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Showing posts with label Jewelry. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jewelry. Show all posts

WEDDING BANDS: FOR THE GROOM

Guys play tough, and their rings should too. Eighteen-karat gold, platinum (this one wins nine times out of 10) and titanium (if there ever was an indestructible metal, this is it!) are all durable metals that won't wimp out on him. Of course, if your man works construction, for example, common sense suggests he leave his ring at home.

Comfort is key

A wedding ring may be the only piece of jewelry some men wear, so the less obtrusive it is, the less he'll fuss over it. Ergonomic bands with rounded edges and surfaces are the most comfortable and agreeable styles.

Back to basics

When choosing a wedding ring, many guys go the safe route. This is why the single band is still the most popular style. (A matte finish is too—just beware: It shows scratches more easily and prominently than its shiny counterparts.) Men tend to stretch their style muscle by adding a small diamond—or, depending on the design, several—or by exploring different metal textures and finishes.

The bigger the better?

If trends are any indication, then yes! More and more men are opting for wider bands. Just keep in mind that size does matter: The ring should be proportionate to his body size—for example, a brawnier man would better carry off a wide band than would a guy with a lanky build.

Diamonds in the rough

Bedazzled bands are quickly becoming a guy's best friend—and there's nothing sissified about them. Diamonds that lie flush in the band (as in., channel or gypsy designs) are the most fashionable and the most securely set. And we're not just talking about white diamonds: Black and dark sapphire diamonds are a hot trend, offering a look that's still masculine and suitable for everyday wear.

Textured touch

Special metal treatments give simple bands stylish flair. Hammered metal is an increasingly sought-after look, and embellishments like filigree and etched or engraved patterns—even graphic motives (think Celtic, zodiac or sports—are another way to dress up a band and showcase individual style.

Trendy titanium

This tough guy is quickly catching the eye of many a groom-to-be—and surprisingly it's the metal's "cool" factor (think power tools and Lamborghini rims) that's most responsible for its appeal. Its extreme durability is just a bonus. Titanium's matte finish is also attractive to men who are unaccustomed to wearing jewelry.

Made to match

Complementary his-and-hers wedding rings are a sweet tradition many couples embrace. While the widths may vary, the bands often share the same metal and finish.
What's his style?

Is he a suit-and-tie office guy? Or does he spend much of his time in the great outdoors or playing sports? If it's the latter, then a ring decked with diamonds is probably too dressy a look for his jeans-and-tees wardrobe.

Get him involved

He'll be the one wearing this ring, so encourage him to speak up about his likes and dislikes when it's time to shop. It's in everyone's best interest for the ring to reflect his tastes—after all, you want to see it on his finger!
Get with the band

Unlike width, which can overwhelm a smaller hand, there's really no right or wrong ring shape. He'll want to try on several styles to determine which one is most comfortable. Here are some basic shapes, named after the cross-section view of the bands.

* Round: curved on the inside and outside
* D-shaped: curved on the outside and flat on the inside
* Flat: flat on the inside and outside
* Court-shaped: softly round on the outside and fully round on the inside
* Easy-fit: flat on the outside and round on the inside

Recommended Wedding Band Sites
World Of Jewels Wedding Bands 
Allurez.com  Great Discounts on Wedding Bands

* Please visit us on Merry Brides Twitter for more great wedding tips and ideas.

120x60 colored gemstones

How to Care for Pearls

Pearls Require Special Care
Because pearls are an organic gemstone, they are somewhat different from other gemstones and precious metals. They are softer and more delicate, and they can therefore be more easily scratched, cracked, and damaged. In addition, substances such as perfume and hair spray -- and even natural body oils and perspiration -- can dull pearls' luster or cloud their brilliance. For these reasons, your pearls may require a bit of special care.

Be Careful With Cosmetics And Your Pearls
It's a good idea, for example, to apply perfume, hair spray, and other cosmetics before putting on your pearls. In this way, you can minimize the amount of these products that comes into contact with the pearls. After wearing your pearls, wipe them with a soft damp cloth to remove any traces of cosmetic products or body oils. Wash the pearls periodically with a mild soap and a soft cloth, to remove any accumulated build-up.

Have Your Pearls Restrung And Knotted For Safety
To prevent strand breakage, it's a good idea to have your pearls restrung periodically -- perhaps once a year or so if you wear them often. Knotting the strand between each pearl will prevent all of the pearls from falling off the strand in the event the strand breaks. Also, knotting prevents the pearls from rubbing against one another and causing damage. A little bit of care can go a long way toward ensuring that your pearls remain safe and bright for years to come!

Store Your Pearls Separately
Because of their delicacy, pearls should be stored separately, away from hard jewelry items, to prevent scratches or other damage. If possible, store them wrapped in soft cloth or in a soft-lined container, pouch, or jewelry box.


RECOMMENDED PEARL SPOTLIGHT

ZALES JEWELRY

Cultured Freshwater Pearl Heart Diamond Clasp Necklace

Cultured Akoya Pearl

Black Cultured Freshwater Pearl Necklace


How to Accessorize Your Wedding Day Look



GoldenMine Engagement Rings on Sale



By Cori Russell

OK ladies, here's music to your ears (and neck, and wrist)... now that you've got your wedding dress, it's time to accessorize it! There's no doubt about it, the right baubles perfect your wedding ensemble. Here's what you need to know to accessorize like a pro.

Bridal Jewelry Style Tips

Keep it Simple

Before the fun begins, please heed this advice. When it comes to your bridal jewelry, less really is more. Simple jewelry makes a timeless fashion statement; overdo it and you risk a phone call from Diddy asking for his bling back.

Formality Rules

Along with all other accessories, the bride's jewelry, should reflect the formality of the wedding celebration. A small, informal wedding calls for simple jewelry, while a large, formal wedding calls for more elaborate pieces.

Complement the Gown

Wedding dress style also plays a major roll in jewelry selection. As a general rule - the more detailing on the gown, the simpler the jewelry, while a dress calls for added embellishment.

Let Your Neckline Lead the Way

Your dress neckline will guide you towards what pieces and styles you'll wear. Many gowns are strapless or have low necklines, which is a perfect style to showcase a great necklace. If your gown has a high neckline, you may want to forego the necklace and concentrate on finding the perfect earrings.

Make It You

Above all, wedding day duds should reflect your personal style. So stick to studs if you've never worn chandeliers, and if you've never left the house without your favorite strand of pearls - around your neck is where they should be when you say "I do."

Pick your Metals:

The shade of your wedding dress will guide you to which metals work best:

If your dress is white - choose platinum or silver jewelry, as yellow gold may clash with stark white.


If your dress is off-white - either golds or silvers/platinums will work.

If your dress is ivory - the slightly yellowish undertones call for gold jewelry.

Pick Your Gems:

Pearls - A Classic Choice

The tradition of pearl bridal jewelry stems back to the ancient Greeks, who believed pearls promoted marital harmony. And of course, style icon Jackie O donned a strand the day she became Mrs. Kennedy, further cementing pearls as the refined gem of choice for brides everywhere.

Diamonds - The BFF of Jewelry

Diamonds didn't get their "girl's best friend" status for nothing. They're always good to add a touch of sparkle to your wedding dress. The good news for your wallet is that faux varieties work just as well.

Add Some Color

Of course, colored stones/gems present a great way to incorporate some color into your wedding day look, so don't shy away from blues, pinks, yellows - you name it.

Pick your Pieces

Necklaces:

The Choker: The classic choker features one to three strands worn close around the neck. This length works well with a jewel or bateau neckline, as it may get lost if too much skin is showing.

The Collar: This Victorian style consists of three or more strands fitting securely around the middle neck. This length is a great accent to a low or strapless neckline.

The Princess: This length falls about 16 inches to the hollow of the neck and often supports a pendant. This style works with almost any but a high neckline.

The Matinee: This style hits the top of the bust and looks great with a bateau, jewel, or a lower neckline with sheer fabric covering the décolletage area.

The Opera: The opera necklace is a long single strand falling below the bust. It creates a dramatic look when paired with a very high neckline.

Earrings:

Keep your earrings simple if your necklace is especially large or grand. You also may not want to wear earrings at all if you're wearing a tiara - as the two may compete. On the other hand - if you're going sans necklace, consider highlighting your look with elaborate earrings. Remember, the key to accessorizing is balance.
Deck your Wrist?

Although not as common as necklaces and earrings, brides can wear a bracelet with sleeveless, short-sleeve, and three-quarter sleeve gowns. However, a watch is best left at home on your wedding day unless it's a family heirloom or antique.

**Some great online jewelry sites you can check out to plan your bridal jewelry.

Ross-SimonsJewelry

MyJewelryBox.com

*For more wedding advice please visit our sister site: Weddings By Ashlee

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. http://www.elegala.com/ is a complete weddings and wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, how-to guides, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to walk brides and grooms through every step of the planning process.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell

Engagement Ring Traditions

When it comes wedding rings, the type of metal you choose will be a major influence in style, function, and cost. This guide to ring metals will help you make the choice that's right for you.

Platinum

Great Because...

It's valuable - King Louis declared platinum the only metal fit for a king, need we say more?

It's durable - platinum is resistant to tarnish and great for holding prong settings

It's hypoallergenic - platinum is 90-95% pure and won't irritate the skin

The Downside...

It's expensive - it's rare, making it more price sensitive

It's malleable - platinum nicks and scratches easily; however, since no metal is lost - it can be buffed to look good as new.

Gold

Great Because...

It's traditional - gold has withstood the test of time to be the most common wedding ring metal

It's less expensive - gold is more abundant than platinum, making it more affordable

The Downside...

It's not as pure - gold is always mixed with metal alloys (copper, silver, nickel) to make it stronger. The lower the karat, the higher the percentage of other metals.
It's soft - making it susceptible to denting. The higher the karat, the more pure - and therefore softer - it is. If you're highly active and not planning to purchase platinum, you may want to consider a lower karat gold.

It's not as pure - gold is always mixed with metal alloys (copper, silver, nickel) to make it stronger. The lower the karat, the higher the percentage of other metals.
It can irritate skin - metal alloys can cause allergic reactions

Titanium

Great Because...

It's hypoallergenic

It's strong - three times stronger than steel

It's inexpensive

The Downside...

It can't be resized

Silver

Great Because...

It's the least expensive precious metal

The Downside...

It's extremely soft - even when combined with other metals, it shows wear over time

It can irritate skin - usually combined with nickel to make it stronger, silver can cause skin irritations.

Mix it Up

Freaking out because he likes yellow gold and you like platinum? Relax, there's no rule that your bands have to match. What matters is that both of you have a ring you'll enjoy wearing.

Great Deals you might want to check out:

Cori Russell is editor for Elegala.com and Gala Weddings Magazine. Elegala.com is a comprehensive wedding planning resource with a national directory of wedding venues and services, along with articles, expert advice, checklists and photo galleries to lead brides through every step of the planning process.

Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Cori_Russell


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Irish Wedding Rings





Shop Irish - Jewelry



By: Martin Smith

There are a number of Irish Wedding Rings that include Spirals, Triskeles, and Triquetas, Shield Knots and Sun Symbols. The most popular ring by far is the Irish Claddagh and it is surrounded by a romantic legend.

The Claddagh is as was said, the most popular in Ireland. The ring symbolizes love, friendship , and loyalty. The ring is named for an Irish fishing village. The design of the Claddagh is constructed of two hands holding a heart with a crown on top of it. The hands represent friendship, the heart represents love, and the crown represents loyalty.

Various traditions give different meanings to the ring depending on how it is worn. As a wedding ring it is worn on the left hand with the heart pointing inward to the wrist. As an engagement ring it is on the right hand with the heart pointing inward toward the wrist. For friendship it is worn on the right hand turned outward.

The legend of the Claddagh begins when a fisherman Richard Joyce and other crew members were captured by pirates shortly before Joyce was to be married. He was sold into slavery in Algiers and made the property of a goldsmith who taught him the craft of goldsmith. Joyce became the master of the craft. With is beloved back in Claddagh on his mind he fashioned the first Claddagh ring. The hands were to represent friendship, the heart was love, and the crown represented loyalty and fidelity.

In 1698 King Georges III agreed to free all of his subjects. Richard Joyce was once again free. His slave master offered Joyce his daughter in marriage and half of his wealth if he would stay in Algiers. Joyce refused the offer and instead returned home to Claddagh where he found his love waiting for him. Neither of them had married. Upon discovering this, Joyce gave his love the ring and they were married shortly thereafter.

The ring was dubbed The Claddagh because of the village Joyce and his Bride were from. There were others who made the ring much later and added jewels and an intricate crown design. The basic hands holding a crowned heart has never changed. Joyce wanted something that would his love for his Beloved.

The Claddagh today is as popular as it ever was. The basic design of the ring has not changed but now there is more intricacies in the crown, gemstones or jewels can be used to fashion the heart, and the hands are simply hands. The ring can be made of silver, gold or basically any metal.

The design is the clasped hands of the 'fede' or faith rings. These rings date from Roman times and were popular in the Middle Ages. The ring is worn now by many to speak to their Irish heritage. The Claddagh tells the story of two lovers who are separated and yet their love and commitment withstood the passage of time. It's simple design and my heritage influenced my decision to purchase a Claddagh.


Wedding Planning Links

Claddagh Irish Jewelry

Claddagh Jewelry from Ireland MyWeddingFavors.com

Irish Shopping - The Premier web site for Irish Gifts, Jewelry and other Items

Wedding Planning Advice
http://merrybrides.blogspot.com http://funweddings.blog.com


Author Bio
Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice for consumers on purchasing a variety of products which includes
Wedding Ring and and more! His numerous articles provide a wonderfully researched resource of interesting and relevant information.

Article Source:
http://www.ArticleGeek.com


Bridal Jewelry - Fulfilling a Wedding Tradition

Limoges Jewelry


By L Hayes

If you looked at traditional weddings, whites and creams dominated the scene and you would always see the bride resplendent in white with jewelry to match. This is for traditional weddings, but of course even today, a lot of us like to uphold family tradition that gives a sense of continuity in weddings. Be it the wedding dress, the wedding trousseau, or the wedding jewelry, we like to be firmly rooted in tradition.

What is really interesting to note today is, even in modern times many of us honor our wedding traditions by wearing a piece that is handed down by someone in the family. Often times, a grandmother would give a bride her wedding jewelry such as a necklace, a bracelet and earrings. They would shimmer with a mix of iridescent mother-of-pearl and big white pearls with little diamonds encrusted on them. Brides would wear these for her wedding and preserve them for their daughter. Brides would find it hard to describe the feeling that these family heirlooms would give her on her wedding day! Nothing could compare to the fact that the women in the brides family, the ones you grew up with and admire, are with you. So, this was about wearing family keepsakes and the perfect way of paying your respects to elders generations of the family.

If you don’t have that option, wearing something new is obviously what you have to do. You will be amazed at the choices you have, considering the vast array of stores that you can find either near you or through the internet which brings the whole world near you. You will definitely find a sparkling something that will interest you and also fit within your budget. If possible, find something that will also compliment your bridesmaids jewelry.

A host of light-colored gemstones, precious and semi-precious, are quickly gaining center stage alongside diamonds. Even colored diamonds in various hues of rose, champagne and azure tones are becoming wedding ceremony favorites.

A much more practical solution for budget brides is to borrow jewelry. While this may be a strange option for brides who want to be dressed to the nines in things brand new, but this is an option you must consider if you are not one to spend thousands of dollars for certain accessories that they will never wear again. Borrow the jewelry for your nuptials by paying a small rental fee. Most jewelers will also ask for a refundable deposit for insurance purposes. You can always treat yourself to jewelry of your own tastes and preferences after the wedding, instead of being pressurized at the time you are already stressed about a million other choices.

Finally, whatever you decide, make sure the jewelry you choose is in keeping with the wedding dress, the ambiance, the time of the wedding reception, and the year your wedding will take place. Also, consider the location. The less, the better if you are getting married outdoors in the hot summer. Show your beauty with tasteful and limited jewelry, instead of going all blitz and bling. Wedding jewelry is not just something you wear for your wedding ceremony, but something that you will cherish and treasure all your life in remembrance of your special day.



Fun Links:


Wedding Planning Advice:

L Hayes is a wedding professional and owner of Wedding Favors Emporium. They carry an extensive line of unique wedding favors. They offer many popular gift ideas such as place card holders, silver and chrome favors, and bridesmaid gifts. For more information about discount wedding favors, wedding planning, or wedding reception ideas, visit their website.
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