Weddings Summer 2009 > Planner

Soho

Highlights from this group of Italian designers include rings overlaid with enamel ($979) and shiny black bracelets encrusted with Art Deco-style diamonds.

Soho Gem

This friendly boutique features wedding bands-from simple platinum to elaborate antique-style diamond bands (from $900 to $11,000)-and engagement rings (from $4,500).<

Stephen Russell

This quaint Madison Avenue store is full of rare, signed pieces from the Victorian, Edwardian, and Art Deco periods, ranging from $3,000 into the millions. They also carry contemporary designs of their own.

Stuart Moore

The top-notch designer lineup here includes: Henrich & Denzel, Niessing, Steven Kretchmer, and Christian Bauer. The average price for an engagement ring is $10,000; $1,200 for a wedding band.

Tanagro

Long popular among celebrities, but also accessible to the masses, Tanagro opened its midtown retail store two years ago. Its elegant Bridal Collection features round, brilliant-cut diamond rings that are set in platinum (from $1,800).

Ted Muehling

A destination for design connoisseurs, this small store offers unique, understated pieces. Prices range from $450 for Muehling’s fourteen-karat gold band, to $10,000 for a larger diamond piece by designer Gabriella Kiss.

Tiffany & Company

Nothing beats the cachet of Tiffany’s famed blue box. The six-prong Tiffany setting (from $1,400), a classic diamond engagement ring, is an industry standard; the step-cut, square-stoned Lucida (from $1,800) is fast becoming a groom’s no-brainer.

Van Cleef & Arpels

This legendary jeweler’s landmark Fifth Avenue store is packed with glamorous, classic engagement rings. It also carries a selection of lighter but equally feminine bands that appeal to younger, less traditional tastes. Engagement rings from $4,250.

Verdura

Verdura is known for colored stones, but it can also go classic for special-order engagement rings. Its most popular is the lace setting, an eternity band encrusted with micro-pavé diamonds and a delicate setting for a solitaire gem (from $9,000).

Wedding Ring Originals

Stocking a huge selection of custom-designed engagement and wedding rings on site, this midtown storefront has a band for virtually any budget. Mel Krumholtz, the company’s president, will happily join a consultation at a client’s request. Prices upon request.

Zales, The Diamond Store

Zales has a gamut of options, so couples will have to stay focused to avoid being overwhelmed. With a huge number of vendors and prices, Zales caters to thrifty types who can opt for plain bands of white gold or platinum ($50 to $869); those who want some sparkle can add diamonds ($250 to $3,495).

From the Winter 2008 New York Wedding Guide