Friday, March 28, 2008

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.

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Wednesday, January 30, 2008

The Meaning of Eternity Rings

Eternity rings are beautiful symbols of love that your sweetheart is sure to cherish for years to come. But what are the true meanings of eternity rings? We’ve researched it, and found out that they can mean lots of different things to different people.
Eternity rings are rings, usually made of gold, white gold, or platinum, that feature stones that encompass the outside of the ring all the way around. Some feature stones that go half-way around, while most feature stones all the way around. The stones most often used are diamonds. Eternity rings are used very often for wedding bands, but are becoming increasingly popular as anniversary gifts and symbolizations of many special moments in a couple’s life.
Wedding bands symbolize the eternal circle of love and life. They are one continuous circle of precious metal that can never be broken. Many people have their wedding bands made to fit and don’t believe in sizing them. This is simply because they don’t want the band to ever be cut. The circle must never be broken. This is one reason that eternity rings are so popular as wedding bands. They don’t only beautifully compliment a diamond engagement ring, but they are one continuous unbreakable circle. Because of diamond placement circling the ring, you can’t size it. Cutting the band could cause you to lose stones and some believe, break the eternal circle. Eternity rings must be made to be the size that you need.
As one of the strongest substances on the planet, diamonds themselves represent eternity. Diamonds can mean undying love and devotion, loyalty, fidelity, eternal friendship, unwavering partnership and commitment. They can also represent the future, promising a life of togetherness and closeness. Diamonds on eternity rings represent all of these meanings in an eternal circle, essentially magnifying their meanings, continually encompassing the finger in a never-ending circle of lasting beauty.
Some people use eternity rings to symbolize various moments in their lives. One man described why he chose an eternity ring for his bride of fifty years. He realized that each one could symbolize something important that they had shared or an adversity that they had overcome together. He wrote a beautiful poem describing what each stone meant. One was for the first time he laid eyes on her. The next was for their first kiss. Then came marriage, children, their first home, getting through the hardships that they had faced together with unwavering commitment to each other, and so on. Coming up with his own meanings made this eternity ring extremely special to his wife and surely put a smile on her face every time she saw it after that. This special ring and it’s story will most definitely become a treasured family memory and heirloom in the future.
In short, the eternity rings that you give can mean whatever you want them to. Eternity rings should always symbolize something. Whether it is marriage, the birth of a child, anniversary or just a special time in your lives, eternity rings can really solidify the moment, capturing the uniqueness and sacred bond that you share in a stunning circle of stones. Your special relationships, friendships and love can be forever symbolized in eternity rings.

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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