Monday, April 14, 2008

Gold Jewelry Buying Guide

Are you wondering what type of gold you should consider when buying your jewelry? You are not alone. There are so many choices that it can be confusing. In general, you will want to consider how you will use the jewelry before you start narrowing down what type of gold you should go with. Will this be a ring or necklace that you wear every day? Will this be used as a wedding ring or heirloom?

If you will rarely wear this piece, then you may be able to choose a higher quality, or higher karat, gold. Gold is a relatively soft, malleable metal. Twenty-four karat gold is almost pure gold. It is more expensive than lesser karats, but also softer and easier to bend, break and scratch. Higher karats of gold are usually only used in fine jewelry that will be worn carefully and not very often.

When you are purchasing an engagement ring or wedding band, consider that it will be worn everyday. Also, since rings are worn on your hands, they will be banged around and scraped fairly often. Soft gold is not necessarily the best choice if you are interested in the ring keeping its shine. Ten to fourteen karat gold is a much more popular choice when choosing a diamond engagement ring or wedding band. It is very durable and beautiful. Your investment is sure to last a lifetime.

Gold comes in different colors. Yellow gold is traditionally the most popular color and it is also the most abundantly available color. Sometimes gold is bonded with other metals to change the color. White gold is a popular alternative to silver. It does not tarnish or bend as easily as silver and will last a lot longer. Rose gold is also popular and is a metallic pink toned metal. Color altered gold can change over time if it is worn every day, so keep that in mind when selecting the gold that suits your taste and skin tone.

Choosing the gold for your jewelry is a personal decision. There are things such as quality, durability and shine to consider. Price is another factor. Pure gold costs considerably more than lower karats. Lower karats are more durable and less likely to scratch, scar, bend or break. If you choose a higher karat gold, white or rose gold, you should take special care of it. Do not sleep in it or wear it every day. Take it off when you work or clean. These types of gold jewelry can keep their beautiful appearance for years if properly taken care of.

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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