Hello, and welcome to Wedding Ring Info Zone!
Lots of people want to find out more about wedding rings, and that’s why I’ve created this site. I’ve put together some really helpful and informative information on wedding rings, so please spend some time taking a look around.
I plan to update this site regularly, when I have new and interesting wedding ring articles, so I’d recommend you check back often.
Platinum has long been known as a durable type of metal. However, unlike gold and silver, platinum is an extremely rare luster metal that can only be found in certain areas in the world. It is known for being long lasting, especially when used in its purest form, and it is for this reason that platinum is now often first choice for wedding bands.
Platinum wedding bands are by far the most popular and most valued type of wedding rings in today’s fast-paced world. They offer high quality, as well as a wide range of designs. You can find platinum bands in styles of Greek Key, Celtic Knot, Etruscan, and engraved; four of the most common kinds. They may vary in the number of carats though, which makes the task of choosing the right platinum wedding bands more challenging.
When searching for the right platinum wedding band, go for something that is made from pure platinum. The rule here is to find a platinum band that contains 99% of the pure metal. It should also possess a higher level of porosity as this will help you determine exactly how strong or weak the metal is. This is important, as you want to get a wedding ring that will last for years, if not for a lifetime.
Aside from the level of porosity and purity, take into consideration the classifications of platinum wedding bands or rings. In the market you can find bands made of platinum classified as traditional, while others belong to the so-called “designer” types. These classifications may possess certain qualities that are to some degree different from the others. In fact, there is the hammered, sandstone, Floretine, shiny, and satin styles. So take note of which type of platinum wedding bands you are interested in buying.
It is also important to note that since platinum wedding bands are made from a heavy and dense metal, they may then appear to be a bit heavier than their counterparts. An 18 carat platinum ring is heavier than 18 carat gold. In terms of durability, platinum is also more durable than gold. Both of these reasons are factors that make platinum wedding bands more expensive than gold and silver.
You can find the cost of an 18 carat platinum ring twice as high as the price of an 18 carat gold band. A simple platinum band designed for grooms costs around $145. This price is typical for platinum wedding bands crafted with the simplest designs. So expect those with intricate designs and finishes to cost over $200 and more.
The good thing about the platinum wedding bands is that they are not only beautiful in appearance, but also hypoallergenic.
Yes, diamonds are forever, but are all diamonds created equal? The answer to that is an emphatic, ‘no’! When shopping for your diamond engagement ring, there are four characteristics to notice. These four characteristics will help you determine the quality of each stone, allowing you to make a more discerning decision than, ‘Mmm… Pretty…’
First of all, there’s the color of the diamond. Diamonds pick up different tones when elements such as nitrogen or boron mix with the carbon when they are formed. The results are diamonds with a yellow or blue caste to them. Colorless diamonds are rare, and most expensive.
Next in line is the carat. This is the stone’s weight and refers to its size as well. One carat is one-fifth of a gram or 1/142 of an ounce. A carat is divided into 100 points, so a 1/2 carat diamond is 0.5 carats.
Third, check out the cut of the rock. This term refers to the diamond’s proportions, symmetry and finish. This is referred to as the polish. A diamond’s cut determines the amount of light it reflects. The better the cut, the more it will catch the light and sparkle.
Last but not least, the clarity of a diamond should be determined. This term is used to describe a diamond’s flaws or lack of flaws. A diamond lacks clarity if it has any inclusions, that is, cracks or white, black, or colored spots. Blemishes are external flaws acquired through the cutting and polishing process. Laser treatments and filing processes may sometimes serve to improve a diamond’s clarity, but there is no guarantee.
These four characteristics of diamonds are subject to industry regulations and the qualities in each category determine the cost of the diamond. If you are set on an expensive ring, make sure you are buying from a reputable jeweler and all standards are met.
My wedding ring: Outlined in gold with a white gold ribbon cascading through the middle with diamond chips proudly embedded
shadowing a sparkling quarter karat diamond. This stunning wedding ring adorns my finger, beckoning others to witness this perfect
symbol of our undying love.
It was a miracle. We had discussed it and agreed we would spend no more than $200 on both of our wedding rings combined. How was
it possible for him to declare his love for me encased in this gold and diamond crusted wrapper?
When my love revealed his secret, he stammered, afraid I would be offended at second-hand goods. Offended? My heart melted all
over again. How he must have scavenged and foraged and bargained to bring me such a jewel!
I had never considered shopping a pawn shop, let alone for my wedding ring. I had no idea they carried such gems. When we took my
wedding ring to the appraiser I was shocked at the value he placed upon my newly adorned finger.
When friends inquired as to where my new hubby found such a rock, I was puzzled when he answered with one word. With his
eyebrows raised and his voice low he said, “Russell’s.” From the gasps I heard they must have believed this to be an exclusive jewelry
store.
When I asked him later why he lied, he looked at me indignantly and exclaimed, “I did no such thing!” “Russell just happens to be the
name of the manager at the pawn shop where I bought this little honey.”
My hero. I imagined him wracking his brains trying to figure out how to buy me the perfect wedding ring. I briefly thought about the
person who wore it before me and wondered why she wore it no more. Had it been an older lady who was married for 50 years to the
love of her life? I’ll never know. I only hope she was as happy as I am.
Rings have been used as a symbol of love since ages. No matter whether it is an engagement ring or a wedding ring, a ring is perhaps one of the most memorable gift item that always keeps sweet memories of your wedding alive in your heart. In addition to being a symbol of love, in most traditions around the world, a ring is undoubtedly an important element of the wedding process. That is why one should always buy a ring that will remain relevant even after the years of marriage. So, when you start planning for your wedding you need to learn the basics of buying a ring from the market.
The very first thing that you have to decide is the style of the ring you are going to wear. You should give top most priorities to the comfort because you will not be able to resist yourself from taking out the ring from the finger if it is uncomfortable. Although we buy different type of rings, plain rings never go out of fashion. Similarly, you can be assured that plain gold rings are going to be there for decades to follow. If you do not like plain at all, you may opt for engraved ring or a ring with beaded edge. Alternatively, you may also buy a diamond ring in channel set style. The main point is that you should choose a ring that can clearly reflect your style and personality.
Now, when it comes to choose the metal for the wedding rings, you may choose gold, silver or platinum. If the bride has chosen silver for most of the jewelry, then the ring should also be silver based. If the groom wears the golden watch, then gold should be opted as base metal. Here again you may choose any one from the yellow gold or white gold. Yellow gold is most common of all the metals used for the rings. Depending upon the increasing quality of purity and softness yellow gold can be 14K, 18K or 24K respectively. However, most of the people avoid buying 24K gold just to prevent the scratches.
Recently, white gold is also becoming popular, because it resembles with platinum and also less expensive than platinum. However, if you have no monetary limitations, then you may also choose platinum. Platinum is safest of all the metals as one can not mix any other metal.
The choice of a wedding ring is so intensely personal that it should never be taken lightly. Walking into a jewelry store and buying the first wedding ring that you see is no way to go about this task. Ideally, you should have a general idea of what you are looking for before you ever enter the jewelry store, as this can save you from being swayed by a persistent salesperson. There are things that you need to take into consideration when looking for just the right wedding ring.
Personal preference.
This seems like an obvious point, but some people don’t realize that a wedding ring should be as personal as your choice of wardrobe. There is no set-in-stone rule that says that a wedding ring has to be diamond, or that there has to be an engagement ring and a wedding ring. You and your spouse-to-be want your rings to reflect who you are as individuals as well as a couple. If you love aquamarine or topaz, then by all means search for that type of ring, even if it is not classified as a “wedding ring”. If you love antiques and have them all over your home, perhaps an antique ring would suit you best. Don’t let others try to influence you about what you “should” buy; this is a very personal choice.
Budget
Some people feel so restrained by their budgets that choosing a wedding ring seems like a depressing task. One thing that you want to consider, however, is that you can always add to the wedding ring as your financial situation improves over the years. Be sure to buy the best quality that you can get for your budget, even if that means starting with a very small stone. It is always better to have a small but high-quality gem in your ring that can be added to later, instead of a lower-quality gem that will have to be replaced after a while.
When choosing a wedding ring with stones that are already set there are a few things you want to look for in those stones if they are diamonds. They are referred to as the 4 Cs and they are: Color, Cut, and Clarity and Carat weight.
Cut refers to the shape in which the diamond is cut. The most popular diamonds are cut into round and oval shapes although there are many other shapes in which diamonds are cut. The more difficult the cut, the more expensive the diamond will be.
Color refers to the brilliance of the diamond which is determined by how much light passes through the diamond. The more color the diamond has the less light will pass through meaning the less brilliant the diamond will be. For this reason, diamonds with less color are more valuable than their counterparts with more color. The amount of color a diamond has is recorded and a grade level is assigned to the diamond to show how much color it has.
Clarity refers to the level of natural imperfections the diamond has. This is most likely only seen by the jeweler anyway as the naked eye won’t notice these tiny “birth marks.” However, the less of these imperfections the diamond has the more valuable it is.
Carat weight of course refers to the weight of the diamond which is measured in carats. A higher carat weight with many imperfections and a lot of color will not be worth as much as a slightly smaller diamond with a much better cut, color and clarity.
Since all these things work together to form the actual worth of the diamond, they are all important and should all be taken into consideration when searching for wedding rings with set stones.
Choosing a wedding ring is a choice that will stay stick with you for a long time, so you want to be sure and make the right choice the first time. The size of the ring often depends upon the size of the budget. Some people want to purchase as much ring as they can and some will go deeply into debt for just the right ring. Often, though the size isn’t what matters at all.
For some, the thought of wearing an heirloom wedding ring means more than the biggest wedding ring you could buy in any jewelry store. If a man is able to pass down his grandmother’s wedding ring to his new bride, in most cases she will happily accept it,
regardless of the size.
Some people fall in love with the particular design of a wedding ring, regardless of size, and nothing else will do once the person sees what he or she wants. Some people think the size of the ring is equal to their love and want to make sure they purchase the biggest ring they can. They may not even like a particular style but believe a large wedding ring does present somewhat of a status symbol in our society. Not many people use descriptive words when describing their wedding ring; all too often the description is about the amount or weight of the gold or the size of the diamonds.
Wedding rings are very personal and they should be. What one person sees as the absolute best ring on the planet may make another shake their head. For those truly in love and with their feet planted firmly on the ground, the size of the wedding ring won’t matter at all.