Engagement Wedding Ring

Cheap Diamond Engagement Rings - Explore These Sources to Own the Jewelry

2010-07-10T03:26:00.000-07:00

Not everyone has the financial capability to buy expensive diamond rings to his would-be-bride for engagement. But if you pay attention to some crucial steps, then it is possible to buy cheap diamond engagement rings within the limitations of your budget without compromising much on the quality front.

When we talk of the cheap rings, it does not mean that we are asking you to buy inferior quality jewelry. On the contrary, quality of the rings remains almost the same higher. you can easily compare the diamond and metal quality of the rings with any high quality ones. So, do not be disheartened as you would still be buying a great ring that comes true on all the quality parameters.

Cheap diamond engagement rings are those jewelries that you can think of buying within your budgetary restrictions, despite good quality of the rings. it is because some jewelers selling these otherwise expensive ornaments at lower prices to beat the tough competition that you are able to own the rings.

Clearly, you will have to look for the markets that are more competitive. Physical jewelry stores are not considered as competitive due to their overhead expenses and static price tags. You can bargain over the prices to some extent only. Many of such stores are meant for affluent people. So, do not rely on such stores. You can, of course, use these stores for having a feel of the rings in your hands and for comparing the designs.

Thus, many people are left with the highly competitive online market of jewelry to find cheap diamond engagement rings. As against the static prices of physical stores, you will find that the online jewelry sites are regularly offering huge price deductions to its customers. Their ring prices are already way lower than the local stores.

To take utmost advantage of the competition, scan and compare as many online jewelry sites. Comparison will lead you to right designs of the rings and lower prices as well. but ensure that the online seller is reliable and offers a return policy that enables you to return any damaged piece on time.

You can also look for some sales going on in your locality. Such jeweler may be selling cheap diamond engagement rings at very low prices in order to get rid of the old stocks. These are some of the sources to find out the jewelry that you can afford to buy.

By Frank Luca

Design Your Own Engagement Ring Online

2010-07-10T03:07:00.001-07:00

While some people still visit the jewelry store, you can save time and design your own engagement ring online. By selecting individual components you may actually save more if one component is on sale. Read more to find out how this works.

There are popular sites like Diamonds on the Web that have spotted sales like 30% off on gold and other metals that you can choose from. Other benefits are installment payments. Some online stores allow you to put 20% down and pay the difference in 6 installments. This option can allow you to put a little more into the ring and not have to go broke doing it.

Of course the biggest advantage is using the technologies offered to make changes. Lets say you choose a three prong setting, then it didn't look exactly like you thought. All you have to do is select a new setting, push a few buttons and instantly you have a new design. It's never been easier to design your own engagement ring online as it is now with only a Internet connection and a computer. If you don't have access to these things you can go to your local library. Most libraries now have Internet stations that you can use FREE if you have a library card.

Once you have your draft you can then go to your local jewelry store and see it in person, or something similar. Either way it's never been more convenient and easy to design your own engagement ring for that special occasion. If you are really diligent you can save quite a bit of money in the process and still get the ring you desire.

By RL Bai

Choosing the Design For a Diamond Engagement Ring

2010-01-20T17:40:00.001-08:00

Selecting the design of the diamond engagement ring should be the next thing you will need to decide on after learning and understanding about a few terms and principles about the diamonds. There are only about a few shapes that are used with the diamonds but when you are in the circumstances of doing what you are proposing, it can get you really confusing.

Of the 4Cs that govern a diamond, the cut is the only thing man-made. The rest of the 3 Cs are all naturally occurring in the diamonds. Many of the people are confuse with the diamond cut with the shape of a diamond ring. Most of diamonds are cut round with full 58 facets, and a advantageous cut or make, has the extra scintillation or sparkle.

Although the cut of the diamond may affect the worth of the diamond, the shape is largely a matter of personal preference and does not affect the price significantly. There are about only 10 popular shapes that can be used as the center stone for a diamond engagement ring. These are the Round, Marquise, Princess, Pear, Oval, Heart, Emerald, Cushion, Asscher, and Trillion. Although Baguette and Taper are also shapes used in the engagement rings, they are not usually used as the center stone for an engagement ring.

Think first of what your fiancée's preference will be. If nothing else, a Round Brilliant cut will be the safest bet when deciding on the shape of the diamond engagement ring.

Fortunately, there are excellent reputable sources to engagement rings that will let you stun her with an heirloom quality diamond at a fraction of the cost.

By Mark Q. Jackson

The Perfect Cushion Cut Engagement Ring For Your Lady

2010-01-05T13:37:00.001-08:00

There comes a time in the human race when a man finds the love of his life and pops "the big question." This moment traditionally is symbolized with a ring. To pull the whole thing off, you have to plan for the purchase of an engagement ring; we recommend you consider purchasing a cushion cut engagement ring for this special moment.

The reason why we suggest cushion cut engagement rings is that they are simply stunning and eye catching. Considering that this is a very special woman in your life, you should take your time while shopping to get exactly what you are looking for and not a replica of cushion cut rings. The very first and the most important consideration when it comes to engagement rings is the band; therefore, you should be able to choose from the different band colors, sizes and the material that is used for the cushion cut rings. On the other hand, the gemstones that are used are found in a variety of shapes for the cushion cut engagement rings.

For most people, the first thing that comes to mind when it comes to issues of engagement rings is a diamond. None would deny that this is the traditional ring, but it can also be replaced with any other gemstone the couple decides on and, most importantly, that will be within their budget. Nevertheless, when it comes to the selection of the band for the cushion cut rings, you should keep in mind that you can choose from platinum, silver and gold.

When it comes to rings, every person has his or her own preferences: some will prefer rings with the traditional gold, whereas others will prefer the shiny silver, while still others will prefer rings with platinum. Perhaps because gold is the most popular metal, most people seem to prefer it for the rings; you should also know that the gold within a ring is usually measured in karats.

Gold can be found in two popular colors: white or yellow gold. You should also know that the most popular gold cushion cut engagement rings are usually 14 karats, but this should not be a hindrance to you because you can still find the traditional gold rings in 18 and 24 karats as well. The greatest disadvantage with gold is that it tends to bend easy and tarnishes after a period of time. However, this is not the case when it comes to platinum and silver, they are known to be very hard; thus they do not bend easily when compared to gold.

By Darryl Parker

Antique Engagement Rings - A Growing Trend!

2010-01-05T13:35:00.001-08:00

An engagement is a wonderful time. You are getting ready for a new life with your spouse, and you know that eventually you will have a wonderful new life with the woman of your dreams. The entire process of getting engaged starts with you and your fiancée choosing the perfect ring! And this is a really important step! You have to remember that she will be wearing your ring for the rest of your lives, and your fiancée will be showing it off to her friends and relatives until you actually get married.

Choose the best one that you can afford, and find a style that is timeless and elegant. We do know that modern, sleek designs can be really alluring; but timeless designs can be really chic. Moreover, they will suit any style of dress and any environment. We recommend that you take a serious look at antique engagement rings as the best and first choice for when you get engaged.

Why do you need antique engagement rings?

Buying antique rings is like buying a piece of furniture with a lot of history attached to it. You already know that someone has used those antique rings to show their love. The designs of antique rings are classic, and they can be easily passed down in the family as a family heirloom. These rings may cost a little more than normal, but they are well worth the smile that your fiancée will have on her face when you propose.

How do I choose and buy antique engagement rings? There are a few tips that you should be aware of when you buy these rings:

Find an era that your fiancée will like. Edwardian era rings are large and intricate, while Victorian era rings are pretty and simple with large stones. The Art Deco age produced some of the best designs in rings. But you need to choose something that your fiancée will like.

Use a reputable dealer who works with antique rings. Don't get fooled by jewelers who will tell you that the design is antique; you have to have proof in the form of the quality of the stones and the wear and tear that is on the piece. Most rings will also have the original owner's name and engagement date inscribed on them.

Check the quality of the stone. Diamonds stand the wear and tear of time easily, but softer stones such as pearls, emeralds and rubies can literally break down and wear away with time.

Ask for certification from the jeweler. Most high quality antique engagement rings dealers will have certification to prove the provenance of the piece. They will have the original owner's name and the history behind the piece too.

If you cannot afford really expensive antique engagement rings, you can also try flea markets where antique dealers sell ancient rings that can be used as engagement rings. For example, claddagh rings are really popular as rings that are used to signify love between a man and a woman. They can be made of gold or silver but they are typically rings that signify love and loyalty. We hope that you find the ideal antique engagement rings to make your fiancée happy.

By Darryl Parker

5 Secrets For Selecting Ideal Engagement Rings

2010-01-05T13:33:00.001-08:00

To gain the heart of a life partner, it is essential to select an engagement ring that is unique, elegant and best fits the taste of the bride-to-be. It is quite easy to select engagements rings by keeping these five tips under consideration.

1. Keep in view the partner's likes and dislikes

It is essential to know the fiancee's taste before purchasing a ring. Information regarding the tastes of the fiancee can be easily obtained by chatting with her family members or friends, or by observing her dressing style and the jewelry collection. If you are not confident about her taste, consider selecting engagement rings that match the dress to be worn on the wedding day, or pick the best one that is affordable and fits well with her skin color. Select a medium-sized ring with a large diamond for a partner with short fingers. However, the style also depends on the tastes of the couple.

2. Plan your budget

Before you start shopping for rings, it is essential to set a budget, as the prices vary greatly. If you are not on a very tight budget and can afford any price, then selecting from platinum engagement rings would be ideal. This choice would serve as sign to let the partner know how precious she is. If you are on a very tight budget, consider purchasing online. Many websites offer attractive deals on rings and even provide reviews from previous customers. Since it is a once in a lifetime event, don't be too stingy.

3. Look around

To grab ideal engagement rings, it is recommended to visit all of the jewelry shops that are in your area. This way it is possible to identify the best ring at the most reasonable price. Make sure to purchase expensive rings such as diamond and platinum from licensed jewelers. If you are purchasing pure gold engagement rings, then consider the quality of the ring, such as the purity of the gold used and the clarity of the design pattern of the ring.

4. Consider the work environment

It is essential to choose engagement rings that can be used regularly. It would be waste of money to select very precious rings that do not fit the regular work environment and remain in the jewelry box most of the time.

5. Purchase from a familiar jeweler

It is recommended to purchase rings from jewelers you are familiar with to avoid fraud. This familiarity would also ease the process of making adjustments to the ring, if required. If you do not know anyone, inquire among your neighbors and friends. Meeting a recently married couple is a good option to get the required information about where to purchase engagement rings.

Above all, it is essential to select an engagement ring that best fits the finger of your partner to avoid disappointment on the wedding day. You can know the finger size by taking your partner directly to the jeweler or by asking to borrow a ring that is being worn and fits well.

By Darryl Parker

Engagement Rings - Get a Great Online Bargain

2010-01-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

Engagement rings are a little bit like a mother-in-law at a wedding; attention is often focused solely on them, they can make or break a marriage, and no matter how much you spend on them it seems like nothing is enough!

Luckily for us though, since the dawning of the new computer age, engagement rings, unlike mother-in-laws, can be purchased online and at great prices, provided that you know where to shop. The trick is, of course, finding the best bargains available. Now, engagement rings are often a contentious issue, especially when it comes to financial terms, seeing as everybody wants to wow their fiancee and their family, yet they want at least a little left over for the honeymoon!

The old rule states that the groom should spend approximately three months salary on a wedding ring; however, as anybody who has played Trivial Pursuits with their family over and over again this year will know, there are other old rules in existence such as the law that states that it is illegal to play checkers outside in the state of Illinois. So let's not worry too much about old rules, shall we?!

Really, the only thing that is important is that your fiancee knows that you have put your whole heart, not your whole chequebook into your choice. This is another reason why you should shop online, so you can get the best choice available to you.

Think about it; even if you go to every jeweler in your town or city, there is no way that you will have the selection that the world wide web can offer you, what with all the sites that can provide you with your engagement ring, delivered straight to your front door. Another advantage to shopping online is that because these internet companies co not have to pay rental for shops, staff wages etc, they can afford to offer you an engagement ring at a very reasonable price, perhaps lower than your local jeweler can.

The lower the prices, the more your budget will allow for. So perhaps the ring that is just out of your financial clutches in the jewelery store window will be within your grasp when bought online. So, if you do fancy a bargain online, go and check out a site now...you never know, your future mother-in-law might just help you pick it out!

By David Harfield

Gisele's Engagement Ring and Wedding

2009-10-31T13:23:00.000-07:00

In February of 2009, 31-year old New England Patriots superstar quarterback Tom Brady, he of three Superbowl rings, married the world's highest-paid supermodel, 28-year-old Brazilian superstar Gisele Bundchen. Despite their superstar status and their essentially unlimited coffers, the couple had a rather small, intimate ceremony to bond themselves together. Bundchen had once said that her wedding should be "a simple ceremony...I don't like parties, I prefer something more intimate, just for the closest people." It seems Brady was perfectly content to fulfill her wedding dreams in more than one way.

The pair had been dating since 2006. But the engagement was kept as subtle by Brady as the little-photographed wedding was. In fact, Bundchen denied, with all sincerity, that she was getting engaged even after Brady had been found out. Before he presented her with the engagement ring, she snapped, "Someone deduced I was getting engaged...I don't know how people are so creative!"

Well, perhaps it was because in late October of 2008, Brady was found out. He tried to do a quarterback sneak into Cartier jewelers in Beverly Hills right before he had his knee surgery, but he got sacked by a few photographers. He came out of the shop with an engagement ring that consisted of a five-carat yellow diamond flanked by two triangular diamonds. The cost? A mere $145,000. Hey, Tom--that's not even two weeks salary for you, let alone two months!

After his caught play, a reporter leaked the information. "He's seriously considering proposing. Tom has a lot of free time now that he may miss the entire football season. It's made him realize he's finally ready to get married." The handsome Brady is known to be one of the most low-key and modest superstars on the planet.

At their quietly elegant wedding at St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, Bundshen wore a form-fitting ivory lace strapless gown with scalloped edges, a trumpet skirt, a long train, and a floor-length veil along with attached handmade satin roses and headband, all of it designed by Dolce & Gabbana. They live together now in the gated Los Angeles community of Brentwood in an $11.7 million property. One has to wonder if they paid cash for it.

By Julie Shields

Unique Engagement Rings For Men and Women

2009-10-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

The definition of a unique engagement ring is something that is rare, different and stands out from the crowd. What makes it unique is the person who wears and has an outlook and believes that the engagement ring she wears is unique. What you think is unique will make it amazingly unique in the eyes of others.

Having a unique engagement rings also depends on the rings setting, styles, gemstones and type of metal band used. If you have matches your center stones to the metal band, that will absolutely be unique. A three-stoned diamond cut with a white gold metal band is unique. A pearl sprinkled with diamonds around it looks lovely and admired by most women. Any gemstones goes well with pearl. Diamond engagement rings are in demand, common but famous among other gemstones when it comes to engagement or wedding rings. If you're searching for something different, why don't you try other gemstones than diamonds. They don't cost much than the diamonds do.

Here are some great choices to consider:

Sparkling Ruby Diamond Three-Stone-Rings

Ruby gemstones are not that popular when it comes to engagement or wedding rings, it's not that common so choosing this stone is unique. Especially if it's designed by diamonds. Rubies are desirable with color red. For red symbolizes heart and love.

Emerald Cut Solitaire Engagement Rings

Emeralds are considered as semi- precious gemstones. One of the most desirable stones for engagement rings. A green and white emerald is a perfect choice for center stones with a white gold metal band.

Sapphire Engagement Rings

Princess blue and pink sapphire are great choices too. This kind of stones are now in demand for they look amazing.

Diamond Engagement Rings

They say that noting beats the best. And diamond is indeed the best. Diamonds are girls best friend that last forever. This stones looks perfect with any type of band like platinum, gold, white gold and silver. Though silver has a tendency to tarnish. There are some diamonds that are expensive depending on the carats. Diamonds are classified by four C's. Which are color, cut, clarity and carat.

Edwardian Antique Engagement Rings

If your lady is looking for something that looks like a treasure. Go for an Edwardian engagement rings. This type of ring was once given to Queens and Princesses started at 1500s decades ago. An Edwardian wedding ring can be found on your grandmother or great grandmother maybe. Diamond, pearls, jade and opals are most preferred nowadays. Platinum is the best setting for an Edwardian engagement or wedding rings.

Pearl Engagement Rings

Pearl represents simplicity and natural because it comes in either fresh or salt water. It is considered as timeless and classic. Perfect for wedding day. Most bride wear pearl jewelries because it matches well with their dress. It also symbolizes purity and sincerity.

By Christy Powell

Engagement Rings - Choosing the Best

2009-09-26T17:22:00.000-07:00

When a man has made the decision to propose to the woman in his life, there will be a million and one thoughts racing through his mind; the most pressing one will probably be, will she say yes?! However, another important consideration will be the type of ring that he chooses, as this is integral to the entire proposal.

Picking the best ring to suit your purposes is a tricky business and without the right guidance it can be a veritable minefield of shapes, sizes, not to mention price tags. Some men will have the useful guidance of their future wife actually choosing the ring for them, yet for the more romantic grooms-to-be that are out there, here are some tips on choosing the best engagement ring.

The first thing to sort out is how much you are willing to spend on the engagement ring; it is tempting to blow as much as you can on the ring, yet this might not leave you with enough for a honeymoon! Traditionally, it is thought that two months salary is a good guide as to how much you should spend on an engagement ring, although it can be safely assumed that your fiancée would not complain if you spent a little more...!

Choose a reasonable bracket that you are willing to work within and stick to that as much as possible; of course, if you find a real bargain then you should snap it up and conversely, if there is a ring that you know that would make your fiancée ecstatic that is a little out of your price range, then it is probably worth saving up for.

Once you have decided on your price range, it's time to get researching; compare the entire market, from thrift shops to fancy jewellers and consider every ring going. A useful little tip is that real bargains can now be found in online jewellers, with many sites offering discounts for buying online.

To narrow down the options for engagement rings, try and find out what type of metal your future wife likes the most; this can be done by rooting through her jewellery collection or confiding in one of her friends and getting her to act as a spy...just make sure you can really trust them not to spill the beans.

The most important element of choosing an engagement ring is that you put your whole heart into it; it may sound cheesy and a little 'Hollywood', but if you have put as much love, care and attention into choosing the ring as you have your relationship, then you will definitely make the right choice.

By David Harfield

Carved Wedding Rings

2009-07-31T22:06:00.000-07:00

Carved wedding rings can convert a simple and traditional band into a work of art, quite literally. It has been popping up almost as long as the wedding ring itself. The Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras favored this type of rings, as did a little later in the 1950's and 60's. Further back in time, the Celts carved their wedding rings, as did the Romans. Luckily for us, latest technologies, including computer aided equipment means that nowadays, the carving can be extremely fine and intricate.

What's the Difference between Carved and Engraved Wedding Rings? Engraved wedding rings tend to have shallower embellishments that are more for texture or decoration. Carved rings tend to have much deeper patterns, and these can often involve the actual shape of the band. In fact, the carvings are so deep that they can be considered to be dimensional, not just surface decoration.

Popular Carved Wedding Ring Designs. These are extremely popular designs for carving. Other styles include Art Nouveau and Victorian inspired designs featuring leaves, scrolls, flowers and other natural objects such as wheat. Geometric designs can be used to great effect to either replicate the much admired Art Deco style, or contemporary designs.

Carved wedding rings can look absolutely sensational when incorporating various colored metals such as two tone. Other ideas are to have the deeper parts of the ring tinted or inlaid with other colored metals.

It can also incorporate precious gems and diamonds for even more visual impact.

Points To Consider When Selecting A Carved Wedding Ring. It may well wear over the years. The deeper the engraving initially, the longer it will take the wear to show. Some carving may need to be reworked after many years of wear. Wedding rings that have carvings involving the entire band may wear more noticeably than a carved wedding ring that only features work on the front.

Some metals may be more long wearing than others, while other metals are so hard, such as tungsten and titanium, they make carving almost impossible. Check with your jeweler as to what is going to be the best metal for your wedding ring requirements.

Conclusion

Carved wedding rings can be an excellent option for those seeking a unique or highly embellished wedding ring. Lovers of jewelry styles ranging from pagan to Celtic to Victorian to contemporary will all be able to find a carved wedding ring to suit their taste.

By Andrew Moquin

Ten Steps To Buying An Engagement Ring

2009-07-02T16:33:00.001-07:00

Discovering the right one does not come easy. There are so many options, patterns, sizes, colors and light elegance. Hunting for the ideal ring can be like a discouraging treasure search, but do not worry. Stick with these ten invariable rules and you will be nerveless under the shiny jewelry store lights.

1) Teach Yourself= Prior to hitting the stores, you have got to discover the lingo. In spite of expectations, how can you choose a stone if you don’t recognize a Karat from a carat? Learn the 4Cs and how the 4Cs affect the brightness and value of your designated gem.

2) Begin Wisely= Narrow your searching parameters first and save time shopping. For diamonds, first decide on the 4Cs you want.

3) Set a Limit= Know your budget and stay with it. Remember that you are better off purchasing a tinier, better-caliber diamond than a large, drab stone.

4) Hone In= Pay additional heed to your woman’s clothes and manner of living. Gold or platinumor is it ruby or diamond? Plain solitaire or fancy gem? Try to estimate what she will like and what suits her lifestyle.

5) Rely On Your Feelings= Only, we say again, only buy at a jeweler who has been mentioned as worthy of acceptance or has a immaculate reputation in your community. Good choices are retailers associated with Jewelers of America or the American Gem Society. What kind of feeling does the store present? Is the personnel knowledgeable and unhurried? What are the bring back, fix and replacing policies?

6) Do Not Hurry= Make up your mind when you will propose, then permit ample time to shop about and organize a unforgettable proposal. Keep in mind that once requested, a ring can take approximately six weeks to come through, possibly longer if you are having it customized. If you need to inscribe anything on the inside of the ring, make sure to ask for the inscription when you order the ring.

7) Purchase Diamonds Unmounted= Don’t be confused by the pretty setting. Many jewelry advertisements are tempting you on to the settings, not the diamonds, even though the gem is a humongous 90% of its cost. It is crucial to buy the gem unaffixed, not mounted, so you can check the full stone with a small magnifying glass, usually set in an eyepiece, used by jewelers and horologists that your jeweler can lend you before you plop down a bunch of cash. If the jeweler doesn’t keep loose stones, go to the next jeweler.

8) Talk Terms= Many retailers abusively blow up prices. Don't pay the sticker price unless you have window-shopped and you realize it is actually a fair price.

9) The Hard Part= Here comes the really difficult part, choosing a setting. Take a look at these couple tips. If you want a prong setting, platinum prongs are tougher than gold and a casting is not as strong as die struck prongs. Whenever doable, obtain prongs that are produced from a white metal like platinum or white gold because yellow gold may cause the diamond to have a yellow cast. Be sure the ring’s shank, which is the ring part of the ring, isn’t too fragile and see to it that it is embossed with a quality mark.

10) Have It Written Down= High quality diamonds and other diamonds that are one carat and bigger should come with a diamond grading document. If no document is included, take the sale dependent on an independent appraiser’s judgement. Once you have it appraised, have it insured. High quality and large loose diamonds should come accompanied by a laboratory certificate and a free insurance appraisal.

By James Ellison

Diamond Engagement Rings Throughout History

2009-06-21T20:44:00.001-07:00

The scenario is played out thousands of times a day throughout the world; young men present diamond engagement rings to the ladies they desire to marry. This tradition, which dates back centuries in one form or another, has many variations. Nonetheless, diamond engagement rings continue to be a symbol of betrothal in much of the Western world.

Where It Started

Diamonds themselves have been available to ordinary people only for the past 150 years or so, although the idea of diamond engagement rings - without the diamonds - goes back much further - almost 800 years, in fact.

It was in 1215 that Pope Innocent III, presiding over the Fourth Lateran Council, decreed that there should be a longer waiting period between betrothal and marriage. These rings consisted of plain bands worn by both the man and the woman, and depending on socio-economic class of the couple, were made of gold, silver, bronze or iron. Although precious gems would have been unavailable to peasants in any case, laws were in place to make sure only those of "high rank" were allowed to wear such treasures.

Diamond Engagement Rings?

Although not used for betrothal, diamonds were mounted in rings as far back as Roman times. The earliest example of diamond engagement rings (which were actually wedding rings) date from 1477, the year in which Archduke Maximilian I of the House of Hapsburg married Marie of Burgundy. However, the practice of a man presenting his intended with a diamond engagement ring was only became common as the result of a major sales campaign by a huge, transnational corporation.

De Beers

Today, the DeBeers company controls about half of the worldwide diamond market. It was founded in 1888 by Cecil Rhodes, British-South African business magnate for whom the nation of Rhodesia (now Zambia and Zimbabwe) was named. It was the middle of the 20th century when a creative ad executive created the most memorable catch-phrase of all time: "A Diamond is Forever." Since the 1950s, average working men have been spending about two months' salary (the standard rule of thumb, according to the industry) for diamond engagement rings.

There was a similar . marketing attempt by the U.S diamond jewelry industry to create a market for similar diamond engagement rings for men by creating a "historical precedent" (which never existed). The effort was not successful, although the campaign did eventually result in a market for men's diamond wedding rings and "his and hers" sets.

How Much?

Even today, diamond engagement rings come in a wide range of prices. Some can be purchased for as little as $300 - $400, while others can run as high as five and six figures. Setting, as well as size, clarity, color and quality of cut are all determining factors in the price of diamond engagement rings.

By Jonathon Blocker

Engagement Ring-wedding Ring Buying Guide

2009-06-11T15:07:00.001-07:00

Buying diamond rings was never too easy. Especially, when you plan to purchase diamond engagement ring or diamond wedding ring, the task becomes tougher. Because, you are not purchasing another diamond ring for you, in-fact you are going to choose an asset as well as a memorabilia of lifetime for you.

Value and Importance of Engagement Ring

The decision of buying an engagement ring is a onetime decision. Your engagement ring is the delegate for all your love, feelings, affection and lifelong commitments towards your would be life partner. You express your willingness to spend whole life with your fiancée with this engagement ring, and she accepts your proposal and expresses her gratitude by presenting back you another engagement ring. This tradition of exchanging rings carries loads of sentiments in itself, so you have to justify its importance by taking utmost care before buying engagement rings.

Things to consider before buying Engagement Ring

You should take care of a few things before buying a diamond engagement ring or wedding ring, like:

• Your budget

• Sufficient idea of choosing the best diamond for you

• The choice of your fiancée or would be better half

• Latest trends in terms of design, and

• Materials used in making of diamond rings.

Buying Engagement Ring Online from Online Jewellery Stores

If you have decided to buy your engagement ring or wedding band from one of several online jewellery stores, then it is a wonderful decision, you just need to take care of few things to make your online engagement ring shopping experience better and pleasant.

First, verify that the store has certified for selling quality jewellery or not, whether they sell hallmarked diamond engagement rings or other diamond jewellery products not. Never forget to check other additional attractive offers by online jewellery stores, enquire about after sell guarantee or services.

Before making final decision, check several online jewellery stores. Compare their offerings and details of diamonds attached with your engagement ring. Having a glance over previous customer’s feedback or testimonials or views of press would be helpful in clarifying the dependability of an online jewellery store.

Online Jewellery Shopping Tips

Some online shops also provide money back or return of items in most of the cases. You can also avail free cleaning and polishing facilities for your diamond engagement ring. During wedding season, most of online jewellery stores provide either free shipping or some amount of discount. Check all these things and you will end up with best diamond engagement ring for your fiancée along with a satisfactory experience of online jewellery shopping.

By Rivazge.com

Importance of Wedding Jewellery for Couples

2009-06-11T15:03:00.001-07:00

Wedding is matter of joy and excitement for wedding couples. After their wedding, they are authorized to spend whole life with each other, sharing love, happiness, sorrows and every difficulties of life. Wedding couple plans everything related to their wedding ceremony together with consent of their families. Right before the engagement ceremony, they become busy in thinking, planning and deciding about their dresses for wedding and engagement ceremony, bridal jewellery selection, decoration of venue and everything.

Importance of Bridal Jewellery

Among all related matters, choosing jewellery for bride and groom is really tough and time taking process. Engagement and Wedding both are one time event in wedding couple’s life, and they want to make it special and cherished moment for whole life. Wedding Jewellery is not only meant for bride, it becomes an asset for coming generation. Every bride inherits jewellery from her parents or grandparents. Therefore, the value of bridal jewellery is much more than general.

Choosing Wedding Jewellery

Choosing jewellery for engagement and wedding purposes is tough task, due to involvement of two key persons. At the time of shopping for engagement ceremony, would be bride and groom want to include things according to their individual choices. Jewellery manufacturers understand the vital importance of exclusiveness as well as mutual interest of wedding couples. They present Engagement Rings in pairs, one for bride and another for groom. They use same material, style and design with special masculine touch for groom’s and feminine touch for bride’s engagement rings.

Pairs of specially designed diamond engagement rings are an essential element of jewellery manufacturer’s collection. Each Jewellery manufacturer designs specialized pairs of Diamond Engagement Rings, Diamond Wedding Ring, Diamond Bracelets, Diamond Necklace, Diamond Earrings, Watches and other jewellery products needed to complete a bridal jewellery set. It makes cumbersome task of choosing wedding jewellery easier for wedding couples.

Sell Engagement Ring - A Way to Earn Much Needed Cash

2009-06-11T14:49:00.001-07:00

It's a recession and you have some how been managing so far. But, suddenly you're stuck with bills to pay without a solution in sight! Quit biting those nails and dig into some of your stash of gold jewelry instead. Luckily, heirlooms rarely go out of fashion. Most importantly, they can always be relied upon to raise some much-needed emergency funds.

So, look at what you can come with. Sell your engagement ring, maybe? Or maybe your grandmother's uninspiring locket that you didn't think much of anyway? However, before you start turning your stylish assets into liquid cash, check out some basics of successful online selling.

To avoid getting lost, try and look out for unique pieces to sell. This will help it stand out of the crowd and serve to convince a buyer that it's genuine stuff and not bought at a bulk sale of worthless fakes.

Are you selling old-world charm or young, trendy stuff? The answer will help you determine whether to pitch to the little old ladies or college students.

You need clear photographs of your jewelry. Look at it as a customer would as the picture decides whether it gets bought or not since there's not much else to go on in the virtual world! If you're selling your engagement ring, ensure it looks good!

Spread the word. Don't restrict yourself to one website, but deliver your sales pitch on several online options. The more you are seen, the more your chances of being making a sale and getting a good price!

Think hard before you choose what to sell. The best bets are jewelry pieces gathering dust in your cupboard. The idea to sell your engagement ring might not be a bad one. Why not exchange them for some emergency cash instead?

There are many more ways to earn money but if you need to earn money today, then you should explore these options.

By Travis Thomason

Engagement Rings For Cheap - Popping the Question on a Shoestring Budget

2009-02-11T16:05:00.000-08:00

Inexpensive engagement rings may sound like a contradiction in terms, but they really do exist. Engagement rings are often one of the most expensive pieces of jewelry a woman will own, but this doesn't have to be the case. You can still give her the most beautiful ring she will ever have and not be in debt for the rest of your life.

Here are some ways to find inexpensive engagement rings.

• Jewelry sales

If you are looking for inexpensive engagement rings look for jewelry sales. Jewelry stores will have sales just like any other store. You can keep an eye on the ads that come in the weekly newspaper or you can go to the store each week. It may be possible that they can add you to a mailing and you will receive notices when they have a sale going on. You might also be able to see specials at their website.

• Used rings

There is nothing wrong with a used ring. They are checked out and any problems with prongs will be fixed before they ever put it on the shelf for resale. This is a great way to get inexpensive engagement rings. These types of rings are usually found at a pawn shop. You might be surprised at the rings you will find in these types of shops, they are beautiful and are often will cost much less than at a regular jewelry store.

• Discount stores

You may be surprised at what you will find at stores like Walmart or Target. They have beautiful jewelry that is half the price as a chain jewelry store. They may not have an extensive selection, but their pieces are just beautiful and will fit into any budget.

• Shop Online

You may be able to find good deals on inexpensive engagement rings online. Searching websites such as eBay or Craig's List is an excellent place to start. However, you need to be careful when purchasing on these sites since these are used items and you more than likely won't get to see and inspect them before you hand over your money.

Most people associate engagement rings with diamonds and gold. You can save a lot of money on inexpensive engagement rings if you go with silver instead of gold or you go with fewer diamonds. Engagement rings don't even have to be diamonds. You could go with rubies or emeralds and not pay as much as you would with a diamond. It's also possible to purchase a cubic zirconium rather than diamonds and you will still have a gorgeous ring.

Another option is to go with a solid gold band instead of diamonds. Some other options for inexpensive engagements rings would be smaller diamonds, promise rings, or birth stone rings.

When you are about to pop the question, you need a beautiful ring. Just because you don't have a lot of money doesn't mean you can't give her a beautiful ring. Inexpensive engagement rings can be found in a number of different places. All you have to do is be prepared to shop around and keep your eyes open for the perfect ring to give that special person.

By Darlyn Burkle

Choosing a Ring That's Right For You

2009-02-05T05:51:00.000-08:00

Have you ever been to a jewelry store and have no idea where to start? This is very common. There are so many different types of rings including color, the type of gem, the cut, etc. I have put together a guide here to help you choose the ring that is right for you.

Go with your gut

Nothing can sway a woman once she decides what she wants. A lot of couples decide on a ring within the first 10-20 minutes, most jewelers believe couples should go with their gut, because it is the one that will make them most happy.

There's really no need explaining, if you like the ring, you like the ring. 85% of the time a woman goes back to the first ring she picked out.

If you really don't know

If you are set on keeping the proposal a secret, and you don't know what type of setting to get it's a good idea to get a solitaire diamond on a simple band, and have your bride to be come back to decide the setting of her choice.

If you're totally stumped, a solitaire diamond on a white gold band is a good choice.

Have something made unique for you

Jewelers can use optical illusion to make all sorts of shapes and styles work for a woman's hand. If the ring is tapered in the back and more narrow in the front, shorter fingers can take a wider band. For longer fingers, a stone set with two smaller ones on either side is suggested.

Take your skin tone into account

Typically, there are two different colors yellow, or yellow gold, or white which includes white gold or platinum. Platinum is more expensive, but more durable and white gold is essentially the same color.

Many jewelers argue that lighter skin tones look better with yellow gold. You should choose your ring on style and preference as well, however most brides these days are choosing white gold over yellow gold, say most interviewed jewelers.

National ads and marketing campaigns seem to have given rose gold a boost in popularity as a color for bands now. Rose gold was big once long ago, and now is coming back because everything seems to cycle.

You can purchase a removable band for about $400 that can instantly change the color of your ring, so don't feel like you have to stay with just one color. Or if you don't want to do that, a two tone ring is a great way to make a style more flexible as time changes.

Diamonds are forever

Diamonds always have and most likely always will be the number one choice for engagement and wedding rings. This is said to be because they are white and colorless so they can go with anything... still, there are trends these days going more towards pink, blue, or yellow diamonds.

Don't go overboard, a one carat diamond ring is the most common choice for engagement rings because they hold shine and luster the best, while still being a simple shape.

You may outlive the style of your ring

Just because you used the ring on your wedding day doesn't mean you're stuck with it for the rest of all days, many times couples can afford bigger diamonds later in life. We get used to the ring we have, but as we get older we tend to want something more substantial, lots of times couples add stones for each child, for instance.

By Evelyn Whitaker

Engagement Ring - Express Your Love

2009-01-19T17:23:00.000-08:00

In Western custom, an engagement ring is a ring wear by a woman signifying her commitment to be wedding. In several nations, like the UK, ring is wear on the left-hand ring finger. A groom usually presents the ring as a betrothal gift to his future bride whereas or straight later than, she recognize his wedding offer. It stands for a ceremonial agreement to upcoming wedding.

Comparable customs supposedly meeting to standard time dating back from an early tradition seemingly referring that Left hand fourth finger is as control the "stratum of feel affection for".

However, many couples living together before wedding, but it are suitable more ordinary for each partner to decide on the commitment or commitment ring though acquisition a marriage band collectively. In countries where each partners carry engagement rings. Nowadays, matching ring is being likely to be purchasing together. In some countries, the ring is to be wearing on the left fourth finger that also known as Ring finger for both bride and groom.

While shopping meant for a diamond jewellery or diamond ring, the cost be able to depend considerably on the carat heaviness, shade, lucidity and cut of the diamond, or else well known as gemological uniqueness of the diamond.

In the UK, the gift of a commitment ring is imagining to be a complete present to the fiance. This belief might be deny though by confirming that the ring be specified on condition i.e. communicate or indirect so as it should give back if the wedding did not take place, for at all cause.

Engagement ring is able to offer you and your bride a root to smile. Exclusive rings are in fashion. Presently there are various settlement emotionally involved through receiving your ring. The important and the prime advantage toward you are able to gift your lover impressive in a way, which shows your love.

Diamond jewellery especially engagement rings is the symbol of true love, commitment and loyalty. A becoming bride as a powerful sign that she is taken plus will quickly be wedded to her true love arrogantly and usually carry it. The ring is show as a sign of love, trust, loyalty, festivity, and the prosperity of the groom. By placing the ring on his would be partner, the grooms provide the humanity an external expression that he not just loves his special someone, other than too can give to get married her plus get her from her father house. Engagement rings, throughout their perfect lucidity and everlasting character, have come to represent the cleanliness and never-ending promise between partners.

Therefore, it can be says that not anything accompaniments love better than diamond. Diamond is forever and love forever and diamond jewellery is a symbol of pure love.

By Jackie Rickiie

Engagement Ring Shopping Made Easy

2008-10-20T21:26:00.001-07:00

Buying an engagement ring is a personal experience for each couple. Each couple will have their own likes and dislikes in regards to diamond size and shape. Some women prefer silver while others like gold rings. Diamond shapes include marquis, round, pear, oval and heart shaped.

Selecting an engagement ring for your beloved may appear frightening, but it doesn't have to be. Men who know little about jewelry will soon learn a lot when shopping for an engagement ring. There are several things you need to consider when looking for the perfect ring.

Cut refers to the proportions and symmetry. If it is rated, look for an excellent, very good, or good rating. Cut quality is important as it makes the diamond shine. Color and clarity are less important and less noticeable. Cut is the skill with which a diamond is faceted and determines the catching of light in a diamond.

Diamonds come in a variety of colors, cuts, clarities and carats (the 4 C's) and there is a diamond for every budget. It's certainly possible to buy an engagement ring for less than $1000. A diamond's quality varies and a smaller diamond with greater quality may look better than a poor quality large diamond.

There are four classes of diamond cut. Class I & Class II are well proportioned diamonds with 88-93 percent light return. Two diamonds of similar cut, color, clarity and caret weight will probably not be equally beautiful. Each diamond is unique just like your soulmate.

Diamonds are measured in carats. The higher the number of carats, the larger the diamond. And the larger the diamond, the more expensive it will usually be.

Every engagement ring is different, so don't be afraid to make this very special purchase. Your soulmate will cherish this gift you picked out for her forever.

By K. M. Ryan

Wedding Ring Sets – United We Stand

2008-10-20T21:23:00.000-07:00

Wedding ring sets are integration of both engagement and wedding ring in a similar design, complimenting one another. It is suitable for women who hate wearing more than one ring, or for couples who have budget constraints. It is actually called ‘wedding set’ and is designed to be worn together, and these rings cannot be worn separately as they are soldered to be worn together for a seamless and permanent fit, hence they are inseparable.

Wedding ring sets symbolizes the deep and intertwined relationship they share without discriminating each other and giving each other the same status in the society. The wedding set is a perfect complement to a romantic relationship; many couples choose rings set which symbolizes their closeness and togetherness in harmony and passion with matching designs and settings.

A united wedding ring set is an elaborate designed pair; the pair should have a co-ordination wrap to each of the ring. Yellow gold is the most commonly used in the wedding ring set, but one can also use the combination of yellow as well as white gold to give a striking look to the wedding ring set. Wedding ring sets are mostly designed with intricacy and delicate detailing since they are surrounded with multiple small stones in a pattern with a large stone in centre.

By Akhil Pathak

Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring

2008-10-20T21:22:00.001-07:00

It's a 'once in a lifetime decision' when buying a wedding ring. Choosing the perfect wedding ring depends on what kind of ring you favors and what designs are available. Remember, the most important part of a wedding ring is believe to be the diamond on it, the more unique the better. Also, Whether you prefer yellow gold, platinum, or white gold there is a vast assortment from which to choose. Even more important than how your wedding ring looks, is how it feels. Once you found the perfect wedding ring, it is time to make sure you get a nice and perfect fit.

Sizing your wedding ring can be a little tricky. However, here are some valuable tips to help you obtain the perfect size for your wedding ring:

When getting your wedding ring sized it is best if you are in a comfortable atmosphere since climate and temperature can enlarge or reduce your ring size. After you purchase your wedding ring don’t get it sized immediately because it may not be the actual size at the point of purchase. Wear your wedding ring and give it time to adjust to your finger. Remember seeing buyers always put it on and try to look from different angle? It's not just for fun. They are trying to get the ring to synchronies with their body temperature.

By Jeffrey T

How to Choose From an Array of Engagement Rings

2008-10-15T19:19:00.000-07:00

The engagement is the first step into your committed relationship and purchasing the engagement ring should be taken equally seriously. It is a pricey undertaking hence you should be careful in your selection. It isn't a simple purchase as it seems like and should be well researched for before narrowing on a selection. The engagement ring would be worn by your spouse all the time so it should be liked and cherished by your spouse.

Your purchasing capacity depends upon your willingness to spend on this lifetime investment. There are many types of engagement rings and you need to decide whether you want to make it a surprise to your spouse or buy it with her consent. If you want to surprise her, you need to know her likings and the type of metal she prefers or give something that she hasn't possessed as of yet.

There are varied alternatives for an engagement ring but the most popular ones are the diamond rings, gold rings and platinum rings. The diamond ring is a perfect match for anyone and it jells up with any kind of mounting metal. The diamond looks stunning with platinum and also along with gold or any other metal, but it is logical to have a sturdy metal to hold the diamond.

It is important to know the diamond before you splurge into its investment. One has to consider the cut, clarity, carat and colour of the diamond, which are its keys elements. There are around 10 popular cuts but there are umpteen other styles designed by jewellery makers. You need to carefully choose your style of cut as it would determine the shine of the diamond and the fit in the ring design. The most popular cuts are the round, oval and princess cut but unique designs require different cuts.

It is always difficult to start with your search; hence online jewellery shopping website is a feasible alternative. Many websites offer to have your own individual designs and choose your style of diamond on it. This will give to a fair idea of your purchase. You can team up your diamond with your choice of metal and can have your design incorporated. This will make your purchase unique and it will be all the more special. Diamonds come in various price ranges depending upon their originality. You can choose the one that is appealing to your spouse and also isn't heavy on your pocket.

By Monty Alexander

Disover The Benefits Of White Gold Engagement Rings

2008-10-15T19:16:00.000-07:00

Over the last few years engagement rings made of white gold have been become very popular, because they have a stunning finish and complement any gemstone. The hype started because many couples wanted anything unlike the usual yellow gold engagement rings. For every bride it is significant to feel she owns something different and unique. This is one of the reasons why white gold engagement rings are extremely popular right now, because they will unquestionably make her feel unique.

Prior to choosing engagement rings, always it may be wise when men consider carefully the individual styles and tastes of the future bride. He should find out whether she goes for jewelry of yellow gold or anything in the silver colored range. This comes with silver, platinum, and last not least white gold. If the future bride likes one of these jewelry, then he can be sure that an engagement ring made of white gold is the perfect choice. While he is at it, he should even try to discover the right ring size of his future bride. Later on this will save time and she is able to enjoy her engagement ring directly!

When it comes time to make the choice, it will precipitate to either platinum or white gold. By comparing the features, you'll see that white gold engagement rings have several benefits that platinum bands do not. First you'll determine that the biggest difference in rings is the cost. Platinum is a good deal more expensive than white gold. For just the equal setting and design the price of Platinum settings can be up to twice as much. For this reason in many cases couples opt for engagement rings made of white gold.

White gold rings provide some other advantages as well. One great benefit is that white gold is stronger than platinum which helps avoid bending and scraping easily. Another point is, that the white gold finish stays brighter longer. Platinum can become blunt. Besides, platinum prongs break more at ease than those prongs made of white gold. This is really important because those prongs are keeping the diamonds or other gems. It would be unspeakable to drop off those!

It is really important to consider engagement rings carefully founded on the appreciation and personality of the bride who will be getting it. White gold features so many advantages as well as being really beautiful. White gold is the ideal backdrop for diamonds and other valuable gemstones. The shining of the gem is stunning without overmastering it like yellow gold can. It is the gemstone that should focus on and not the setting. Generally, it is always a very individual choice whenever an engagement band is selected. White gold engagement rings are clearly favorites in the wide range of engagement rings.

By Diane Winter

Gothic Wedding Rings Symbolize a Black Heart's Love

2008-10-14T22:54:00.000-07:00

What better way to celebrate and symbolize love than to have the right thing to symbolize it - a wedding ring. Wedding bands or rings are a must-have to every wedding ceremony. It's a bit unimaginable if they weren't in the scene. To some who are in the rush of things, any ring will do until they find the time or maybe when they still can't afford to buy one. For others who have lots and lots of time and money to prepare the "big day", choosing the right ring is on a day's to-do checklist.

How about for another type of people who embraces a certain way of life or culture like those of the Goths or Gothic? Is there such a thing as gothic wedding rings? Something to think about. Well the answer here is Yes. There are actually gothic wedding rings available in the market with a variety of designs to choose from. What must be taken into consideration now is what's the right one for a certain Goth, as there are noted three types of Goth?

Believe it or not, this subculture still has its own divisions, grouped into a type of personality. One of which is the Perky Goth. The Perky Goth are the revels in any life situation be it a good one or bad. They try to get themselves into anything and go with the concept of "more is better". Perky Goths are to be found on picnics and going to clubs, while avoiding socializing with others, they're just there. They comprise more of the type of Goths.

The second type of Goth is the Cyber Goth. As compared to usual black color lovers, a Cyber Goth still embraces that black color, while adding details of bright neon colors, alien symbols or designs and even tattoos. They come across with Perky Goths as they can be found in clubs too. Cyber Goths are also known as the "Glow in the Dark" Goth. Their choice of music runs from techno, trance, hard techno, and industrial. Since the word "cyber" is attached to their type, they give interest on gadgets and computers.

Last on the list of Goths are the Traditional Goths. They are known to be the ones who are diminishing. The typical personality of a Traditional Goth performs well in classes like Latin, History, and Art. Weird as others perceive, it probably is because they also do some Medieval times re-enactment. Their ear calls for punk rock, guitar-based Goth music, and the 80s music. Traditional Goths can be normally seen with big hair and clothes detailed with frills.

Whatever type of Goth a person maybe, when marriage comes into the scene, there will definitely be a need for a wedding ring, particularly gothic wedding rings. Where they can be found is as easy as spotting a neon color on a black cloth. There are a few sites on the Internet that offer an array of gothic wedding rings and other high quality jewelry that is readily available up for the picking. Selecting and paying now made easy. Deliveries of orders are done around the world. Usually they accept payments through credit card. Don't keep the ceremony waiting, order that wedding ring of choice ahead of time.

By Diane Winter

The Engagement Ring Bling

2008-07-30T20:27:00.000-07:00

How much should you spend on a diamond engagement ring?

$100?

$1000?

How about a whopping $1 million?

That’s what Donald Trump just spent on an engagement ring for his lovely wife to be, Melania Knauss. Can you imagine what it must be like to wear any ring worth that much on a daily basis?

The Donald must hire beefy security guards with names like Wolfgang and Spike just to watch over Melania every time her and her delicate ring finger step out the door.

Buying expensive diamond jewelry for their significant others seem to be a Trump family trait. Well, you’ve gotta do something with all that money besides invest in real estate deals.

Trump’s son, Donald Jr. has just proposed to his fiancée, Vanessa Haydon, with a very impressive four-carat emerald cut diamond ring with a diamond-encrusted platinum band. However, Vanessa’s ring can be considered a real bargain at a cost of only $100,000.

While most regular folks will not be able to come close to spending that kind of money on an engagement ring for their sweethearts, there are still many very wonderful options if you’re looking to buy a diamond engagement ring, wedding ring, or wedding band online.

You should be able to find the perfect ring online to fit into your budget. You can even buy a custom engagement ring or wedding ring for a very reasonable price.

So take comfort in the fact that you don’t have to be rich like the Trumps to present your loved one with a truly beautiful engagement ring that will make everyone feel very rich indeed.

By Donna Monday

Symbolism of Wedding Rings

2008-07-30T20:24:00.000-07:00

"The meeting of two personalities is like the contact of two chemical substances; if there is any reaction, both are transformed."
-C.G. Jung

Rings have been exchanged as a symbol of the bond of marriage for so long, and in so many different cultures, that the origin of the practice is obscure. Certainly, the circle of a ring represents undying love and the continually renewed vows of the married couple. Circles have long been archetypes for not only timelessness, but also wholeness and homecoming. The circle also speaks to the constant round of the heavens, as well as the eternal return of the seasons, marked by cyclical ritual and celebration.

In addition, the circle in rock art, sacred stone arrays, and astrology represents both the Sun and the Moon, themselves astrological and alchemical symbols for the masculine and feminine aspects of the cosmos. This correspondence with the Sun and Moon is emphasized by the frequent practice of choosing gold for one betrothed and silver for the other, as gold and silver are the metals long associated with the Sun and Moon respectively.

Rings in general have a deeply rooted magical significance. Enchanted rings figure in many ancient folk tales. Incantations and spells for the protection of the wearer of rings are common motifs. Today, in traditional religious ceremonies, Christian and otherwise, the wedding rings are blessed by a minister or priest, thus continuing the symbolic practice of imbuing rings with protective powers.

The widespread tradition of embellishing the plain gold or silver wedding band with various designs and patterns has been known since at least 700 AD, in both Pan-Hellenic and Celtic cultures. The quite ancient symbol of the ouroboros, the serpent which consumes its own tail, was a theme used for wedding rings made of iron in Rome. The ouroboros itself is a symbol of the oneness of creation and destruction in renewal, and the life principle which timelessly feeds on its own inspiration. It also represents the hope for a lifelong marriage union that’s continually renewed.

Celtic wedding rings are often gorgeously decorated with geometric knot work patterns that have a long history and central place in Celtic art. These patterns are strongly vegetative, suggesting tendrils and vines. In fact, in much of Celtic art, including the famous illuminated Bible, The Book of Kells, these Celtic Knots emerge from or transform into vegetative foliage. The beautiful symmetry of these woven patterns is often not square, rigid, or overly formal, but organic, flowing, and a stylized reflection of the curves and spirals found in nature. Indeed, the Celtic Knots that embellish wedding rings herald the ideas of spring, fertility, and the eternal reawakening of the life force - all of which bode well for a fruitful life partnership.

Wedding rings have most commonly been worn on the third finger of the left hand. Speculation has it that this is because the Romans believed that a vein ran directly from this finger to the heart. An alternate suggestion for this tradition is that each finger on the hand is associated with a planet in the ancient systems of astrology, and the ring finger of the left hand was associated with the Sun. In this way, the wearing of a wedding ring on that finger signifies the public proclamation of the union in the daylight, in other words, the conscious and clearly visible world of human community. This correspondence is perhaps even more strongly emphasized by the general tendency to craft wedding rings out of gold, which is symbolically the metal of the Sun throughout folk history and across cultures.

Wedding rings capture the full range of the ceremonial, symbolic, and communal aspects of marriage, and preserve these many levels of significance as a durable and constant reminder. Ancient yet contemporary, steeped in lore and mystery yet almost universally exchanged, wedding rings combine the art of the jeweler, the reverence of the betrothed, and the beauty of love and partnership in a single, resonant symbol.

By Peter Breslin

Celebrities and their Diamond Engagement Rings

2008-07-24T04:05:00.000-07:00

What better way to show the world that you are in love than by the act of giving and receiving a diamond engagement ring? With many actresses and other famous women sporting bigger and sparklier diamond rings, celebrity engagements have become a delight for the jewelry lover. The size of the diamond is not necessarily the key as to what makes some of these rings so famous and recognizable, rather it seems to be a combination of the engagement ring itself and the famous lady it is associated with.

The history of diamond engagement rings

Maximillan I of Austria gave the first diamond engagement ring on record to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. He had the ring commissioned to unite their two houses and make their marriage a unifying symbol to the country.

The smallest diamond engagement ring ever made was given to Princess Mary who was married by proxy to the Dauphin of France in the year 1518. Princess Mary was two years old at the time.

Throughout history diamond engagement rings have become larger, more elaborate, and have included a wide variety of other jewels and metals. Diamond engagement rings settings can be made of silver, platinum, white or yellow gold or a mixture of these elements.
Famous ladies and their engagement rings

Celebrities and other famous people influence the look and style of many aspects in fashion and also set trends. Diamond engagement rings are no exception to this rule. The following is a partial list of the famous ladies and their equally famous engagement rings:

Royalty:

* Queen Elizabeth II received an engagement ring from Prince Phillip that was made from diamonds from his mother's tiara.

* Grace Kelly was given a 12 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring from Prince Rainier.

* Lady Diana was engaged with a ring made of an 18 carat blue oval sapphire that was circled by fourteen diamonds.

Actresses:

* Elizabeth Taylor was engaged to her third husband, Michael Todd, with an emerald cut diamond that weighed almost 30 carats. However, she is more known for her other pieces of jewelry, one more striking than the other: the 39 carat Krupp diamond, the 69.42 carat pear-shaped Taylor-Burton diamond and the 17th century heart-shaped Taj Mahal diamond.

* Priscilla was engaged to Elvis with a 3.5 carat diamond engagement ring that was circled by another 21 smaller diamonds and diamond chips.

* Sharon Stone was given a three diamond, 3.5 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring by Phil Bronstien.

* Catherine Zeta-Jones' promise to Michael Douglas was finalized with a 10 carat antique marquise diamond estimated at slmost $2 million.

* Joan Collins got a heart-shaped diamond ring in a nineteenth-century setting from husband Percy Gibson.

Pop stars:

* Madonna received from Guy Ritchie an antique Edwardian three-stone diamond ring with a decorative platinum band. The Neil Lane ring was supposed to represent their family: mother, father and son Rocco.

* In the case of Toni Braxton, drummer Keri Lewis designed a stunning 4.5 three-stone diamond ring with an oval-shaped center stone and 2 heart-shaped diamonds on the sides.

* Paris Hilton, even though not a pop star but a diva anyway, received 2 diamond engagement rings from billionaire Paris Latsis, a $5 million 24 carat canary diamond ring and a $2.1 million 15 carat white diamond ring.

* Britney Spears has two engagement rings also: one that she bought for herself before the wedding, a $40,000 4 carat cushion-cut diamond ring with a platinum pave setting, and one that she received 9 month after the marriage from husband Kevin Federline.

* Christina Aguilera became engaged to Jordan Bratman after he presented a $54,000 20-carat diamond engagement ring designed by jeweler Stephen Webster.

* Whitney Houston sports a stunning 4 carat oval-shaped center stone with trillions on the sides which she received from Bobby Brown.

Replica diamond engagement rings

Of course there is the very famous pink diamond ring that Ben Affleck gave to Jennifer Lopez. This 6 carat radiant shaped pink diamond quickly caught the attention of the public and has become a highly sought after replica. It is completed with a platinum band as well as three baguette white diamonds on each side. The pink diamond engagement ring is reported to have been purchased for $1.2 million in 2002. The ring, while easily identified is also very feminine and modern looking.

Replicas of the famous pink diamond ring are now available for a moderate price. The cost of the replicas depends on the quality of the stones and the materials used in reproducing the pink diamond engagement ring.

Some replicas are styled as more antique diamond engagement rings. These rings have an everlasting quality and symbolize tradition and heritage. The recent engagement of Camilla Parker Bowles in February of 2005 featured such an antique engagement ring. The platinum ring has an emerald-cut center diamond with three diamond baguettes on each side. This ring originally belonged to the Queen Mother and is believed to be valued at over $1 million.

Since few people can afford the original item, there will always be a market for replicas of these one of a kind diamond engagement rings. The quality of the replicas varies, as does the price. It is important to note that the styles of diamond engagement rings that are popular with celebrities will soon become the styles that are sought after by the not quite so rich and famous.

By Tim Richardson

Diamond Engagement Ring – Budget

2008-07-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

A Diamond Engagement Ring is the best and timely gift to your Fiancée. Her heart is as pure as the diamond you are putting on her fingers and your bond of Love is as strong as the Diamond itself. Your first Gift to your would be wife is priceless and will be cherished by her throughout her life. Your Heart is full of Love and affection for her. You would want to give her all the things in the World.

But in spite of all these things the Diamond Ring you are going to gift to her has a price. What should be that price and what amount you must pay for that Diamond Ring? As for everything in life it is always better to have a budget and planning for the purchase of this Diamond Engagement Ring.

How much is reasonable for your diamond Ring. It is said that 2 to 3 months Salary must be the maximum that could be spent on a Diamond Engagement Ring.

Usually the People go for G- H in Color of the Diamond, and VS to S11 in Clarity will be the general specification for an engagement Ring. But depending on the Budget the size of the Diamond will be decided. Higher color of the Diamond and higher clarity of the Diamond will be a good choice but a higher Price has to be paid for it. The Cut of the Diamond also adds to its Price

It will be very difficult for the common People to see the difference between good, very good and excellent cut and symmetry in Diamonds. So is the Case with Polish of the Diamond. But a very poor and not so good Polish and Cut work on the Diamond can be seen even by ordinary People.

First decide about your Budget for the Diamond Ring, and accordingly decide about the properties of the Diamond within the Price like Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color, the diamond setting and band. Depending on the material for the Band like Platinum or white or yellow Gold the price of the Ring will vary.

If you wish to go for a bigger sized Diamond then you have to compromise with other qualities of the Diamond and you may even get a slightly less quality Diamond with less brilliance. The deciding factor must be the Cut and polish of the Diamond rather than the size of the Diamond. You will love that eternal brilliance of the Diamond if these are taken care of even if the size of the Stone is a little lesser than you wanted.

By John Gibb

Right hand Engagement Diamond Rings

2008-07-09T06:11:00.000-07:00

A Diamond ring happens to be the best present as an Engagement Ring. The Right hand Engagement Diamond Ring seems to be the darling of the Diamond Jewelry market and its sales are touching all time highs. This Right hand diamond Ring is associated with the modern independent Career Woman who stands for the Success, Strength and self assertiveness and Freedom.

This old- but renewed product that is projected as the symbol of the eternal Love is opposed to the old style Diamond engagement Rings and the Diamond anniversary Bands. It is designed to be worn on a different hand but its design is also entirely different. The Design of the Right hand engagement Diamond Rings is entirely different from the matrimonial Rings. It is designed with more open spaces, smaller Gemstones that are arranged in such a way that it reflects the personality and individuality of the Wearer.

The Right hand Diamond engagement Rings followed the Diamond engagement Rings that were made wearable by both the men and women who are about to be get married. These Rings were made a symbol of the new era of independent Women who were successful along side the men. The diamond ring at the right Hand makes the new liberated Woman think that the left hand ring stands for the labors that marriage brings along while the right hand Ring reads as the careless, joyful side of life.

These Right hand Diamond Engagement Rings are also made attractive to the Men by telling them that they are encouraged to buy a Gift for their wives that will flatter not only their need for love proofs but also the thought of being valued and respected as an independent person, and not a nice accessory to men or a house decor item.

The trend has been set even if the man is not married but has a love relationship it is a must for him to buy and present a Right hand ring to his lover as a proof of his love and a symbol of his commitment to her. These Right hand Diamond Rings being a symbol of love it also attracted the unusual man and man Gay Lovers and girl and girl lovers also.

Any marketing with the human vanity as the basis has done extremely well and this technique has been effectively used to create a trend among the humans for the marketing of a product just by declaring and reinforcing the thought that these right Hand Engagement Diamond Rings are a must buy and Gift to maintain the relationship.

By John Gibb

About Engagement Rings Styles

2008-07-03T20:20:00.000-07:00

Traditional engagement ring styles often deal with a precious band that showcases a diamond or another gem. Over the years, the modern engagement ring style seems to incorporate a wide range of band varieties, including silver, gold and the increasingly popular platinum option. Since the 1940s, a single diamond is practically considered standard in today’s society. The well-known diamond company, De Beers, who pushed a highly successful advertising vision for the gem, made all of this possible.

It is not uncommon to see emeralds, rubies or sapphires taking the place of a diamond, but it is the latter that symbolizes strength and the concept of something that will last a lifetime. Engagement ring styles are often based on their durability, which is seen through the gems, as well as the bands. Gold and platinum last longer and represent higher quality than silver.

A growing trend among band materials includes titanium and stainless steel, which costs less, but also have a higher level of durability. It is these materials that allow a tension setting that projects the illusion of a stone that is floating.

There are many different engagement ring styles to choose from including classic and modern looks. With classic engagement ring styles, the settings are usually platinum in the bands with a round or emerald-cut for the stone. Modern engagement ring styles use a bezel-set design, making daily wear a compatible addition to any wardrobe.

As with all jewelry there are trends in engagement ring styles that are hitting the scene and includes antique rings that present a vintage flair that allows you to feel like you are wearing something rather historic. Some of the characteristics of these rings include floral accents, as well as filigree settings.

Platinum rings tend to be more expensive, but they will not only last longer, but will also keep its brilliant shine. It will not tarnish or yellow like other metals. These bands also make a variety of hand-carved, customized options possible.

Whichever ring you decide you go with you should always try and lower the price and ask for some kind of discount, if you know exactly what you want you can also search for the same design concepts in other shops, in either case it is always good to research and compare prices and quality.

By Roy Dietelzieg

Black Diamond Engagement Ring

2008-05-12T08:45:00.000-07:00

There are many kinds of diamonds to choose for your loved one, especially for an engagement ring. You can actually choose different designs, shapes, sizes and colors.

Colorless diamonds are popular choices for engagement rings. A man can choose to give his bride-to-be a pink or yellow diamond engagement ring; which is preferred by a lot of women. So giving a black diamond engagement ring is not really a popular choice.

Unlike traditional colors of diamond engagement rings, this engagement ring is "unique" if not an eccentric kind of ring to choose for a loved one.

There are probably a few women who would have a taste or penchant for this very odd color of engagement ring because often the color of black is associated with evil, darkness or even witchcraft. So it would be surprising if not scary to be given this ring.

But unknown to people, black diamonds are popular stone choices for male jewelries especially for Europeans. They are usually included in wedding rings and bracelets and are often combined with more lustrous or more colorful diamonds and other precious stones to enhance the brilliance of the colored gems or highlight the black diamond itself.

Men who offer to give this type of engagement ring also choose rings that are set in platinum or titanium to enhance the color of the black diamond or combine it with stones the color of their choice and have the design custom made to make it extra special.

The appearance of black diamonds may be in hues of green, gray or midnight black. The color can range from being dense or translucent in hue.

When buying a black diamond engagement ring, you need to go to an accredited jeweler because some people trick sellers by adding color to fancy stones and make it appear a true black diamond. You can ask for papers proving that you are getting the real deal.

By Alice Sy

Where To Look For Cheap Wedding Jewelry

2008-05-12T08:41:00.001-07:00

It has been customary for soon-to-be brides to be concerned about every detail of their special day. Unless your family already has an heirloom of fine-looking wedding ornaments, chancing upon a few pieces of attractive yet cheap wedding jewelry is certainly a delightful surprise.

Despite being a seemingly trivial facet of that big and momentous occasion, the value of finding the perfect set of necklace, bracelet and earrings to match the bridal gown should never be underestimated. In fact, some people even go to great lengths just to ensure that everything is perfect - even if it means spending large sums of cash for a jewelry set that they'll only be wearing once.

Of course, there are ways to save up on cash. Getting your hands on a bridal jewelry set doesn't always have to be expensive. You can in fact get a hold of cheap wedding jewelry without breaking the bank. Here are some tips on how to avoid overspending.

1. "Something OLD, something new, something BORROWED, something blue..."

People around the world have long since followed this age-old wedding tradition. You may also apply this phrase in an attempt to save money on wedding jewelry. First, you can fit it into the "something old" part by purchasing second-hand pieces of jewelry. You can buy these things over the Internet, particularly on Ebay, or in shops that sell used items.

For the "something borrowed" bit, you may actually borrow wedding jewelry from friends or family members. Not only is it an ancient wedding custom, you also get a chance to cut back on your wedding expenses simply by borrowing stuff instead of purchasing them.

2. "Do-It-Yourself"

If you can't afford to buy a set of fine-looking wedding jewelry, you might want to try making them yourself. You don't necessarily need to wear diamonds or expensive gemstones in order to get that glitter you very much wanted. You just need a small budget to purchase the materials you'll be needing and a bag full of creativity. Not only will you save money making your own wedding jewelry set, you will also gain the pride of saying that you've actually created something beautiful using your bare hands.

3. Window-shop with your friends.

This alternative is suitable for people who do not have a knack for making their own jewelry. If you would rather buy ready-to-wear jewelry instead of crafting them, then you may want to do some window-shopping with your friends first. Doing so allows you to get a closer look at the various offers in the market. The more options you have for cheap wedding jewelry, the better chances you'll get out of your potential transactions.

By Albert Lee

Diamond Engagement Ring Size - What Is The Average Carat Weight of a Diamond Engagement Ring in 2008

2008-05-12T04:10:00.000-07:00

The diamond engagement ring is a symbolic gesture usually received by the bride to be from her future spouse. Diamond engagement rings come in a variety of styles and sizes these days and no matter what one may desire with regard to this type of ring they are sure to find one which perfectly suits their tastes. Some individuals who are shopping for an engagement ring may wonder what carat weight is the appropriate one to purchase and what most people buy when it comes to diamond size. The following will highlight some trends with regard to carat size and focus on what the average carat weight of a diamond engagement ring is in 2008.

Past Carat Weight Trends

In the early 20th century, diamond carat weights were quite generous. In 1939, the average carat weight of engagement ring diamonds was 1 carat. A couple of decades later in 1976, the average carat weight of diamond engagement rings actually decreased to a ¼ carat. The fluctuation in the average size amounts can be seen for a few different reasons such as the cost of the diamonds and the overall average income of the population at that time.

Current Carat Weight Average and Differences Seen in Various Areas

Today, the national average for the diamonds chosen for engagement rings with regard to carat weight is 0.38 carats. In general, the carat weight averages of engagement ring diamonds are increasing. However, in order to truly understand the average relating to diamond carat weight for engagement rings it is important to look at the specific regions in which the engagement rings are being purchased as trends can be seen throughout these areas as well.

Larger cities such as Boston, Philadelphia and New York City have an average of 1.6 carats as it relates to diamond engagement rings. When viewing diamond carat weight averages in some of the Southern states and "Bible Belt" regions, the carat averages are anywhere between 0.25 and 0.40 carats. The state of Alabama has an average of 0.50 carats when it comes to diamond carat weights for those who are about to be married. When considering the entire state of California, the diamond carat weight average has been seen as over 1.0 carats. Focusing in on a more specific region within California such as the La Jolla/Del Mar area, the carat size is quite generous and is stated to be around 2.75 carats. When looking at carat weights with respect to engagement rings outside of the United States, such as in Europe, the average there is 0.30 carats and the stone within the engagement ring is not always a diamond gemstone.

In general, the average size of one's diamond engagement ring is increasing. With regard to the cost of such a beautiful ring, the average price spent on a diamond engagement ring these days is somewhere between $2500 and $3000. Although many have heard the notion that a diamond engagement ring should be at least 1 carat in weight, this is a relatively new sentiment. The fact of the matter is that a diamond engagement ring should suit the individual it is being given to and should be affordable to the person buying it. The true purpose surrounding it is the thought and love with which it is given.

By James Greene

Choosing a Fabulous Bling Bling Engagement Ring

2008-05-12T04:08:00.000-07:00

Most men feel the pressure when choosing an engagement ring for the woman of their dreams. This is often due to the fact that the average man does not sit around and study diamond rings or learn what is important and what is not. It is a common misconception to just think about the size of the diamonds and color of the setting because you can end up with a not-so-pretty ring. As most men forget some of the important characteristics of a diamond ring, here is a bling bling buying 101 to help make your purchase.

The Five C's

The five C's are what most jewelers associate with when you are buying a diamond ring. They are as follows; color, cut, clarity, carat and cost. Each of these aspects of a diamond affects another. If the stone is larger in the same cut it will be more expensive but a stone might be smaller in a different cut and still be more expensive. Also you might have speckles of dirt in the diamond which decreases the clarity or the sparkle and makes it worth less.

Color
Diamonds come in array of different colors from clear to blue or pink. There are even canary diamonds which are yellow but more expensive than the yellow tinted clear diamonds. Most popular by demand are the clear diamonds that have no tint of color in them.

This color scale is marked from D,E,F as colorless to further letters in alphabet as color increases. As you continue in the alphabet, the more color a diamond has and typically it will cost less. The only exceptions are when you have rare diamonds that are colorful like yellow, pink or blue.

Cut

The two most sparkling cuts of diamonds are the brilliant and the radiant. These diamonds sparkle more due to the amount of laser cuts they do when cutting the diamond. Each crossing set of cuts, also known as a facet, allows the light to sparkle off of it a little more creating a more beautiful diamond.

The brilliant diamond is round and the radiant diamond is rectangular with soft corners. These cuts are recommended because if you are on a budget and can only afford a smaller diamond, you will still get a lot of sparkle for your money.

Clarity

The clarity of the diamond is determined on the amount of dirt spots or bubble looking spots in the stone. These marks are called inclusions and most are not visible to the naked eye. The more there are in the diamond and the larger they are, the less value is put on the diamond. This is one of the most important things to consider when looking at a diamond.

If there are multiple inclusions that are large, the diamond would be not as sparkling and that would decrease the value. Most people would get a large diamond if they could afford it, but a lot of larger diamonds have more inclusions than smaller ones. This make the larger diamonds with great clarity cost way out of your budget.

Carat

Carat is the measurement of size they use when evaluating diamonds. The carat is a weight measurement that equals about two-hundred milligrams. Diamonds are anywhere from 0.01 carat to 5 carats. The most common way to get a good sized diamond without paying too much is to get a .9 or .95 carat which is just under one carat. When shopping for a diamond you will see this difference and also see rings with total carat weight.

The total carat weight is the total of all the diamonds in any given ring. Make sure you look into that as the center stone may be smaller than anticipated due to side stones in the setting. If you want to be very careful, go to a diamond store that allows you to view each individual loose diamond prior to setting it for you. This allows you to verify the specs prior to purchasing.

Cost

Diamond rings can cost anywhere from one-hundred dollars to millions of dollars. Each of the four previous C's come into hand when determining the cost of any diamond ring. The general rule of thumb is to spend three months pay on a diamond ring. I think that is a little steep and would stick to one month's pay. You can always upgrade in the future or spend the money to put a down payment on your first home together or go on a vacation.

Make sure that you price rings out based on the color, cut, clarity and carat before making the purchase. Some stores have sales on diamonds which usually means they are overpriced to begin with. I would stay away from places like that. There are jewelry exchanges and places that do not have sales and guarantee their diamonds for a lifetime. These are the types of stores you want to look into.

Final Note

As a final note of advice when choosing a diamond ring is the warranty and wear and tear policy of the store. It is more desirable to go with a company that will polish or re-dip it in white gold at no extra cost throughout the years as rings wear. Also if your diamond falls out, make sure they will replace it at equal color, cut, clarity and carat at no charge. This way you do not have to worry about that expense yourself. Just make sure you bring your ring in every six months so the warranty stays true!

By Alexine Laurel

Aquamarine Engagement Rings

2008-05-12T04:04:00.000-07:00

What better stone to choose for an engagement ring than one that represents optimism, wellbeing, and faithfulness? We are talking about the beautiful Aquamarine gemstone. Not only is this gemstone a great conversation starter, it also is the birthstone for the month of March. The name aquamarine has Latin origins, "aqua" meaning water and "mare" meaning sea.

The aquamarine is aptly named because of the wide spectrum of blue colors that it comes in; from a pale blue to a deep sea blue-green. The deeper colors are more sought after, therefore more expensive. No matter what shade that you decide on for the stone for an engagement ring, the ring will is bound to be commented on.

Most aquamarine stones have been heat-treated to enhance the blue coloring. This treatment has no effect on the quality or the hardness of the stone. The aquamarine rates a 7.5 on the hardness scale, making it a perfect choice for daily wear.

The aquamarine is a virtually flawless stone, rarely if ever having inclusions that are sometimes common in other gemstones. This gemstone is great for being cut into any shape and faceting enhances the sparkle and beauty of the stone. Due to the beautiful blue coloring of the aquamarine, the most common settings are either platinum or white gold. However, the blue is equally as beautiful in yellow gold settings.

Caring for the aquamarine gemstone is simple. Simple cleaning with soap and water brings back the beauty of the stone. Avoid using ultrasonic cleaners, rapid temperature changes, and contact with most household cleaners to prevent damaging the gemstone.

Finding aquamarine gemstone rings for engagement purposes should not be hard as most jewelers carry a variety of styles. But if you do have difficulties or cannot find a design that strikes you as the one you must have, you should look online and you will find many reputable jewelers. So if you are planning a wedding by the seaside or just want a ring that is special and unique, consider the distinctive aquamarine gemstone for the engagement ring you present to your beloved.

By Julie Shields

Wedding Rings: Choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring

2008-04-27T19:51:00.000-07:00

Perhaps one of the most important types of rings that you will have to purchase is a wedding ring. Besides engagement rings, wedding rings are probably the most crucial of all ring purchases. The symbolism behind a ring of this type is so great that choosing a perfect ring is a very important task. There are many decisions a couple needs to make with regard to choosing wedding rings. Things such as metal type, style and size are part of this decision-making process. Another factor couples consider when purchasing wedding rings is price as they are often paying quite a bit on other wedding necessities. This article will provide an overview on various choices that come into play when choosing the perfect wedding band. Type of Metal

Using the term metal alongside the word wedding band is not the most romantic thing in the world; however, the ring is indeed composed of a metallic material and one has a wide range of options when looking to purchase a particular type of wedding band. Gold is one type of material that a couple may choose to have their wedding rings made of. Rings made of gold come in either white gold or yellow gold in a variety of karats, i.e., 10 karat, 14 karat, or 24 karat. Another popular type of metal that wedding rings are composed of is platinum. Platinum wedding bands have become increasingly more desirable in the past few years. Platinum rings tend to be pricier than gold ones; however, it is a beautiful metal type that is strong as well. If it will not empty your pocketbook or wallet, platinum is a great choice for a wedding ring. Size and Style

Couples in pursuit of the perfect wedding rings will also find that they come in a variety of sizes and styles. Almost any wedding band can be sized to adequately fit the finger of any individual. If you can find the perfect-sized ring without having to alter the size thereafter, then that is your best bet as frequent sizing of a ring may alter the strength thereof (this is usually only true if you have the ring sized more than once).

There are also a number of different unique and exquisite styles of wedding rings for both men and women. If you go to a jewelry store, you may be surprised at just how many different styles of wedding bands are available to the general consumer. You can have the rings engraved or even embedded with diamonds and other gemstones. Baguettes are becoming increasingly popular for women’s wedding rings and these beautiful additions add so much to a basic ring. Some wedding rings will have various types of gems inlayed in them and individuals may sometimes choose to have their birthstone as part of their wedding ring to add a little something extra to it. There is so much that you can do to make your wedding rings unique and special. Price

Another less romantic factor that couples need to consider when purchasing a wedding ring relates to pricing. As individuals are oftentimes on a strict budget while planning their wedding, they may have to set a limit of how much they are able to spend on wedding rings. There are a few ways to get the most bang for your buck when shopping for wedding bands.

End of season sales are a great way to take advantage of large discounts and still get the ring that you want. A lot of times a jewelry store or department store will have an end of season clearance sale on various types of jewelry, including wedding rings. By taking advantage of these types of sales, you may find the perfect ring at a great price. It is always important to keep an eye out for retailers who are having clearance sales.

Utilizing coupons is a second way to keep the total price of your wedding ring purchase to a minimum. Department stores will often print coupons in their mail circulars that may give you a good percentage off of the price of jewelry and since many department stores stock wedding rings, this is a great thing to take advantage of.

One last way to get a good price on wedding rings is to use the internet to find the perfect ring. Since shopping for a wedding ring over the internet may not appeal to all individuals, it is important to be aware of a certain little trick that will enable you to get a good price over the internet but choose your ring in a retail store. If you are in a particular store and see a wedding ring that strikes your fancy, try it on, find the perfect size and then go home and see if that store has a website. If they do, take a look online and see if that particular ring is offered at a lower price via the web. Sometimes you will get lucky, other times you won’t. Regardless, it never hurts to take a peek and see.

These are just a few things to consider when trying to find the perfect ring. If you know what your options are prior to securing wedding rings, you will be more informed and feel better prepared in your quest for the most spectacular wedding ring.

By James Strutton

Tips Of Buying Enagement Rings For Your Loved Ones

2008-04-27T19:47:00.000-07:00

If things go right, you'll only be buying one engagement ring in your lifetime. But an engagement ring is a big investment. With your lack of experience, how are you going to make sure you find one that your sweetheart likes but is still a wise purchase? Follow these ten steps, and you're sure to find the perfect engagement ring.

1) Determine Your Budget When a guy's shopping for an engagement ring, salespeople often do a sneaky thing – they make him think that the amount of his love is tied to how much he spends on a ring. Better to figure out how much you can afford to spend before you step foot in a store. The standard rule is two months salary – but – this is also a rule that the diamond industry created! However it's still a decent place to start, but then figure out your personal budget.

2 ) Pay Attention You're going to have to make a lot of choices – platinum or gold? Modern or traditional? Flashy or understated? It's easier if you've done your homework beforehand. Look at the jewelry your sweetheart wears on a daily basis – if it's all silver with intricate designs – look for a platinum engagement ring with intricate designs (often called filigree). If it's just a few heavy gold pieces, well, then go in that direction.

3) Choose a Stone While jewelers will sell you a preset ring, you can often get a better deal if you choose the diamond separately. It helps if you know what shape your sweetheart wants – round, pear, marquis, etc. The most classic shape is a round solitaire. More homework – read The Four Cs of Diamond Buying. You'll thank me later. Another money saving tip – look for a diamond with high color and cut, but with slightly lower clarity. Make sure you look at the stone with a jeweler's loupe (like a magnifying glass) – but most flaws (or "inclusions") can barely be seen even with a loupe.

4) Choose the Setting After you've got your stone, then comes the setting. You could go for simple with a solitaire setting, or you could add filigree, extra side stones, and other details. You can choose gold, white or rose gold, platinum, or even titanium.

5) Maximize Your Budget If your intended is always talking about huge diamond engagement rings, but two months of your salary wouldn't buy a Big Mac, you're going to have to stretch the budget. Ask for a stone with more surface area – it won't sparkle as much but it will look bigger. Ask for stones that are slightly less than the next carat (0.8 instead of 1 or 1.9 instead of 2) – the almost indiscernible difference can add up to big savings. Instead of a diamond solitaire engagement ring, consider a less expensive center gemstone (such as tourmaline, blue topaz, sapphire) flanked by two small diamonds. Choose white gold instead of platinum. And consider an antique engagement ring.

6) Get a Buddy Don't go into a jewelry store alone. They're scary places full of way too many choices. If you can, bring your sweetheart's best friend or mom along to help you choose. But if you're worried they'll spill the beans, bring a trusted buddy of yours. Make sure they have taste, or you'll be trying to propose with a ringpop. Also, assuming they like the person you're buying it for, this is a great moment to bond with your parents and get their advice.

7) Think About Bringing Your Sweetheart With You You'll lose the element of surprise, but you'll be sure that she likes her engagement ring. More and more couples are doing it this way.

8) Get a Quality Jeweler Ask for recommendations from friends and family. My advice is to stick to the mom and pop jewelers and try to avoid the national chains – they often sacrifice quality for mass marketing. But make sure the store is accredited by the Jewelers of America or is a member of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Before you buy, find out what the return policy is so that you can exchange it if you didn't do your homework properly.

9) Plan Ahead You may not be able to just walk out of a jewelry store with a ring. Not only will you need to save up for it, but depending on what you order it could take a couple weeks for them to set the stone, do any engraving, or even custom design your ring (like Brad Pitt did for Jennifer Aniston). So if you want to propose on a certain date, make sure you start working on the ring early.

10) Get it In Writing Would you buy a house without an inspection? No? Well then don't buy a diamond without an independent diamond-grading report from the GIA or the American Gem Society. It should include the 4 c's of color, cut, clarity and carat, as well as the shape and size. And, like your house, don't forget to get the ring insured.

By CK Nick

The Aura Of Engagement Rings - Enhance Your Love

2008-04-24T01:56:00.005-07:00

Though the thought of wearing a diamond or an emerald engagement ring brings happiness to the soul, but the idea of buying it sends shivers through out the body of the lovers.

Buying an engagement ring, for many, is not only a tough job but also a risky one. The main question which adheres to the mind of the person is what if she does not like the engagement ring bought by me?

Thus buying an engagement ring requires a lot of planning.

To start with, choose the stone, style and color suiting the personality of your beloved. If you are planning to gift a diamond engagement ring to your beloved, do a thorough research on diamonds. Diamonds come in various styles and colors. Also cut, clarity and carat of the diamond, is an aspect which should not be missed.

Platinum engagement rings are also in vogue these days. A very serene metal, many women cherish platinum engagement rings. Platinum engagement rings are equally liked by men. Thus, women can even choose platinum as an option for an engagement ring.

Women are not always attracted towards a precious engagement rings. What attracts them more are the emotions attached with it. The concept of gifting inherited engagement rings has increased in the past few decades. Women adore engagement rings, worn by your mother or grandmother. It brings to her the feeling of being loved and trusted.

Engagement rings, whether diamond engagement ring or sapphire engagement ring, reflect what you feel rather than what you have. What lies behind this engagement ring, is a long story of love, faith and commitment. A diamond engagement rings, does not reflect diamonds, but the feelings attached with it.

An engagement ring is the most durable gifts, among almost all the gifts presented to your lover. Chocolates, stuff toys, all perish, but an engagement ring sticks to the hand of your lover for ages. So one should purchase an engagement ring with great cautious and care.

If engagement rings would not have been that important, then many celebrities would have roaming without it. Women love boasting about their engagement rings. So, buy an engagement ring with care and patience.

You can also shop for engagement rings online. Many trustworthy online stored provide great options to chose from. Thus it not only saves time but also provides you with every minute detail about a particular ring.

By Dean Candy

Turquoise Engagement Rings

2008-04-24T01:56:00.004-07:00

Looking for something different and unique to present to your beloved? A turquoise engagement ring might be just the thing to show her just how unique she is. Is there a special meaning for you in the month of December? Choosing a turquoise engagement ring is an additional way to commemorate December as it is the birthstone for this particular month. In many cultures, the blue-green stone is associated with luck, wealth, faithfulness and trustworthy relationships. It is also associated with the metaphysical characteristic of promoting happiness. What greater way can you represent the luck that you found your beloved and the wealth of love and happiness that the two of you will share?

The history of turquoise dates as far back as 3,000 B.C. The beauty of this gemstone has adorned many historical artifacts from all over the world from Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Persia and the United States. The turquoise is a copper aluminum phosphate that occurs naturally in all shades of blue. You can find it in shades from sky-blue, robin's egg blue, blue-green, grayish green, or green. The more copper that the stone is composed of makes the stone bluer, while the more iron or chromium makes the stone greener. Rarely if ever, will you find a turquoise that has been faceted because faceting brings out the reflective properties of clearer gemstones, and turquoise is not clear. However, you can find many popular shapes such as marquise, oval or heart.

Due to the softness of turquoise, usually only a six, many stones are given a hardening treatment to make them more durable, as well as waxing or polishing to promote their color. Some stones may be dipped in a coloring agent before being sealed; according to rules of the ICA this must be indicated. Due to the softness of the stone, gentle care and cleaning are required. It is recommended that one should remove the turquoise before sun tanning as the UV rays can change the color of the stone. Also, when washing dishes, using household cleaners, or bathing the turquoise engagement ring should be removed to prevent damage. When storing, it should be stored away from other jewelry to prevent damage to the stone. If you have any doubts about the care or cleaning of your engagement ring, contact a reputable jeweler that has knowledge about this gemstone's care.

Due to the uniqueness of using turquoise as an engagement stone, it may be very hard to find one unless you live in the Southwestern United States. Below we have listed a few links to help you get started.
http://www.silver-rings-direct.com/turquoise.html.
http://engagementrings.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Turquoise_Engagement_Rings
http://www.purple-label.com/search/web/colour/aqua-or-turquoise
http://www.daysjewelers.com/category/rings/gemstone+rings/other+gemstone+rings.do?sortby=ourPicks&page=3

If you really want to impress your bride to be, consider custom designing her engagement ring. This will show her that a lot of love and thought went into the creation of her ring. One such designer that specializes in unique gemstone ring design is:
http://www.joannarepton.co.uk/jewellery_engagement_rings.asp

Show her that the sky is the limit when it comes to your love for her with a beautifully designed engagement ring that has "a piece of the sky" as the gemstone.

By Julie Shields

Tips for Choosing an Art Deco Engagement Ring

2008-04-24T01:56:00.003-07:00

Art Deco, the design movement that occurred between 1925-1939, gave us some of the most beautiful architecture, furniture, decor and jewelry. Art deco engagement rings are no exception featuring beautiful contrasting colors, strong geometric shapes and symmetry of design. Here are some tips for choosing an Art Deco engagement ring that will help you locate the perfect ring for the love of your life.

Although engagement rings of the Art Deco period were made with both white and yellow gold, one of the most popular metals of the day was platinum. The bright white of platinum provided great contrast with the stones in the engagement ring and helped to define the Art Deco style. When choosing an engagement ring you may want to consider going with platinum rather than gold since it not only is a trademark of the period, but also is a beautiful and enduring metal.

When it comes to Art Deco engagement rings, diamonds seem like an obvious choice. However, you may want to consider other options as well since rings created during this period were also made with sapphires, rubies, emeralds and beautiful filigree work. Opting for an engagement ring with one of these others stones - with or without diamonds - can allow you to get a ring that is truly unique and stands apart from more traditional engagement rings. This is a great way to make an elegant and lasting statement.

Although you can purchase reproduction rings you might want to think about going with a true vintage or antique Art Deco engagement ring. The history of these older rings can make them romantic reminders of a bygone era that you can carry forward into your future together. Additional, the craftsmanship and quality of antique rings is often superior to more modern rings and you can often find great deals on older rings. That means that by going with a vintage or antique ring rather than a reproduction you can sometimes get a lot more ring for your money.

Most importantly, when selecting an engagement ring be sure to think about the tastes of your future wife. If you are stuck take a look at the other jewelry that she wears and try to choose something similar is color and style.

By Sandy Curtis

Start Your Love Story With Engagement Rings

2008-04-24T01:56:00.002-07:00

Since time immemorial, engagement rings have been used as a symbol of love and commitment. It has been used by many lovers to woo their beloved one. And after getting into any form of relationship, what is most expected by the lady love is a shinning engagement ring, depicting commitment and security.

These days the market is flooded with various types of engagement rings. They are made out of different types of stones and with different style and sizes. You can even get your engagement rings customized.

There are many big players in the market who have come up with a huge variety of engagement rings. They have given a new definition to the engagement ring trends. The demand of engagement rings is showing an upward move day by day.

Though diamond engagement rings are considered to be ideal engagement rings, in many countries people prefer engagement rings of different stones and metals. Rubies, emeralds, star sapphires and sapphires are second best options as engagement rings. Use of semi precious stones as a part of engagement rings is also not less common. In many countries band of gold and platinum are also used as a part of engagement rings.

Silver is a less preferred option for engagement rings. It is a less durable metal. So if you do not prefer gold or silver engagement ring, then opt for platinum engagement rings.

Engagement rings represent unbroken cycle of love and faith. It is once in a life time day, when you present your beloved with her most cherished ring. An engagement ring is worn through out life, so it should be bought with care and concern. The lady wears it boosting about the men he loves.
In ancient time engagement ring represented the wealth and superiority of to- be -groom. This is not the same these days. But to some extent it gives an opportunity to the lady to show off her husbands love for her.

Thus engagement rings form a very important aspect of a relationship. So it should be chosen with utmost care suiting the personality of your loved ones.

These days many online stores have come up. These online stores help make you choose from a huge variety of engagement rings available online. They sell engagement rings made out of variety of metals and gemstones. You can even customize your engagement ring, choosing a different style and a different gemstone.

Try making your engagement an unforgettable moment for your beloved. Choose the best for her, and if you do not have time, switch to some reputed online stores. You will surely get what she desired for.

By Dean Candy

Buying A Diamond Engagement Ring

2008-04-24T01:56:00.001-07:00

OK guys, we all know that buying a diamond engagement ring is no big deal, right? Well, actually, it's probably one of the most important purchasing decisions you'll ever have to make because of the high-ticket value and the sentimental importance of the gift you give to that special someone in your life. For the most part, a diamond engagement ring is something that will have to last forever, and may even be passed down to the next generation as a family treasure. All the more pressure, then, to make sure that the diamond engagement ring you select is of high quality and is likely to last the long haul. However, is there also a way to ensure you don't end up with a dud, and you get it right when trying to choose that ring your partner secretly has her eye on?

The first thing to do when preparing to buy a diamond engagement ring is to illicit from your girlfriend what kind of styles and designs of rings she likes. Does she like something plain with one solid diamond, or something a bit more adventurous with a number of smaller stones? Is she going for gold, or does she prefer white gold or platinum for her ring? Obviously don't come straight out and ask her unless you want to completely ruin the surprise, but try to find out what she likes and what she doesn't first off.

When you understand what she likes and what she doesn't it's time to find out her size. Yes, rings do come in different sizes. It depends on the thickness of your wife-to-be's finger what size she should take, and there's no real easy way of finding out this info if you don't know it already. Try asking he friends and family, or alternatively take one of her rings into a jeweller who should be able to advise you on which size you should be looking for.

Finally it is important to ensure the standard of the craftsmanship is high so as to avoid potential damage to the aesthetics or to prevent

By Guna Seelan

Diamond Engagement Rings - Take Your Love A Step Further

2008-04-24T01:56:00.000-07:00

Engagement is one step ahead in a relationship, leading towards marriage. But strangely no one knows exactly when the concept of engagement rings actually started and what made men gift their women with engagement rings.

But this amusing concept in itself is followed in many cultures and traditions. It is believed that the concept of wedding rings was started by Romans. The Romans called their engagement rings, betrothal (truth) rings. They chose the third finger of the left hand as an option for wearing engagement rings. Egyptians believed that the vein from this finger went straight to the heart.

With the passage of time, diamond became the most sought after metal for engagement rings. Men started choosing diamond rings, as an option. They chose diamond rings mainly because it was the hardest metal they could find anywhere on earth. This symbolized deep bond between the bride and the groom.

It was in the fourteen and the fifteen centuries that the diamond rings became famous as wedding rings. The diamond engagement rings were gifted only by the royal and affluent people.

But with the advent of De Beers and its tag line 'A diamond is forever,' diamond became more famous among the normal class. Since then, many a men have chosen diamond rings as an option for engagement rings to woo their beloved.

Getting engaged is an auspicious day in a person's life. Therefore one should be very cautious regarding the wedding ring he is planning for his lover. Diamond engagement rings as engagement rings are the safest option.

History is the witness, how much amused a women feels, after she is gifted with diamond rings. Diamond engagement rings depict purity and chastity in love. It reflects the deep heartened bond between the man and the women.

Diamond comes in various colors and sizes. What one needs to take care of is the cut, clarity, carat and the cost of the diamond. Diamond comes in various colors like pink, blue and black. But the purest from of diamond is the crystal clear diamond.

If still confused where to buy the diamond engagement ring from, then log on to an online shopping store. Online shopping store provides you with an array of diamond engagement rings. Shopping online is thus a time saving option, especially for people who are into hectic jobs.

Enjoy your engagement with the ring she craved for. Show her your love by gifting her with a diamond engagement ring. Diamond rings actually rule the heart of women.

By Dean Candy

Wedding Ring Information

2008-04-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

A wedding ring or wedding band is, as a rule, worn on the fourth finger (thumb included) of the left hand in many parts of the world. The reason being that it is a belief that the Latin name "vena amoris" or "vein of love" ran directly from the heart to this finger. Other parts of the world wear the wedding ring on the right hand (eg. Russia, Chile, Poland, Germany to name but a few.)

The majority of rings are made from precious metals, gold or platinum, with the recent rise in popularity of of non precious metals such as stainless steel, Titanium, Zirconium and Tungsten. These non precious metal rings are often inlaid with precious metals and diamonds to enhance their appeal.

The wedding ring signifies commitment and loyalty to a marital partner and is more commonly women who wear this symbol, but due to the rise in popularity of alternative metals for wedding rings, men are now fast approaching acceptance of wearing a ring also.

Engraving the inside of a wedding ring is a tradition encouraged to personalise the band and to help cement the relationship also adding sentimentality. Normal inscriptions include the name of the partner together with the wedding date on the inside of the wedding ring, although it is not unusual to engrave lines from meaningful songs and weird messages known only to the couple.

Plain flat or domed rings are the two most popular styles. Another style commonly known as a "Russian" wedding ring is of three fine rings woven together to make one. The three rings symbolise, love, hope and faith.

Some cultures favour puzzle rings - interlocking wedding rings assembled in order to form one ring and Celtic style bands are increasingly popular in English speaking countries - the Celtic knot symbolises oneness and continuity.

By Alan Hadley

Wedding Ring

2008-04-08T19:28:00.000-07:00

The wedding ring is a ring that will often be made from precious metals, and it will be worn on the left ring finger. It is also worn on the right ring finger in countries such as Norway or Russia. The purpose of a wedding ring is to represent a marriage. Both spouses will wear rings to show that they are commited to each other. The custom originated in Europe, but has spread to many other countries which are outside of Europe. In some cultures the wedding ring is only one of three rings that will be given when a couple is in the process of getting married.

The other two rings are the engagement ring and the promise ring. The engagement ring is well known, and will be given when a couple has become engaged. A promise ring is not as well known, but will be given once a couple begins courting each other. In many European countries, the name of the soon to be spouse will be placed within the ring. While wedding rings have traditionally be worn by women, wedding rings are now designed for men as well. It is the responsibility of the best man to make sure the rings of the couple are cared for. The best man will present both rings during the marriage ceremony.

In highly intricate weddings, a ring bearer may be used to carry the rings as well. The ring bearer will usually be a young male who is related to either the groom or bride. He will carry the rings on elaborate pillows. In some European countries, the engagement ring is the wedding ring, and the status of the ring will change once the couple is married. If a different ring is used for the wedding ring, the bride may still wear it if she chooses. The choice of which finger the ring should be worn on has changed over the centuries.

Traditionally, the fourth finger on the left or right hand has always been used, and when a married couple wears their rings on their left hands, this is a sign that they have eternal love for each other. While wedding bands have historically been worn by women in the US and UK, they are now commonly worn by men. The use of diamonds on wedding ring is extremely popular. The precious metals that are used in the ring will often be gold or white cold, but titanium has also become popular, especially for men. Many couples will avoid using diamonds and will use other precious gems such as rubies or sapphires.

In addition to this, stainless steel is now being used in a number of wedding rings. Stainless steel has a much higher durability than gold, and can showcase a better finish than titanium. Some metals are poisonous, and are not used for wedding rings. If you want to buy a gem, you will want to measure the quality based on its softness. Gems have a softness scale that ranges from 1 to 10. A gem with a rating of 1 will be the softest, while a gem with a rating of 10 will be the hardest. Gems that have a rating of 7 should not be picked for wedding rings.

By Michael Colucci

About Engagement Rings Styles

2008-04-08T19:23:00.000-07:00

The engagement ring is a ring you can use for the rest of your life, in many cases people place the engagement ring next to their wedding ring, which means that its style should reflect the same idea as of the wedding ring, this combination should be on your mind when looking for your engagement ring.

It is traditional for Americans and Europeans to place an engagement ring on the left-hand ring finger of a woman who has accepted a man's proposal for marriage. The engagement ring is a symbol of the devotion and intent to be the one and only woman in her beau's life. It lets everyone know that this is a lady that is spoken for. In the classical history of engagement ring styles and traditions, the ring was fashioned from a plain gold band. Today, engagement ring styles have evolved into a monster of choices that rivals the purchase of the wedding ring.

Traditional engagement ring styles often deal with a precious band that showcases a diamond or another gem. Over the years, the modern engagement ring style seems to incorporate a wide range of band varieties, including silver, gold and the increasingly popular platinum option. Since the 1940s, a single diamond is practically considered standard in today's society. The well-known diamond company, De Beers, who pushed a highly successful advertising vision for the gem, made all of this possible.
It is not uncommon to see emeralds, rubies or sapphires taking the place of a diamond, but it is the latter that symbolizes strength and the concept of something that will last a lifetime. Engagement ring styles are often based on their durability, which is seen through the gems, as well as the bands. Gold and platinum last longer and represent higher quality than silver.

A growing trend among band materials includes titanium and stainless steel, which costs less, but also have a higher level of durability. It is these materials that allow a tension setting that projects the illusion of a stone that is floating.

There are many different engagement ring styles to choose from including classic and modern looks. With classic engagement ring styles, the settings are usually platinum in the bands with a round or emerald-cut for the stone. Modern engagement ring styles use a bezel-set design, making daily wear a compatible addition to any wardrobe.

As with all jewelry there are trends in engagement ring styles that are hitting the scene and includes antique rings that present a vintage flair that allows you to feel like you are wearing something rather historic. Some of the characteristics of these rings include floral accents, as well as filigree settings.

Platinum rings tend to be more expensive, but they will not only last longer, but will also keep its brilliant shine. It will not tarnish or yellow like other metals. These bands also make a variety of hand-carved, customized options possible.

Whichever ring you decide you go with you should always try and lower the price and ask for some kind of discount, if you know exactly what you want you can also search for the same design concepts in other shops, in either case it is always good to research and compare prices and quality.

By Roy Dietelzieg

Diamond Engagement Ring

2008-04-08T18:59:00.001-07:00

The establishment of diamond rings as engagement rings as a standard in Western culture is a result of one of the most successful advertising campaigns in history, by one of the world's leading diamond producer in the 1940s.

An engagement is incomplete without a beautiful diamond ring which bonds two people into their relation. But a diamond ring has to be unique and beautiful yet solid and durable. A diamond engagement ring is a charming product to be flaunted around which adds value to your relation, and we all should thanks to the diamond engagement ring for striking your heart with love as it is believed that diamond rings worn on the third finger of your left hand are very much connected to a certain vein of love in that finger which directly flows to your heart and making a unique space within itself. Design of diamond rings and especially diamond engagement rings have varied a lot over the years and are continuously evolving with current times and its trends. Current fashions for engagement rings are for a gold, platinum, or silver band with a single diamond, but may change in a couple of years again.

An engagement ring is often significantly expensive and acts as a visible demonstration of a man's commitment to his betrothed.

There is nothing that can be replaced with an awesome diamond engagement ring to celebrate this delicate occasion to offer your would be ‘significant better half’ as a promise to be with her in good and bad times and support her with love, care and tenderness and have a flourished life together. A diamond engagement ring and any diamond rings as well are just not a lifeless product but they speak a lot about your relation in silence words between two hearts. That’s the reason why diamond rings have to be chosen with a lot of care.

By Gerald

Diamond Rings for your Engagement – know what she likes

2008-04-08T18:57:00.000-07:00

Diamond Rings for your engagement is the most fitting Gift to show your love you have for your fiancée. It is natural on your part to gift her something that is priceless as your love to her. Your idea of presenting her with a Diamond Ring for her engagement is the best decision and it seems to you that your Love is as priceless and unique as a diamond born millions of years ago.

From olden days engagement Rings have continued to make the statement for unity and everlasting love between a man and his Woman. Now the time has come to buy your fiancée that special engagement Ring that will captivate her Heart. Many tools are available to help you avoid the pitfalls when shopping, and show you how to make use of the knowledge that made possible to educate you, and guide you on your quest.

First you must know what she likes and to know this take your fiancée to the Mall or Jewelry store in your local area, on some pretension and watch her glide across the other side of the Shop where the Diamond Rings are being displayed. Allow her to feed her curiosity, and/or try on a Ring or two, or three and keep your Ears open to the Jeweler's lingo, listen for clues like Ring size and the style of Diamond she admires, whether that be brilliant round , emerald cut, Pear, Oval, Heart, etc.

You must also know whether she likes a solitaire Diamond Ring, or a three stone diamond ring? After walking away from the Jeweler you should have gathered enough info on what type of Diamond your fiancée desires.

Most of the Women want a large diamond; remember that a larger diamond that creates the illusion of Power, Wealth and Influence. But to some women that may not be comfortable to wear. So it is always better for your fiancée to be humble with a smaller diamond which will not clash with her persona, something she may feel at ease wearing that is more humble to her soul. This will avoid a gaudy yet risky to wear engagement ring also in fear of having it stolen.

The size of the Ring has to be decided as per the size of the finger also, and bigger the finger the bigger the diamond, the smaller the finger the smaller the diamond otherwise the ring may once again look overawing unfit to her beautiful finger.

By John Gibb

Pear Diamond Engagement Ring

2008-04-08T18:56:00.000-07:00

In choosing the perfect engagement ring for your beau, aside from the price and the size of stone, an important consideration is the shape of the gem as well. The pear shape diamond engagement ring may not be a conventional choice but any engagement rings that profess love are truly fit for the woman you love.

The pear diamond engagement ring is also known as the teardrop shape. It is actually a cross between the oval and marquise shape of stone. You may have seen this type of engagement ring as popular cuts for earrings and pendants but lately this type of shape is making its way on engagement rings as well.

Unknown to many, the pear shape diamond engagement ring or teardrop diamond is cut and perfected by a Flemish in the name of Lodweyk Van Berquem as early as the 1400's. Although this diamond engagement ring did not gain much popularity because gemologist and jewelers feel the design was a waste of diamond.

Since this diamond is cut in a way that one end is round and elongated and the other tip is pointed, so most part of the gem is cut away.

Fortunately with the advancement in technology, different machines and methods for cutting the diamond is invented so not much of the diamond is wasted. The pear diamond engagement ring would be perfect as a solitaire but you can have it styled set and designed with other stones or precious gems to accentuate the diamond itself.

The most controversial pear diamond ring would probably be the one actor Richard Burton gave to his lady love Elizabeth Taylor. It was a 69.42 carat pear diamond. Eventually it was sold in 1979 for three million dollars $3M that helped build a hospital in Botswana.

By Alice Sy

How to Buy Diamond Engagement Rings

2008-04-08T18:42:00.000-07:00

There is much to consider when purchasing a diamond – especially diamond engagement rings! The tradition of presenting a woman with a diamond engagement ring when proposing began in 1477 when Archduke Maximilian presented a diamond ring to Mary of Burgundy – and in most cases, the woman you plan to propose to will expect a ring to accompany that proposal!

First, determine how much ring you can afford. Most people use the ‘two months salary’ rule. This means that the ring should cost the equivalent of two months of your current salary. Because you have other bills to pay, saving up this amount of money may take quite a bit of time. You should consider financing. Simply go to the jeweler of your choice and tell them that you plan to buy an engagement ring, and that financing will be necessary. Go ahead and get the credit check out of the way, find out what your payments will be, and how much of a down payment is required.

Now, have your mother, sister, or your girlfriends best friend take your girlfriend shopping, and make sure that they gaze at the engagement rings to get an idea of what she might like. Make sure that the jewelry store you buy the ring from will allow you to return the ring, if that is required, or allow your girlfriend to exchange it for another if she isn’t happy with it!

Anatomy of an Engagement Ring

2008-03-31T21:21:00.000-07:00

The ritual of the wedding proposal and the presentation of the diamond engagement ring create the highlight event of any courtship. A tradition that dates back to the ancient Romans, the engagement ring itself has many layers of symbolism. Each piece of the ring is a strong symbol communicating key information about herself, her partner and their relationship.

The Band
The first symbol is no mystery – most people know the wedding band represents the eternal circle, and the same principle applies to the engagement ring. The symbol of the unending circle with no beginning and no end, illustrates eternal love.

But the band of the engagement ring has changed in the last century – at least, the metal used for the band has. The warmth of gold has been a standard for eons, but today, couples have several readily available options. In the last few years, platinum has been gaining in popularity and prominence, trumping the gold standard for engagement rings.

The rarity and expense of platinum makes it an attractive alternative to gold, even white gold. But the durability of platinum is possibly its most endearing quality – a metal that will stand up to dents and scratches over the lifetime of the engagement ring and the marriage, with the ability to maintain its original beauty.

The Shape of the Diamond
The shape of the diamond is the only element of the ring that is a direct reflection of the bride-to-be’s personality. There are six to eight common shapes to choose from, and each sends a very different message.

The round diamond is very classic and traditional, and sends this very clear message about the bride. The princess cut, in contrast, communicates the message of a woman with a strong sense of style. The second-most popular ring shape, the princess cut, can have a more “bling” quality to it – the way the diamond is cut reflects light in a way that contributes to a more brilliant quality.

A pear-shaped diamond resembles a brilliant teardrop, and is an indication of a woman who has a unique quality. The heart-shape – yes there is one – indicates a woman with more of a sentimental flair.

The Stone
The diamond in an engagement ring is another symbol of purity, endurance and longevity. A rare and precious stone, diamonds come from the earth and literally take billions of years to form. A gem stone that can only be scratched by one of its own, the popularity of diamonds in engagement rings can be linked to the association between the strength and durability of a diamond and the same in a marriage.

While the “4 C’s” have been the clear guidelines for choosing a quality diamond, today’s brides, thirsty for originality, are choosing alternative gems for their engagement rings. Whether motivated by their birthstones, or personal preference for something other than a diamond, brides are choosing everything from rubies to opals for their engagement ring stone.

Solitare vs. Three-Stone
The diamond solitaire engagement ring is another tradition that has stood the test of time in the design of diamond engagement rings. And while the single diamond in the pronged Tiffany-style setting remains popular, the three-stone ring is giving the solitaire some competition.

While the solitaire ring represents the idea of a solitary true love, the three-stone ring’s symbolism – a couple’s past, present and future – works as an engagement ring or an anniversary ring. Either way, the standard for a three-stone ring is a central diamond more prominently displayed by two slightly smaller diamonds. However, some brides prefer to have a different gem on either side of the diamond.

The beauty and importance of the engagement ring began centuries ago, but the engagement ring and ritual we know today is believed to have started in 1477 when Archduke Maximillian presented an engagement ring to Mary of Burgandy.

Through world wars, the rise and fall of empires, the evolution of cultures and emergence of technologies, the individual symbols and collective representation of the engagement ring have not much deviated from tradition. The engagement ring is a strong symbol because the separate pieces of the whole are, themselves, incredibly powerful elements.

By Jill Renee

Selecting the right Engagement Ring

2008-03-31T21:19:00.000-07:00

The engagement ring is one of the most important rings anyone can own, second to the wedding ring, there are many choices, variations and types and choosing the right one is essential.

Consider the type of wedding ring you'd like to wear, so the two will go together. Usually wedding rings are gold, white gold, red gold or platinum. The engagement ring generally looks better made from the same metal. There are bridal sets in which the wedding ring and engagement ring are made to match perfectly.

Have the ring size measured properly (in any jewellers). The ring shouldn't fit too tightly - in hot weather hands swell up and you won't be able to get it on or off. Equally, it shouldn't be so loose that it slides around on your finger or over your knuckle too easily.

Diamonds are traditionally the most popular stone for engagement rings. This is because the diamond's rarity and durability symbolises the constancy of the love declared by the couple! Sapphires come a close second, followed by rubies and emeralds. Many engagement rings are designed with a main (larger) stone, set with diamonds around it.

There are thousands of styles of engagement ring to choose from. Bear in mind that it will be worn for a lifetime so it's worth taking your time and choosing the right one. Don't be pressurized into a purchase instead shop around and make sure you buy from a reputable company. Why not consider buying in the comfort and relaxed setting of your own home, with superior custom made rings made to your personal specification by Strictly Bespoke.

A great idea being buying a cheap engagement ring and then let the lady choose her own, as mentioned this is the most important ring you can buy and no one wants to be disappointed.

Etiquette denotes that if the bride-to-be calls off the engagement, the engagement ring should be returned. However, if the man calls it off, she gets to keep it and, if she's got any sense, flog it to the highest bidder!

It's best to steer clear of second-hand rings, unless they are quality antiques or family heirlooms, and even then be careful. NEVER give a girl a ring you already gave to someone else and got back when it all went pear-shaped

By David Ton

Tips On Choosing a Wedding Ring

2008-03-31T21:14:00.000-07:00

Young couples who plan to marry should spend some quality time when it comes to choosing their wedding rings; remember these are the rings you will wear for the rest of your life, you will want them to be perfect for you and your partner. The rings are an indication of shared love and should show this, so it's important put some time and research into choosing a wedding ring.

You can search for a wedding ring by various methods, a visit to a jeweler will help you to see the metals and styles generally available but if possible avoid one of the jewelry chains situated in shopping malls everywhere as it is unlikely anything unique will be found there. Another choice is online shopping and you will find a much wider selection and probably save some money too.

Be sure you do not buy a wedding ring that is more elaborate than the engagement ring; it may seem like more work but it should be possible to find rings that compliment one another. To achieve this, the easiest method is to place both the wedding band and engagement ring side by side if it is not possible to try the ring on because the size needs adjusting. You can be pretty sure too that if you choose a plain simple band that it will complement most any type of engagement ring.

If however you would prefer a more unique wedding ring a specialty jeweler is recommended. You may perhaps even want to design your own rings. This would be the most costly option and something to consider when deciding on the budget for your wedding rings. Another option for finding a unique ring is to consider buying a vintage or antique ring. Antique rings are wonderful reminders of the beauty of bygone days and if you and your fiancÃ© already have a passion for collecting and using antiques then this may be the perfect solution for you.

Although some metals are fashionable for a while, including: (1) Silver, (2) White Gold, (3) Yellow Gold and (4) Titanium; durability is an issue and that is why platinum is becoming so popular. Platinum is the most expensive of the metals of course, and the budget is almost always a contributing factor in the purchase of your wedding ring but of the two partners, it is the man who will appreciate a platinum ring's durability more. The number of men doing manual tasks is still greater than women; and they are the ones most likely to cause damage to their ring.

A simple but necessary part of the process is to check finger size so the wedding ring fits correctly; after all the expense involved, you need the rings to fit correctly! If the ring doesn't seem to fit right take it to a professional jeweler for sizing, this will prevent it from being too tight or too loose and slipping off.

If you want to make sure your rings are ready in plenty of time for the wedding, give your jeweler enough time to complete any adjustments; he may have a number of customers rings to be sized and you do not want a problem on the wedding day.

There is a huge variety of wedding bands available these days; choosing the right one can take quite some time and a number of visits to the jeweler or online shopping sites. However, the most important aspect to remember when choosing a wedding ring is that its purpose is to show the love that two people have for one another; there isn't a stronger symbol of the love two people share.

By Claire Tourney

Choosing Your Special Wedding Rings To Commemorate Your Love

2008-03-31T21:13:00.000-07:00

If you are getting married soon, do not rush the choice of wedding rings; the rings will be on for a long time so great care needs to be taken in their choice. Do not rush this as they are more than a symbol of love; find rings that symbolize your commitment to each other in the years to come. For something this important a couple should find a specialist jeweler for their wedding rings; quality rings may take some finding but they will be worth the effort although the shopping mall may not be the ideal place.

The type of ring available in these stores is usually quite limited; they may also have a restricted price range, another reason to seek out a jeweler who only sells this type of ring. When choosing, you will want a ring for the bride that will complement the engagement ring she is already wearing.

Some wedding rings are far to elaborate to be worn with an engagement ring; try to find a jeweler that stocks both types of ring, especially those that are designed to go together. To achieve this, the easiest method is to place both the wedding band and engagement ring side by side and if it is not possible to try the ring on.

Fashions in rings come and go but the traditional metals including: (1) Yellow Gold, (2) Silver, (3) Titanium and (4) White Gold; although, increasing numbers of couples are choosing the longer lasting platinum. Choosing a ring that is made of durable material is especially important for the groom's ring and platinum is an ideal choice. Traditionally, men are more likely to cause damage to a ring; they are the ones who will have the most marks and damage if examined.

Having finger size checked is essential if the wedding rings are to fit; it would be embarrassing if one or both rings did not fit properly. It is just as important to ensure the rings are not so loose that there is a chance they will be lost.

The jeweler should be given plenty of time to complete this task because there may be others he is adjusting rings for; make certain that you give plenty of time before your wedding day for both choosing and for adjustments to be made. Choosing wedding bands you will both like and that match the engagement ring may take some time; allow for this as it is not uncommon for couples to choose in haste and then regret their decision later.

However, the most important aspect to remember when choosing a wedding ring is that its purpose is to show the love that two people have for one another; perhaps now, the reason for the time spent choosing a ring has been made clearer.

By Diane Scott

Wedding Ring - How To Choose The Right Wedding Ring Tips

2008-03-31T21:12:00.002-07:00

Although a great deal of planning is involved when a couple marry, it is the choice of wedding rings that is the most significant; this is one area where the couple will not want advice from anyone else, no matter how close. Take as much the time as needed to consider which will be chosen; everyone has a ring that is made purely for them and as soon as you see it you will realize this. When you are choosing your wedding rings you need to make sure you choose a jeweler that has quality rings; although you may find some at a shopping mall, you probably won't see something unique.

Your local mall jeweler may not stock a variety of metals, styles and finishes; you would be better off spending time at jewelers that will be able to provide what you are looking for. The type of ring will be based on the engagement ring but must also be something that suits the man as well if it is to match.

Remember the wedding ring should not be excessively elaborate, or overshadow the engagement ring; try, if possible to buy rings that were designed to complement each other. The best way to do this is by trial and error, having the wedding band placed alongside the engagement ring.

The most commonly sought after metals for rings are: (1) Silver, (2) White Gold, (3) Yellow Gold and (4) Titanium; although, increasing numbers of couples are choosing the longer lasting platinum. Of the two partners, it is the man who will appreciate a platinum ring's durability more. Traditionally, men are more likely to cause damage to a ring; they are the ones who will have the most marks and damage if examined.

Sizing is very important and essential if you do not want a problem putting the wedding rings on at the ceremony; make sure that you get professionally sized instead of making a guess. It can be embarrassing if the rings are too loose or too tight; no-one wants to lose their ring.

It is not uncommon for couples to leave having the rings adjusted until close to the wedding day; this can cause the jeweler problems because he may have others to adjust for the same day, so allow plenty of time for this. With so many wedding band designs available today, picking the right one is not a fast process; this will certainly take longer than you expect and another reason not to delay.

Wedding rings represent the love two people have for one another; wherever you go around the world, the ring will instantly tell a person of your status.

By Pius Ephenus

Wedding Ring Selection Tips

2008-03-31T21:12:00.001-07:00

One of the most important parts of the wedding ceremony is the exchanging of wedding rings. It is emblematic of the magnificence of your love for each other. The rings symbolize the true and unending love the couple is vowing to each other. Moreover, the wedding rings are the one very special token from your wedding that you will preserve for a long period; even longer than the gifts you receive during your wedding, which will be there for several years!

The initial step for getting a perfect fit is to decide wearer's ring size. The best thing is to take along with your to the shop, the person for who will wear the ring, and select from the available collection of rings. Though in many such cases, the surprise factor of giving the gift will be absent, it will help you see that the ring fits well on the finger of the wearer. Wedding rings come in silver, platinum, white gold and yellow gold. These types differ in their costs. First determine the type of metal you prefer in accordance with your budget and naturally, as per your sweetheart's choice. When the metal is chosen, you need to decide the stone to be engrafted in the ring. Decide the size, shape, color and type of the stone that befits your budget. Diamonds are the best choice but you can also prefer colored stones like rubies, emeralds and sapphires, which are having some astrological grandeur.
Silver wedding engagement rings are very in many parts of the world. Very much like gold and white gold, silver is a very popular precious metal used to make wedding rings of different shapes and styles. Where did the wedding ring come from? And why this treasured metal holds the key to so many souls? By custom, the bride's ring used to be silver while, whereas the bridegroom's would be gold. Today nearly any kind of metal can be used for making the wedding ring of both the bride and the groom. Silver wedding rings are usually worn on the ring finger of the left hand. This tradition goes back many years as far as medieval era.

For matching the wedding and engagement rings, it is essential to use the same cherished metals. For instance, you may not want one ring to be silver and the other one gold, as they would appear really odd jointly. Another important thing to note is that the gems on both rings require to be the same. Many people like to have diamonds on the engagement ring and birthstones on the wedding ring. But when placed together the wedding and engagement ring set looks tacky, so only select one gemstone for both.

In case you or your sweetie engage in some physical labor, it is advisable to look for a heavier, broader ring. This can minimize damage to the wedding ring and it will be able to last long. It is also better in this case to have a smooth stone that fits well in to the ring. In case there is some risk of the stone getting caught somewhere, there is a possibility of losing the ring and so a smooth surface is always better here. Many of us love an etched wedding ring. If you and your partner were among such people, a more classic type ring would be desirable. This gives much room for inscribing.

Seeking other alternatives in place of wedding rings is not at all a way of discouraging wedding jewelry completely. Actually, there are some people who disapprove wedding rings owing to their religious, cultural or financial conditions. Wedding jewelry is meant for those who like to wear them and find solemn symbolization behind the custom. Purchasing wedding rings need not have to be a forced custom. Rather, you should take decisions in accordance with what works best for you.

By Anna Bloggy

Engagement Ring/Wedding Ring

2008-03-31T21:09:00.001-07:00

An engagement ring is worn by a woman on her ring finger. That indicates she is going to be married very soon. It is said that a vein (known as 'love vein') in fourth finger of left hand directly goes to heart. The engagement ring is presented by a man to his would be bride after she accepts the marriage proposal. Engagement ring is often significantly expensive and acts as visible demonstration of a man's commitment to his betrothed.

In Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands, both the man and the woman wear engagement rings. The man's engagement ring eventually serves as the wedding ring in these countries.

In certain countries (UK, other Commonwealth Nations, USA, Mexico Brazil) engagement rings are worn on left ring finger. In most other parts of world (like Norway, Argentina, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Germany, Poland or Russia), it is worn on right ring finger.

Wedding rings are worn to symbolize marriage as lifelong commitment, love and a romantic rite of passage till eternity. It is presented by bride and groom to each other at the time of marriage ceremony. In some European countries (like Greece), before marriage the ring is worn on the left hand, and then transferred to the right during the marriage ceremony. That means the same engagement ring becomes wedding ring after marriage.

Engagement rings are made of Gold, Silver, Diamonds, Titanium and Platinum (for better protection of Gems). The band of rings is made using Gold, Sliver, or Titanium mounted by at least one Diamond. Although more than one diamond is also used for making engagement rings, but most popular form is one diamond engagement ring. Other precious or semi precious gems like sapphires, star sapphires, emeralds, and rubies are also used, but Diamond Rings are most popular. The reason behind that is the fact that Diamond is rare, most enduring, beautiful and expensive gem.

By Sanjeev

How to Design Your Own Engagement Ring

2008-03-31T21:08:00.000-07:00

You have found the woman (or man) of your dreams and are ready for the next step. You even know exactly what the engagement ring will look like. The problem is, you can't find exactly what you have in mind. It may be time to design your own engagement ring.

Designing a custom ring is not as difficult as you may think. Start by picturing the two parts of an engagement ring -- the stones and setting -- and begin sketching or writing down specifics. Decide the materials you want in your ring and you are well on your way to the ring you envisioned.

The Stones

A first step is deciding what types of stones will be in the ring, how many there will be, and their relative sizes. Diamonds are most common, but your engagement ring can have other gemstones as well. Rubies, pearls, emeralds, and sapphires can all add special meaning.

Some questions to consider when choosing stones: Do you want a large, single solitaire or a center stone surrounded by smaller stones? If cost is an issue, which matters more: how large the stones are or their quality? Do you want diamonds only, a combination of diamonds and other gems, or no diamonds at all? How will they be arranged? Plan the appearance by sketching how the stones will be configured and labeling them by type.

The Setting

You can choose from several types of metal and quality. Each has unique features and appearance. White or yellow gold (14 or 18 carat) are common choices, as is platinum. Titanium is also a viable choice. If you are not already familiar with the differences in appearance and quality, take a trip to the mall or nearest jewelry store. Notice the finish of each and how it catches the light.

Other features to consider are the size and shape of the setting. It should reflect the bride's personal style. Also consider hand size and balance. A large ring can overwhelm a small hand. Conversely, a large hand may diminish a small ring.

Assuring Quality

It pays to know something about quality before ordering a custom ring (or any piece of fine jewelry, for that matter). Become familiar with the 4 C's of diamond quality: carat, color, clarity, and cut. Price should depend on the quality of each attribute. Unless you know the jeweler, do not take his word on these. Independent laboratories, such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA, gia.edu), grade individual diamonds. Yours should be certified in writing and come with a certificate detailing it's unique features and quality ratings. Most online retailers that provide custom service list diamond inventory online along with scanned copies of the certificates, so you know exactly what you will be getting.

Where to Shop

Now that you know exactly what you want, where do you shop? Chances are a local jeweler can make the custom ring. But, local is not your only choice. Several online jewelry stores offer custom rings and ship them worldwide. Some simply assemble and ship the ring from a variety of inventoried settings and stones. Others take a more personalized approach by making a sketch or mold based on pictures or a detailed description of what you have in mind. They then create the ring based on the approved design. Search "custom engagement rings" or "design your own engagement ring" to find online vendors.

There you have it. How to design the engagement ring of your dreams!

By Bobette Kyle-Wagner

Engagement Rings, Diamonds, And Information You Should Know

2008-03-31T21:06:00.000-07:00

Now that you've decided to make the commitment it's time to buy the ring. An engagement ring is one of the most important purchases you will ever make and you need to get it right. To set your mind at ease familiarize yourself with some diamond-buying basics. Plan a budget and set some guidelines on what your are able and willing to spend. the rule of thumb is 2 months salary, but your personal circumstances may allow you to spend more or less.

The Basics: Diamonds are measured by weight. The bigger the number, the bigger the diamond. Size, however, is not a reliable indicator of quality. Diamonds come in a variety of cuts and shapes and weight alone does not determine value. The cut refers to the width, depth, and number of facets cut into the diamond. The objective of a good cut is brilliance. The facets reflect white light and give the diamond its sparkle. A cut that is too broad and shallow will lack brilliance as will a cut that is too deep and narrow. The shape of the diamond may be round, square, rectangular, pear, tear drop, oval, marquise, or even heart-shaped. Round brilliant is by far the most common and popular shape and cut.

Diamonds also vary in color. Generally, the less color the better when it comes to the quality of the diamond. Some diamonds may appear unflatteringly yellowish or cloudy; however, a few colors of diamonds are extremely rare and can have a higher value. Clarity goes hand in had with color. Imperfections and flaws in the stones, although they may be imperceptible to the average person's eye, lower the value of diamonds.

Now that you have picked a diamond it's time to look at settings. The variety of styles is staggering. The solitaire set in yellow gold is possibly the most common setting. White gold, titanium, and platinum are also excellent choices. Be sure your setting has a sturdy set of prongs to hold the diamond in place. The beauty of the center stone is often accentuated with smaller stones. This is an easy way to make the diamond look bigger. A Bezel setting completely surrounds the center stone. When choosing the setting take your fianc's personality into account. If she prefers simple elegant clothing she will likely admire the same quality in a ring.

By Lulu Dallas

Wedding Rings-the Symbol of Love

2008-03-21T18:45:00.000-07:00

Now that you have decided to tie the knot, the most important question is the kind of wedding ring that will symbolize the marital status of the couple. Wedding rings have always been a symbol of everlasting love between the couple. It’s strange to know that though women have been wearing wedding rings for eons, men started wearing it only recently, since the Second World War to be precise.

It’s important to decide upon the type of wedding band the man wants to wear, as this might be the only piece of jewelry that he may wear in his lifetime. So a myriad of decisions have to be made before selecting the perfect wedding band for the man.

Firstly, the ring should match the personality of the individual wearing it. While choosing a men’s wedding band, its important to consider his personality- is he flamboyant or conservative? Does he revel in the public eye or he prefers to blend in with the crowd? If the man is outgoing, he may prefer a ring that is incorporated with precious stones or metals that attracts attention and clearly states the fact that he can afford it. However if the man is conservative, he may prefer a simple wedding band, not too overt, but a band that simply states the fact that he is married.

Then there’s the question of the kind of metal chosen for the ring. Traditionally, there are the gold, silver or diamond metals to choose from. However, the modern man has a myriad of other metals to choose from. Platinum is very appealing for its durability and the sheen it develops over a period of time. Titanium wedding rings are also very popular as it is light weight and has considerable strength.

For men who are looking for something really unique, there is the option of the traditional Celtic wedding band which is simple yet stylish. The unending knot style aptly symbolizes the endless and infinite love of the man for his wife. For the more adventurous, there are the rings having the Zodiac signs and gambling symbols like the roulette wheel with numbers! Nowadays, it is also possible to have the men’s wedding bands custom made whereby one can choose the width, the style, the metal or combination of metals, the gemstone to be incorporated etc and have the kind of ring as one desires.

So, there being no dearth of the styles to choose from, choose the wedding ring you want to wear that expresses your individuality and your love for your wife.

Conclusion:
Wedding rings have a very important role in our wedding. Celtic wedding band gives every type of wedding rings in many metals online.

By Mishel Smith

Why We Use Engagement Rings These Days

2008-03-21T18:38:00.000-07:00

Engagement rings are worn on the ring finger of either hand, depending on which country the bride-to-be is to be wed. For instance, in Poland, the woman will wear her engagement ring on her right hand's ring finger while in the West women will wear their engagement rings on their left hand's ring finger. Engagement rings are said to show the formal acceptance of the bride-to-be of her fiance's offer to get married.

A new tradition regarding engagement rings is for the woman to buy the engagement ring for her male fiancé when they get engaged. This new tradition is on the rise in Canada and the USA. An alternative tradition which is followed in Spain is for the woman to give an engagement wristwatch to her male fiancé upon her acceptance of the engagement ring from him.

It is believed that the diamond production company named de Beers is responsible for the growing acceptance of and use of diamond engagement rings in Western culture because de Beers has been advocating use of diamond engagement rings since the 1940s. Use of diamonds in rings (not necessarily engagement rings) has been a practice observed for centuries. The concept itself of using engagement rings per se can be traced to a decree by Pope Innocent III wherein couples that intended to marry should wait longer after being betrothed to one another. To symbolize this waiting period, engagement rings came into being.

However, in many countries it is not necessary to give out diamond engagement rings because engagement rings may use other colored gems rather than simply the commonly-used diamond. The diamond became accepted because it is the hardest of all the precious stones thus symbolizing enduring love. But if the couple accepts the use of other gems, the engagement rings given out may have rubies, emeralds, star sapphires, and sapphires instead of diamonds. And in certain countries, the engagement rings used may be just bands made of gold, silver or even titanium without any precious stones mounted on them. Semi-precious stones are also acceptable nowadays to be used in place of precious stones on engagement rings.

If you opt for engagement rings that are simply metal bands, do use gold or platinum since these are more durable and have higher value compared to other types of engagement rings that use other types of metals. Silver is usually not recommended for engagement rings because this metal is less durable than gold or platinum. If you do opt for a gold or silver engagement ring, the jeweler may advocate use of a platinum setting so that your engagement ring stays more durable over time.

The more contemporary types of engagement rings may use titanium or even just stainless steel because they are less expensive than gold, silver or platinum yet are stronger than the latter. One problem you may encounter with use of titanium engagement rings is that in a medical emergency the titanium engagement ring might be impossible to remove because of its sheer strength and because cutting tools in hospital emergency rooms are not usually equipped to cut through some grades of titanium. A gold ring is so soft, on the other hand, that your standard electrician pliers can cut through a gold ring within a second.

In the past, the groom-to-be was expected to select the engagement ring (or possibly engagement rings – one for his bride, one for him) by himself. Nowadays though, since many couples try to live together before marriage, it is becoming more of the norm for these live-in partners to select engagement rings together.

A woman who accepts an engagement ring is considered betrothed to the man who gave the ring. If she breaks the wedding engagement, it is generally expected of her to return the engagement ring to the man who gave it. If the man breaks the wedding engagement, the woman is not expected to return the ring. In extreme cases when wedding engagements are cancelled, the court has to intervene as to who owns engagement rings and why.

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Article Tags: Engagement Rings, Wedding Rings, Wedding Bands, Diamond Rings, Rings, Online Jewelry Store, Online Jewelry Shop, New York Diamond District, Ny Diamond District

By Ron Poul

Diamond Ring - Perfect Gift On Engagement

2008-03-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

There is nothing which can be more cherished than the smile of your beloved, of someone who is as precious to you as a diamond. The shine of the diamond reflects your soul in the eyes of your beloved.

Since time immemorial, diamonds have been significantly used as a testimony of true and chaste love. Diamond has always been co-related with engagement rings, and thus diamond engagement rings became the most sought after for the ones planning to enter a new phase of their life.

Diamond rings are perfect for any occasion; let it be a birthday, anniversary or Valentines Day. But engagement has its own meaning, and gifting diamond engagement ring is not only considered stylish, but in many rituals considered auspicious.

Engagement holds a lot of significance for two people in deep love. It is worn on the fourth finger of the right hand, as it is said that vein on this finger goes directly to the heart.

When we see a woman wearing a diamond ring, it automatically becomes obvious that she is engaged. Thus diamond ring not only helps woman boast the world the love of her fiancé for her but also his soundness in terms of wealth and power.

Diamond rings are generally preferred in circular form, as a circle has no end, no breaks, no beginning, thus projects to be eternal. The market is flooded with various types of diamond rings; they come in various shapes and style. Try choosing a ring which suits the persona of your beloved and make her look more stunning.

A very convenient way of choosing a diamond ring is by selecting the diamond and its setting differently. If you are not able to find what you want, then choose a nice diamond and engrave it into the type of setting you want to.

A precious diamond ring is gifted only ones in a life, so try to make that moment a memorable one. Let your beloved feel special on her engagement. Diamond can make her eyes shine like a star.

Buying a diamond engagement ring is not a tough job. If you do not have time to visit your nearby store, then you can buy the ring from online stores. These stores are competent in providing full knowledge about the diamond rings of various styles and designs.

So planning to get married? What can be a better solution than gifting her with a diamond ring? Book your favorite diamond engagement ring online and soon you will receive it on your doorsteps.

By Roger Glass

Antique Diamond Engagement Rings

2008-03-14T19:32:00.000-07:00

Diamonds remain to be one of the most sought-after possessions for they represent perfection, beauty, power, and wealth. Among all gemstones, a diamond is considered the most suitable particularly in engagements.

An engagement ring is a piece of jewelry worn with much value. Engagement rings oftentimes lead to a wonderful union between two lives. History affirms that engagement rings came about in 1215 when Pope Innocent III declared an interlude for marriages. In those times, as promise from the man that he would not abandon his woman during the waiting period, a simple metal band was given to the woman.

These bands were later enhanced and accentuated with gemstones and eventually came to be known as engagement rings.
Today, modern technology provides for wide varieties of diamond engagement rings, perfectly cut and ornamented. Yet despite the boom of contemporary designs made of famous brands, many couples still prefer heirloom or antique engagement ring.

An antique diamond engagement ring has its unique charm that cannot be found in mass marketed jewelries. Passed from generation to generation, antique diamond engagement rings bear witness to unconditional, endless loves. It brings ardent hope of lasting bond for the would-be couple.

Any ring over 50 years of existence is an antique. Antique rings are often lavishly designed. They have distinctly varied designs, including Victorian, Edwardian, and Art-Deco, to name a few. It could even be said that no two antique rings are ever the same, as none of them could ever have identical cuts.

Antique rings unlike the new fashioned rings, made out of state of the art technology, are not perfectly cut but this very imperfection adds even more to the ingenuity and uniqueness of each piece.

Though rare, you can still get hold of antique diamond engagement rings if you are clever and patient enough to search for it. Here are some suggestions:

You can first rummage your mother's jewelry box, who knows what prized possession you might find in there. You can go to a certified and trusted jeweler who may guide you in your quest. You can go to a pawnshop or visit an antique/vintage store. You can attend estate sales where you can find estate rings; these are newer rings, not yet antique, but are on their way to becoming so.

And of course, use the internet to get quick access about these timeless masterpieces

By Alice Sy

Buying An Engagement Ring

2008-03-14T19:30:00.000-07:00

Buying an engagement ring can be the biggest decision of your life. Marriage is a very special part of you and your partners life which you will never forget. It is therefore important to get the perfect engagement ring for your fiance.

Firstly, you need to decide how much you are able to spend on the ring. This can be a good time to browse around and get an idea of what is out there and how much it can cost. When you have an idea of what rings are in your price range, establish your budget based on your income and how much you are comfortably able to spend. You will also need to start thinking about what grade of diamond you will be purchasing.

While getting married is one of the most important steps in your life and you should not be cheap, it is not a good time to go bankrupt.

The next step is to decide on the "Four Cs", color, cut, clarity and carat of your diamond. Understand as much as you can about these as you can. Quality is the most important part of buying a diamond engagement ring. When purchasing the ring, make sure it comes with a certificate to verify its quality.

The ring setting can be almost as important as the diamond. Settings come in a variety of metals and styles. Platinum is the modern choice for many diamond buyers as it is the perfect strength. However if gold is your choice, 14 to 18K makes a solid and reliable band.

Designing your own ring can be the ideal solution for some. Usually you can choose from a selection of settings and diamonds to create that perfect ring. If you know exactly what your partner wants then this is great, but check out what is out there no matter which way you decide.

By Seth Madison

Selecting An Engagement Ring

2008-03-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

So you have decided to seal your commitment to your beloved with a ring. Congratulations! Now what? Let's go over the basics. First you will need to know the metal that you will be using for the setting. Traditionally, platinum, white gold, yellow gold and silver have been used. It is a good idea to know the ring finger size if the fiancée will not be part of the selection process. And, you must consider how much you would like to pay for this ring. For many people a white diamond is what is given. So you should be familiar with the 4 C's of the diamond: cut, color, clarity and carat weight. These together will help determine the stone's cost. Cut refers to the shape of the stone: round, pear, emerald, trillion, asscher etc. Color refers to it's whiteness- with D being the whitest thru a G, H is on the border heading towards I which has a slight yellowish tinge and so on. Diamonds can come in many colors- a true yellow diamond is both very rare and very expensive. Clarity refers to the flaws in the stone and can you easily see them with the naked eye, or does it take some magnification to see them. All natural stones have flaws. A VVS takes the most effort to find the flaws while and I1, 2, or 3 will have easily visible charcoal, or other flaws. The 1 carat diamond is very popular today- it weighs 100 points.

Ok. Now we have lots of information and what are you going to do? Well, if money is no problem- just go to the store of your choice and buy the biggest VVS, D color diamond in your choice of cut that your budget allows.

Now, for the rest of you, my suggestion is to look at a nice Si1 (eye clean) G color in slightly less than a 1 carat stone- say a 95 or 96 pointer in the shape that appeals to your intended. What have I just said to you? I have just suggested that you save money by buying a stone that looks just like it's more expensive sister- the 1 carat but the difference is not visible to the naked eye! Also, the clarity is good enough that most people will not be able to rate an Si1 from a VVS without the aid of a magnifier (few people carry these around to check out a new engagement ring on someone's finger...)- so your wallet will know, but most people won't. And G is still a good color white stone- you would need to actually place it next to a higher color stone in a strong light to see the difference. You also want to buy your ring with diamond certification- either an EGL or GIA is the top industry standard. We check out our competition all the time and I was once told by a sales clerk that "xxxx buys so very many diamonds, that we couldn't possibly certify ALL of our diamonds!" And that was for a ring that carried a $10,000 price tag. My advice in that situation is to leave, quickly. You now have the basic information to go to a jewelry store, pick out a stone and have it set in one of their standard "custom" settings that are available pretty much everywhere- sometimes given fancy names and much higher prices- but still that is what is available at most jewelry stores. For most of you, this is going to be all that you need to do.

For some of you, however, you might want a little more personal touch in your choice of jewelry. For you, a custom jewelry designer may be the right answer. Not only will you usually save money by dealing directly with the jewelry designer who will actually create your ring, but you will usually get a lot more value for the money that you spend. Most jewelry designers deal directly with the diamond and stone dealers, so a lot of the retail mark up is not added on to the final cost. How do you know when you have found a real custom jewelry designer? Easy. That person will be able to take out a sheet of white paper and sketch a drawing that will look exactly like the finished product- no squiggles, lines, dots, "wait til you see it later- it will look better" - Too many places advertise that they are able to do custom jewelry- put them to the test- you want to see it drawn in front of you. Our design studio has designed and created a ring that is two angel's wings holding up the diamond, an engagement ring with a heart shaped center stone that matches the fiancée's eyes, a ring that has two woodland fairies whose wings hold blue diamonds and whose crown holds the main diamond- currently we are working on a ring that holds the birthstones of the couple's children. To find a jewelry designer, just goggle "custom jewelry design" plus your town, towns, or nearby city. We are located in the northwest suburbs of Chicago and are happy to answer any of your questions about jewelry.

By Joyce Aldawood

What Do Wedding Rings Speak About?

2008-02-09T20:32:00.000-08:00

Wedding rings, also called wedding bands, are an eternal sign of love between two engaged partners. Most weddings require an exchange of rings taking place between the uniting groom and bride before they could be pronounced husband and wife. The ring itself is stated to be a symbol of an unending love, due to its circular shape. Similarly, the ring finger is traditionally believed to house a direct vein to heart, which describes the intense emotional bond that might develop between two engaged individuals. One could find many similar stories prevailing around the world while trying to learn more about wedding rings.

There is a rich history behind how wedding rings got introduced in the Christian way of life. It wasn't until the days of Pope Innocent III that couples were asked to wear two rings, one during engagements and the other while finally being married. Families offered rings just to seal engagements prior to this historical pronouncement by the Pope. He also asked the engaged couples to observe a waiting period before they could finally marry. These orthodox dictates slowly grew into colorful traditions, as Christianity traversed across the world over a period of many centuries.

Wedding rings are normally placed on left ring fingers of couples from the USA, France, Sweden and the UK. They are placed on right ring fingers however, in the case of Germany, Spain, India, and Chile. Interestingly, while Jews traditionally place wedding rings on their left hands, like the orthodox Christians, they prefer wearing it on the right ones after being married. There are also varying norms for the period when one of the partners has died. This universally gets deemed to be the end of any wedding concerned in most societies. However, much of this differentiation of norms might stem from the fact, which part of the world you were looking at.

A hardened alloy of Gold, Bismuth, Tin and Copper is often made use of in manufacturing wedding rings. Sometimes Platinum, Nickel and Titanium are also introduced to yield varying results. Platinum is mixed up with white gold for manufacturing a separate class of Platinum wedding rings. Similarly Titanium and Tungsten carbide are also used to produce durability, affordability, varying textures and shades of eye-catching ring designs.

However, less costly metals like Silver, Brass and Copper are scarcely used compared to the more expensive ones due to the former's corrosiveness. Aluminum and some other toxic metals are hardly ever made use of in the manufacture of either wedding rings or similar other ornaments. However, the widest and cheapest known alloy of the modern world, stainless steel, is surprisingly gaining ground as one of the options these days. Its durability, which is at par with that of Platinum and Titanium, could be attributed for this wondrous growth.

Retail shops may normally quote wedding rings at $600 and more, but could easily be procured at lower rates from various online resources. A brief look at some of the existing jewelry sites might suggest how they were selling most jewelry items at a reduced cost, including those from the latest wedding rings. These websites could easily meet with the demands of all market segments, starting from the casual jewelry buyer to the seeker of high-end ornaments.

By: Pankaj Mohan

Why Am I Allergic to my Engagement Ring?

2008-02-09T20:30:00.000-08:00

Buying an engagement ring is when most people begin to learn more about jewelry, or learn more of what they don't know. With the so many options, price points and places the buy rings, it may seem as though you're spinning in circles. More often than not, people think only of price, quality and style when buying an engagement ring or wedding rings. But, the single most important aspect should be the elements. More and more people are finding they are allergic to certain precious metals, specifically nickel alloys used in many gold engagement rings and everyday jewelry. The most common symptom of nickel allergy is contact dermatitis, causing itching, redness, and blisters. Not exactly what you want to propose to your life partner.

According to the June 2007 Issue of Dermatology Nursing, "an estimated 20% of women and 4% of men are affected by contact dermatitis." These numbers may seem nominal, but since 1980 these cases have doubled.

Precious Metals & Engagement Rings - What's in my Ring? Precious metals used in jewelry are comprised of metal alloys which are mixtures of various elements including hydrogen, oxygen, copper, niobium, nickel, iron and gold. Traditionally, engagement rings have been made of gold. White gold, sterling silver, platinum and newer metals like tungsten and titanium have made their way onto the jewelry scene both for reasons of style, but also to address allergic reactions.

I've Worn Gold Before - Why Am I Allergic Now? Many people, especially women, have found that their skin has a reaction to gold jewelry. This reaction is not really to the gold itself, but to the nickel that is in the chemical composition of gold. This reaction is caused by a sensitivity to nickel that builds up over time. Women begin wearing jewelry at a much earlier age than men and are more prone to allergic reactions, however with the increase in body piercing popularity in both sexes, the number of men effected by nickel is on the rise too.

Can I Buy A Gold Ring without Nickel? Most engagement and wedding rings have traditionally been made of 14k or 18k gold. The reason for this is while 24k gold is pure, it is extremely soft. Wedding rings and everyday jewelry are exposed to water, sweat, scratches and dings that 24k gold can't stand up against. The other elements that are contained in 14k or 18k gold for both gold and white gold include different alloys such as silver, zinc, copper, and nickel. It's these other alloys that cause the allergic reactions, nickel being the biggest culprit. Nickel is added to make gold more durable, so if you try to buy a 24k gold ring, it will be pure but it won't be very durable.

How Do I Ensure My Engagement Ring Won't Cause A Rash? There are many options in hypoallergenic jewelry. Platinum and titanium rings are not only beautiful alternatives to gold, but they are more pure.

What's the Difference Between Platinum and Titanium Rings? Platinum - Platinum is known for being the rarest and the heaviest of the precious metals. It's also the most expensive. It's typically 90-95% pure and weighs twice as much as gold. It doesn't tarnish like gold and doesn't loose its luster over time. Platinum is durable but it can be scratched. There are many positives for platinum, but it's not for everyone. Price is a barrier to many, and some women while they admire the rare and expensive qualities of platinum, the weight on their finger gets tiresome over time.

By Sam Brown

Advice for engagement rings

2008-02-08T01:05:00.000-08:00

Buying an engagement ring is very significant since it symbolizes the commitment of spending your lives together.

Your search for the perfect engagement ring, may be very difficult and time consuming due to the various designs, styles, settings and sizes.
In addition, many women have a very specific idea of how their engagement ring will look.

These helpful steps will help you find your perfect engagement ring and save you time and research:

1. Budget
The first thing you should do before beginning your research is determine your budget.
This will help you eliminate the irrelevant rings and diamonds, and will start making your choice a little easier.
Even if your budget is not as high as you would like it to be, know that you can always reset and add stones later on.

2. Personal taste
If your engagement ring is a surprise, you should do some research.
Try to observe her jewelry and notice if she likes white gold or yellow gold, big flashy jewelry or more delicate jewelry and etc.
Asking her close friends for advice always helps- they usually know.
If the engagement ring is not a surprise, or it’s an upgrade to a prior ring- we suggest making the decision with her.

3. Learning about diamonds
Learning about the 4 C’s- Carat, Color, Clarity and Cut, is an easy way to learn basically everything you should know before purchasing diamonds.
This will help you understand the cost and quality of diamonds.

4. The diamond
Now that you have learned about the 4 C’s, it’s time to choose your diamonds.
Diamonds come in many shapes and sizes.
A very popular shape in diamonds is the round brilliant.
We suggest looking online at loose diamonds for various shapes, sizes and prices.

5. Settings
Now that you have chosen your diamond, you can choose a setting to mount the diamond on.
Some of the most popular settings for engagement rings include the solitaire, the prong setting and the channel setting. These are available in white gold, yellow gold and platinum.

By Angel

Should a Man Wear a Wedding Ring or not?

2008-02-08T01:03:00.000-08:00

Strange as it may seem the use of a wedding ring by men was not common until recently. Whereas women have worn wedding rings for eons, men have not. The use of rings as a symbol of everlasting love enshrined in marriage can be traced back thousands of years. But not so much for men.

It was, in fact, during the second world war that the use of wedding rings by men became more common. (Note that mens wedding rings and mens wedding bands are interchangeable, both meaning the same thing.)

It became the custom for US soldiers going to war to publicise their marital status by the wearing of a man’s wedding ring. They were happy to make public their commitment to their wife by the wearing of a public symbol that declared that commitment to all. Given that this habit of wearing mens wedding bands was reasonably new it was all the more creditable that these men were willing to forego the marital obscurity available to them from not wearing a ring and actively chose to make a public statement about their choice.

Men’s wedding rings have become increasingly more common since that time. Today it is probably as common for a newly married man to wear a ring as not. This may be due to several factors. The modern man may consider it his duty to choose to make the same public marital statement as his wife will. And his wife may well consider it a condition of the marriage that he do so. After all, in these days of equality, if she is prepared to make a statement then should he not do so as well?

Despite the fact that the wearing of a ring by a woman is a matter of choice, it is in fact almost obligatory due to the fact that it is so common. Many women do not even consider the possibility of not wearing one. Often, however, a man usually considers the wearing of a man wedding ring very carefully.

There are a number of issues to consider. Firstly, is he concerned about a public display of his marital status? Some men, whether rightly or wrongly, are threatened by this. Others are not in the least concerned.

Secondly whilst the wearing of jewellery by women is so common as to go unremarked that is not necessarily the case for men. For many men the wearing of mens wedding bands is just a case of being asked to wear jewellery. Men often do not feel comfortable wearing jewellery and in many cases have never done so before. Whilst some men see their wedding band as different to wearing ordinary jewellery, others feel just the same as if they were being asked to wear ear rings. “It’s just not done by men”. The author, for example, wears a man wedding band, but would never consider wearing any other form of jewellery.

And as many men have never worn any form of jewellery before they have no idea what it will feel like to have something permanently on the finger. Is it heavy? Does it rub? Silly as it may seem to women this can be of concern to some men.

(If this genuinely is of concern it is quite possible to find a cheap jewellery shop, buy the cheapest ring available and wear it for a while. See exactly what it feels like. And find out your size at the same time.)

Men’s wedding rings are, in the eyes of some men, effeminate. “Real men” don’t wear rings or jewellery at all. This is becoming less of an issue as the wearing of a man’s wedding ring becomes more common, but is still an issue with many men.

Culture is also a consideration. In many cultures the wearing of wedding rings by men would never be considered. Men must think about how their particular culture, and also their religion, would view the wearing of a wedding band.

There are also practical considerations. Many men are engaged in trades where the wearing of a man wedding band would be downright dangerous. Although unlikely it is quite possible for a ring to get caught in machinery. In some jobs a ring cannot be worn on the job, and must be removed. This can also apply to women.

Ultimately though, the wearing of a men’s ring is just one of the many choices the man will have to make once he makes the commitment to marry. And it is often a choice made by the couple together, maybe one of the first they make in conjunction about their wedding.

Which finger is the ring worn on, and why?

Generally a man’s wedding band is worn on the ring finger, the same as for women. The ring finger, for those unmarried men not familiar with the concept, is the fourth finger of the left hand. This is considered to be the finger closest to the heart.

This notion came originally from the ancient Greeks who believed that this finger had an artery which flowed straight to the heart. Whilst anatomically incorrect this makes for good fable.

So you have both decided that he will wear a men’s wedding ring!

Once the man or couple have made the decision to purchase a men’s wedding ring for him there are still choices to make. Do they want to wear a matching set? Or does he prefer that his ring looks quite different to his wife’s. It is perfectly possible for a couple to buy a ring set where the style of the rings match perfectly, or even with matching engraved messages of love.

Generally though, even where the couple are to wear a matching ring set, the two rings are different. It is more common for the man’s wedding ring to be wider than the woman’s. This is because men’s hands and women’s hands are different. A woman usually has narrower finer fingers, and so a narrower band suits her hand. A man on the other hand has wider chunkier fingers and so a wider man wedding band is more suited.

This often results in the mans ring costing more than the woman’s ring even with matching styles, as the mans ring uses more, often expensive, material.

There are many innovative styles available now. Many men prefer a simple unadorned band, however others enjoy highly decorated styles which make a loud statement. The wearing of, for example, very wide and highly adorned Celtic rings is becoming much more common.

When considering the styles of men’s wedding rings it is well worth thinking about the personality of the individual. While different men have very different personalities different rings will suit different personalities as well. A loud outgoing man, for example, can wear a loud outgoing unique men’s ring.

There are many different ring materials which also reflect the personality of the individual. Titanium or Platinum are both becoming much more popular. Whilst diamonds are not, of course, as popular with men as with women, they do make a clear statement which pleases some men who choose them. Diamond men’s rings clearly say “I can afford it” or at least the big ones do. But it can be a brave man who chooses to wear a large diamond band.

Ultimately there are no rules about choosing a man wedding band. It is up to either the man or the couple together to make a decision. Will he or won’t he. There are a variety of considerations. First, will he wear one? Once that decision is made in the affirmative then there is a whole world of choice about styles, widths, materials and the type of statement the ring makes, both for the man and the woman.

But once he has his ring on it is rare that he decides that he doesn’t like it. And even if he doesn’t, it is rare that the woman will let him take it off!

Copyright 2005. Peter Crump

The Importance of Custom Wedding Rings

2008-02-08T00:47:00.000-08:00

Have you finally found your soulmate? You know what I'm in, the one that makes your heart skip a beat? Well, I know one thing for certain, when it happens there is no mistaking it. The whole "seeing fireworks" thing isn't just a myth. There's just a natural attraction that magically brings you closer and closer together. And eventually that the day will come. The birds are singing, the flowers are blooming, and the bells are ringing. Your wedding day can certainly be the most memorable day of your life. Since this special day can sneak up on you rather quickly, it's a good idea to be prepared. Have you considered wedding rings yet?

This can be a complex subject if you let it. You have your mind set on something, and then you no longer want it. You're considering one ring design, but then you're not sure if it's the right one for you. Yeah, that sounds all too familiar to me. Fortunately these days you're not limited to the relatively small choices of wedding bands available at your local jewelry stores. In fact, custom wedding rings are well within your reach.

Have you considered custom wedding rings for that day of days? Now, I want you to take a minute and think about this; how many times are you planning to get married in this lifetime? Well, hopefully your answer is one. If it's anything more than that and I think you're nuts, but that your business. That's why I urge you to consider all options available. Your primary goal is not to find a beautiful wedding ring, but to find the absolute perfect wedding ring for your sweetheart. This isn't as easy as hopping down to your local jeweler grabbing them out of the case. You may have to check out the world of custom wedding rings. Writing about this reminds me of the day I popped the question.

I was incredibly motivated and I had to find the absolute perfect engagement ring. This meant exhausting all of my options regarding custom wedding rings and engagement rings. I immediately visited the World Wide Web to begin my quest. After hours and hours of browsing a multitude of web sites specializing in custom wedding rings, I finally found the one I was looking for. Or more accurately, created the one I was looking for. Yes that's right; there are many online jeweler's that let you design the ideal wedding ring, online. I knew right from the beginning that I preferred a platinum band with a heart shaped diamond and two sapphires on each side. This was my vision.

If you are interested in custom wedding rings, then I urge you to start looking on the net. Looking on the information superhighway that is. You can easily surf through a plethora of online jeweler's that offer custom wedding rings for affordable prices. Make that special ring for that special day and all the days to follow.

By Morgan Hamilton

Design Your Own Beautiful Wedding Ring

2008-02-08T00:40:00.000-08:00

It used to be that if you wanted to buy a nice custom-made wedding ring, you’d have to visit some fancy high-end jewelry store and be willing to part with a large portion of your wedding budget.

Well that’s still the case for some people, but thanks to our modern times it’s now possible for you and anyone else who wants a custom wedding ring to create a unique diamond wedding ring from the comfort of your own home.

Oleg Cassini will have nothing on you as you sit in your chair sipping a soda looking at the various wedding ring photos that your favorite online jewelry store makes easily available.

You will quickly see that it’s easy to design your own wedding ring online. The first thing you want to look at when you set out to build your own wedding ring is the setting. You’ll have your choice of wedding ring settings in various metals like: gold, white gold, sterling silver, and platinum. While studying the stylish settings, be sure to check your ring size for accuracy in purchasing a comfortable fitting wedding ring.

Next, you’ll want to select the right diamond to fit your setting. The common diamond cut shapes are: round, pear, emerald, princess, marquise, oval, radiant, heart, and Asscher. You will probably take a while just studying all the attributes of the various diamond shapes and sizes. Of course, you can always choose to purchase the setting online and then take it to your local jeweler to have it fit with a diamond.

You are the designer extraordinaire! You are not bound by what someone else thinks you will like. So, go ahead and feel free to create your own wedding ring.

Wedding Rings for the Jewelry Challenged

2008-02-08T00:37:00.000-08:00

Wedding rings are more than just a piece of jewelry. They are the ultimate symbol of marriage. Rings are purchased for both the bride and the groom, even if the groom insists he doesn't need to wear one to show his commitment!

Wedding rings are exchanged as part of the ceremony, normally as vows are said by both parties. They are often matched to the engagement ring, so you might want to choose simply for the engagement ring or choose a complete set. If you want to rehearse for the big day, wedding rings are always placed on the finger first, and the engagement ring is placed on top of it. If you have yet to purchase your ring set, keep the following guidelines in mind:

Going For The Gold

Gold is still the standard for wedding rings, and is instantly recognizable as a wedding band. However, white gold is an excellent alternative. White gold gets its color by blending with another white metal like silver or palladium. This blend is called an alloy. An advantage of white gold is that is typically retains the better qualities of yellow gold, like low risks of skin irritation, and is often mistaken for the more expensive platinum.

Platinum Pass

Platinum is the metal of choice for rings because it is more rare and durable than gold. Platinum is an elegant metal, which is very popular these days because of its white, shiny look and durability. Platinum is actually more precious than gold and can cost up to twice as much.

If you prefer a white metal and are willing to be non-traditional, there is one more alternative.

What About Titanium?

Titanium wedding bands are an ideal choice for the adventurous, outdoorsy couple because a titanium ring requires very little care and is almost impossible to damage. Titanium wedding bands are unique in that it is one of the strongest metals. Yet, they are very light in weight. Titanium is a non-allergenic material, with none of the skin rashes that can occur with some white metals like nickel or nickel alloys.

And Finally, Diamonds Are Forever

Diamond wedding rings are the most often bought type of wedding rings, and go well with gold, white gold, silver, and platinum bands. Diamond engagement rings can be dressed up with other stones like sapphires, rubies and emeralds, but the diamonds are still the most important. Diamonds were also considered to be gifts of the gods and as such must be cherished. Diamond engagement rings thus symbolize love and eternity, which explains their popularity with men and women alike.

Conclusion

Wedding rings, along with engagement rings, will likely be the most important jewelry decision you make. If you decide upon an alloy like white gold make sure it does not contain a metal that will irritate your skin. And whether you choose traditional yellow gold or prefer the white precious metal alternatives, know that it is a decision you can live with in peace, hopefully for a lifetime.

Article written by Andrew Morris.

Wedding Rings

2008-02-08T00:31:00.000-08:00

It’s generally all about the engagement ring first, and then it is about the wedding band. Which is strange, as it is the wedding band that is going to last you a lifetime, and stay on your finger. Generally soon to be wed couples go for a simple band, something understated, and that won’t go out of fashion or attract too much attention.

In fact, when it comes to wedding bands, it’s not all about the design like the engagement ring, but more about the type of metal that you are going to use. There are various metals to choose from.

Platinum (Pt) is a rare metal that is often chosen for wedding bands as it has a gorgeous white lustre. The metal does not tarnish over time; therefore it is an ideal material to make wedding rings out of for everyday wear. It is highly resistant to wear and tear, plus it's hypoallergenic, so you don’t have to worry about skin sensitivity.

It is a relatively expensive metal because it is quite rare, and is quite a dense material, so it will be heavier then a gold ring. You will pay more for it than gold. Gold (Au) is the most common metal used to make wedding bands. The metal does not tarnish and there are a variety of different types of golds to choose from.
You have a choice of Rose Gold, White Gold, Green Gold, as well as Yellow Gold. Gold is often combined with other metals and is measured on a system of Karats. The amount of Karats the gold has will determine its value. 24 Karats is pure gold, and has a soft texture.

White Gold is another popular choice and is a combination of Gold and silver-type metals. White Gold is also measured on the karat system, with 17 Karats being the highest quality. Another option is Titanium, which is becoming more and more popular.

Titanium is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and is three times stronger then steel. It is also stronger then Gold, Platinum and Silver. It is highly scratch resistant, but remember that titanium cannot be resized. This is important because if you lose/gain weight over the years, you might need a new one made, as you cannot cut it off if it gets stuck.

There are a variety of metals to choose from. You have to take into consideration your budget, style, design and personal choice when it comes to the different metals as each has its own look and fee. Remember, that this is your wedding ring and chances are, you’ll be wearing it for life.

By Celeste

Tips On Buying The Perfect Engagement Rings

2008-02-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

Buying an engagement ring can often be a daunting task, as making the right choice from the range of engagement rings available is crucial. As with wedding rings, there are many different choices available. You can select from different precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum, and even titanium. You can also select from a range of precious gems, such as sapphire, emerald, the classic diamond, and many others. You will find a choice of rings to suit a range of budgets, although the carat of the ring will be determined by the amount that you can afford to spend. This item of jewelry is one that will hopefully be cherished by the recipient for the rest of her life, so whether you go for a traditional ring, a beautiful antique ring, a Celtic ring, or any other type of ring, you should make sure that you put plenty of thought into it before you make any firm commitment on your purchase.

Factors to consider when buying engagement rings

Unless your loved one has already pointed out which ring she wants you may have your work cut out in order to determine which ring you should get. Firstly, you need to take into consideration your budget, as this will determine the type of ring you can get. Most jewellers offer rings to suit all sorts of budgets, so you don’t have to be a millionaire in order to get a beautiful ring that she is certain to love. One thing you should try and determine is what type of precious metal and gem she most likes, as you can then select the perfect ring. There are a number of ways in which you can do this, from observing the type of jewelry she normally tends to wear to asking close friends for their advice. By finding out these details you can ensure that the ring you buy is one that she is certain to love. You will also need to know the size of her finger, and you could do this by sneakily taking one of her rings and hoping she doesn’t notice or by asking a close friend who, with any luck, may know the size or even have the same size finger.

Buying your ring – getting a good deal

Although there are many high street shops that sell some beautiful wedding bands and engagement rings, it has become more and more popular to purchase these items online. This is because you can enjoy a far wider choice and you can browse under on virtual roof from the comfort of your own home. You will often find that you can also get better deals online because there are no overheads for sellers to worry about, which means that you can either save a little money on the cost of your ring or you can stick to the budget and get a better ring for your money. The excellent choice available online makes it easier for purchasers to find the ideal ring at a more affordable price.

By Erica Bosworth

Finding The Perfect Engagement Ring

2008-02-07T23:48:00.000-08:00

The giving of rings to profess to the rest of the world the love that a couple has for each other can be traced way back into the earliest times. Though there is much debate as to the specific roots of this tradition, everyone agrees on one thing – at some point in a couple’s relationship, the engagement ring becomes an integral part of their relationship. In the Western World, tradition dictates that the woman wear the ring on the fourth finger of the left hand. Some say that this practice can be attributed to the Romans who considered that finger to be the vena amoris or vein of love, going straight to the heart.

Some prefer to surprise their loved one with the ring when they pop the question during the momentous event called the proposal. Others prefer to go shopping for an engagement ring together. Whatever the case, a lot of thought and effort go into picking out the perfect engagement ring.

There is no hard and fast rule as to what an engagement ring should look like or what it should be made of. The most popular type would be the diamond engagement ring. Yet there is a host of other gems and settings that would make a perfectly good engagement ring.

If you are at a loss and you have no clue as to how to go about picking out your engagement ring, you might want to check out Engagement Rings and Diamond Cuts at Engagement Rings Sale.com. There are literally hundreds, maybe even thousands, of web pages on the Internet featuring jewelry. At Engagement Rings, though, you will find all that you need to know about rings. If you have absolutely no idea about what kind of ring you want, then you can start from scratch and read all about different stones – from diamonds to semiprecious stones – and different settings – from gold to platinum. If you have a rough idea of what you want, say a diamond engagement ring, then you will find in depth information on different cuts, sizes, and the like. At Engagement Rings, you will also find assistance on how to buy or design your own engagement ring.

More than the design of the ring, Engagement Rings also give you information on the more practical aspects of engagement rings. You will find helpful information on how to set a budget for your ring, how to stick to it, and still get the ring you want. More so, you will find tips on getting insurance for your ring. Of course, you wouldn’t want to leave such a precious thing uninsured, would you? Anticipating possible future issues, Engagement Rings also offers information on return policies – of course this is done in a general manner as policies would differ from store to store.

Whether you are still toying around with the idea of giving her that ring or you’ve already set your mind on it, give Engagement Rings a visit and make your life a lot easier while deciding on that perfect engagement ring.

By John Caldwell