You're engaged! You've found that person with everything you've been looking for, and he has found you!
The engagement ring is the first outward sign of your holy union, and as such it is very important. It's not the size of the jewel in that ring, or the cut of it, or the setting. It's all in the meaning.
As a bride, you may not have had the chance to weigh in on the engagement ring. Your finance may have chosen the ring himself, or maybe his mother gave him her own ring, or one that was in his family.
But if the two of you plan choose the ring together, there are two fabulous places in Chattanooga where you are sure to find just the perfect one. The Plum Nelly on Frasier Avenue on the North Shore has a host of artists who can create anything your heart desires. Kat Abbott recommends Heather Hoffman if you want your ring to have diamonds. "All of our artists are open to designing the ring you want, and you can see the kinds of things they do in our shop, or on our web site. Heather uses simple techniques in her organic method of making her distinctive jewelry. Inspired by nature and light, her pieces are as artistic as they are beautiful. "One Garnett Girl is another good choice if you want a diamond or a precious stone," Kat says. Using recycled metals as much as possible, this jewelry is made with fair trade diamonds. Precious stones with bright rich hues coupled with rough-tooled bands are her trademark.
The Plum Nelly, owned by Catherine Daniels, is a one-stop wedding shop. A terrific source for invitations, they offer over fifty different designs, including square, pocket and traditional, and 18 different heavy-weight paper colors, 71 lettering style choices, 15 thermography ink colors and 36 envelope linings, and all are reasonably priced. And have a quick turn around time.
As far as wedding gifts go, Plum Nelly has always been the go-to spot for interesting pieces that could be categorized as art work as well as serving pieces or glassware, or whatever they are. "We walk through the shop with the bride, and then collect her choices and arrange little vignette of her gifts for shoppers to peruse. It's so much easier to see it all together, and choose something from her personal display," Kat says.
Begun in 1947 as an outdoor clothesline art show, Plum out of Tennessee and Nelly out of Georgia has evolved into one of the most elite craft galleries around. Catherine has remained faithful to the origins of Plum Nelly in her discerning and eclectic collection of pottery, glassware, art, home and bath products, paper goods and unique gifts. "You can find a $10 pair of handmade earrings on the same shelf as a $2000 painting. Our intent is to provide you with unique gift choices for every occasion," Catherine says.
Rone Regency has been putting gorgeous rings on fingers since 1944. Owned by Bob and Sherry Mason for over forty years, Rone Regency has grown into one of the largest independent jewelry stores in Tennessee. "We offer the finest quality of jewelry, as well as diligent attention to our clients," Mr. Mason says. After getting to know their tastes, and spending time chatting as they try on rings, he comes to consider them more as friends and even family than clients.
Rone Regency offers the most diverse selection of designer jewelry in the city, but even so, sometimes a bride has her heart set on a custom piece. "We do a large amount of custom work and deliver the finest quality pieces designed by our international network of jewelry designers," Mr. Mason says. Beginning with a general idea of a piece, he sees the initial vision all the way through, from a pipe dream, to a digital image to a wax model to the completed piece. "We are able to bring any idea to existence," he says.
There's more than just jewelry at Rone Regency, although they offer a repair service as well as appraisals. They offer a fabulous selection of gifts, from wedding gifts to the special wedding party gifts. "Our Colonel Littleton line of leather goods is great, Janie Colbaugh says."He's just outside of Nashville so he's local, and he creates handcrafted, heirloom-quality leather goods, from wallets to money clips. Perfect for a groomsman gift."
Another popular gift is the Mariposa serveware. Made by artisans and 100% recycled, these platters and bowls look like silver sculpture, but are virtually carefree, never needing polishing.
The Plum Nelly is now on the Northshore, 'nelly' to the Walnut Street Bridge and Rone Regency is on Gunbarrel Road, 'plum' on the other side of town. But they've both got what you're looking for.
ferris@waldenloghomes.com