Choosing a Ring That's Right for You

by ewhitaker

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.

About the Author

Evelyn Whitaker writes articles for German Toasting Glasses http://www.german-toasting-glasses.com which specializes in custom engraved wedding gifts from Germany.

Article Source: Content for Reprint

The History of Wedding Rings

by Dunnright

The wedding ring is the final gift a couple will give each other prior to marriage. Some might say that the very first gift a couple gives each other is a promise ring - which most consider a pre-engagement ring. Then as a couple gets more serious they then give engagement rings to each other.

Many couples look forward to the moment when they'll slip a ring on their beloved. The look of love in their eyes, that moment when the ring is on their finger and they realize that they are theirs forever. What most don't realize is that these moments with wedding rings have been happening for centuries. The meaning and symbolism behind a wedding ring is rich and as intricate as its own love story. It deserves to be told so that couples know exactly why they use wedding rings.

This wedding ring is a symbol and throughout time this symbol has stood for love, devotion and at times simply for an arrangement between families. The physical structure of the wedding ring has changed and adapted as different cultures have fashioned it into different forms to make it look beautiful. Some materials are more plentiful in different areas - and other materials or precious metals are considered to be more valuable in other areas. But the meaning behind the symbol has remained the same throughout time and over continents. "I love you" "I want to be with you forever" and "You are mine."

A ring in its simplest forms is a circle: meaning 'eternity.' What more could every couple want than the pure desire to spend eternity together? Most couples choose to have a sentiment or romantic saying engraved inside their wedding rings. This makes that universal symbol so much more personal for each couple.

Symbols exist throughout our culture. Even the materials the wedding ring is made out of can be seen as symbols of love and devotion. Most wedding rings include diamonds. Diamonds are literally indestructible; they are the "forever" stone you want to select to represent your love. Rubies are another choice that represents love, passion and preciousness. While the wedding ring itself is seen as valuable - the symbolism of the wedding ring shows that your beloved is valuable to you. By giving them a valuable ring - you are showing the world just how valuable they are to you. In older days - you might also be protecting your 'property' (when women were considered property and possessions).

The wedding ring was worn in later times just as it is today, on the left hand, third finger. This is because of the strong-held belief that the vein in this finger travels directly from the heart. This belief was affirmed as women began wearing their wedding rings closer to their hand and then their engagement ring on that same hand - affirming this belief about this hand being so close to your heart.

Wedding rings have been worn in many traditions. While the traditions may be slightly different - the sentiment and meaning - to love, treasure and honor one another forever - remains very much the same. In Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Christians, rings are exchanged not at the wedding service - but at the betrothal. The groom's ring is gold and the bride's ring is silver. In Greece rings are exchanged by couples as they are engaged they are worn on the left hand, fourth finger - and at the wedding they are switched to the right hand. In England, a wedding ring has traditionally always been exchanged. This appears to come from the long-standing belief that marriages were made as arrangements to exchange not just love and honor - but goods or property as well. This belief holds true for most European countries.

During World War II and the Korean War it became popular for men to wear wedding rings. This reminded them of the wonderful wife they had waiting at home for them. After these wars, men began to wear wedding rings to show their faithfulness, devotion and love. Now most men wear wedding rings in many cultures around the world.

About the Author

This article is provided by DanforthDiamond.com a leading authority on wedding rings, engagement rings and fine jewelry. Danforth Diamond provides wisdom and advice to help you choose the right ring at the right price. Visit DanforthDiamond.com or call 877.404.RING

Article Source: Content for Reprint