Picking the spot to propose is a test of how well you know your partner. You are not just asking for a hand in marriage, you are creating a memory. You want something that suits your mate’s interests while still allowing for surprise. The District is a city full of nightlife, beauty and nostalgia. From Washington DC engagement rings to historic views to breathtaking scenery, the capital has it all.

Tidal Basin

Probably the most obvious choice for a proposal locale is the Tidal Basin. From this manmade island, you and your partner will have a clear view of all that is Washington DC. When you are not looking at one of five adjacent commemorative sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial, you can walk the 107 acres of cherry blossom lined trails or even paddle boat around the reservoir. If your ideal spot includes nature and historic views, the Tidal Basin is the place to go.

Spanish Steps

For something more off the beaten path, the capital city offers a romantic park with European flair that will compliment any stunning Washington DC engagement rings you see while shopping. The District of Columbia’s version of Rome’s Spanish Steps rests in the Kalorama neighborhood. Built in 1911, the park features artistic steps that lead up to a gas lamp lined pedestrian walkway with a stone fountain and wrap around staircases. Inside the park is a scenic view of northwest DC that sparkles at night.

Spirit of Washington

A conventional tourist approach to proposing might be a cruise down the Potomac via the Spirit of Washington. This is more than just a boat ride. The Spirit offers dining, dancing and live entertainment. When the time is right, the two of you can sneak out to any deck on one of the three levels for some alone time and breathtaking views of the city. The Spirit of Washington is just one ship available for cruising. You also can take the Spirit of Washington II that goes to Mount Vernon or rent out the Capital Elite charter for a night of romance.

Mt. Vernon Bike Trail

For a day of sun and sites, the active couple might enjoy a bike ride along the historic Mt. Vernon Trail. The route starts just across the river from downtown DC and travels 18 scenic miles to Mount Vernon. Along the way, you and your significant other will enjoy spectacular views of the Potomac and the monuments. Included along the trail are stopping places at Old Town Alexandria, Gravelly Point and Arlington National Cemetery. With 18 miles of scenery, it shouldn’t be hard to find a place to pull out your Washington DC engagement rings.

Rock Creek Park

Rock Creek Park offers a little of everything in case you are not sure what makes up the perfect setting. The hills surrounding the park were built as fortification by Union forces during the Civil War. Inside Rock Creek, you have access to wildlife, the white-tailed deer trail and a long rolling creek complete with romantic bridge and waterfall. While walking the trails, you can stop at Boulder Bridge and Piece Mill. Sitting adjacent to Rock Creek is the Dumbarton Oaks estate and formal gardens if you are looking for inspiration.

Washington D.C. is a hodgepodge of history and nature. From cherry trees to stunning art, the nation’s capital has something for just about everyone. After selecting the perfect engagement ring, pick out an ideal location to create your unforgettable moment.  

[Image Credits: Tidal Basin, Spanish Steps, Spirit of Washington, Mt. Vernon Bike Trail, Rock Creek Park]

This is the best type of email to receive:

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Nancy!!!

I hope this email finds you well, just wanted to update you on what has happened. I know i discussed a few proposal ideas with you but I finally orchestrated one and proposed last Wednesday 11/21/12! Got engaged 2500ft up in the sky =]

I had told Feyona that we were going on a hot air balloon ride, she figured it was just another one of my spontaneous ideas. I spent a few days gathering friends and family and discussing my plans with the pilots. My dear friends and family drove an hour away to Woodstock Va at 5am on Wed to secretly meet up with Feyona and I. After we boarded our balloon and were up in the sky they would drive up to the launch site and setup my big banner that had the question spelled out. They also each had a balloon to release as we passed over. Needless to say she was stunned to the point where for a moment, she almost said to me "hey look someone is getting married" but then realized what was going on as people were screaming her name and finally turned around to find me on my knee with the ring.

We landed safely and rejoined with the group and it was all hugs and laughter from there on. My wedding shoot partner was there of course and snapped some photos of the day if you want to take a peek at out site here it is:

Thank you so much Nancy for all of your time and effort in this adventure. You've been tremendously wonderful and I'm glad we crossed paths. Be sure to let your staff know that you freakin rock and that you have another successful client engagement under your belt!

Warm Regards and Happy Holidays,

Steven Ortiz

http://hpatelphotography.com/

Washington DC and Virginia Beach Wedding Photographer

There are honest people out there and it's inspiring to see. A gentleman called me today saying he found an engagement ring in a parking lot on Rockville Pike last week. Today he read the story in the Jewish Week and immediately connected the two events.

I haven't seen the ring he found yet (we're planning on meeting tonight) but his description matches that of the lost ring exactly. It's yellow gold with three emerald cut diamonds.

Thank you Jewish Week and thank you Mike!

If you're thinking about the perfect gift for Christmas, then let me help you with two words: Diamond earrings. Diamond stud earrings are classic, gorgeous, and versatile. You can wear them all week at work but also dress them up for a fancy party too.

The best part about our diamond earrings is that they can grow over the years. We have a 100% trade up policy where you get every penny back when you want to splurge for a bigger pair down the road. This will make for a perfect surprise gift one day when you are panicking and don't know what to buy. Just swoop on it and be the hero. Diamond studs!

I've added here this first picture of the actual ring and then below a more zoomed in picture of a representative looking ring, but not the actual one.



Photo by: FeeBee Photography

This pear-shaped, D-color, flawless diamond of 50.52 carats was just sold for $9.5 million at a Christie's auction. At 50 carats of diamonds, it's not clear what you'd actually do with such a massive gem, but I'm pretty sure the new owner isn't worried about that right now. A diamond like this is so absolutely rare and speaks to the fundamental reason why we humans have this fascination with diamonds. Rarity.

Take it down a notch and speak of 1 carat diamonds for a second. Do you know that you need to mine up to 20 tons of rock to find just one carat of gem quality diamond? (The majority of the diamonds that are unearthed are of a brownish color and are spotted with inclusions. They are used for industrial purposes.)

So really what I'm saying is that the same driving force that drives millions of Americans to buy 1 carats is what propels someone to own a 50 carat diamond for almost $10 million. It's just heightened and at a different scale due to the latter person's financial abilities. They want the same thing --rarity, status among their social peers, etc. -- just on a different level.

Today I write this blog not as a diamond retailer, but as the grandchild of a Masha Mervis, who recently lost her engagement ring. Masha is the wife of Morris Mervis, the founder of Mervis Diamond Importers, and the mother of Ronnie, Kenny, and Zed Mervis.

She is the true head of the family and so we ask for your help in returning her engagement ring.

She noticed the lost ring when buying shoes on Rockville Pike this past Wednesday afternoon. The yellow gold ring has a center emerald cut diamond and two smaller emerald cut diamonds on either side.

If anyone finds Masha's ring, we are offering a cash reward and the endless gratitude and appreciation of the Mervis family. Masha will also invite you over to the Mervis home for a feast of chicken soup and traditional South African foods.

Masha's love story with Morris is almost too good to be true. Masha had a 6 month visa to visit South Africa and escape Europe before WWII. Morris Mervis and her had been friends in elementary school in Lithuania years prior. When Morris saw her in South Africa, he followed her car and re-united on a Friday night together with  her whole family. Almost immediately, he offered to marry her "fictitiously" so that she would get immigration to South Africa and not have to return to Europe. Well the marriage lasted 67 years. He has since passed away but she always kept the ring dear to her.

If you know anything about a found ring - please email Jonathan Mervis directly at jmervis@mervisdiamond.com

Thank you!

Just came across this great photo of Ronnie Mervis, Jonathan Mervis, and the DC legend, Gheorge Muresan, of Washington Bullets glory. We bantered about a promotion where the tallest NBA player, at 7'7", would rock the biggest diamond for a photo shoot. It never happened...but maybe one day!

Many people have thought about upgrading their diamonds, and some just upgrade on their spouse. When it’s time to upgrade your diamonds and your other half gladly entertains the idea, you know you’re with the person of your dreams.

When my husband and I first started dating I trained him early with the earring upgrades. Yep, that’s right ladies – when you buy Mervis diamond studs you can actually upgrade them at any time and you get exactly the price they were sold for towards the next pair! Guys, are you listening?? You can start smaller, because they can always grow larger. There is always an option to fit your budget. I have personally gone through three upgrades with my earrings.

This policy is also applied for solitaire diamond pendants and the center diamond for the engagement ring. So why wouldn’t it make sense to purchase a Mervis diamond? There are plenty of places that offer upgrade policies, but nothing like ours. Trust us, we have done the research!

The other great thing about our trade in policy is that you can apply it to whatever you would like. Say you have a solitaire pendant and never wear it. Why not trade that in towards a pair of studs, a bracelet, or that anniversary band you have always wanted?

When you are first starting out, it may not be the first idea that pops in your head that you may want to upgrade, but after 5, 10, 15 or 20 years of being married you may just want to do it. After all, I’m sure she deserves it. So the next anniversary, birthday, promotion or special moment, take a minute to think, is it time for an upgrade?

I walked into the back room of the store the other day and my colleague Brenda shows me what has to be the most creative and unique engagement ring I've ever seen. Here's a picture of the paw print-shaped ring below and then the emailed back-story from the boyfriend who just popped the question yesterday!


From: Javier XXXXX

Sent: Friday, September 21, 2012 1:16 PM
To: Brenda Friedman
Subject: Re: ring!

 

Its perfect.....I dont even know how to begin to thank you.  Its even better than I imagined Brenda THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!

I never really cared too much for dogs until I met Emily.  She showed me how awesome it was to love puppies and even bought a Puggle puppy named Tila and a Beagle/ Dachshund puppy named Yogurt aka YOGI!  Well our thing is if anything in life is cute, awesome, and or extremely fun it's paw print official meaning it gets the stamp of a paw print.  We grab the front paw of one of our dogs, make the stamp action with it and say "BAM, PAW PRINT OFFICIAL!"  Whenever I send her letters from Afghanistan, I always draw the little paw print in the corner too.  With this ring, it's going to show her that I want to put the official stamp on our love.