A True Delight

Choosing the right wedding ring is a very important part of the wedding preparations. Wedding rings aren’t just ornaments, they hold a much deeper meaning. Besides the ‘beauty’ aspect of the wedding ring, one has to consider comfort as well. Since a person wears the wedding ring on a daily basis, it is essential to make sure that the wedding ring you purchase is comfortable enough.

One significant factor in choosing a wedding ring is the kind of metal. The days are gone when the choices were pretty much limited to yellow gold or diamond rings. With the passage of time, sterling silver wedding rings and bands have become incredibly popular. They are very compatible with the momentous occasion of a wedding. The reason why the popularity of sterling silver wedding rings is rising day by day is because they look modern and match any outfit.

Gone are the days when only diamond and platinum rings were considered to good enough for wedding rings and anything else was considered inferior. Although silver had been in use for a long time, mainly because of its aesthetic qualities, only recently has sterling silver been used much in wedding rings and bands. And, not surprisingly, they soon captured the market. These days, many couples choose wedding rings made of sterling silver.

The chief reasons for the growing popularity of the sterling silver wedding rings are their affordability and versatility. It is not too difficult to engrave and resize a sterling silver ring. This is because sterling silver is ductile and has a low melting point. This reflective metal is also easy to take care of. You can easily clean your ring using a soft cloth. Make sure you don’t exert too much force while cleaning, otherwise you might leave scratches. So take your time and carefully clean your ring. Many people use toothpaste to clean sterling silver jewelry but it is better to avoid using toothpaste as a cleaning agent since it might make your wedding ring or band look dull. Also, to make sure that your precious sterling silver wedding ring doesn’t tarnish, don’t expose it to any corrosive agents such as detergents, chemicals, etc.

If you are on a budget and looking for an elegant, stylish wedding ring for your beloved, then a sterling silver ring is the perfect choice. It is sturdy, long lasting, non-allergenic, light and, in short, an ideal metal for a wedding ring or band. It is a lot cheaper when compared to a diamond or a platinum ring, but it looks just as exquisite and delicate. So keep sterling silver wedding rings in mind when you go hunting for the perfect ring for your life partner. Sterling silver wedding rings and bands are undoubtedly an excellent choice.

Roy Dietelzieg had worked in the jewelry industry for years serving costumers from every background and writing his reflections on jewelry. Roy writes Sterling Silver Jewelry tips.

Cheap wedding rings doesn’t mean your diamond isn’t valuable.

Diamonds, Ice, Sparklies, A Girl’s Best Friend: Whatever you call them how are they valued? The four C’s — Cut, Clarity, Color and Carats. Your wedding ring may be cheap but that doesn’t mean your diamonds should be.

Cut: A diamonds’ cut influences the brilliance, or light reflecting qualities of the gem, at the same time it enhances the fire of the diamond, or that rainbow quality. A good cut enhances both qualities, fire and brilliance, without sacrificing one for the other. A well cut diamond balances the depth of the diamond to the breadth of the diamond. A poorly cut diamond of the same size can look flat and be more vulnerable to cleavage and breakage.

Clarity: Diamonds are crystalline carbon. The clarity of the diamond refers to the purity of the stone and imperfections within the crystalline structure and on its surface. There is no such thing as a flawless diamond in nature. Sometimes this clarity factor is referred to as the cleanliness of the stone. If a stone is viewed under 10x magnification and no imperfections can be seen, either internally (inclusions) or externally (blemishes), the stone is referred to in the trade as flawless. A microscopic speck of carbon, undetectable by the human eye, can bring down the value of the diamond substantially. There are five commonly used methods for grading clarity. Just keep in mind the cleaner the stone, the more valuable it is, the more it costs.

Color: Diamonds come in colors including black. Most of the darker colors are used for industrial purposes and not for gems. The white-blue color of pure water is the most valued color for white diamonds and these are rated D-F. (There is no A-C on the scale.) As the diamond color progresses toward yellow (K-M) it becomes less valuable. Diamonds that have a noticeable yellow (N-R) to champagne color (S-Z), are the least valuable. Because the color can be influenced by the color of the gem’s setting, the color is judged when the stone is unset.

To complicate matters and value, diamonds that come in colors, called fancies, are very rare and very valuable. Deep blue, red, and green diamonds are among the rarest and most valuable gems on earth.

Carat: Diamonds and other precious gems are valued on weight, or carats. A carat is 1/5 of a gram. Sometimes diamonds under a carat are valued in points. One carat is 100 points, so a quarter carat diamond can be referred to as 25 points. Diamonds are not valued on their apparent size, since the size can be either enhanced or diminished by the cut. And different gemstones have different densities. An emerald is lighter than a diamond and a ruby is heavier. A one carat diamond, one carat emerald, and one carat ruby would be three different sizes.

The more the diamond weighs the more valuable it is. The price of a diamond is based on carats, but the more the diamond weighs, the higher price it has per carat, all other things being equal, meaning the diamonds are the same in color, cut and clarity. In other words, a one carat diamond may be priced at $10,000 per carat, while a two carat diamond will be priced at $20,000 per carat. The one carat diamond costs $10,000 and the two carat diamond costs four times as much or $40,000. The discrepancy increases the higher the carat weight.

Diamonds of one carat or more can be graded by an independent lab as to the quality of the cut, weight, color and clarity. The certificate is often available at the diamond seller’s.

When you’re buying a diamond you can choose which factors are more important to you. If you want more carats, you can trade off clarity. If it’s important the color is as close to pure white as possible, you can get a stone weighing less carats, or perhaps one that has a minor, but not visible to the naked eye imperfection.

You can find a screaming deal on cheap wedding rings just make sure the diamonds are what you paid for.

Find out more about Weddings on a Shoestring Budget You can save on flowers, gifts, the cake and the reception.

Dee Power is the author of several nonfiction books and the novel Over Time. You can find out more about her at her website.

There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.

The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.

Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.

The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.

In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.

The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.

The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.

The design is the clasped hands of the ‘fede’ or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It’s simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.

About the Author
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes
Wedding Ring and and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

When it comes to the rest of your life, money may not make you happy but a lack thereof can certainly cause a damper on your spirits. The affordability factor is just one of the many reasons why some couples are saying ‘I Do’ to engagement and wedding rings designed in cubic zirconia and sterling silver.

The first step to purchasing a ring is to make sure that you know the receiver’s ring size. The good news is that, even if you order the wrong size, sterling silver rings can be resized by most jewelers. If necessary, you can comfortably resize a sterling silver ring by one size either up or down. If the band is wide enough and the jeweler has experience in working with sterling silver, you may be able to go up or down by two sizes. It’s important to note that wider bands may fit tighter and, depending on the width and gram weight, could result in the need to purchase one size larger than the wearer’s normal size.

Before any vows are exchanged, an engagement has to occur and the selection of a suitable ring is on the mind of many hopeful grooms. For years, gold and diamonds have been the standard for an engagement ring. However, the problem has always been and still remains how to afford an expensive ring if you are on a budget. For many, the answer is sterling silver and the best diamond simulant in the world - cubic zirconia. Like gold, sterling silver is a precious metal and is designed to last a lifetime with the proper care. When it comes to cubic zirconia, only a trained gemologist can tell the difference between a simulant and a genuine diamond with the help of a jeweler’s loop.

There are many benefits to purchasing a sterling silver engagement ring featuring cubic zirconia, including a wider band and larger gemstone combined with a smaller price tag. Sterling silver is more affordable than gold, which means you can purchase a wide band and still get a terrific price. If you prefer a thin band, the price would be even lower. In addition, you will get an impressive cubic zirconia presence for your money. The trick to purchasing cubic zirconia rings is to choose a size that is believable and will prove to be comfortable enough for everyday wear.

When it comes to purchasing sterling silver wedding rings featuring cubic zirconia, there is no shortage on available options. If you choose to purchase polished band rings, you can select either a thin or wide band, polished or textured, etc. Like gold, sterling silver bands can be engraved and are excellent substitutes for white gold or platinum. If you purchase a sterling silver engagement ring and wedding bands to match, you can easily get the look of white gold or platinum and diamonds at a very affordable price.

In addition to traditional wedding bands, sterling silver bridal sets are also manufactured to look just as beautiful as their gold and diamond competitors. Interlocking designs, solitaires and channel set stones are just a few of the many choices available to the happy couple. If you are saying ‘I Do,’ consider saying it with sterling silver and cubic zirconia. Instead of spending a small fortune on rings to wear on your finger, think about saving the money for a down payment on a house to call your home.

For more information on cubic zirconia jewelry and cubic zirconia rings, visit Almost Diamonds at www.almostdiamonds.com

When faced with the once-a-life-time decision of choosing a wedding band ring, everyone should do their own research in order to make sure they get the piece that can symbolize the eternality of marriage. For those who are seriously considering of buying the modern metals (titanium or tungsten) as wedding rings, here are some thoughts that are worth considering.

Will they be scratched?

Although titanium wedding bands are very strong and durable, the surface of the rings can actually be scratched. It takes another extremely hard object such as diamond to cut into the metal; however, it does not get damaged during normal daily use. For titanium rings with gold, silver or platinum inlay, the inlay part of the ring is as vulnerable as a ring that is made of the precious metal itself. In the case of minor a blemish, a titanium ring can be re-polished or refinished to restore the original appearance. On the other hand, tungsten rings are totally resistant to abrasions. Since tungsten carbide, the most common grade of tungsten alloy offered in the market, is extremely hard, it will NEVER get scratched.

Will they be bent out of shape?

Both titanium and tungsten have extremely high ductile strength. However, under extremely circumstances, titanium rings could bend out of round but a tungsten ring could not. If a high pressure is applied on a titanium ring, which could happen when being hit by a car door, the ring would bend when the force is strong enough. On the other hand, a tungsten ring stands a better chance of remaining intact, because tungsten in general is harder than titanium. However, once the force goes beyond the threshold, the tungsten ring will be fractured into several pieces instead of bend out of round. This characteristic, which we refer to as being brittle, is similar to that of diamonds whereas it is extremely hard but not ductile at all.

Will the color turn?

Neither of the metals will turn color. Titanium and tungsten alloy are biological inert and do not turn color with normal usage such as being exposed to the sun, in contact with sea water or cosmetic products.

Can they be resized?

The possibility of getting resized might be important since we gain or lose weight in the future. Due to the extraordinary high melting points of titanium and tungsten alloys, they cannot be cut and welded like traditional precious metals. Hence, resizing is more difficult, if not possible. Titanium wedding rings can be compressed or stretched up to one size, if there are no stones or inlay on the rings, with the help of special equipment. However, tungsten carbide wedding rings can not be resized at all. Therefore, one must measure the ring size carefully, possibility averaging the finger sizes at different times of the day, in order to avoid any sizing problem after the titanium or tungsten wedding band rings.

Scott Murff got his MBA from MIT business school and currently is the marketing manager in Titanium Kay featuring titanium and tungsten jewelry.

Antique wedding rings can be either real antique rings made in the past or custom made rings that model the style of rings made in the past. Either one is relatively easy to find on the internet or off. It’s simply a matter of doing some research and double-checking to make sure that you’re buying a real antique ring and not a remake.

Tip one, if you are looking on a website thoroughly read all that material before purchase so that you are clear on what they sell. It may also be a good idea to check with the better business bureau and see if there are any complaints about the marketer. This also holds true if you are shopping in a store or antique market for a ring.

Tip two; don’t let a pushy seller talk you into something you aren’t sure of before you are ready to make the purchase. They should always be willing to hold a ring or let you come back. This is your wedding ring and it’s meant to yours for a long time so make sure you like the one you get.

Tip three, if it’s a real antique you may wish to have it appraised by an outside appraiser so you can see if you are getting a good deal or if you need to have it insured. Also check to see if a ring of this type comes with documentation. Documentation can be anything from an affidavit of the previous owners with preferably a picture of the ring being worn at sometime in the far past to previous appraisals of the ring. Follow these tips and keep a sharp eye out and you’re sure to find some real gems.

Mrs. Party… Gail Leino is the internet’s leading authority on selecting the best possible party supplies, using proper etiquette and manners while also teaching organizational skills and fun facts. Anniversary Rock has a huge selection of Antique Wedding rings.

The wearing of a man wedding ring is a relatively modern phenomenon. So is the use of Titanium in Titanium mens rings.

One of the newest and classiest of the modern jewelry materials, Titanium is setting a standard in the looks of contemporary mens wedding bands.

Despite this, mens titanium rings are reasonably hard to find in your local jewelry store. Unfortunately titanium hasn’t quite made it into the consciousness of your local jewelry merchant. So if you want to find the ultimate in contemporary male jewelry, including men’s titanium rings, you have to look further affield.

Enter the internet. There is a world of choice on the net for the
modern couple searching for the ideal contemporary design mens titanium wedding band.

But first, what is titanium?

Titanium is a naturally occurring element, not an alloy. In other words it isn’t just a mixture of two or more different metals to produce a third one, as alloys are. That is not to say that Titanium cannot be alloyed with other metals, just that Titanium itself is not an alloy.

It is in fact often alloyed with other metals for jewelry making to make it harder, although all Titanium including pure Titanium makes a fine jewelry material.

For the more chemically minded amongst us, Titanium is listed in the periodic table as a natural element, atomic number 22.

It was named in 1795 after the god Titan.

Titanium can even be found in space rocks. The Apollo 17 mission
brought back rocks with up to 12% Titanium in them.

Because of it’s natural properties Titanium has been primarily used in the aerospace industry, and only more recently applied to jewelry making.

But why is Titanium such a great material for making mens wedding
bands? A number of reasons.

Firstly it is very hard, much harder than traditional ring materials such as gold and silver. It is extremely lightweight, corrosion resistant and very strong. It is so strong in fact that rings are fashioned out of a solid block of metal, so make sure that you get your size right as resizing is usually not an option.

It is hypoallergenic, meaning that it cannot produce skin reactions or allergies as can be found with some other ring materials, though rare.

But the real reason is that it looks great! Titanium can be shaped into a wide variety of styles. It can also be colored into a stunning range of colors which can be mixed and matched.

For this reason the range of choices in mens Titanium wedding bands is much greater than for a more traditional material such as gold for example. Although gold can be altered to offer a small range of different colours, it is basically gold colored. Titanium offers a much wider range of choices in color.

Titanium also offers a choice of finish, most commonly satin, matt or polished.

Black Titanium mens wedding rings are amongst the most eye catching of all the Titanium rings. Black Titanium rings are usually a mix of black Titanium coupled with another color as an all black ring can be overpowering. But a contemporary style mens black Titanium ring is almost the ultimate in chic for the man who wants to make a statement.

Mens Titanium rings can be coupled with a wide range of precious
gemstones, including diamonds, to add effect. And as Titanium is so strong it is also possible to buy tension set titanium rings.

What are these? Well the strength of the material is used to suspend a gemstone, say a diamond, between the two ends of the ring so that the gemstone is almost hanging in space in the ring. A totally modern look.

The strength of the Titanium keeps it there.

And for the more creatively minded amongst us it is possible to design your own mens Titanium ring. There are online jewellers who offer the option of making up a design for your Titanium ring that is unique only to you. You decide exactly what style, color or mix of colors you want.

Want to add a gemstone? Or more than one? Where do you want to put it in the ring? It’s all up to you.

There is no doubt that the older traditional materials used for making rings make beautiful rings. Gold or silver rings are still high on the list of choices for many men, and modern ring designs in these materials are also impressive.

But the modern man who has decided to wear his marital status on
his finger shouldn’t buy a ring before he looks at the range of
Titanium mens wedding rings.

The only difficulty is making up your mind which one!

Find out more about Titanium Mens Rings as well as many other types of Men’s Wedding Rings
including Platinum, Gold, Silver, Diamond, unique and custom made and inexpensive Mens Wedding Rings.
© 2005 Peter Crump.

Selecting wedding rings for your wedding is a fun and important activity. There are so many options on offer - diamond wedding rings, antique and vintage rings, platinum rings and wedding ring sets. And if you are looking for something different, a unique wedding ring will not be easy to find. Here are some tips on how you can find a unique ring just for your loved one.

Many people think that the best wedding ring is a diamond ring, with a big gem. Surely, this is classic and will never go out of fashion, but a diamond wedding ring will cost you a small fortune, especially if you buy it on credit and going to pay for it months after your wedding.

First advice is that you should shop for wedding rings as a couple. This way each of you can find the ring that they like. If you are going to wear your ring all the time, consider practical matters. The material should be durable, and the design should be universal - something that will complement most of your cloth.

Get your diamond first

When most people think about buying a wedding ring, they picture going to the jeweler and ordering a ring that is already made. However, you can actually buy your diamond separately, and have it mounted later. What are the advantages? First is the cost, a loose diamond will cost you much less than the one already in the ring.

Second, you will find great variety of loose diamonds in different shapes. Shape of your diamond should complement the shape of your fiancée hands. While most popular shapes are round and princess, you can also find oval, heart and marquise shaped diamonds. For example, if her fingers are long and narrow an oval shaped diamond will be better than the round one. This will help you to create a unique ring.

Consider unique color diamonds

What can make your ring completely unique is the color of the diamond. Most diamonds are clear, but did you know that you can get them in other colors? Pink and blue diamonds are very beautiful but rare, yellow diamonds are the most popular of colored diamonds.

Most colored diamonds on the market are artificially treated to give them color. Especially the ones with intense color. There is nothing wrong with this technique, but don’t the jewelers make you believe that this is the natural color of your diamond. Naturally colored diamonds are very, very rare and they cost much more than the clear ones.

Unique wedding ring materials

After you found you diamond, another consideration is the metal. Most popular choice is yellow gold, but you can also get rings made of white gold, platinum or titanium. Traditional yellow gold is not terribly unique, and also gold is a soft material. Especially if you go for high quality 22 or 24 carat gold, it will get scratches with everyday wear.

Platinum wedding rings are more expensive, but they are much more durable materials. White metal ring would go with most outfits, which is important for a ring that you wear every day. Also if you want a modern looking, not vintage ring, than you should definitely go with platinum. Titanium ring is also an alternative, titanium is durable and costs much less than platinum.

To find yourself a truly unique wedding ring, you will have to shop around and possibly get your diamond first and have your ring custom made. Look at what styles are there; see what you like the most, than it would be easy to select the perfect wedding ring for you.

Tanya Turner has created Wedding Ring Buying Guide where you can find information, advice and tips on getting best wedding rings for you

Couples always want to have an extraordinary wedding. Getting married is a very special event and lovers would want it to be as romantic and memorable as possible. One way to make your wedding ceremony unique is to have custom wedding rings that you can exchange with your spouse.

Contrary to common belief, custom wedding rings do not have to match each other. A marriage is a ceremony that symbolizes the union of two people, but it is also important to maintain your individuality if you want a happy and long lasting relationship. You can decide to have your wedding rings made according to your taste. It doesn’t matter that your wedding rings don’t match, as long as the meaning behind them remains the same.

Retail jewelry stores are willing to design custom wedding rings for your matrimonial ceremony. They can be made out of any material, and you will have the final say on the appearance of the final product. They may also offer free cleaning and other bonuses, if you purchase your rings through them. There are also plenty of online sites where you can order custom wedding rings. You can avail yourself of the same services found at nearby jewelry stores.

Custom wedding rings prices will vary, so you should shop around for the most reasonable price. Distance is also a factor when you order your rings online, and you should also ask about the amount of insurance you will have on your rings when they are sent through the mail. Request the company to save a picture or record of your ring, in case it gets lost or stolen and you need to have it replaced. Custom wedding rings are remarkable not only for their originality, but also for practical reasons. If you are allergic to certain kinds of metal, you can ensure that your ring is made from something that will not trigger any skin reaction.

If you find it difficult to choose a design for your custom wedding rings, you can seek assistance from experienced jewelers. You can give them a rough description of what you want and they will come up with some designs. You can then browse over the designs until you can find the perfect design for your ring. You can also find inspiration by looking at existing rings. You may have a feeling about what you want, but an inspiration may give you the spark you need to figure out what you want in your custom wedding rings.

Morgan Hamilton offers expert advice and great tips regarding all aspects concerning Custom Wedding Rings. Visit our site for more helpful information about Custom Wedding Rings and other similar topics.

Traditionally most people opt for a plain gold wedding ring when getting married. However there are many beautiful diamond wedding rings available both in stores and online. Shopping wisely could also result in finding a bargain.

Diamond wedding rings are not only beautiful but are a rare natural resource that comes in different levels of quality.

If you have decided to buy a diamond wedding ring rather than a plain band there are a few things that need to be considered.

The most important and often forgotten is that the wedding ring will be worn on the same finger as the engagement ring, although this is not essential traditionally they are worn side by side. With this in mind it is important that they compliment each other.

If your engagement ring is large and contains either one big diamond or a large cluster of diamonds it would be a good idea to go for a more simple diamond wedding ring. A solid gold band with one or a few small diamonds would be perfect.

A diamond wedding ring could be costly so it is always wise to set yourself a budget before looking to avoid disappointment.

If you go to a jeweller be sure to tell them your maximum price that you are willing to spend and advise them you are not interested in seeing anything above your maximum price.

If you already have an engagement ring it would be a good idea to take it with you to show the jeweller so they can advise you which diamond wedding ring would look the best along side it.

Always ask if they have any sort of payment plan and make sure you work out any interest that will be added on to see if the plan suits you and your budget.

Purchasing matching diamond wedding rings for both yourself and your partner may seem easy as you are only looking for one style of ring however two people’s opinions need to be taken into account, discuss with your partner the styles of diamond wedding rings you both like to avoid any arguments in a store.

Another important thing to remember when looking for diamond wedding rings is to make sure that the price shown on the ring is the price for the whole ring and not per diamond, some jewellers will price the stones separately.

You can always cut costs by looking at imitation diamond wedding rings, especially if you have over spent on the wedding its self, there is no reason why you can not later replace the ring with a real diamond wedding ring when you are in a better position.

Some stores sell imitation diamond wedding rings and you really would not be able to tell if they were fake or not and you could save yourself a lot of money.

Vicki Churchill writes for Finest Diamond Rings, a site that specializes in Diamond Rings & also Diamond Snake Rings, including how, where & what to buy.