My Pink Diamonds

Before we discuss where people can go to ‘put a ring on it’ we must first understand the significance of what this phrase actually means.  When someone refers to the phrase ‘put a ring on it’ they are referring to a person’s finger and they are suggesting that that person should put a ring on their finger. 

There are many reasons why people like to ‘put a ring on it’.  The first and most obvious reason is for reasons of marriage.  People all over the world go searching for many different things and one thing they search for is eternal love.  Finding the right person can take a while but when one has found that person they know that they want to spend their rest of their lives with that person.  Although some people choose not to get married, marriage is generally the done thing.  People therefore tie the knot in matrimony and to do this a ring is necessary.

A wedding ring is normally placed on the left hand and on the finger next to the little finger.  Once a wedding ring is placed on a person’s finger it should stay there forever.  Sometimes this is not the case as people get divorced but this gives people a new opportunity to find a more suitable partner.  This also permits people to choose a new wedding ring once again.

Many people like to do what their role models do so when their role models get married, they follow suit.  Some celebrities sometimes go an extra mile and provide good advice within some of their screenplay or a song for example.  Recently, BeyonceKnowles released a song called ‘Ladies’ in which she suggested that her fellow ladies should ‘put a ring on it’ or in other words propose to their man or get their man to propose to them so they can also get married.  Communications such as these are very important as they send out the right message to fellow listeners.   

People do not have to get married to ‘put a ring on it’.  Many people like to wear rings as rings are seen as a neat little fashion accessory.  There are many different rings people can choose from and these all have various different characteristics such as the colour i.e. gold, silver, platinum etc, the stone type i.e. cubic zirconia, diamond etc, the stone style i.e. cluster, eternity and the brand some of which include Forever Diamonds and Princessa.

There are many places people can go to ‘put a ring on it’ but what is important is that people find the right ring for them and for their partner so they can be happy for eternity!

Diamond engagement ring is a symbol of emotions such as love, commitment, eternity, honor, loyalty and promise towards each other. This inherently conditional gift is a great way to start your marriage and to strengthen your relationship. And nothing can be better than a diamond engagement ring to increase the quality and quantity of your love, relationship and dedication right from the beginning. Needless to say, it will enable you to grow your love and create a better tomorrow for you.Diamond engagement rings are proudly and traditionally worn by a soon-to-be-bride as a powerful symbol that she is “taken” and will soon be married to her true love. The ring is viewed as an indication of love, faith, commitment, fidelity, celebration, and the wealth of the groom. By placing the ring on his soon-to-be-wife, the groom gives the world an outward demonstration that he not only loves his spouse, but also can afford to marry her and take her from her father’s care. Diamond engagement rings, with their stunning look, perfect clarity and indestructible nature, have come to symbolize the purity and eternal commitment between a man and his beloved wife.But, the most important task is to find a precious diamond engagement ring for your special someone. You can get unique diamond engagement rings from certified online jewelry stores. But before purchasing it from online jewelry stores, it’s better to know her taste and preferences. To know her taste, observe the jewelry that she wears on a daily basis. Also, find out if she has any skin allergies to certain metals. Furthermore, colors combination also play great role in selection of engagement ring and you can choose various colored diamonds while shopping for a diamond engagement ring like red, blue, yellow, green, violet etc. along with most popular metals Platinum, yellow gold, white gold and silver. Again, diamonds are also cut into various shapes such as round, pear, heart and square. The round shape reflects almost all the light that enters it and therefore shines more brilliantly than the other shapes. So, when you buy a diamond engagement ring keep in mind these 4C’s because these factors definitely influence your decision. Diamond rings have beautiful designs, pattern and shapes and also have brilliantly cut and clear to shine diamonds. There is lot of variety in diamond cuts like diamond round, heart, princess, radiant, pear, oval, emerald, triangle, asscher, marquise and cushion. All these are most popular cuts and can make any occasion special. So, decide on the right combination of diamond size and quality and choose the perfect diamond engagement ring that will represent eternal beauty. Love is a sweet thing; enjoy your love life with diamond engagement rings.

From the grace of halo to the sophistication of micro pave, design trends in diamond engagement rings and wedding band settings are changing, reflecting today’s busy lifestyles. Ergonomic designs reign supreme in today’s market, no longer does pure panache determine the design that leads to ‘I Do.’

“Some brides prefer an ergonomic design that can comfortably be worn day in and day out,” says Brian Gavin, Executive Vice President of Whiteflash.com known as Brian the Cutter. “Others look for added style in an intricate or trendy setting; which, unfortunately, can be limiting when it comes everyday wear,” adds BrianGavin. Whiteflash.com is an e-jewelry boutique specializing in Hearts & Arrows diamonds and custom-designed engagement rings.

Here’s a peek at the up-and-coming trends in engagement rings according to the boutique’s jewelry designers:

Myth: solitaires stand tall

Not true of today’s diamond solitaire settings, says Gavin. “Solitaire settings are traditionally upswept, raising the diamond to make a very bold statement,” he adds. “However, people are also choosing settings where the center diamond sits down low, creating a look that is extremely elegant and also ergonomic.” With the diamond down in the setting, brides-to-be are able to wear the engagement ring in everyday work and play situations long after they say their “I Do’s.

Halos make a comeback

The likely reason for that comeback, according to Gavin, is that the halo-style diamond engagement ring makes the center diamond appear larger than it really is. “And the appearance of a high carat weight in the center stone is extremely important for many who are headed to the altar,” says Brian Gavin. Whiteflash.com has introduced several halo designs to its line of diamond engagement rings in the past year, including one with beaded diamonds along the shank as well as around the center stone, Increased sales prove the design’s resurgence and staying power.

A toast to the ‘Champagne’ setting

One design stunning even to the most fashion-savvy is the diamond ‘Champagne’ setting. “Those who desire this setting know exactly what they’re looking for…and that’s something unique,” says Gavin. “The Champagne style of setting has an unmistakable following.” The succesfull creative design team consisting of Brian Gavin and Frieder Lauer at Whiteflash.com deserve a toast of the bubbly for their interpretation of the Champagne-style bubble design in their U-prong Champagne engagement ring…among others.

Gavin says the company’s Champagne fashions have produced a great deal of spin-off custom-design work, much of which incorporates Whiteflash.com’s exclusive A Cut Above (ACA) melee diamonds. “The design of the Champagne diamond setting intermixes several components…it’s these combined features that really draw[s] people to it,” he says.

“Often people ask us to replicate one aspect or another of the Champagne design into a custom project, and of course we don’t hesitate to do so.” According to Gavin, the U-Prong, domed shank and accent diamonds are examples of features that can be applied to any custom piece. “Our ‘A Cut Above’ (ACA) melee diamonds have been adopted into thousands of projects, and are a stunning complement to any setting style,” comments Gavin.

Delicate pave and micro-pave designs

The old debate: Delicate versus complex, which is better? According to the designers at Whiteflash.com, this season the style leans more heavily towards delicacy rather than complexity.

The diamond pave setting is widely admired for its refinement. To give the setting its simplistic, yet exquisite appearance, beads of metal are raised to create secure channels where the diamonds sit securely in the ring. According to the craftsmen at Whiteflash.com, the raised metal of the band (or ring) is used to create the tiny prongs that hold the petite diamonds in place.

Center stage: Eternity bands

The pave and micro pave diamond engagement rings come into play when customers are looking at smaller diamond settings like the eternity band. According to Gavin – who is also a fifth-generation cutter from the world’s largest diamond center (South Africa) – there has been a recent push for smaller diamonds in settings. “In some cases even solitaire engagement rings are being replaced with semi, and even full diamond eternity bands,” he says. The trend is likely a response to the aforementioned movement towards dainty-looking styles and those that offer daily wear. Eternity bands traditionally are set with diamonds anywhere from one to three points (carats).

Brides trade up

The ‘trading-up’ trend will never fade into obscurity. “We’ve found that it makes a difference in the design process if the bride-to-be is involved up front,” says Gavin. “If the groom chooses to go it alone, he typically gravitates toward a simple design with a smaller-than-desired diamond. And what happens next? The bride-to-be upgrades the size of her diamonds, even adding side stones, and looks for a setting more suited to their tastes.”

‘Trading up’ need not always be done up front. Many couples consider upgrades for important milestones like anniversaries, birthdays and holidays. “While her diamond engagement ring was [current] as a newlywed, many years later she might change or modify her setting to reflect transition in her own life or to keep up with current jewelry trends,” says Gavin. “Even if she keeps the setting forever, there is a chance that down the road she may require a larger diamond. We have many repeat customers who upgrade their diamonds with us,” he finishes.

Whiteflash.com anticipates change as a constant and has made it simple for customers to upgrade with a unique guarantee: Every certified diamond sold at Whiteflash.com comes with a lifetime trade-up option. The company will accept the return of any original purchase and extend full credit in the amount of the original purchase price. The credit can be used to purchase a different diamond.

“Marriage is a lifetime commitment,” Gavin says. “When you choose Whiteflash.com, we’ll be there for a lifetime with you.”

About Whiteflash

Whiteflash.com is the first company in the U.S. to offer an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamond and bring the sheer beauty of “super ideal cut” to the Internet. Brian Gavin, a 5th generation diamond cutter, and Debi Wexler, a computer entrepreneur, together founded Whiteflash.com in 1999 bringing an expansive selection of loose diamonds to the Internet, including an exclusive brand of Hearts & Arrows diamonds. ‘A Cut Above’ (ACA) is unmatched in its brilliance, fire and sparkle and remains the only Hearts & Arrows diamond sold online with advertised standards and a “true patterning” guarantee.also known as the most visually balanced diamond in the world. Whiteflash.com also offers original, handcrafted platinum and gold settings, diamond engagement rings and wedding bands, custom diamond ring designs and specialty jewelry.

Any woman would no doubt swoon at the idea of getting a diamond wedding ring – or a diamond anything for that matter!  If you’re a man trying to choose just the right ring for your fiance or for your wife, then you’ve come to the right spot.  We can give you some tips and pointers from the insiders – meaning real women – on how to select the perfect diamond wedding ring for your significant other.

First off, keep in mind that there are really three different types of diamond wedding rings.  There is a diamond wedding band, which is meant to be worn with an engagement ring and is presented during the wedding ceremony.  Then there are anniversary bands, which usually have a number of diamonds to represent the year of the anniversary, or one diamond in the center and then gemstones for each of the children, or some other such design.  And lastly there are eternity bands, which are really diamond wedding rings that are either worn as a wedding band with or without an engagement ring, or are meant as an anniversary present.  Eternity bands have diamonds going all the way around them – in a never ending circle, just like eternity.  Get it?

Which Diamond Wedding Ring is Right For Your Special Lady?

Of course there’s no easy answer to that question, and chances are that your wife or fiancé will be happy with whatever ring you choose.  But here are some things you can keep in mind.  For one, many professional career women like a diamond wedding ring that they can wear without their engagement ring during work hours, especially if the diamond in the engagement ring is quite large.  An eternity band can look very lovely in this case, as it is beautiful enough to wear on its own.  Also, if you are selecting a diamond wedding ring that will be worn with the engagement ring, you want to be sure that the two will look good together.  In this case, it may be a good idea to choose a wedding set rather than selecting two separate rings, or to ask a jeweler for help in deciding on bands that complement one another.

If you’re looking for a diamond wedding ring as an anniversary gift, put some thought into the design and the stones, and especially for the anniversary year.  Obviously a ring for your 25 year anniversary may be a bit more significant than the gift you got her for your third anniversary.  Many diamond wedding rings that are presented as anniversary gifts have not just diamonds but gemstones to represent the number of children you have.  So, if you have three children, you may find a band with three rubies and two diamonds in between them.  Or if it’s your five year anniversary, get a diamond wedding ring with five small diamonds across.

The real key to selecting the right diamond wedding ring is to put some thought into it, and try to select something that you know she’ll love and will be proud to wear forever.

Weddings, that most special of occasions, from all over the world have one thing in common – the wedding ring. It is not an exaggeration to mention that brides and grooms literally search for months to get the perfect wedding ring design. But with the proliferation of online jewelers, this process has become much easier. That is due to the fact that literally all designs and options are available at one place on the internet; unlike the regular jewelry stores which stock only the designs which they like, or the ones which are currently popular. But then, there are so many kinds of designs online that it is a virtual treasure hunt to find the one which is perfect for you. So, we have put together some of the most popular, everlasting and also most unique and modern designs in wedding rings together here. Where possible, we have also linked to the parent sites so that you can take a first hand look at the design we are talking about. Here they are- Wedding Bands – Steeped in history and very much a part of our heritage, the wedding band symbolizes ‘The circle of life’, which according to our tradition is symbolic of the fact that the couple will be together for life, through all its ups and downs. The original wedding band was just a solid gold band, which was not meant to be flashy at all, but was more of the simple and stable variety. However, with time, fashion moulded the wedding bands to a more modern view and today we have a wide variety of wedding bands available online. The simplest of them still are of solid gold, but the shine and carat weight will differ according to the customer’s fancies. The more exciting ones come with studded diamonds (or other precious stones) all around the circumference of the wedding band. If you are the adventurous kind, you can pick a metal like white gold or even platinum instead of plain yellow gold.- Three stone rings – Lots of people prefer to have a ring along with the wedding band (or even only the ring) exchanged during the wedding. Some of the most special wedding rings are the ones which come with side setting stones – and are called three stone rings. Usually, engagement rings are rings which come with a single stone (like a princess cut diamond) set into the metal. Wedding rings, however, are preferred to have multiple stones and the centre stone is the one which is the costliest. You can take a look at a few three stone rings here, so that you get an idea of the kind of rings we are talking about. Online, you have an option of choosing from one of the pre-set kind of rings, or if you fancy yourself to be a designer, you can even try your hand at designing a three stone ring right there online – and you don’t need to pay for designing! So, try it out.- Eternity Bands – The third kind of popular option for weddings are eternity bands. Not only are these popular for weddings; they are equally popular for anniversaries too. Like we mentioned while speaking about wedding bands, eternity bands come with stones studded all around the band and the look is one of understated elegance and beauty. The metal of choice for eternity bands is 14K white gold, or for the more discerning customers – Platinum. Yellow gold also is in, and you can take a look at some of the most beautiful eternity bands right here. There are several mix and match models you can create in wedding rings, but since wedding is a time honored celebration, these are the three variants which are the most popular all over. If you visit a site like www.diamondsonweb.com, you are given full freedom to design your own ring starting from scratch. You can pick the metal you like, the stone / stones you prefer to embed and the finish. That would make your wedding an extra special event, as everything including the ring has been customized specially for you – by you!Try out the online options the next time you are shopping for jewelry. You won’t go back to your local jeweler’s again!

Wedding rings are considered by many to represent eternity, a never ending circle. For those couple seeking extra symbolism, a Celtic wedding ring may be perfect. There are many different styles of Celtic wedding bands, ranging from the Claddagh ring to bands featuring various Celtic knots and swirls. These types of wedding rings have now become popular world wide. While many acknowledge there are approximately eight basic Celtic knots, the varying patterns, designs, and selections arising from these are enormous. Celtic wedding rings can be made from any of the colored golds, platinum, or silver. These styles of wedding rings can be worked in several metal colors for extra contrast and to highlight the knots. Celtic wedding rings can be made as a solid band with knots carved, or as raised scrolls, or as engravings. Alternatively Celtic wedding rings can be made entirely from a knot pattern, with intertwining metals used for a more delicate appearing ring. For something with a little more of a statement, these styles of wedding and engagement rings can also be made with diamonds set in them. Diamonds can be placed in the middle of each knot, between each knot, or alternatively at one one or both edges of the wedding ring. One of the most well recognized and used Celtic knots would be the Trinity knot. The Trinity knot, as the name would suggest, comprises 3 rounded triangles linked together and features points at the outer edges. This knot can stand alone or be worked so that numerous knots are linked together. The Trinity knot is often known as the Love Knot and can have several meanings, including the ancient Celtic, which is representing Celtic Gods and Goddesses, and the Christian, which is representing the Holy Trinity. The Claddagh ring with its well known design of a heart, a pair of hands, and a crown is also extremely popular and time honored. The Claddagh ring can traditionally be worn several ways, all with their own meanings. On the left ring finger it is seen as a sign of marriage, commitment, and eternal love. On the right hand, with the heart facing inwards it is seen as a commitment ring, or as indicative of someone already being spoken for. Spirals are also extremely popular designs in Celtic wedding rings and are used to great effect. To the ancient Celts spirals could mean many things including the sun, and the symbol for life. Interlocking Celtic hearts can have a similar appearance to the Trinity knots. The intertwined hearts represent the eternal love of the wearers of the matching rings. Celtic wedding rings can be a unique way to demonstrate eternal love. Traditional knots, spirals, and hearts can be manufactured into engagement and wedding rings that can be as simple or as ornate as you please. Celtic wedding bands can range from solid pieces that are engraved or carved, to very ornate gold strands knotted together to produce stand alone Celtic knot wedding rings.

Engagement Ring From Here To Eternity

Throughout history, diamond engagement rings did enjoy popularity among those who were wealthy and those who were royalty. Engagement ring encompasses in them the sense of love, commitment and fidelity. These are given at a very special moment in the life of two people, promising an eternal love and honor between the two. These rings hold their special place in the life of the people from very long. The invention of wedding rings and engagement rings is attributed to the ancient Egyptians, but the use of those rings had been there for quite long. But the purpose of engagement and the wedding rings did not change so much over the years, conveying deep emotions of eternal love, eternal happiness, eternal commitment, and eternal togetherness.

These rings are one of the most special gifts that you can get. These rings signify eternity between the two that is the giver and the receiver. An engagement ring is a complete circle with no break and no end or beginning, it is only eternal which means it just goes on and on.

An engagement ring is often intentionally expensive as a sign of man’s permanency. It is typically a precious band and mounts a diamond or other gem. The reason for its expensiveness is the use of diamond in it. Most people choose a diamond engagement ring. The argument for a diamond is that it is the most enduring, beautiful and expensive gem.

An engagement is an agreement or promise to marry, and also refers to the time between proposal and marriage. Engagements have no predetermined length, and may range from days to years. During this period, a couple is said to be affianced, engaged to be married, or simply engaged. Ring is a romantic way to recognize an engagement, anniversary, or any other special occasion. An engagement ring is a beautiful way of expressing love and proposing for marriage to someone. Customs surrounding engagement vary greatly, and may include a formal or informal announcement to friends, family, and community, or a celebratory party or gathering.

As a matter of fact, diamond engagement rings were not to become “traditional” until hundreds of years later

Diamond cut does not refer to the shape of diamond instead it implies the width, depth and uniformity of different sides that control the brilliance and clarity of the stone. It is the cut of a diamond that makes it sparkle and dazzle. Only a big clear white stone will not be impressive until it has its brilliance or it’s properly cut.

The most popular diamond cuts are emerald cut diamonds, round cut diamonds and even oval cut diamonds. The round cut diamonds are the most expensive ones and they dazzle the most and they make unique engagement rings as they look the best as solitaire rings.

It is the round cut diamond that look the best practically on any hand and finger. Again, there are oval cut diamonds too and these are quite similar to the round cut ones. It depends on personal taste and preference as to which is the best shape for the oval cut diamonds. However, it is the emerald cut diamond rings that are least expensive and they cost lesser than the otherwise round cut diamond rings. But they are no less to appeal. The emerald cut diamonds look layered and are rectangle in shape and can be great especially for men.

Today, diamond ring designers with the help of laser cutting technology and computer-aided designing can create trendy rings for fashionable wear at affordable costs especially through these emerald cut diamonds.

The marquis cut diamond rings reflect an oval look and makes your fingers look long and elegant. Marquis cut unique engagement rings are considered to be more popular than the emerald cut diamond rings. Again, oval cut diamonds are more popular as middle stone in engagement rings or as a centerpiece in many expensive jewelry. Oval cut diamonds are uniquely appealing to people who likes round cut diamonds.

Other very popular and fashionable engagement rings are eternity diamond rings. Eternity Diamond rings consist of line of small diamonds around an entire band. The ring appears as a circle of diamonds. These eternity diamond rings are attached with symbolic meanings so they are popular as anniversary gifts or even as engagement rings on a wedding day. The circle of diamonds signifies unending love bound forever.

The stones of eternity diamond ring need to be nestled together to reflect its compact shape and the diamond cuts used can range fro round to emerald. For a full eternity diamond rings, smaller sized stones are preferable for comfort, but of you wish to buy a half eternity diamond ring one can go for a slightly larger size of stones.

There is a huge array of diamond wedding rings available today, and choosing the one that will be with you for a lifetime is a serious affair.

Not only are there aesthetic factors to bear in mind, your diamond wedding ring holds also a deeper significance. It is a symbol of your love for the person that you married, and you should select the ring that you feels best captures the essence of these feelings.

The diamond ring you choose for your wedding should be everything that you feel your love to be – unique, beautiful and durable. And while there are a huge variety of styles and ring settings available, the core features of a truly beautiful diamond remain the same regardless of the style of diamond ring you pick to celebrate your wedding. You will hopefully wear this ring the rest of your life, so choose a style that seems timeless to you.

Selecting a wedding ring isn’t as easy as it looks. You are going to wear your ring for the rest of your life, so it should be something you won’t get tired of in a couple years. You will have to look at and try on many different rings before you come to a final decision and, being an intelligent consumer, you should know what your options are.

First, you will have to decide how much you can afford to spend. Then, with your budget in mind, choose the material you want your ring made of.

Wedding ring materials can be:

- 14K or 18K yellow gold, classic and still very popular for wedding and engagement rings;
- white gold, which is gaining popularity because it looks stylish and very modern. Also white gold can be worn with silver or platinum jewelry and it goes with most fabrics;
- platinum is one of the hardest metals, which in itself makes platinum a suitable symbol for enduring love. It is also very pure: while 18 K gold contains only 75% gold, most platinum jewelry is 95% platinum. Platinum rings look similar to white gold, are very elegant and stylish, don’t scratch and don’t loose their look with the passing years. Platinum rings are the most expensive but, considering that you will wear your ring for the rest of your life, that doesn’t really matter for many couples;
- titanium is long lasting, light and not very expensive, so it has recently became a very popular material for wedding rings. Titanium rings are similar in appearance to white gold rings but they are so light that you can hardly feel one on your finger. Titanium is a particularly popular material for men’s wedding rings.

Diamonds are unbeatable favorites for wedding rings and with good reason – not only are diamonds the most beautiful and expensive of all precious stones, but they are also the hardest. Other hard stones are rubies and sapphires. Gemstones like amethyst or aquamarine are too soft, which makes them unsuitable for a wedding ring that you are going to wear every day.

No matter which style and material you chose, you want a ring that would be comfortable on your finger. For this reason it is always best to go with a ring that is smooth around the edges.

Imagine the next time you join a discussion about diamonds. When you start sharing the
fascinating diamonds facts below, your friends will be absolutely amazed.

Diamonds are measured in Carat Weight. One carat weighs 200 milligrams. If a diamond is referred to as four grains, this also means that it is a one carat diamond. The word Carat comes from the word carob. A carob is a bean that grows on a tree in the Mediterranean. In times past, if a diamond weighed the same as a carob bean, it was
one carob, or one carat.

How can you put a limit on learning more? The next section may contain that one little bit of wisdom that changes everything.

In the far east, where Carob trees do not grow, rice was used to measure the weight of a diamond. If a diamond weighed as much as four grains of rice, it was four grains – or one carat as we know it to be now. The majority of diamond purchases are for diamonds that are 1/3 of a carat.

Beware when shopping for diamonds that are already set or mounted. If more than one
diamond is used in the piece, the tag on the jewelry will give the CTW or Carat Total
Weight – it does not tell you the carat weight of each stone in the piece. You need to ask
the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly
understand what you are buying.

The setting you choose is a matter of your own personal taste, but the diamond in your wedding ring should adhere to these important factors.

The characteristics of a beautiful diamond are known as the four Cs – carat, color, clarity and cut. Regardless of the style of diamond wedding rings that you and your partner choose, these are factors that will apply.

The carat of your diamond refers to its weight – simply put, the larger the diamond, the more valuable it becomes. While larger diamonds can be impressive, certain settings suit smaller carats better. Choose a carat that appeals most to you – a large diamond may be valuable, but the most important factor is how valuable it is to you.

The color of a diamond also relates to its value – the clearer the stone, the more valuable your diamond wedding ring.

The third factor is clarity – once again, the more clear a diamond, the more valuable it becomes. Though few diamonds are perfect, the ones with less clouds or flaws are more rare, and thus more expensive to purchase.

The final factor is the diamond’s cut. The best cut will display the diamond’s brilliance to the best effect.

Your jeweler will be able to help you select a diamond that fits all these characteristics, but remember that each diamond is beautiful in its own right. Your diamond wedding rings are a symbol of your love, so choose the one that speaks to you.

Hopefully the sections above have contributed to your understanding of diamonds. Share your new understanding about diamonds with others. They’ll thank you for it.

And men, you need to take great care when shopping for that special diamond ring! Remember to ask the jeweler for the total carat weight of the largest diamond in the piece to truly understand what you are buying. Don’t pay more for what you are getting.

We are dedicated to helping you learn more about diamonds, for better selection and your money’s worth.

The wedding ring – a romantic expression and symbol of fidelity and love – is an important element to today’s marriage ceremony. Through the centuries, the wedding ring has symbolized many things for couples – and not always the romantic notions we hold today.
The tradition of the wedding ring goes as far back as ancient Egypt, more than 4500 years ago. The Egyptians were the first to link the symbolism of a ring with the supernatural – an unending circle representing eternal love. Egyptians used materials such as hemp or the stems of plants into circles which could be placed on the finger of the bride. Romans, on the other hand, fashioned wedding bands from iron, considered to be a symbol of strength. That was later replaced with silver and gold because of their durability against rust.
Both the Egyptians and Romans supported the belief that the “ring finger” or fourth finger on the left hand, led directly to the heart. And while science has since disproved this theory, couples still hold the belief that the wedding ring is a direct path to the heart. However, for the Romans this practice was not based in romanticism. In Roman society, wives were considered possessions of the husband. A ring simply symbolized ownership. In fact, women had no voice in this decision. Once she was “ringed,” a woman became a possession of the man.
In the Far East, a man presented his wife with a “puzzle ring” that was meant to keep her faithful in his absence. The ring was designed to collapse if taken off and could only be put back together again if one knew the correct arrangement. Puzzle rings were employed especially during times of war or if a husband traveled for business.
The Irish bride has sported a “claddagh” since its creation in the 17th century. Used as both an engagement and wedding ring, the ring features a heart and two hands on the sides and is still in wide use today. Meanwhile, some Jewish brides have a wedding ring placed on their index finger, the same finger used to point to the Torah as it is read.
For the Puritans of early American colonization, the wedding ring, like other forms of jewelry, was considered wasteful and immoral. Men instead presented their wives with thimbles as a symbol of their live and fidelity. Interestingly, this tradition gave way to new brides who would cut off part of the thimble to create a makeshift ring.
Wedding rings worn by men are a fairly new innovation. For centuries, men had no need of a ring indicating their betrothal, as they were considered the dominant partner in the union. However, with the events of World War II separating men for years at a time from their wives, men began wearing a wedding band to indicate their marriage and as a sentimental reminder of the wife waiting at home. The motive was purely romantic which has been carried on in modern times.
In some cultures, the wedding ring is considered the last gift in a series of gifts presented to the bride. This has given way to newer ring traditions, which may begin with a promise ring, presented during serious courtship, followed by an engagement ring and then the wedding ring. Eternity rings are also being given as to symbolize a renewal of marriage or in honor of a special anniversary.
While many countries practice the tradition of wearing the wedding ring on the left hand, some cultures, such as Germany, Norway and Greece wear the ring on a the right hand. In other European countries, the engagement and wedding ring are the same. Their status is indicated through engraving or according to which hand the ring is worn.
Today’s couples give much thought to the choice of wedding rings, choosing most often rings made of precious stones and metal. These rings represent more than simply adornment for the wedding day. Wedding rings will remain an important symbol of a couple’s love throughout their lifetime.