Vandenberg’s Fine Jewellery
Since it’s conception in June 1997, Vandenberg’s Fine Jewellery has grown to include two retail locations, several wholesale and e-commerce programs, and over thirty staff members.

Peter Vandenberg, founder and owner, started the company hoping to offer customers an opportunity to make their own jewellery ideas and dreams a reality. Under their mission, “You Dream It, We Make It!,” Vandenberg’s has been creating custom-designed jewellery for over 10 years and offers products and services to meet all of your jewellery needs.

When you visit Vandenberg’s Fine Jewellery, whether you are on a tour of Winnipeg sight-seeing gems, or on the hunt for the most significant jewellery purchase of your life, the Vandenberg’s experience will treat you to a comfortable atmosphere with exquisite jewellery and art. It also includes conveniences like free parking, friendly and knowledgeable staff, and an experienced custom goldsmith with attention to detail and quality workmanship.

Vandenberg’s Fine Jewellery is truly a unique gem in Manitoba that is locally and family- owned. Vandenberg’s carries unique hand-chosen jewellery from around the globe and specializes in custom-designed jewellery with expressions of individuality and refinement. Before embarking on a custom jewellery design, all clients are treated to a special consultation. This consultation is key to revealing the individuality and personality of the recipient and establishes the very foundation of the proposed custom piece. Vandenberg’s also utilizes a technological design process that allows their clients to visualize their creation on a computer screen. This technique enables “on-the-spot” alterations as the concept is being birthed, adding excitement to the experience.

Tips for Buying or Designing an Engagement Ring
Determine the Shape
The first step in finding the right engagement ring is simply determining the shape. The shape is very simple to determine but greatly affects the ring. Shapes include round, rectangular, square, oval, pear, cushion, and marquise.

The 4 C’s
The 4 C’s are cut, colour, clarity, and carat, and are important as they determine the value of the diamond. Clarity describes the purity of the diamond, colour refers to any amount of colour the diamond contains, cut denotes the proportions, finish, symmetry, and polish of the diamond, and carat is the unit weight of the diamond. These elements are a little bit more technical, but a jeweller will help you understand them. Out of the 4 C’s, determining the cut is probably one of the most important factors because it is the most personal. Popular cuts include brilliant, emerald, asscher, cushion, princess, radiant, pear, oval, and marquise.

Choose the Setting
Once you have the diamond figured out its time to move on to the ring –setting—the metal framework that your diamond is mounted into. The setting can dramatically affect the look of the ring and can create a ring that varies from modern to very trendy. It’s key to get the right combination of shape and setting so your bride will love her ring for her entire life.

Choose the Metal
When it comes to the ring’s band, you have several choices of metals. Platinum has recently become very popular due it’s durability and the fact that it is hypoallergenic. Platinum is quite expensive, though, so gold remains a popular choice as well. A benefit of choosing gold is that it comes in a variety of colours, such as white, rose, yellow, and even green. There are not many options apart from platinum and gold, although palladium is another choice (it has a grayer hue than platinum), and recycled bands are also growing in popularity. A recycled band may have a mix of metals in it, such as platinum and gold.

Maximize your Budget
Throw out the old myth about needing to spend two-month’s salary on a ring: that is no longer necessary or followed. You should determine your budget simply by buying the best ring you are able to without having to go into major debt! There are many tips and tricks that Vandenberg’s knows about how to make a ring look bigger, or have more sparkle, without having to dish-out tons of money. For instance, asking for a stone with more surface area will make it look much larger (although it won’t sparkle as much) or choosing a stone slightly less than the next round carat (0.8 instead of 1.0) can bring a savings of up to 20 percent, and it’s almost impossible to tell the difference in size.

Bring a Friend
If you’re wary about heading into a jewellery store alone, then don’t! Make sure you bring someone with you to help because this is a monumental purchase. Many people still want to surprise their future fiancée and if that’s the case, then choose someone you can trust and who won’t “spill the beans.” This is an excellent time to bring your parents along or a best friend, as it is a great bonding moment.

Shop Safe
Choose a quality jeweller and someone that you can trust. It is important to make sure that the store is accredited or a member of the Canadian Jewellers Association (CJA) or the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Vandenberg’s Fine Jewellery is a member of the CJA, GIA and the IJO (Independent Jewellers Organization). Before you buy, also find out what type of return or exchange policy the store offers just in case you didn’t cover all the details your fiancée had her heart set on.

Plan Ahead
Buying an engagement ring isn’t something to be rushed and it’s important to make sure that you plan ahead, as it can take a few weeks for your ring to arrive and possibly even longer if you are custom-designing it. If you would like to propose on a certain date, it’s a good idea to start shopping as early as possible!

Get it In Writing
It is important to get a report of your ring which includes the 4 C’s, shape, dimensions, and any other factors that affect it’s value. And don’t forget to have the ring insured!

Main Contributors

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Jewellery: Vandenbergs Fine Jewellery