Feb 12

Finding the perfect anniversary gift can be quite the challenge, particularly if the anniversary celebration you’re planning centers on one of the more notable milestone years. If you’re at a loss in determining which gift or activity might be best, it can be helpful to look the the past and find ways to modernize the traditional anniversary gifts and themes to make them your own.

For the ten-year mark more modest gifts were once the norm, but these days, with couples marrying later in life and becoming more affluent sooner, this standard has changed. This anniversary is now commonly considered the diamond anniversary, making a five stone diamond ring and other types of diamond anniversary jewelry a popular gift.

The 5 year anniversary isn’t quite as clear cut, but there are still plenty of new and old symbols to make it special; for example, giving five-stone diamond rings has become a very popular five year anniversary gift.

The five-year flower is the daisy, the color is pink, and the traditional gemstone that corresponds to the fifth anniversary is the sapphire, so a five stone ring or eternity ring incorporating blue, pink, or yellow sapphires into the design is also an especially thoughtful five year anniversary gift. Traditionally, the daffodil and the color blue are also associated with the 10-year anniversary, so a five stone ring with a yellow diamond or a diamond and blue sapphire eternity ring is a lovely and symbolic gift for this occasion.

The way a gift is presented, especially on an important day like one’s fifth or tenth anniversary, can be just as important as the gift itself. Again, we can look to the history of anniversary symbolism for ideas; port wine is associated with both years, so perhaps a picnic with gourmet cheese and wine or enjoying some port during a romantic dinner at an upscale restaurant would be a good setting for presenting your 10 year or 5 year anniversary gift.

In the end, of course, it doesn’t matter how traditional or trendy your gifts and celebrations are; if your jewelry and other gifts are chosen with love and attention to detail, your anniversary will be as joyful as your wedding day.

Tagged with:
Jan 29

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.

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.

And as many men have never worn any form of jewelry 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 jewelry 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.)

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.

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.

Tagged with:
Jan 26

Twenty years ago, it was likely that hardly anyone had ever heard of a tungsten wedding band or thought about buying one. Not too long after that, they became available and more widely known, but could only be found in very plain styles. Now that tungsten rings have become so well-known and fashionable, there are as many styles of tungsten rings out there as there are people to wear them. Let’s look at a few:

Tungsten Celtic wedding bands represent a rich history and tradition and are a unique way to celebrate the art and ingenuity of one’s Celtic ancestors. The Celtic tungsten rings on this page include designs that capture religious Christian iconography; interlaced, decorative knot patterns representing never-ending love; and the storied Claddagh, a token of fidelity steeped in folklore and custom.

When discussing jewelry made from tungsten carbide or other metals only recently entered into use for jewelry, the same frequently asked questions seem to come up. The merits and shortcomings of tungsten rings overall is one popular topic, as are comparisons to similar metals and jewelry styles. Tungsten carbide is, in fact, approximately five times harder than steel and ranks only behind diamonds on the scale of hardest materials; indeed, diamonds are used to polish each of these tungsten rings and give them their lasting satin and brushed finishes before they are sent off to make your wedding day complete.

Faceted tungsten carbide wedding rings feature interesting angles and shapes to reflect light in different directions. The facets may be subtle, as is the case with a flat ring with thin facets all the way around the band, or bold and complex with large shapes that resemble a hammered look.

Ladies tungsten rings are ideal for any woman shopping for a beautiful, durable and affordable ring, as well as any woman who requires a ring that can stand up to heavy duty situations. Tungsten rings for women are tough – they don’t scratch, they don’t need to be replated periodically, and they retain their brand-new appearance over a lifetime.

Tagged with:
Jan 25

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.

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

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.

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.

Tagged with:
Jan 20

A number of the tungsten rings worn for symbolic and fashion purposes alike have similar roots in ancient tradition, while many others take their cue from this tradition and wear or create tungsten rings to express something meaningful in a modern way.

The beveled tungsten ring has a clean, simple look that is always classic and tasteful. The many styles of beveled tungsten rings are available in many widths and range from very detailed faceted designs to the most basic polished band. The one thing all these bevel edge rings have in common is the well-finished look that framing a piece of jewelry with a subtle beveled edge creates. The tungsten wedding bands for men and ladies are famous for their scratch resistance and strength. These pieces are shiny, sturdy, and permanently polished, making the tungsten wedding band the choice of grooms and brides who need rings that are built to last.

Other tungsten rings express indentifying information as well. Birthstone tungsten rings make use of the mythology surrounding particular precious and semi-precious gems and their effects on different kind of people and assigns them to particular months or astrological signs. Mother’s tungsten rings are a more recent development in the vein of birthstone jewelry, as these tungsten rings are designed to hold birthstones representing each of a mother’s children.

One should keep in mind that although natural-tone tungsten is scratch resistant, the black color on tungsten black wedding rings is a plated coating on the surface which can wear off and scratch over time. Many people still choose these rings because the black is so richly hued and seems to glow, but if you are concerned that the coating will not withstand your active lifestyle, go with a solid black ceramic ring. If a completely black ring is not quite your style, perhaps a permanently polished tungsten carbide band in tungsten’s natural pale grey color and just a touch of black is what you need; in that case, try a tungsten carbide ring accented with black enamel or black carbon fiber inlay.

Another classic ring profiles is the flat, or pipe cut, shape. These rings are perhaps the simplest type of wedding band design.

Tagged with:
Jan 16

Checking and double checking your ring size when ordering eternity bands in a must, as the precise shape, number, and individual carat weight of each stone is dictated by the ring size and these can be very difficult to re-size without completely re-manufacturing the rings.

Caring for your diamond and gem stone eternity rings can be done at home to a degree– most jewelry benefits from a simple soap and water rinse now and then, but to remove heavy dirt and oil buildup or tarnish, you should take your eternity rings to a jeweler for safe, proper maintenance.

Although the diamond eternity band is here to stay, many new styles to suit different tastes have cropped up, and many retailers offer birthstone eternity rings and designs alternating other gems with diamonds. Although the diamond eternity band is here to stay, many new styles to suit different tastes have cropped up, and many retailers offer birthstone eternity rings and designs alternating other gems with diamonds. Diamonds are forever, as the saying goes, and when this sentiment meets the symbolism of eternal love embodied by the wedding ring, eternity bands are the stunning result.

Eternity rings, which are equally stunning and popular as wedding bands and fashion rings, are named because the basic style of an eternity ring forms the traditional neverending shape of the wedding ring with a solid circle of precious stones, most commonly diamonds.

Eternity rings can be seen in a number of styles and settings in order to provide eternity rings for every customer’s style and taste. These setting styles and methods include: shared prong, single prong, bar setting, u shape, channel setting, pave, four prong, bezel, and micro pave. Eternity rings, which are equally stunning and popular as wedding bands and fashion rings, are named because the basic style of an eternity ring forms the traditional neverending shape of the wedding ring with a solid circle of precious stones, most commonly diamonds.

Tagged with:
Jan 11

Now that tungsten rings have become so well-known and fashionable, there are as many styles of tungsten rings out there as there are people to wear them. Let’s look at a few:

The beveled tungsten ring has a clean, simple look that is always classic and tasteful. The many styles of beveled tungsten rings are available in many widths and range from very detailed faceted designs to the most basic polished band. The one thing all these bevel edge rings have in common is the well-finished look that framing a piece of jewelry with a subtle beveled edge creates. The tungsten wedding bands for men and ladies are famous for their scratch resistance and strength. These pieces are shiny, sturdy, and permanently polished, making the tungsten wedding band the choice of grooms and brides who need rings that are built to last.

Tungsten wedding rings in a domed style are one of the most popular, as well as classic, types of rings. A wide variety of domed tungsten carbide wedding band styles, including plain, two-tone, black tungsten, tungsten bands with inlay, laser-etched designs, and featuring diamonds, can be found at various web stores at great prices. 8mm tungsten rings refers to the ring’s width and is a traditional choice for wedding bands for men, but of course, there are larger and smaller widths available to accommodate any taste.

Mens tungsten wedding bands, and some other modern metals to a lesser degree, are quickly becoming the “elite” men’s jewelry to own with good reason. Tungsten rings for men provide a strong, contemporary alternative to the traditional and more fragile gold bands.

Another classic ring profiles is the flat, or pipe cut, shape. These rings are perhaps the simplest type of wedding band design.

Tagged with:
Jan 03

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.

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.

Men’s wedding rings are, in the eyes of some men, effeminate. “Real men” don’t wear rings or jewelry 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.

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.

Tagged with:
Jan 02

Should men wear wedding rings? And, what about engagement rings? Women wear them-does this mean that men should agree to wear them too? I have always worn rings, but sometimes I will go out without them on. But, I can see how some men, who have never worn a ring, would not want to wear one after getting married. I also think if you trust someone it should not really matter whether your partner wants to wear a ring or not.

Men’s wedding rings are somewhat of a new phenomenon. Most likely your fathers do not wear wedding rings but your friends do. In the United States it was very rare for a groom to receive a ring before World War II.

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.

For those who are unsure if a ring will feel comfortable, purchase an inexpensive ring and try it on for a week or so. It will most likely feel uncomfortable and strange at first, but as the week goes on, it will feel more natural. Look for rings that have a “comfort fit” design (rounded edges that prevent the ring from cutting into your flesh.)

If you think of jewelry as something only for women and girls, fear not. Your ring need not be effeminate. Most men’s rings are simple wide bands that would never be confused with women’s jewelry. On the contrary, such a ring can add to the width and look of strength of your hands. Ask your jeweler to assist you with styles that will be the most flattering and tasteful worn on your particular hand.

Tagged with:
Jan 01

The cost of a wedding can add up very quickly, and if you are on a tight budget you will need some low cost wedding ideas that still add up to the perfect day. Fortunately, there are ways to cut costs without giving up the wedding of your dreams. Here are some low cost wedding ideas to save money.

Backyard weddings or at-home ceremonies with outdoor wedding receptions are very popular depending on where you live, the climate and the season. If you or a family member or close friend don’t really have the room to set up and accommodate your guests and a buffet and eating area, check with local parks to see about renting a pavilion and space for an afternoon.

One of the best low cost wedding ideas is to skip some extras you don’t really need. Do you really need a professional videographer? If you really want a video of the ceremony, today’s high resolution handheld video cameras can do a great job, and it’s likely you or someone you know has one. Ask someone in the front row to record the wedding for you. Other low cost wedding ideas include asking the photographer to deliver the negatives to you and arranging for your own prints, and skipping rental cars or limousines and simply driving your own car to and from the wedding.

You can ask family and friends for ideas and advice. Speak to them to get them involved, give everyone a job they can carry out and once the job is done you can begin to see your wedding ideas come to life.

Also you can consider experienced vendors. They’re great resources to bounce ideas off of, and they should also love to share their wealth of knowledge with you. Search for vendors like florists, caterers and cake designers that match your creative style. Wedding planners can also be very helpful in providing ideas and advice while helping to take it all together for you.

Tagged with:
preload preload preload