto, the son of a noodle maker, and his wife, Ume, had dreams of discovering a way for oysters to produce pearls on demand. They weren’t aware that government biologist Tokichi Nishikawa and Tatsuhei Mise had already discovered the secret of pearl culturing.

Mise received a patent in 1907 for his grafting needle, which allowed one to insert an outside contaminant into the oyster’s mantle in order to form a pearl sac. When Nishikawa attempted to file the same patent, the two agreed to unite their common discovery and name it the Mise-Nishikawa method, which is still used today. Mikimoto then altered his technique to create a patent for creating round pearls. This allowed him to buy the rights to the Mise-Nishikawa method and begin his unprecedented expansion.

Myths and symbolism

Because they’ve been a popular gem for such a long time, there are a wide variety of myths and symbolism attached to the pearls. They are believed to be symbolic of wisdom gained through experience, offer protection, and attract wealth and good fortune to the wearer, as well as bring balance to one’s karma. Most notably, they are a symbol of purity and loyalty, making them a popular choice for brides on their wedding day.

It is believed that Eve’s tears created white pearls in the Garden of Eden, while Adam’s tears produced black pearls. This goes along with other religious legends, such as the one where the Hindu god Krishna discovers pearls from the sea and gives them to his daughter on her wedding day. In ancient Vedic texts, pearls are considered to be the “Daughter of the Moon” because of their similarity to the lunar structure. This also contributes to their association with feminine sensibilities.

Standout gifts for a June birthstone

Pearl necklaces: Whether you choose a classic pearl strand or a unique pearl pendant, Shane Co.’s selection of pieces that feature the June birthstone is unrivaled. With the highest-quality cultured akoya pearls, you’re sure to stun in these elegant styles.

Pearl earrings: With their variation in size and timeless appeal, pearls make the perfect pair of earrings. Go with traditional pearl studs or embrace the floral trends of summer with these Cultured Freshwater Pearl and Diamond Cluster Earrings. Fourteen 5-6mm cultured freshwater pearls form a unique shape, complemented by 12 round sparkling diamonds and high-quality sterling silver. Pair them with a matching pendant and ring for a complete set.

Tahitian pearls: With a silvery-green finish unrivaled by anything on Earth, Tahitian pearls are a great way to embrace your birthstone while maintaining a more modern look. This Tahitian Pearl and Diamond Y Necklace is available with matching earrings and comes on an 18″ adjustable chain. With classic touches and on-trend style, this pearl necklace is the perfect June birthstone addition to any wardrobe.

How to care for your pearl jewelry

• Wipe your pearls with a soft cloth after wearing them
• Store your pearls separately from other jewelry in a slightly damp linen cloth
• Don’t wear pearls with metal jewelry to avoid scratching
• Wear your pearls regularly, as the natural oils in your body will maintain the pearls’ luster
• Avoid contact with salt water, perspiration and chlorine
• Never use an ultrasonic or steam cleaner on your pearls

Why shop Shane Co. for pearl jewelry

Like all of our other gems, Shane Co. cultured pearls come directly from the source. We offer high-quality freshwater, akoya, Tahitian and South Sea pearls in a wide range of colors to complement every skin tone and any woman’s personal style. It’s acceptable within the industry to knot between every third or fifth pearl, but we take extra care to prevent all the pearls from scratching each other by placing a knot between each one. This extra precaution also means that if your string breaks, the most you might lose is one pearl, rather than several. Individual knotting also ensures that your pearl strand will be more flexible, feel more comfortable, and conform to the body.  Shop our entire pearl jewelry selection on our website, or visit us in-store to speak with one of our dedicated, noncommission jewelry consultants to learn more.

The post Pearls – June Birthstone appeared first on The Loupe.

Love is a powerful feeling — there’s a reason there have been millions of songs, novels, and poems written about it. It’s also a mysterious feeling. It can make us do things we’d never expect. We’re in the business of love at Shane Co. and were curious to know more about love and its role in relationships, particularly the what, when, where, why, and how around saying “I love you.”

We surveyed 750 people across the U.S. about their experiences with love, everything from the age at which they first fell in love to whom they prefer to say “I love you” first in a relationship. Additionally, we surveyed an equal number of respondents from each U.S. state on the average amount of time it takes for them to say “I love you.” Read on to learn more about what we uncovered!

Love at First Sight

Before diving into state-by-state love timelines, we wanted to get a general idea of Americans’ attitudes toward love. 

Most people say they’ve been in love before, with the late teens and early twenties being the time where most individuals experienced love for the first time (40%). More women report falling in love for the first time at a younger age, and a greater number of Baby Boomers and Gen Zers report falling in love at a young age than other generations. 

Generally, most people have had a couple experiences being in love, with over half of respondents having been in love with two or more past partners. 
But how long does it take to fall in love? For that, we went to the map. After all, from Verona to New York City, a great location is the key to every great love story.

When You Know, You Know: How Long It Takes People to Fall in Love

First, we looked at national responses for how long it takes individuals to fall in love. 

Overall, it looks like Americans tend to fall in love pretty quickly. Over a quarter of respondents say that it takes them about 3-5 months to fall in love, and over half of the respondents say that they fall in love in five or fewer months. These timelines vary based on the age of the respondents. Comparing generations, the highest percentage of Gen Zers report falling in love with their most recent partner in less than a month — 1 in 5 Gen Zers.

How did the results measure up geographically? We found that generally, residents of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic tend to fall in love pretty quickly. New York, Connecticut, and Delaware are all among states where at least 1 in 3 residents report falling in love in less than a month. 

However, looking at our next map, we can see a huge geographic range of states where residents fall in love the fastest. 

Based on the percentage of people who report falling in love in less than a month, Ohio is the state where romance develops most quickly. Over 60% of Ohio residents surveyed say they typically fall in love in less than a month. In case you’re wondering about the most romantic spots in Ohio, US News and World Report created an Ohio romantic getaway guide featuring different homey inns and some spots on Lake Erie. 

We were surprised to find that many southern states, whose warm summer nights and open fields seem like ideal backdrops for whirlwind romances, were not among the states where residents fall in love the fastest.

Finally, we were impressed to see a cluster of states including Arizona, Colorado, and Utah all among the states where people fall in love the fastest. Since New Mexico is the only four-corner state not included in the top 15 states for the fastest romances, residents there may want to invest in an out-of-state romantic getaway for quick romance.

Who Should Say It First and When

Regardless of how quickly individuals fall in love, we know that sharing romantic feelings is an entirely different question. For instance, while the Midwest might be a hub of quickly developed love, their famously calm, reserved demeanors may keep residents from sharing their feelings. Therefore, we decided to ask about general attitudes toward sharing feelings and relationship timelines. 

We found that attitudes toward sharing expressions of love are pretty limited. The highest percentage of respondents (37.8%) told their most recent partner they loved them a few days after realizing it, though 15.4% told them immediately after realizing it. 

Gender did affect opinion on when to say “I love you.” Most respondents express that in the past, men have said “I love you” first, and, in fact, 65% of men do say they like to say “I love you” first. However, it’s worth noting that sometimes people do say “I love you” before they are ready. 

Why People Might Say “I Love You” Before They’re Ready 

We asked people about whether they’ve expressed love before they were ready, and were struck by how common that experience was. More men feel pressure by a partner to say “I love you” before they are ready than women — 61.9% vs. 46.9%, even though 65% of men like to be the first to say “I love you” in a relationship. 

We also found that, demographically, a higher percentage of homosexual-identifying respondents feel pressured by a partner to say “I love you” before they were ready than heterosexual-identifying respondents — 69.6% (gay) & 63% (lesbian) vs. 48.8% (heterosexual). Furthermore, over half of all generations except for Baby Boomers have felt pressure from a partner to say “I love you” before they were ready. 

What does this add up to? 1 in 2 respondents have said “I love you” to a partner but not really meant it, with higher percentages of bisexual and homosexual-identifying respondents than heterosexual-identifying respondents having said ”I love you” to a partner without meaning it.  

This made us wonder: What about those individuals who haven’t been in love at all?

Based on geographic responses, we found that while there are some states where individuals fell in love very quickly, there are other states where many individuals have never been in love. 

Half of the respondents surveyed from Montana have never been in love, and in the top 15 states listed, at least one in three respondents has never been in love. 

Nationally, we found that more than half of respondents (53.6%) report mistaking love for lust, attachment, or obsession in a past relationship. And so, perhaps, even in the states where individuals fall in love the fastest, those respondents will grow to realize their feelings of love were only lust after all. 

Final Thoughts

Whether you’ve been in love before or are still waiting to meet the one, one piece of advice we can offer is to make sure to tell your loved ones how you feel about them. In fact, 42.3% of survey respondents report feeling regret over not saying ”I love you” to a past partner, which can lead to a lifetime of wistful thinking over the one that got away. 

And while you don’t necessarily need to give someone a gift to express how you feel, our selection of gifts is a great way to provide a reminder of how you feel about someone every day. Whether it’s a simple necklace or an engagement ring, our gift finder can help you select the perfect item for your special someone. 

The post Love at First Sight: Surveying Americans About Falling in Love appeared first on The Loupe.

Does size really matter? It’s an age-old question that humans have pondered for generations in a variety of contexts, including in reference to the size of one’s engagement ring diamond. In decades past, the size of the ring was the “be-all, end-all” due to societal pressures, and other engagement ring features like cut, clarity, color, and setting style took a back seat. 

However, in 2021, is it still the size that matters most or have other facets of an engagement ring like quality, brilliance, and style become most important? How do opinions about diamond size vary by gender, generation, relationship status, and even location? 

In our pursuit of answers to these burning questions and more, we asked 3,462 Americans to weigh in. Shane Co. surveyed respondents across various demographics and all 50 states to uncover how much an engagement ring’s diamond size really matters when it comes to proposals. Other questions posed include:

• What is the ideal carat size of an engagement ring?
• Would the diamond size impact your likeliness to accept a proposal from your partner?
• Would you consider upgrading your diamond’s carat size over time?

Read on to see the full survey results and where your state lands on diamond size!

The States Where Large Diamond Sizes Matter Most (and Least)

To start, we asked respondents in all 50 states to rate the significance of an engagement ring’s diamond size on a scale of 1 to 5 (where 1 = low significance and 5 = high significance). The national average rating overall was 2.47 — a bit lower than anticipated. 

With an average rating of 3.18, 28.8% above the national average, Tennessee is the state where residents care about diamond size the most, followed by New Jersey (3.16), Texas (3.14), and Connecticut (3.08). Out of the 10 states where large diamonds matter most in engagement rings, four states are located in the Northeast, and three states are located in the South.

Alternatively, certain states gave diamond size incredibly low significance when it comes to engagement rings. With an average rating of 1.90, 22.8% below the national average, Montana is the state where residents care about diamond size the least, followed by Wyoming (1.96), Iowa (1.98), and Mississippi (2.0). 

Diamond Size Significance by Gender & Relationship Status

Next, we looked at diamond size significance by demographics such as gender and relationship status. Ironically, men and proposers care more about the diamond size of an engagement ring than do women and “proposees”(i.e., the people being proposed to). 61% of men and a strong 70% of proposers think the diamond size is important when it comes to engagement rings, whereas only 47% of women and 46% of “proposees” think the diamond size is truly important. 

According to Cosmo, “women are gravitating towards smaller diamonds now” and are prioritizing features like radiance, setting style, and stone shape above simply having a big rock. New engagement ring trends like stackable rings, yellow gold bands, and vintage settings all featuring smaller stones play a role as well. Wearability in multiple social settings, theft, and security are some of the other reasons people are opting for a smaller diamond. 

What Is the Most Important Feature of an Engagement Ring?

When asking which feature of an engagement ring is most important, more people say shape than size. The largest percentage of respondents (almost 20%) say the diamond shape is most important, followed by carat size (16.6%), clarity (14.5%), and color (12.7%). 

The diamond’s shape is particularly important as it sets the tone for the style of a ring. For instance, princess and emerald cuts evoke an Art Deco vibe. Marquise cuts feel vintage, and cushion cuts are best for a classic, more traditional look. 

When asking which factor is most important while engagement ring shopping, the largest portion of respondents (32%) say beauty/style, followed by quality (29%) and durability (17%). When it comes down to it, aesthetics triumph above all else. The majority of us want to look down at a beautiful ring that matches our taste levels, personality, and sense of style. 

Engagement Ring Statistics: According to Popular Opinion

Surprisingly, 4.3 out of every 10 people say that the diamond size would impact their likeliness of saying “yes” or “no” when being proposed to. 36% of people even admit they would go as far as asking their partner to purchase a larger carat size if they felt unsatisfied. Tough crowd!

The diamond size is far less likely to deter a divorced respondent from accepting a proposal than an engaged respondent. 46% of engaged respondents say that a diamond’s carat size would impact their likeliness to accept a proposal from their partner whereas only 7% of divorced respondents would say the same.

Lastly, the largest portion of respondents say the ideal diamond is 1 to 2 carats and costs anywhere from $1,001 to $5,000 — a range that sits just below Real Simple’s estimated average price of an engagement ring, $5,600. 

Wrapping Up

That wraps up our study on diamond size significance! We’ve learned that depending on geography and demographics, diamond size can be inconsequential or it can be an ultimate deal-breaker! In 2021, we can only hope that at the end of the day Americans will place their relationships above all else.

Know your ideal diamond size and ready to start ring shopping? Shop our Perfectly Preset Engagement Rings or start designing your own!

The diamond size survey ran from January 25 – February 3, 2021.

The post Does Diamond Size Really Matter? appeared first on The Loupe.

Well, at Shane Co., we can’t resist a good romantic comedy … or a bad one either, for that matter. We are always here for that sappy meet-cute, no matter how overdone, we unleash the waterworks when things predictably fall apart in act two, and we shamelessly root for the leading couple to get back together all the way up to the credits.

But then again, we are in the business of love. It’s in our nature. We couldn’t help but wonder what bad romance movies America is watching with guilty pleasure after everyone else has gone to bed. So, we decided to find out.

Methodology

We compiled a list of more than 60 poorly rated (6.1 stars and below) romance movies from IMDB. Next, we used Google Trends search data to determine which of these bad romance movies Americans searched for the most in 2020. Then we analyzed the results and discovered which bad romance movie is the most popular in every U.S. state. Read on to learn more about what we uncovered!

The Most Popular Bad Romance Movie in Every State

The results surprised us. We not only found that America is indeed searching for critically bad romance movies, we also found some interesting geographical themes.

It turns out Sweet Home Alabama is the top-searched romantic movie in Alabama, while What Happens in Vegas is the most popular in, you guessed it, Nevada. We guess home really is where the heart is.

Furthermore, Couples Retreat, a movie about four friends who visit a fictional tropical resort and fall in love, was the top-searched movie in palm-studded Hawaii.

West Virginians searched for Win a Date with Tad Hamilton! the most, but we’re not sure if they were actually up for watching it or trying to impress a date with obscure cinema trivia. The town depicted in the movie, Fraziers Bottom, was inspired by the real-life West Virginia town of the same name. The movie was also filmed there, with set locations including Fayetteville, Grandview, and the London Locks on the Kanawha River.

The Most Popular Bad Romance Movies in the U.S.

Something Borrowed was by far the most popular movie in the country, taking the top spot in nine states overall. The 2011 rom-com follows a lawyer named Rachel who almost lets her law-school crush get away and marry her best friend.

The runner-up, Couples Retreat, was the top-searched movie in four states. After that, Coyote Ugly and Drive Me Crazy are the most popular in three states each. John Tucker Must Die and Two Weeks Notice were just good (or bad) enough to make the top six, with two states backing each one.

What Do the Critics Say?

Wanting to know more, we collected additional data on movies that won at least one state, including Metacritic score, gross revenue, release date, and rating. Metacritic combines the review scores of respected critics all over the internet into one simplified and digestible review score. Then we compared America’s favorite bad romance movies based on their critical merit, gross revenue, and more. 

Two of America’s favorite bad romance movies were more than just bad. They were actually Sharknado bad. Couples Retreat and Coyote Ugly were some of the worst-rated out of America’s top-searched movies with Metascores of 23 and 27 out of 100, respectively. For reference, the 2018 release The Last Sharknado: It’s About Time scored a 22 on Metacritic.

America’s most-searched bad romance movie, Something Borrowed, didn’t make the top six in terms of being condemned by critics, but it was still poorly reviewed with a Metascore of just 32.

What Do Americans Like in a Bad Romance Movie?

So, what are the qualities of the bad romance movies that are most likely to worm their way into our hearts despite cheesy dialogue, unforgivable plot holes, and predictable endings?

Overall, Americans like their romance movies bad, but not that bad. Of the movies that earned the most search interest in at least one state, the average IMDB rating was 5.9 out of 10 stars and the average Metascore was 40 out of 100.

Considering romance movies are usually fairly low-budget films with little in the way of special effects or CGI, the average gross revenue of just over $61 million is considerable.

The most common rating was PG-13, and the early 2000s appears to be the heyday of cheesy romance on the silver screen in America.

Conclusion

We’re the first to admit we love a delightfully bad romance movie, but there is nothing we love more than seeing real-world romantic stories play out. Once you’ve spun through all the movies identified in this article, why not act in a love story of your own?

At Shane Co., we’d love to contribute to your happily ever after with our unmatched selection of beautiful engagement rings and wedding bands.

The post The Worst Romance Movies That We All Love appeared first on The Loupe.

1. Find the dimensions of your locket

Most lockets have a designated photo area surrounded by a frame of some kind. For best results, try to measure this space using a ruler or measuring tape to the closest millimeter. It doesn’t have to be perfect — you can always resize your image if it’s not quite right, but the closer you are, the easier it will be to fit your photo in the frame. You can also visit the product page for your locket on ShaneCo.com and find the measured size there, or chat in with one of our jewelry consultants, who will be happy to help.

Tip: Always round up when making measurements, as it’s a lot easier to trim your photo down a little than to size it up.

2. Upload your image

You have two options for how you can print the image for your locket.

• Open a new window to OddPrints. Click the “Get Started” button, upload your photo, and select your frame size (the size of the locket). Then, click “Download” to download the resized image. From there, you can open the image from the downloads folder on your computer and print from home.
• If you don’t want to use Odd Prints, you can also transfer the image you’d like to use to a photo-editing website, app, or computer program, such as Photoshop or Microsoft Paint. After uploading, you can then manually adjust the size using resizing tools to change the width and height, or crop the image down to the appropriate size to match your locket. Once you have the correct dimensions, save your picture as a JPEG or PNG file.

3. Print your image

Use an at-home printer to print your image in black and white or color, depending on the look you desire. We recommend using a nice, high-gloss paper to better emulate the texture of a traditional photo, but feel free to experiment with photo types! If you don’t have a printer at home, you can also email the image file to a local photo-printing service store, or use a picture-delivery service to digitally send in your photo and have the completed prints mailed to you.

4. Make adjustments

After cutting out the photo, you can adjust the size by clipping away edges until it fits snugly in the frame of the locket. If you’re not using an at-home printer, it’s usually a good bet to order a few slightly altered sizes of the photo, just in case your measurements aren’t totally spot-on. Once you have the photo sized to your liking, fit it into the locket for a personalized gift!

Ready to get started? Check out Shane Co.’s entire selection of high-quality lockets on our website, or chat with us online to speak with a member of our dedicated, non-commissioned sales team.

The post How to Print Locket-Sized Photos for a Meaningful Gift appeared first on The Loupe.

Without a wedding band, your engagement ring just doesn’t make the same impression. But choosing just one band can often be difficult – which is why we offer women’s wedding bands in the widest variety of styles, so you can mix and match to create a stylish stack that you can wear year-round. Here’s how to get in on this trend.

Step one:  Experiment with metals

Just because your engagement ring is white gold doesn’t mean your wedding band has to be too. In fact, mixing it up with different colored metals is a great way to create contrast and draw the eye to your sparkling ring finger. Choose from platinum, white, yellow and our signature shade of rose gold to add in an element of playfulness or match perfectly with your ring. Here’s some of our favorites:

It’s true:  simplicity really can’t be beat. This Platinum Comfort Fit Wedding Band is crafted from high-quality platinum for the perfect starter to your stack.

This Knife Edge Wedding Band shines bright in 14k Yellow Gold. It’s a classic style with the on-trend twist of the outward edge, and will look great stacked with other, more intricate designs.

This slim 14k Rose Gold Wedding Band is only 1mm wide, making it just right to add depth to a ring stack. The unique blush tone adds a hint of romanticism to an already gorgeous favorite.

Want something a little different? This Vintage Wedding Band with delicate beaded milgrain detail adds a touch of elegance to a stunning silhouette.

Step two: Add some sparkle

Of course, a ring stack wouldn’t be complete without a little sparkle – this is pretty much a rule at Shane Co. The trick is to find a variety of styles that will add some extra oomph to your look without out-shining your engagement ring.

This Classic Pavé-Set Diamond Wedding Band in 14k Rose Gold holds nineteen round diamonds, offering the best in elegance and radiance.

If you love yellow gold, this Diamond Cluster Wedding Band is just the thing. We love the contemporary style elements paired with graduated diamonds for a modern look.

Sometimes, bigger really is better. Especially when we’re talking about this Round Diamond Band in 14k White Gold. 11 diamonds totaling to 1.11 carats make a splash with this sparkly stunner.

Add a vintage flair with this Vintage Round Diamond Wedding Band in everlasting platinum. Gorgeous diamonds + milgrain details = the perfect ring, in our experienced, biased opinion.

Step three: Experiment with shape

Adding some curves and textural elements to your wedding band stack is a stylish way to draw the focus to each individual ring. We love the look of a contour mixed with straight bands and, of course, your lovely engagement ring.

This Tiara Round Diamond Contour Wedding Band plays double duty with a unique swirl and contour look, mimicking the image of a crown.

Looking for a band that perfectly cradles your engagement ring? We love the look of this Contoured Diamond Wedding Band in 14k Rose Gold!

With baguette diamonds currently trending, this Baguette and Round Diamond Contour Wedding Band in 14k Yellow Gold is a no-brainer. Sparkle, please?

This Vintage Diamond Contour Wedding Band in Platinum is perfect to finish off your ring stack in style. Along with 12 round diamonds, the contoured shape layers beautifully with other rings.

No matter what your style is, you’ll find beautiful wedding bands at Shane Co. Shop all our unique wedding band styles. Don’t forget to use the “drop a hint” feature to let your sweetie know that a new band is the gift you’re dreaming of.

The post Trending: The Wedding Band Stack appeared first on The Loupe.

It’s no secret that halos have become one of the most popular styles of engagement rings in recent years — and for good reason! Who doesn’t love a ring of diamonds surrounding their center stone? Halos can create a unique look, add a pop of color or sparkle, and even have the effect of creating a bigger-looking center stone. But have you ever heard of the hidden halo? This secret version of the popular style is available at Shane Co. in a variety of styles, and it’s the perfect way to add special, sparkling detail to an already gorgeous engagement ring.

What is a hidden halo?

A hidden halo is a type of engagement ring setting where the actual “halo” of diamonds sits beneath the center stone. This usually creates the effect of keeping the center stone most visible when the ring is viewed from atop, but shows the full halo completely when viewed from the side. It’s the perfect option for someone who wants a little extra detail on their ring, but doesn’t want to distract from the natural beauty of the center stone.

Why choose a hidden halo?

There are a number of reasons why you might want to choose a hidden halo for your engagement ring.

Makes your diamond look larger. Much like traditional halo engagement rings, hidden halos can still make your center stone appear bigger by tricking the eye into viewing the extra bit of sparkle as part of your center diamond.

Customized, understated charm. Unlike traditional halos, which can sometimes take away from the overall silhouette of your ring, hidden halos manage to add something special to your ring without being too overt or drastically changing the shape of your setting.

Works with any diamond shape. Because hidden halos don’t actually surround the top of the diamond, you can find these settings to pair with any shape and size of stone. So whether you love the look of an oval diamond or have your heart set on a round blue sapphire, there’s a hidden halo for you!

Comes in a variety of styles. As with many engagement ring settings, hidden halos vary in style, shape, and color, so you can find one that perfectly fits your vision.

Our favorites

Shane Co. has a wide selection of halos to choose from. Here are a few of our favorites!

Classic Diamond Halo Decorative Crown

Double Hidden Halo Diamond Decorative Crown

Floral Halo with Milgrain Decorative Crown

Hidden Heart with Milgrain Detail Decorative Crown

Shop all of our hidden halos and other decorative crowns here.

The post Customizing Your Engagement Ring: What Is a Hidden Halo? appeared first on The Loupe.

1. Out-of-the-box halos

Halos have been trending for years now, and for good reason. Adding a ring of sparkling diamonds, sapphires, or rubies around your center stone can not only create a unique look, but it can also offer the illusion of a bigger stone. This year, we expect to see more unusual halo shapes, colors, and designs than your usual one- or two-ring circle. We love the unique look of this Navette Diamond Halo Engagement Ring and this Oval Halo Diamond Engagement Ring as perfect examples of this upcoming trend.

2. Art Deco influences

Vintage-style rings have always been some of our favorites, but this year look out for sleek geometric lines, elegant emerald cuts, and other on-trend Art Deco inspiration in your favorite engagement rings. This Modern Frame Diamond Halo Engagement Ring, with a stylistic baguette halo and a stunning center stone, is a gorgeous choice if you’re looking to try out this popular style.

3. Sparkling swirls

Infinity-inspired designs are sure to take center stage in this year’s engagement ring trends. A touch of metal swirling in the band of a diamond ring creates a unique silhouette that will look good on any wearer’s hand. Try this Diamond Twist Engagement Ring or this Infinity Swirl Engagement Ring with Milgrain Detailing in our signature shade of 14k rose gold for a contemporary twist on a classic style.

4. Marquise stone shapes

The oval diamond has been having its day in the sun, but we predict that 2021 will be the year of the marquise. This unique eye-shaped cut features 58 facets and an elliptical shape with pointed ends, which can elongate the look of the hand and add a little vintage touch to any setting. You can shop all of our hand-picked marquise diamonds on ShaneCo.com.

5. Perfectly Preset Engagement Rings

Customizing an engagement ring by choosing the setting and center stone from our wide selection of options is always a great way to create a unique ring that you and your partner are sure to love. However, we predict that preset rings will become ever more popular in 2021. Shane Co.’s Perfectly Preset Engagement Rings are put together by our design team for a ready-to-go style she’s sure to love. You can shop all preset rings here.

Excited to try out these upcoming trends? Shop or drop a hint online at ShaneCo.com, or visit us at your nearest store to see our designs in person. You can also take advantage of our safe and free Curbside Service, or book a virtual or in-store appointment to speak with one of our non-commissioned jewelry consultants.

The post 5 Engagement Ring Trends to Look Out for in 2021 appeared first on The Loupe.

Whether snow fell during the holidays or not, there is always a flurry of proposals during the festive months. Generally lasting from Thanksgiving through Valentine’s Day, “engagement season” seduces more couples to affiance than any other time of year. At Shane Co., we totally get the impulse to drop to one knee and proclaim your love with a beautiful diamond amid family, friends, and festive cheer.

The holidays have a lot going for them. There’s an abundance of joy, inescapable mistletoe, that extra glass of wine, and loved ones all gathered together to share in your tender moment. Still swooning over how many engagements we’ve helped with so far this season, we decided to learn all about engagements in the United States.

We wanted to know how long people date before getting engaged, what the average engagement looks like, and what, if any, external factors contributed to the decision to propose (or to say “yes!”). Not willing to leave these important matters to speculation, we surveyed 3,100 engaged or married couples across the U.S., including at least 50 respondents from each state. 

Read on to see what we found!

We started where it all begins and asked respondents how many months had elapsed between their meet-cutes and engagements. We discovered that, on average, couples date for about 30 months or just over 2.5 years before engaging! But the national average doesn’t speak for each state individually, and that’s where the results really surprised us.

Ohioans are the slowest to get engaged, not popping the question until after a whopping 47.5 months of diligent dating. If you find yourself star-crossed with an Ohioan, you’ll have that many more romantic evenings on the shores of beautiful Lake Erie. On the opposite end of the engagement timeline spectrum sits Indiana. There must be a strong love potion in the waters of Lake Michigan, because Hoosiers are ready to commit to be betrothed after a brisk 15 months!

Expanding beyond the humble Midwest, we charted the 10 longest and shortest engagement timelines. 

See if your state makes either list in the graphic below!

But knowing where engagements take the longest is only one piece in the mosaic of love. Our next logical step was to take a deep dive into the average American engagement to find out more about the people who are locking into lifelong commitments.

Of course, engagements come in all shapes and sizes. Some are over the top, some are private, some come from seasoned romantics, and others are the product of high school love. Nevertheless, we couldn’t resist trying to map out the most common formula for engagements by the numbers, from the average age to the average number of past relationships.

Our deep dive into the average American engagement revealed that the average engaged couple is 23 to 27 years old and has been dating for an average of 13 to 18 months. The highest percentage of respondents also had two previous relationships lasting six months or longer, so they’re not total strangers to the game of love. This suggests they’ve had substantial interest in finding long-term commitment in the past. 

As for when engagements typically happen, 56% of respondents did not pop the question during the holiday season, while a whopping 44% did! So, are these magical moments as pure as the snowfall on Christmas Eve, or have they been affected by outside pressures from well-meaning family, society, and more?

Pressure from family and friends affected the engagement timelines of nearly 36% of respondents. Parents were the guiltiest party, responsible for putting pressure on 22% of respondents to engage. On the other hand, grandparents, siblings, and friends largely stayed out of the matter.

Respondents felt even more pressure from society, with more than 40% either agreeing or strongly agreeing that it contributed to their engagement timeline. This makes sense, considering how much pressure society puts on us to fit in and be successful in life, love, and relationships. Pressure to marry by a certain age and seeing friends getting engaged first were the top two pressures levied by society.

While men felt less pressure from society than women did, we think that pressure trickled down to them vicariously through their partners. A shocking 52% of men were pressured to get engaged by their romantic partner, compared to just 34% of women.

Finally, while 44% of respondents got engaged during the holidays, only 35% claimed that seasonal pressure contributed to their timeline. 

Overall, we discovered that it can be easy to fall victim to pressures brought on by society, family, and the holidays. But it’s important to remember that committing to another person for the rest of your life is one of the most important decisions you can make and should never be influenced by anyone other than yourself and your partner. 

So, whether you get engaged after six months or six years, make this important commitment only when YOU feel comfortable. And when you’re ready, Shane Co. is here to help you pick out an engagement ring that you’ll treasure forever.

The post Proposal Timelines: How Long Do American Couples Wait Before Getting Engaged? appeared first on The Loupe.

While we hope that all marriages last, the unfortunate truth is that sometimes, marriages end in divorce. With your engagement ring and wedding band being one of the biggest symbols of your marriage, you might be wondering: What do I do with my rings if I get divorced?

Your decision to keep, sell, or otherwise repurpose your rings is entirely up to you. Here are a few ideas for how to deal with your rings, whether your marriage lasted two days or 20 years.

Repurpose them

Your wedding rings hold a lot of meaning, so it makes sense that after the marriage ends, you may not want to hold on to them — at least in the same way you did throughout the marriage. But you may still love your diamonds, or (if the breakup was amicable), they may still have a lot of fond memories associated with them. One solution in this case is to transform your rings into something else. For example, you can have a jeweler remove the center stone and place it in a pendant instead. Or, you can create a new right-hand ring to symbolize your greatest bond with yourself.

Trade them in

Did you know that Shane Co. has one of the best upgrade and trade-in policies in the jewelry business? If you don’t wish to hold on to your wedding rings, you can take advantage of our trade-in policy to find another piece you’ll love. After all, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t enjoy a little extra sparkle!

Give them away

If you’re still totally in love with your engagement ring or wedding band, but no longer want to wear it yourself, you can always transfer ownership to a child, niece, nephew, or another family member that may one day get married or is planning to propose. This holds especially true if you have a lot of happy memories associated with your jewelry — why not pass it on to the next generation?

Give them back

While etiquette generally says that the wearer of the rings gets to keep them after a divorce, if you’re the one who called things off, it can be a generous act to instead return them to your ex. This makes the most sense if the ring was a family heirloom of some kind. After all, if it were your grandmother’s ring they were holding on to, you’d want it returned too, right?

Keep them

If you’re simply not ready to let go of your rings, you always have the option to keep them. Whether you plan on wearing them again or not, you may just wish to have them in your jewelry box for safekeeping. That’s okay! Remember: Whatever you decide to do, it’s entirely your decision.

Sell them/donate

The last real option you have is to sell your rings and use the money for yourself or even donate it to a charity. Donating the money can be a great way to do something good for your community without feeling like you’re holding on to anything from your marriage that’s no longer serving you.

Ready to trade in your wedding rings? Visit us in-store or online at ShaneCo.com to learn more about our trade-in policy, or speak with an expert jewelry consultant if you wish to repurpose your jewelry into something new! You can even book a virtual or in-store appointment if you wish to speak with someone and learn more about what your options are.

The post What to Do with Your Rings if You Get Divorced appeared first on The Loupe.

There’s no question that the holidays make for a great time to propose. Long vacations, gorgeous falling snow, extra time with your sweetie, and warm fireplace chats all make for a dreamy setting that’s just right for romance. In case you’re still looking for ideas, we put together a list of some of our favorite holiday proposals.

1. A surprise photoshoot

Planning to take some cute photos for the holidays? Take advantage of the photographer on-hand and snap your proposal instead. This one works best if you start the photoshoot off in a normal fashion, then get on one knee in between frames. Not only is it guaranteed to surprise your sweetheart, but you’ll have beautiful photos to capture the moment forever.

2. Write it in the snow

For something simple and sweet, spell out “Will you marry me?” in the snow while your partner is busy, then lead them outdoors for a special surprise. Of course, this only works if you’re having a white Christmas.

3. Make it personal

One of the best parts of this season is reminiscing on your favorite childhood and holiday moments together. Take advantage of these meaningful memories by proposing at their favorite teenage haunt, the location of your first date, or another significant spot.

4. Wrapped with bow

While it’s not completely unique, wrapping their engagement ring in a gift box with a big bow and sliding it under the tree is always a good option for a holiday proposal. There’s nothing like watching the joy reach your loved one’s eyes as they unwrap the present of forever love.

5. A sweet serenade

If you and your sweetheart are music lovers, planning a carol proposal might just be the way to go. You can hire carolers to knock on the door and end their song with the big question, or you can write your own song and get into the holiday spirit by singing it to them yourself.

Don’t forget the ring! You can shop over a thousand exclusive engagement ring designs at Shane Co., or take our style finder quiz with her tastes in mind if you’re not sure where to start. You can also book a virtual or in-store appointment to speak with an expert jewelry consultant for help in finding the right ring for her. Luckily, Shane Co. is still shipping everything within 3 days, so you’ll have your ring just in time for a holiday proposal.

The post 5 Romantic Holiday Proposal Ideas appeared first on The Loupe.

From Shah Jahan’s Taj Mahal to Shakespeare’s sonnets to the flash-mob proposal phenomenon that swept the world a few years ago, some of the most awe-inspiring creations of humanity have been the product of people expressing their love.

It’s amazing to look at the different ways that love can be expressed, and start thinking about how love is expressed in your own relationships. Has your partner doted on you with unforgettable gifts? Have you ever written your own love poem to express how much you care? Do you prefer an anniversary ring, or would you rather spend the day cuddling together? 

These different forms of receiving and expressing love are known as “love languages,” a term popularized by the 1992 book The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman. Chapman’s five love languages include quality time, physical touch, words of affirmation, acts of service, and receiving gifts. One of the best ways to ensure you and your partner both feel loved on a regular basis is to understand and work within both of your love languages. 

At Shane Co., we’ve spent hours swooning over stories of how different people express their love languages. We’ve pestered everyone we know into taking online love language quizzes to know how they best communicate love. And even though we are partial to the language of thoughtful gift giving, we wanted to know which love languages are the most popular across the country. 

We decided to conduct a study of the most popular love languages across the United States. Here’s how we crunched the numbers: First, to find the most popular love languages that people are looking into across the country, we looked at Google Trends data for search terms around the five major love languages in different states. Then, to get an even closer look, we conducted a survey of over 2,600 Americans to break down the most popular love languages by the numbers, analyzing differences across generations and between men and women. 

Read on to discover what our survey had to say about our country’s most popular love languages.

The Most Popular Love Language in Every State

First, we looked at the most popular love languages across the country according to state-by-state Google search data. The love language that garnered the most Google searches was quality time, which was the most searched love language in 15 states, from Maine to Alaska! For Americans in all parts of the country, quality time can take many forms. For example, an article from Bustle.com suggests that quality-time-responsive couples can share an evening without the distractions of technology, sync up to a single sleep schedule, or commit blocks of time to dive into shared interests. 

Following quality time, the next most popular love language was physical touch. At the bottom of the list was receiving gifts, which was the most searched love language in only three states — Texas, Florida, and New York. 

The Most Popular Love Languages in the U.S.

Since the most -searched love languages across different states mostly offer a glimpse of curiosity around love languages, we wanted to separately measure love language identity.  Therefore, we collected 2,600 people to ask them about which love languages resonate the most with them. 

According to our survey, the most popular love language identity was quality time, for over 40% of respondents. This percentage lines up with the most searched love language that people Google about themselves or their partners. 

Next up, 18.5% of respondents said that their self-identified love language was words of affirmation. Women’s Health Magazine suggested that people attuned to words of affirmation respond well to words of encouragement and expressions of why their partner appreciates them. The article suggests that partners of affirmation-attuned individuals try writing short but meaningful love notes or asking their partners which words or phrases have the most impact. 

The survey showed that the least-identified love language was acts of service, with only 11.8% of respondents identifying acts of service as their love language. 

The Most Popular Love Language by Age Group

Next, we broke down the results by age group, to see which love languages are particularly popular across certain generations. A few interesting data points emerged.

The most widely- identified love language continued to be quality time across different generations, but other love languages saw different rates of frequency in different age groups. For instance, in the 18-24-year-old group, receiving gifts was the second most frequent love language, but its frequency decreased across each subsequent age group, eventually emerging as the least frequent love language for individuals aged 65 years and over. 

Another interesting data point was the outlying low frequency of physical touch as a love language for 18-24-year-olds. In other age groups, the frequency of physical touch hovered around 14-15%, but for 18-24-year-olds, physical touch was the least frequent love language, with only 7.6% of respondents identifying physical touch as their love language.

The Most Popular Love Language by Gender

Finally, we looked at the differences in self-identified love languages among men and women. Again, for both men and women, quality time was the most popular love language. Similarly, the second most frequent love language across genders was words of affirmation, with over 20% of men and over 16% of women choosing verbalization as their favorite expression of love.

However, after this, the data began to diverge. For women, the next love language with the highest frequency was acts of service, while for men it was receiving gifts. We’re sure that this difference has led to countless real-life and rom-com relationship disasters, but we’re romantically hopeful that people in relationships will learn and continue to listen to their partners’ specific love languages. 

Altogether, we had lots of fun diving into the country’s most popular love languages. And while our favorite love language will always be giving gifts by helping our customers to craft and deliver beautiful engagement rings and jewelry, we’ll never stop swooning over the little treats and grand gestures of love that our customers create! 

The post The Most Popular Love Languages Across the United States appeared first on The Loupe.

How does the 2020 online dater decode which apps are best for a “no strings attached” scenario versus which apps are conducive for a long-term, committed relationship? Unfortunately, no one can know for sure until they experiment for themselves — but we can certainly take a guess based on available data!

Most dating app users have only been able to determine the best apps to use for finding relationships through a lengthy trial and error process, and with COVID-19 muddling the dating world, the dilemma of “finding your person” is exacerbated more than ever.

Some apps like Tinder, Bumble, and OkCupid are notoriously associated with hookup culture (best for users looking for more casual relationships), while other apps like Match.com, eHarmony, or even Hinge contain match-making algorithms that specifically cater to those looking for strong emotional connections and long-term partners.

To determine which dating apps are best for long-term relationships, Shane Co. went straight to the source, surveying 1,000 online daters across the U.S. Our dating app survey addressed the following topics:

• What are the primary intentions of users on several popular dating apps?
• What percentage of daters met their partner or spouse on a dating app?
• How long does the average online dating relationship last?
• What are the collective feelings about meeting someone organically vs. on an app?

Read on to see the full results!

Survey Findings

The results of the survey revealed that our perception doesn’t always match up to reality. When asked which app they would turn to when looking for a committed relationship, the largest number of respondents (29%) said Match.com, but when asked which app they had actually met the most long-term partners on, most respondents (30%) said Tinder. 

Likewise, 48% of survey respondents said Tinder is the app they’re most likely to use when looking for a casual hookup; yet, when asked where they met their current, serious partner, the majority of respondents named Tinder yet again. 

Tinder is famously perceived as the app for ghosting, hookups, and short-lived relationships. In reality, however, it’s the app where users are most often finding love. Apparently, 85% of Tinder users say “I love you” within the first year of dating. The sheer number of users on the app (6.03 million), as well as its expert match feature based on location proximity, might be helping the majority of Tinder daters find the one after all. 

When asking about the primary intentions of users across different dating apps, Match.com topped the list as the number one app for committed relationships, according to popular opinion. 73% of respondents list that the primary intention of Match users is to find a serious relationship, compared to only 54% and 49% of respondents who believe that Bumble and Tinder users are primarily motivated by serious relationships.

Surprisingly enough, 67% of respondents found their current partner on a dating app, and 62% of respondents are either married or engaged to someone they met on a dating app. As time progresses and as more and more people join the ranks of online dating, these numbers will become far less shocking. In fact, over 50% of survey respondents say that the only way to really meet people or approach people romantically anymore is through a dating app. 

In 2020, dating through mobile apps is so ubiquitous that meeting someone organically at work, at an event, or through an acquaintance is becoming increasingly rare. Additionally, daters place enough trust in the apps’ match-making abilities that some are even willing to pay for subscriptions or premium versions of dating apps. According to our survey results, 68% of respondents are willing to pay for an app in order to find a serious, long-term relationship. 

Lastly, the majority of daters are active on more than one app at a time. 87% of respondents say that they consistently use multiple dating apps simultaneously, and 50% even admit to using different dating apps at once for different intentions — i.e. one app for a hookup or something casual versus one for a serious relationship. 

Wrapping Up

Ultimately, none of us knows which app will lead to finding a long-term partner with common goals and compatible interests. So much of dating, whether online or offline, takes time, patience, and a willingness to experiment. However, we hope our findings will be helpful as you’re traversing the world of online dating and finding the app that’s right for you. 

Found your life-mate online and ready to start ring shopping? Shop our Perfectly Preset Engagement Rings or start designing your own!

The best dating apps for relationships survey ran from September 24-26, 2020.

The post The Best Dating Apps for Relationships: A Survey appeared first on The Loupe.

Procrastination is common — there’s no need to hide the fact that, sometimes, we just need to get something done at the last minute. If the perfect moment for a proposal has suddenly come up, you’re probably beginning to sweat, wondering how you’re going to buy the ring and plan the big moment in a short amount of time.

If you’re looking to buy an engagement ring on a timeline and a budget, here are Shane Co.’s top three tips for doing it well enough to hear that “Yes!”

1. Consider a solitaire ring

If you’re rushing to plan your proposal, chances are you probably haven’t had the time to really figure out what your bride-to-be’s dream ring looks like. In this case, a solitaire ring may be perfect for you. You can still personalize the diamond by choosing a unique shape or particular size, but you don’t have to worry about the engagement ring setting being different from her idea of “perfect.” Not to mention, a diamond solitaire is an all-around favorite for most brides — she can even add a unique decorative crown later on if she so chooses!

“If you want to surprise your fiancée with a proposal,” Shane Co. experts say, “a solitaire ring is a great option. She can always trade it in and select her own setting with you later. Plus, if you’re working on a tight deadline, buying the less expensive solitaire setting first is a great way to make time for you to save up for a more expensive setting, if that’s what she wants.”

2. Look at preset rings

Our perfectly preset engagement rings are rings that you buy with the diamond already mounted in the setting, as opposed to customizing your ring by choosing the stone and setting separately.

“With a preset ring, you may not get to choose your center stone, but you can get a great quality ring with plenty of carat size in a much shorter time frame,” advises an expert. “With personalized rings, it takes more time because you have to set the stone in addition to sizing the ring, which can take up to 3-5 days.”

Psst! If you order a preset Shane Co. ring online, our 2-day shipping comes free with your purchase.

3. Be bold with a sapphire fashion ring

Does your honey love color? Working on a budget not big enough to get her the diamond of her dreams? Looking for a unique ring that will make for a standout proposal? The answer to all of these issues and more lies in a simple stone: sapphire! With royals and celebs alike sporting their very own sapphire rings, you can be sure your bride will be thrilled with this natural colored stone over a diamond.

“Sapphires are the second most popular center stones for engagement rings … and they’re less expensive than diamonds,” says a Shane Co. expert. But remember: “If you’re on a time crunch, custom sapphire rings take more time to build than preset fashion rings. Look for fashion rings with sapphire center stones that still feel ‘bridal,’ and you can have it shipped to you in a matter of days.”

Other advice for the perfect last-minute proposal

Besides buying the right ring, we have a few suggestions on how to make sure your last-minute proposal doesn’t miss a beat.

Keep it simple

Much like going with a solitaire ring, our best advice for mastering your proposal is to keep it focused on the most important part: you and your partner. You don’t need to have planes spelling out “Marry me” in the sky or an over-the-top plan to pop the question to the love of your life. Pick a comfortable setting and take some time to think about what you’re going to say — why do you want to marry them? What’s your favorite thing about them? What are you looking forward to most about married life? Speak from your heart and you can’t go wrong.

Make it personal

Does your love have a favorite movie or song? A certain spot they love to visit, or a memorable location for the two of you? Using these personal details to craft your proposal plan can make it extra special, even if you don’t have the budget for something extravagant.

Do something different

Try switching up your normal routine to add a little excitement to your proposal. If you usually go out to eat or your partner cooks you dinner, try whipping them up a meal from scratch. If you know an instrument, try writing a little song describing all the things you love about them. There are so many ways to make this night special!

The post Tips for a Last-Minute Proposal appeared first on The Loupe.