Show THIS WEEKEND’S Advertisement SUPERBAB! The New Hands-O- n Dad Is the Hit of the Year PASSIONS ' Gems for today’s bride Diamonds are No 1 but rubies and sapphires have some couples dazzled I HtedeJ vr Ihire I f “ fatal fvtpwtp’ Myfd'9j8S Mtdti SatitJWit there A iJC yoa£cAfUavi C&i & yifoiu9utvt’ frlyoatstyttv udyttbUmu aitttktjfXL aA tHdfrmtfat faL (&£& Supermom the one who brings home the bacon and fries it up in the pan now has a faithful cohort Meet Superdad the media darling of 1988 faActually the new more involved hands-o- n ther is somewhat a result of the Supermom working mother phenomenon After all while mom was learning to juggle career and family some dads were learning to pick up the slack (and the shirt and the toys the house and)Andaround now his contributions have paid off — it's Superdad's turn in the spotlight In the movies (Three Men and a Baby) on television (My Two Dads) and on the bookshelves (“Good Morning Merry Sunshine" “Daddy") this much is for sure: It's hip to be pop! That's good news for Scott Oppenheimer senior writer and Father's Day card expert with Hallmark Cards Inc “Dad is a more prominent more multifaceted character in today's family than ever" Oppenheimer says 'That makes my job a lot more fun" father may be partly the While the new hands-oresult of necessity it is almost certainly somewhat due to fashion as well Recent trends show the backlash from the "strive for success" era of the past several years is a "cocooning" tendency — people in general not just fathers are spending more time around the house And our favorite source of role models — the TV — is showing American families a father that unlike previous TV dads is almost always around the house Cliff Huxtable of the Cosby Show and Stephen Keaton of Family Ties for instance are characters defined far more by their interaction with their children than their approach to their careers Whatever the reason this much is true: Father's Day 1988 finds many sons and daughters expressing love and thanks to dads who play a more prominent y role in their upbringing than did fathers of any generation before But the changes in the role of father are far from complete At last check there were nearly 1 million homes a figure that has fathers heading single-paremultiplied rapidly over just the last few years Men are being offered and are accepting the multitude of challenges single parenthood represents "Because more Father's Day cards are going to single-parefathers or stepdads we have to make sure our concepts aren't too confining" Oppenheimer says "All of our cards must lend themselves to the many levels on which people relate to their fathers n day-to-da- nt these days" The look of weddings this summer is lavish and upscale But what is happening to that symbol of eternal love the wedding band and its partner the engagement ring? Are couples still tying the knot with a simple band of gold? Are diamonds still a girl’s best friend? Yes on both counts But a new trend is dawning: colored stones Though the gold band still is tops for men and women and the most popular engagement ring is the diamond solitaire jewelers say Princess Di’s sapphire and Fergie’s ruby engagement rings are causing a ripple oven here “While we are continuing to see increases in traditional engagement rings there is a great deal of growth in interest in colored stones particularly sapphires” says Peter Schneirla vice president of Tiffany & Co Arthur Groom a New Jersey gem expert agrees citing interest in last year’s auction of the Duchess of Windsor’s opulent jewelry as another indicator “You see it more in Europe but it’s having an influence here Men still want the gold band but women are going for stones” What does an avant-gard- e bride choose? Often rubies or sapphires surrounded by diamonds Some designs “that have been around for ages are coming back like the eternity ring” — a band of diamonds or diamonds and colored stones says Nancy Spitzer of Heller’s Jewelers in Chevy Chase Md Also creating excitement as an engagement ring is a diamond flanked by triangular-cut rubies or sapphires she adds Costs vary depending on the size and quality of the stones “With couples marrying later there is a lot of disposable income around” says Groom “and they’re spending more on their wedding rings — anything from $500 up to $5000 even more in some cases” Here’s what they’re choosing: The diamond solitaire: a round stone set in six prongs of white gold on a gold band It’s selected by more than 75 percent of USA brides Why? It refracts light better than other shapes so it is more brilliant Next in popularity: the marquise (elliptical with pointed ends) and the pear shape Ethnic styles: Some couples choose rings associated with family heritage like the traditional Irish wedding ring the Claddagh which depicts two hands grasping a crowned heart P By RINGS: Rubies or sapphires can bring sparkle to a plain gold band Heirlooms: Others like the sentiment of a ring that’s been in the family a while Antique rings should be checked for loose stones and worn bands Spitzer cautions The stones also may need to be polished What’s out? Platinum and white gold popular in the ’30s and ’40s are rarely the choice of today’s bride Also fading: the wide bands with fussy detail that were the rage in the ’70s By Sheridan McCoid Buying and caring for rings tips from experts: Spend no less than $200 on a plain gold band and buy from a reputable jeweler Choose (57 percent gold43 (75 perpercent other alloys) or cent gold25 percent other alloys) gold They offer the best weight and durability Choose stones with care Diamonds rubies and sapphires are the most durable Some fragile stones: emeralds opals pearls coral Ask your jeweler about cut color clarity carat and certification Have your ring insured as soon as it is in your possession and keep the sales receipt If you already have a homeowner or renter policy make sure it covers the total value of your jewelry Do not use ultrasonic devices to clean jewelry containing stones advises Arthur Groom They may loosen or crack delicate stones Use jewelry cleaner ammonia or a small brush and mild soapy water and rinse well Here are some A ring of wedding USA videos page 16 WEEKENDJUNE 1988 JjJ |