Friday, March 28, 2008

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.

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Monday, March 10, 2008

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.

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Friday, February 22, 2008

What are Diamond Flaws?

If you are in the market for diamond rings, you may have questions about diamond quality and diamond flaws. What types of flaws are acceptable? How do you tell if the diamond you are looking at is worth the asking price? These are a few things to consider when selecting your diamond.

Most diamonds have flaws. Very few are perfectly clear. A perfectly clear diamond, or flawless diamond, is very rare and can be extremely expensive. Diamond flaws are called inclusions. There are two types of inclusions to consider when you are shopping for a diamond. Not all inclusions are bad. In fact, some inclusions can help you identify your diamond. Inclusions are like your diamond’s fingerprint, and can help you to ensure that when you send off your diamond ring for repair or resizing, that you actually get your diamond back. It is rare for jewelers to try and replace you diamond with a fake one, but being able to identify your unique stone will give you peace of mind and keep you from getting ripped off.

Epigenetic inclusions are flaws that happen when the diamond was in production. Epigenetic flaws are usually in the form of pits, scratches, nicks, laser lines, bearding or cleavage.

A cleavage is a crack in the diamond. A cleavage can cause your diamond to break apart. Pits are small holes in the facets of the diamond. Pits and scratches can usually be polished away and do not take away much value once they are removed. Bearding refers to stress fractures. These can happen around the girdle where the prongs touch and are sometimes referred to as girdle fringes. Laser lines happen when flaws are removed with a laser and a scar is left inside of the stone. Feathers are tiny lines that look like feathers and do not hurt the stone unless they are very close to the surface.

Naturally occurring flaws are called syngenetic inclusions. Syngenetic flaws are ones that were formed as the diamond was growing. Irregular crystallization, growth lines and pinpoints are naturally occurring inclusions. These can be harmless, but can give a diamond a cloudy appearance. Occasionally the crystal clusters reach the outside surface of the diamond and can cause it to chip or break.

Any time you look at a diamond in the jewelry store or online, all inclusions should be disclosed. You should look for up close pictures of the diamonds or look at it yourself through the jewelers loop. If it is very clear and cheap, then you should be suspicious. If it is cloudy and expensive, then you may be paying too much. The best way to tell if you are getting a good price is to look at a lot of diamonds until you get a sense of which diamonds should cost more and which diamonds should cost less.

Once you have settled on a diamond, inspect it closely with a jewelers loop and map out the flaws for yourself. Tiny cracks, feathers or small black carbon flecks can help you to always identify your diamond.

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.

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What Are Right Hand Rings?

Well, it seems that diamonds are not only meant for engagements any more. More diamonds than ever are being sold in the form of right rings. An incredible increase in the sales of right hand rings has got many people wondering. What is a right hand ring and what does it mean?

A right hand ring is one that may have diamonds or other stones, but it does not look like a wedding or engagement ring. They generally are more decorative or ornate than traditional engagement rings or wedding bands. The good thing about right hand rings is that you can buy one for yourself!

Originally, right hand rings were worn to accentuate the fact that you did not have an engagement or wedding ring on the left hand. You could give your suitor a silent hint that you loved diamond rings, but you were purposely leaving that left ring finger open to invitation. Now, everyone is buying them. They are becoming incredibly popular and have pretty much taken over the costume jewelry market. Women now want jewelry that compliments their matrimonial set. Costume jewelry just does not make the grade any more. Why cheapen that beautiful ring on your left hand by wearing something gaudy and fake on the right? Real diamonds and gold or platinum are the way to go.

Right hand rings make great gifts to give or receive. You can give a right hand ring your own meaning. Some give them as congratulatory rings. Some give them as an anniversary gift or wedding gift. Right hand rings can really show someone how special you think they are. They make wonderful promise rings or mother rings. You have so many design choices that you may find it hard to make up your mind. With this type of gift, you really can not get too luxurious. Maybe now you can buy your special lady that diamond that you could not afford back when you were dating and gave her an engagement ring. That original ring does not necessarily need to be replaced, but maybe complimented by a giant diamond right hand ring. Okay, if giant is not quite your speed, there are plenty of delicate designs to choose from.

Unlike diamond solitaires, although many right hand rings now sport big diamonds, you can find a right hand ring to fit your budget. The best selection, price, quality and customer service that we have found is at www.Maliere.com. Consider them when searching for the perfect right hand rings for your special someone.

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.

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Friday, February 15, 2008

Eternity Ring History

The history of the eternity ring goes back almost four thousand years. Ancient Egyptians are thought to be the first to make and wear eternity rings. Eternity rings are essentially a continuous circle of metal studded with stones either halfway or all the way around. Early eternity rings were meant to symbolize eternal life and love. The unending, unbroken circle of precious metal represents a never-ending circle of trust, or the circle of life. Eternity rings today symbolize an everlasting relationship of love and are commonly used for wedding or anniversary bands.
Early eternity rings featured stones that went halfway around the shank of the ring. They also further set their meaning in stone when they were fashioned to look like a snake swallowing its own tail. This snake swallowing its tail eternity ring really helped solidify the meaning of the continuous circle as the eternal symbol of love and life. Eternity rings were originally made with the stones flush mounted. This is where the stones are actually imbedded into the metal. The flush setting makes for a very comfortable wear. If the stones are too large or protrude from the sides too far, then they can be uncomfortable between your fingers.
Modern eternity rings are usually channel set for comfort and larger stones are avoided. Channel set refers to how the stones are encased by the metal only on the edges of the shank. This is not to be confused with claw set where the stones are raised above the shank and held on by prongs. Claw set is almost exclusively used for half eternity rings so that the prongs do not irritate the skin on the surrounding fingers. Modern advances in jewelry crafting have actually made full claw set eternity rings much more comfortable and popular. Channel and claw set eternity rings give a more brilliant shine to the stones used than the flush mount setting, but some still prefer the original embedded stone eternity rings.
The meaning of an eternity ring traditionally is eternal love, but it is really open for individual interpretation. Couples very often come up with their own meanings. Eternity rings are used for wedding bands and vibrantly compliment diamond solitaire engagement rings. They are becoming increasingly popular as anniversary bands or right hand rings. But, you can give an eternity ring for any occasion. The birth of a child is a very appropriate time to give an eternity ring. In this instance, it could symbolize the eternity of your new family or your never-ending love and compassion for your wife who has helped you create this new life. Some like to say that it symbolizes the eternity that it took for the baby to arrive or some other personal meaning to you as a couple. As an anniversary gift, it could symbolize the eternity that you will be together or how it has felt like an eternity being married.
Whatever meaning you come up with, an eternity ring will leave a lasting impression and most definitely become an heirloom and beautiful conversation piece for years to come. The long-lasting reputation and never ending popularity of the eternity ring will ensure that it never goes out of style and is always admired and loved. Showing your love with eternity rings is a long standing tradition and will surely make your special someone feel loved and appreciated.

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.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Heirloom Eternity Rings

Eternity rings are very popular items to pass down from generation to generation. Their superb quality and stunning beauty ensures that they will last and last, from generation to generation. With stones encircling the ring, their style is simple and elegant, so there is no fear of eternity rings ever going out of style. They have been around since the times of the ancient Egyptians, after all. These valued possessions carry on your legacy in a beautiful meaningful way.
When you pass down eternity rings, make sure that you write down the story of the rings. Was this your wedding ring, anniversary ring, or congratulatory championship ring? Maybe you received it for the birth of your child and you wish to heirloom it to that child when you are gone. Passing down your eternity ring can be a very moving gesture. It can symbolize your eternal love for the person you leave it to. It can ensure that the story of your love for your husband or wife lives on in your family.
Make sure that you take care of your eternity ring if you wish to heirloom it. They are very well made and durable, so it doesn’t take much effort to keep them beautiful and eye-catching. Use a soft bristled toothbrush to get into tiny cracks. Use a mild detergent or jewelry cleaning solution to get the stones looking stunningly brilliant. Some people like to dry their eternity rings with a hairdryer after cleaning to ensure that no water spots are left on the stones. This also ensures that water isn’t left down inside of the band between the stones. Check your stones often to make sure that they are not getting loose. It is very unlikely that you would ever lose a stone from an eternity band since the stones are usually set inside of the band, not on prongs, but you should still check to ensure that your ring isn’t in need of repair. Just take a toothpick or other small pointed item and gently try to wiggle the stones all the way around your eternity ring. If you see any of the stones wiggle, then take your eternity ring to a jeweler.
Deciding who to heirloom your eternity ring to can be a difficult decision. Traditionally, daughters or granddaughters are the recipients. If you wish to leave yours to a son, niece or nephew, then that is a good decision as well. If there is more than one recipient, then you may ask who would like to have the eternity ring. You may find that one would much rather have your engagement ring or some other special piece that they associate with you. If you’re torn, you can always have half of the stones mounted in one ring and the other half in another. This is a very thoughtful way to heirloom your eternity ring. However you decide to heirloom your eternity rings, you’re sure to leave a lasting legacy for generations 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.

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Monday, January 21, 2008

Which One to Choose?

Eternity rings are very popular choices for wedding bands or anniversary rings. Their timeless beauty will never go out of style. When you are selecting an eternity ring for the one you love, there are a few things you should consider. First, what kind of precious metal should you select? It may be obvious if you are matching an existing engagement ring. If not, then you may need to educate yourself on the different types of metals available, their properties, and the pros and cons of each.
Gold has been the most popular choice in rings for centuries. Twenty four karat gold is pure gold. It is way too soft to use in most jewelry making. When purchasing eternity rings, you do not want the gold to be so soft that it bends easily. This can cause you to lose stones. Also, the gold surface would be so soft that it would easily be scratched up and start looking dull. Eighteen karat gold is fairly soft, but some prefer the color of eighteen karat gold to fourteen karat. Their durability is very close, but eighteen karat has a slightly darker color. Compare the two when you are shopping for eternity rings and you can decide which you might prefer. Keep in mind that the eighteen karat gold eternity rings will need to be treated with a little more care than the fourteen karat rings. They are a little bit softer and less durable. If the ring you are buying will be worn every day, then fourteen karat may be a better choice for durability.
When most people talk about gold, they are referring to yellow gold, gold’s natural color. Some people prefer white gold. White gold is mixed with other metals and can have slightly different shades of yellow in it. If the white gold eternity ring you are looking at has nickel in it, then you may want to check with the person you are buying it for and make sure that they are not allergic to nickel. Many people are and you should find out what metals are included in your white gold before you purchase it. The white gold that is the whitest is rhodium plated gold. The rhodium plating looks very nice, very shiny and very white. The plating will not chip off, but keep in mind that it can wear off over time. The white gold ring will eventually start to look more like yellow gold, and you will need to get it replated.
Platinum is the most popular choice in eternity rings today, and for good reason. It costs more, but the durability, quality and beauty of it wins hands down when it comes to precious metals. Platinum is white, like white gold, but it won’t wear down and turn yellow over time like white gold. The shine of platinum seems to be deeper and it makes diamonds really stand out with more sparkle when it is used as the setting. Eternity rings have small diamonds and a platinum band can really make each one count. The shine, sparkle and durability of color make platinum a very fine choice. Another important thing to note about platinum is that it is hypoallergenic and holds diamonds and gemstones more securely than other metals. Platinum is heavier than other metals and is sure to impress the one you love.

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.

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What is an Eternity Ring?

Eternity rings are becoming increasingly more and more popular, and for good reason. An eternity ring is more than just a ring. An eternity ring symbolizes something. It symbolizes eternity. It symbolizes everlasting love. It tells someone that you love them forever. If the diamonds go all the way around, then it symbolizes how your love is a continuous circle that never ends. When you give an eternity ring, you really are saying how much you cherish someone and it is like a promise that you will always feel the same way about them. Eternity rings are so popular because the recipients will remember how you feel each and every time that they look at their beautiful eternity ring.
Some people believe that each stone symbolizes something about their relationship. Come up with something romantic that each stone represents when you give the eternity ring. One could be for the day you met. The next can represent your first kiss. One diamond can represent you falling in love. One can be for your wedding day. The next one or more can represent each of your children. If you do not have children yet, or if you just want to make a statement about your life ahead, you can leave some stones to represent your future that has not happened yet. Then, as you make your memories together you can name the next stone to symbolize its importance to you as a couple.
Eternity rings make great gifts for many occasions. The birth of a child can really spark a flood of new emotions and mark a special time in a couple’s life. An eternity ring can represent this new life that you are embarking on together. Eternity rings make very beautiful wedding bands. Eternity rings compliment almost every engagement ring. The timeless beauty and simplicity of the eternity ring will ensure that you never grow tired of the style of your eternity ring. The sparkle and beauty of an eternity ring far surpasses that of traditional wedding bands.
There are two types of eternity rings to choose from. Full eternity rings have diamonds (or other stones) that go all the way around. These are very beautiful rings with the maximum amount of sparkle. They sometimes cost a little more than half eternity rings because they have to be custom fitted. You can not buy a full eternity ring and have it sized later, because of the stones going all the way around. Some people prefer the full eternity rings because they symbolize the eternal circle of love that they have for the recipient.
Half eternity rings have the stones only on top of the ring. Having exposed precious metal on the bottom of the ring makes it possible to have it sized. Another benefit of the half eternity ring is that you can put bigger stones in it. This makes for a more dazzling display of diamonds (or other stones). Some believe that half eternity rings are slightly more comfortable, but jewelers keep comfort in mind when designing both types of eternity rings, so feel free to pick the one that you are drawn to. Keep all of these things in mind when selecting the eternity ring that is right for your special someone. You are sure to have a special moment in the giving of your eternity ring, followed by a lifetime of love and memories.

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.

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What is an Eternity Ring?

Eternity rings are becoming increasingly more and more popular, and for good reason. An eternity ring is more than just a ring. An eternity ring symbolizes something. It symbolizes eternity. It symbolizes everlasting love. It tells someone that you love them forever. If the diamonds go all the way around, then it symbolizes how your love is a continuous circle that never ends. When you give an eternity ring, you really are saying how much you cherish someone and it is like a promise that you will always feel the same way about them. Eternity rings are so popular because the recipients will remember how you feel each and every time that they look at their beautiful eternity ring.
Some people believe that each stone symbolizes something about their relationship. Come up with something romantic that each stone represents when you give the eternity ring. One could be for the day you met. The next can represent your first kiss. One diamond can represent you falling in love. One can be for your wedding day. The next one or more can represent each of your children. If you do not have children yet, or if you just want to make a statement about your life ahead, you can leave some stones to represent your future that has not happened yet. Then, as you make your memories together you can name the next stone to symbolize its importance to you as a couple.
Eternity rings make great gifts for many occasions. The birth of a child can really spark a flood of new emotions and mark a special time in a couple’s life. An eternity ring can represent this new life that you are embarking on together. Eternity rings make very beautiful wedding bands. Eternity rings compliment almost every engagement ring. The timeless beauty and simplicity of the eternity ring will ensure that you never grow tired of the style of your eternity ring. The sparkle and beauty of an eternity ring far surpasses that of traditional wedding bands.
There are two types of eternity rings to choose from. Full eternity rings have diamonds (or other stones) that go all the way around. These are very beautiful rings with the maximum amount of sparkle. They sometimes cost a little more than half eternity rings because they have to be custom fitted. You can not buy a full eternity ring and have it sized later, because of the stones going all the way around. Some people prefer the full eternity rings because they symbolize the eternal circle of love that they have for the recipient.
Half eternity rings have the stones only on top of the ring. Having exposed precious metal on the bottom of the ring makes it possible to have it sized. Another benefit of the half eternity ring is that you can put bigger stones in it. This makes for a more dazzling display of diamonds (or other stones). Some believe that half eternity rings are slightly more comfortable, but jewelers keep comfort in mind when designing both types of eternity rings, so feel free to pick the one that you are drawn to. Keep all of these things in mind when selecting the eternity ring that is right for your special someone. You are sure to have a special moment in the giving of your eternity ring, followed by a lifetime of love and memories.

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.

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