Bridal news on diamonds, boutonnieres

Sign up for Weekday J and get the latest on what's happening in the Jewish Bay Area.

The boutonniere should be of a tasteful size — about 4 inches in length including stem.

Boutonnieres can include leaves, or other greenery as the season may dictate. Boutonnieres can be made from just about any flower. A number of non-flower options are acceptable.

When it comes to choosing a diamond, De Beers suggests you remember the "four C's."

Carat is the weight of the stone. The bigger a stone is, the more it will cost, all other factors being equal.

Clarity is the measure of how many imperfections (inclusions) are in a stone. Few stones are flawless. Most have tiny clouds. VVS1 and VVS2 are the best grades.

Color is seldom perfectly white. Rare, fancy diamonds are pink, blue or green. Stones are graded D through Z, with D being the best.

Cut changes the amount of light the diamond reflects. Round brilliant cut is the most common.

— Copley News Service