Personalized jewelry is also an enduring gift. Lillian Vernon’s sterling silver bracelet with a heart charm can be engraved with a bridesmaid’s monogram, including engraving for $20 at www.lillianvernon.com. Ross-Simons engraved sterling silver locket on a black silk cord brings a dash of romance to a bridesmaid's neckline. Inserting a picture of bride and bridesmaid personalizes it even more. Including engraving for $60 at www.ross-simons.com.

Dainty pearl and crystal earrings accent dressy, swept-up hairstyles. $45 at Fortunoff. If bride registers at a Fortunoff store, she also receives a 10% discount on gifts for her wedding party. www.fortunoff.com.

Bridesmaids will delight in luxurious pashmina shawls sprayed with Swarovski crystal beads in soft lilac, pink, champagne or black. Wear to wedding and for years to come! $119 www.pashminaboutique.com.

The gift a bride chooses reflects strong bonds of friendship celebrated on this joyous occasion

Since Gates, whose RingDesigner.com headquarters are in Oregon, has advantage of not maintaining costly inventory, he has eliminated some major overhead expenses and is able to undercut (pun intended) most other diamond sellers by as much as sixty percent. And it is not by compromising quality. Gates has complete access to a Tel Aviv diamond market’s database--over 9,000 independently certified diamonds with a strong emphasis on Four C's: cut, clarity, color and carat. His rings arrive ready to wear or present, complete with all their diamond certification and a money-back guarantee.

As a finishing touch, each ring is placed in a beautiful black leatherette box equipped with a light. "When my wife opened box and light turned on, shining directly on diamonds inside, she was completely overjoyed," explains Dr. Lewis, a Florida resident. "Tears filled her eyes and she nearly fell over." Although it was a gift for their 50th wedding anniversary, this was first diamond ring Dr. Lewis bought for his wife. Six kids and household expenses had always gotten in way. But he promised her a diamond, and now she received a dazzling ring with eight inlaid diamonds across a slick gold band.

Since, like Lewises, not everyone can afford ring they want at time of engagement, Gates is quick to accommodate with a simple stone and setting that can be expanded upon as their marriage -- and savings--grow. Tracy and her husband, Chris, began their marriage with a small diamond ring and were looking to elaborate ten years later when Chris was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. Tracy, after many international conversations with Greg, chose a marquise-shaped stone with a wider band--and that's exactly what she received. "I really liked that I could design my own ring," says Tracy, who also built up a dialogue with Gates before ordering. "Greg is a real professional. He never pressures you."

That's probably because he doesn't need to. The quality gems from RingDesigner.com seem to speak for themselves--or let satisfied customers do talking. In fact, perhaps another category can be added to elaborate on quality of diamond rings and service provided by owner Greg Gates. In addition to "Four C's", he excels in providing "Four P's": price, precision, personality-- and most of all perfect engagement, anniversary or wedding ring!"