Choosing the Right Precious Metal

When you are buying jewelry such as diamond rings, eternity rings, engagement rings, wedding or anniversary bands, your first consideration is what type of precious metal you want. There are a few more things to consider when choosing a precious metal than most people realize. There is yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, platinum and silver to choose from.

First, ask yourself if this is a ring that will be worn every day, such as an engagement ring or wedding band. If so, then you want to make sure that the metal you choose will be strong and resistant to scratches and bending. Price can be a factor as well. Platinum is very popular and has very good points about it, but you will pay more for platinum. Silver may be great for jewelry that is not worn every day, but if you plan on wearing it for years to come, you may consider other metals.

Yellow gold is definitely the long standing most popular precious metal choice for many jewelers and buyers alike. It is easy to work with and strong enough for every day wear. Consider how many karats you want based on how often the ring will be worn. Ten and fourteen karat gold are strongest and most resistant to scratching and bending. They are popular choices for engagement rings and wedding bands. Rings sold in eighteen karat or twenty-four karat gold need to be taken care of to avoid bending and scratching.

Twenty-four karat gold is one hundred percent gold. Lower karat gold is mixed with other metals, such as zinc, copper and silver, to make it stronger. Some rings are gold plated or filled and will look beautiful for a while as long as they are not worn daily. The coatings can become discolored, tarnished and worn down over time, so if you are looking for something other than costume jewelry or special occasion jewelry, you probably want to choose a ring made with at least ten karat gold. White gold and rose gold are very durable, but they can discolor after a few years of wear. They sometimes can, however, be refurbished to restore their original beauty.

Platinum is the most sought after precious metal today. Unmatched in reflective beauty and strength, platinum is becoming as popular as gold. Platinum rings have more weight and durability than gold rings and the color will never turn. Where gold can be mixed with over forty percent of other metals, platinum is at least ninety percent pure. Platinum is very strong and is a great choice for jewelry such as diamond rings. Keep in mind that because of its strength, platinum is harder and more expensive to size.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

A Ring of Eternity

An eternity ring is a very special gift with a very special meaning. Historically, eternity rings have represented the circle of life. They represent an ongoing circle of unending love and devotion. But really, an eternity ring can mean whatever you like.

Eternity rings have become more and more popular with men and women. Some people are even buying eternity rings for themselves. Some are giving them as gifts for several different occasions.

An eternity ring has diamonds or other stones circling the ring. They come in half or full rings. People who prefer larger stones generally go with the half eternity rings. People who want the stones to circle completely around the ring go with a full eternity ring. Smaller stones are generally used for full eternity rings, but advances in jewelry making have enabled skilled jewelers to create eternity rings that fit comfortably, even with larger stones.

If you plan on giving an eternity ring, the meaning behind it can be left up to your imagination. Many people give them as anniversary bands. In this case, the number of stones may represent the number of years that you have been married. The continuous circle can represent the never ending love that you have for each other. The ring can embody the meaning of eternal love and devotion. Eternity rings generally can not be sized and each one is truly a continuous circle that has never been broken. You may choose for your anniversary eternity ring to represent the future that you are going to share together. You can even feel free to throw in a little humor and say that this eternity ring represents how being together has felt like an eternity! Whatever meaning you choose, make it personal. The meaning will have more of an impact if it suits your personality and really embodies the meaning of your relationship; past, present or future.

Eternity rings are not only for anniversaries. Many people use them as wedding bands and commonly refer to them as dress wedding bands. Far more sparkly and feminine than traditional bands, they make wonderful wedding gifts that are sure to dazzle and impress your bride. The compliment the traditional engagement ring beautifully. When paired, eternity rings can even act as a wedding band wrap, resting on either side of the engagement ring.

Eternity rings have been around for thousands of years and have withstood the test of time. When you give an eternity ring, you will not have to worry about this classic beauty going out of fashion. You can give eternity rings with confidence that they will be adored for years to come.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

Eternity Rings for an Eternity: Heirloom

Eternity rings are given as wedding rings, anniversary rings, special occasion rings or just as a random loving gift. The only rule for giving an eternity ring is that it must symbolize something. That is, of course, if you are giving one, not buying one for yourself!

More and more women are buying eternity rings for themselves. There are a few reasons for this. One, they want to pick it out! Two, women are making more money than they used to and can afford to buy themselves nice gifts. Third, it is not like buying yourself an engagement ring! It is totally socially acceptable to buy yourself nice jewelry. Many women simply want something classically nice to heirloom to their children.

If you are giving an eternity ring, make sure that you communicate its meaning to the recipient. Eternity rings make great heirlooms and quality should be considered when you are making a selection. When children inherit engagement rings and traditional wedding bands, they may not want to wear them. They usually store them in a jewelry box or have them made into other forms of jewelry, such as pendants for a necklace. If you want to give an heirloom gift that the recipients will be proud to wear, an eternity ring is a wonderful option.

One growing trend is to give an eternity ring when a woman has a child. They can be worn as wedding bands or right hand rings. As the woman has more children, you can give her more eternity rings. She can wear more than one on each finger and can wear them on each side of her engagement ring. This way, when you heirloom your eternity rings to your children, they each have their specific one, hopefully engraved with their names and birthdates or some other meaningful message meant only for them.

Eternity rings are often made with a full circle or half circle of diamonds. If you plan to heirloom your eternity rings, then diamonds are a classic option that is sure to never go out of style. Another consideration is each child’s birthstone. Alternating diamonds and birthstones are also classically beautiful and are sure to become a treasured possession by your children. Round stones are traditional, but different shaped stones, channeled into an eternity ring, gives it a unique look that still fits anyone’s taste.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.

His and Hers Promise Rings

A promise ring is a symbol of love and commitment made from one person to another. It traditionally is given during dating when the relationship turns more serious. When you give a promise ring, you are promising to be faithful and to love the recipient forever. Generally a promise ring is given as a precursor to an engagement ring. It symbolizes sort of a trial period before engagement, but can mean something far more romantic.

When you give a promise ring, it is up to you to come up with its true meaning. This can vary from person to person as much as relationships can vary from couple to couple. You may have helped your loved one through a personal hardship and your promise ring could symbolize your devotion towards being there when your partner needs you. It could simply be a romantic gift symbolizing the next level of your relationship. No matter what the individual meaning of the promise ring is, it is taken very seriously and should strengthen the bond between two people.

Promise rings are not necessarily meant just for women. The current trend is for the woman to also give the gift of a promise ring to a man. Men have historically been left out of the ring-receiving game until their wedding day. Now that it is much more common for men to accessorize with rings, whether it is costume jewelry, right hand rings or promise rings, the act of giving a promise ring to your male mate can make a unique and powerful impact on a man. Men appreciate being noticed and appreciated as much as women and there is no reason to leave him out of this special occasion. If he gives you a promise ring, he is no doubt proud of you and wants to spend his life with you. Return the favor and surprise him by doing the same.

Promise rings do not have to be fancy or expensive. Many people that give promise rings do it because they are ready to commit for life, but can not yet afford the engagement ring that they believe their lady deserves. When shopping for promise rings, there are a few guidelines that you should adhere to in order to adhere to the tradition.

First, the promise ring that you choose should be made of a precious metal, such as silver, gold or platinum. These types of metals will not turn, should not cause an allergic reaction, and should last for years and years. The second tradition to adhere to is that the ring be one solid circle. Adjustable rings just do not mean the same thing. A continuous circle represents the circle of life or the unending love and affection that you are aiming to embody.

It is also traditional to give someone promise rings with small stones. Birthstones are very popular choices, but you can also leave this decision up to your imagination. Rubies can represent the red fire love that you feel towards your partner. Sapphires can symbolize that you always will be true blue towards your mate. Emeralds can correspond with how your special someone makes you feel rich and prosperous, despite the fact that you may not be rich by some people’s standards.

About the Author: Ian Maher is the CEO of Maliere, a leading provider of diamond rings, eternity rings, platinum rings and gold rings. For more information, please visit www.Maliere.com.