Archive for the ‘Wedding Ring Trends’ Category

Antique Wedding Ring Sales Surge During Difficult Times

Wednesday, December 30th, 2009

American’s have always been a nostalgic bunch.  No matter the current fashion trend there is always an appreciation for vintage and antique designs.  For years many have forgone the contemporary and instead purchased antique wedding rings, furniture, clothing, and accessories.  In the early 1900s the modern movement began, but as opposed to completely embracing the new design styles, Americans sparked a revival period of the Classics from centuries before.

 

In this country we saw homes designed with ancient Greek, medieval England, and Colonial American influences, as opposed to the new American style of architecture that was developing.  In fact, it was not until the victorious end of World War Two and the positive national vibe that winning the battle prompted, that people in this country began to truly embrace futuristic styles.  Our national mood had been lifted; we were keeping our faces pointed ahead, there was no desire to look back.

 

During times of economic or societal depression, Americans are exceedingly more nostalgic, and contemporary designers have the most difficult time with product sales. The idea that bygone eras were happier times gives antique wedding rings, furniture, art, clothing, and accessories a deeper meaning for the buyer, and owning these pieces of nostalgia improves their psychology.  People flock to flea markets, estate sales, and online stores and auctions for little pieces of the past, perhaps also because they hope to save money on their purchase.  When money is tight, we hold onto it a little stronger, so our purchases become more emotional.  Choosing to buy an antique wedding ring over a contemporary style gives the buyer the sense that their wedding ring is extra special, and thus worth the expense.

 

In America’s current state of economic and political strife, antique wedding rings, antique engagement rings, and antique themed weddings and wedding gowns are all the rage.  Many brides are purchasing their wedding gowns from vintage clothing stores because the history makes the dress more meaningful as well as less expensive.  This trend continues not just because the antique styles are nostalgic and less expensive, but also because they are more available.  Many out of work and down on their luck Americans have been selling their family heirlooms for cash, increasing the supply of antique wedding rings and wedding gowns in the market.

 

Antiques, such as wedding rings, are also appreciated for their beauty. Antique wedding rings are more detailed than many modern styles, making them unique.  In the early 1900s, new technologies were introduced that allowed jewelry designers the ability to create detailed and intricate designs with platinum.  The fashion trends of the era also urged elaborate details in wedding and engagement rings and designers created many very elaborate pieces with scrollwork, filigree, and floral designs. If you would like a ring reminiscent of earlier years, take a look at these antique wedding and engagement rings pictured below.

 

One Fifth CT TW Link Pattern Diamond Anniversary Ring in 14K White or Yellow Gold

One Fifth CT TW Link Pattern Diamond Anniversary Ring in 14K White or Yellow Gold

Half CT TW Renaissance Styled Diamond Anniversary Ring in 14K White Gold

Half CT TW Renaissance Styled Diamond Anniversary Ring in 14K White Gold

Half CT TW Antique Styled Five Stone Diamond Anniversary Ring with Milgrain Accents in 14K White or Yellow Gold

Half CT TW Antique Styled Five Stone Diamond Anniversary Ring with Milgrain Accents in 14K White or Yellow Gold

Vintage Styled Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Vintage Styled Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring

Trend: Diamond Wedding Rings

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009

The strength and beauty of diamonds comes to symbolize the love and commitment of two people in marriage.  Their unmatched brilliance and luster have earned them a place in wedding ring design, but traditionally, the diamonds in wedding ring sets were reserved for the engagement ring, and the wedding bands were simple gold bands that matched between the bride and groom.  Today, our fashion senses are increasing, and men’s wedding rings as well as women’s wedding rings are becoming more stylish and unique.  While some brides and grooms choose to match their wedding rings, others opt for different choices that suit their individual styles and personalities.  Diamonds aren’t just for engagement rings anymore, and they are no longer just a girl’s best friend.  Thanks to the new styles in men’s wedding rings, diamonds are a guy’s best friend too!

 

Diamond wedding rings are a hot trend, and because of the strong requests from consumers, jewelry designers are creating more and more unique diamond wedding ring options.  Many women love the look of pairing their diamond engagement ring with a diamond wedding band, but now that it has become commonplace for the groom to also wear a ring, men are opting for diamond wedding rings as well. Two-tone gold and diamond wedding rings are very versatile; the use of both colors of metal means they will coordinate well with your entire jewelry collection. White gold and diamond wedding rings, platinum and diamond wedding rings, and titanium and diamond wedding rings are also common choices.

 

The white metal of platinum beautifully enhances the sparkle of a diamond, making this a popular wedding ring metal for decades.  Today, however, the hottest trend in diamond wedding bands is titanium.  This is also a very white metal so it serves to promote the diamond’s brilliance the same way as platinum, but it is much less expensive.  Also, titanium is stronger than the precious metals like white gold and platinum, ensuring a beautiful diamond wedding ring that will last a lifetime. The colors and properties of diamonds and titanium pair very well together, giving the bride and groom a symbol of their love and commitment that is equally as strong.

 

Eternity rings, also called anniversary rings, are also being used as a bride’s wedding band.  These rings are surrounded by a row of diamonds and pair extremely well with a diamond engagement ring.  Take a look at some of these diamond wedding ring options below:

 

14K Yellow or White Gold Half CT TW Diamond Anniversary Ring with Channel Set Diamonds

14K Yellow or White Gold Half CT TW Diamond Anniversary Ring with Channel Set Diamonds

 

Many brides are choosing a diamond eternity ring to serve as their wedding band.

 

Ladies and Mens 7 Stone Quarter CT TW Diamond Wedding Rings

Ladies and Mens 7 Stone Quarter CT TW Diamond Wedding Rings

 

This is a great diamond wedding ring that works for both the bride and the groom.

 

 Titanium Comfort Fit Diamond Band

Titanium Comfort Fit Diamond Band

 

This is a sleek and modern titanium and diamond wedding ring.

 

Mens 0.25 Carat Total Weight Column Pattern Diamond and Onyx Wedding Band

Men's 0.25 Carat Total Weight Column Pattern Diamond and Onyx Wedding Band

 

This is a stunning and unique onyx and diamond wedding ring for the groom!

Handwoven Wedding Rings: Beauty in Simplicity

Sunday, December 20th, 2009

Many years ago, the Celts created hand woven items such as jewelry, as an offering to their Gods.  Since that time, Celtic knot and rope symbols have come to symbolize relationships, the joining of two people in marriage, or our eternal lives as spiritual beings.  Handwoven wedding rings have been used for centuries.  In fact, the first wedding rings in recorded history were woven hemp bands used by the Egyptians.  Today, when you purchase a handwoven or knotted wedding band made of precious metals, such as gold, silver, or platinum, you are buying a symbolic and timeless piece of jewelry that represents rich cultural history.

 

Another benefit to choosing a handwoven wedding ring is that while simple, it is also delicately detailed and more unique than a standard wedding band.  The tightly woven strands of gold create a chiaroscuro effect, or a contrast between light and shadow, allowing the piece itself to create the design, as opposed to engraved pattern.

 

Handwoven wedding bands are also very versatile.  You can select a handwoven wedding ring that incorporates more than one color of metal, such as gold and white gold, so it is sure to match everything in your jewelry collection.  You can even find a handwoven wedding band that uses three colors, yellow gold, white gold, and rose gold, such as this example here.

 

Contemporary Tri-Color Handwoven Wedding Band

Contemporary Tri-Color Handwoven Wedding Band

 

Handwoven rings are great choices for both men and women, and offer the bride and groom a way to tie the look of their rings together.  The woman can select a handwoven wedding band that is small and delicate, while the man’s wedding ring can we woven with heavier strands of gold, or in a wider band, giving him a more masculine wedding ring.

 

To create a handwoven ring, the strands of gold, platinum, or silver are heated to increase their pliability and allow the jeweler to bend them to the desired shape.  Metal working tools are used, but the jeweler must also have incredible hand strength in order to produce a well-made handwoven wedding ring.  After the metal is woven, the artist then fuses the ends together, creating a seamless and beautiful wedding ring.

 

Take a look at some of these beautiful examples of handwoven wedding rings.

 

 Two-Tone Handwoven Gold Wedding Band

Two-Tone Handwoven Gold Wedding Band

 Handwoven Gold Wedding Band

Handwoven Gold Wedding Band

 Handwoven Platinum Wedding Ring

Handwoven Platinum Wedding Ring

Tri-Color Handwoven Comfort Fit Wedding Band

Tri-Color Handwoven Comfort Fit Wedding Band

Two-Tone Handwoven Comfort Fit Wedding Band

Two-Tone Handwoven Comfort Fit Wedding Band

Trend: Yellow Gold Wedding Rings are Making a Comeback

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009

For the past decade and a half, the traditional look of yellow gold wedding rings has fallen out of favor, even shunned, and replaced by white metals like platinum, titanium, and white gold.  Today this sentiment is changing.  As reported by USA Today, the jewelry industry is seeing a dramatic increase in the requests for yellow gold wedding rings, chains, earrings, and watches, prompting them to increase their supply ratio from the typical 40% yellow gold to 60% white gold.  There are several reasons for this including, the changes in fashion, the changes in the economy, and the promotion of yellow gold by celebrity trendsetters.  Today, yellow gold wedding rings are a hot trend.

 

Fashion trends are ever changing, some say even volatile.  What may be popular one month is out the next.  While jewelry designers always consider fashion trends, because of the expense of a gold wedding ring or diamond solitaire, and the need for the piece to last a lifetime, wedding ring trends are a little more stable.  Lately vintage style weddings and wedding gowns have been very popular.  Warmer colors are in, like champagne wedding gowns and yellow flowers.  The look of a gold wedding ring matches perfectly with a champagne dress, which is why many brides are choosing the warmer toned metals.

 

The volatility of the dollar has made many Americans eager to invest in gold, and this could be prompting the yellow gold wedding ring trend, but also, many people down on their luck financially are exchanging gold jewelry for cash, and this has brought on a surge of available gold wedding rings and other items to the market.  With the high availability, the price of gold jewelry is better than it has been in years.  Also, online wedding ring and jewelry stores offer consumers discounts that brick and mortar stores can’t because of their lower overhead, so Internet technology has also helped spike the desire for yellow gold wedding bands.

 

The recent yellow gold trend has heated up first in Europe and continues to increase, but Americans love to follow celebrity style.  The rich warmth and shine of yellow gold has been seen all over the red carpet, surging the interest in gold wedding rings, long gold chains, and large gold earrings, here in the States.  Famous singers and actresses such as Jessica Simpson, Beyonce, J Lo, and Uma Thurman have all been spotted wearing a lot of yellow gold jewelry.

 

Yellow gold offers a warmth and luxury that white metals do not.  Carved gold wedding bands further the richness of the color, enhancing the look of your ring.  Take a look at some of these beautiful examples of hand carved gold wedding rings:

 

 Hand Engraved Wedding Band

Hand Engraved Wedding Band

 Hand-Engraved Wedding Ring

Hand-Engraved Wedding Ring

 Hand Engraved Wedding Band

Hand Engraved Wedding Band

Wedding Ring Trend: Antique Wedding Rings

Wednesday, December 9th, 2009

Weddings are not about the catering, the decorations, the champagne, the flowers, or the music. They are about loved ones celebrating the coming together of two people in love.  Your wedding ring will be the symbol of this ceremony, and this love, for the rest of your life.  Choosing a wedding ring that is special is very important., and selecting a beautiful antique wedding ring gives you a timeless and unique token of your commitment as well as an instant family heirloom that can be passed on for generations.

 

Antique wedding rings are more detailed than many modern styles, making them unique.  In the early 1900s, the oxyacetylene torch was invented and platinum became the most popular metal for antique wedding rings.  With this new technology, jewelery designers began thinking outside the box and created many very detailed pieces with scroll work, filigree, and floral designs. During World War Two, platinum was reserved for military use only, so white gold served as a reasonable alternative. If you would like a ring reminiscent of earlier years, take a look at these antique wedding bands pictured below.

 

This Renaissance style antique wedding ring is made from 14k white gold.  It would serve beautifly with an engagement ring solitaire, or switch your engagement ring to your other hand and wear them separately.

This Renaissance style antique wedding ring is made from 14k white gold. It would serve beautifully with an engagement ring solitaire, or switch your engagement ring to your other hand and wear them separately.

This antique wedding ring is made from 14k gold and would work great as an engagement ring, or an anniversary band.

This antique wedding ring is made from 14k gold and would work great as an engagement ring, or an anniversary band.

This is a beautiful antique wedding ring or anniversary ring in white or yellow gold with decorative milgrain.

This is a beautiful antique wedding ring, or anniversary ring, in white or yellow gold with decorative milgrain.

This antique wedding ring has openwork styling inspired by jewelry design from the turn of the 20th century.  The bezel set diamonds give it extra sparkle.

This antique wedding ring has openwork styling inspired by jewelry design from the turn of the 20th century. The bezel set diamonds give it extra sparkle.

This antique wedding ring or anniversary ring has a unique victorian floral pattern.

This antique wedding ring or anniversary ring has a unique Victorian inspired floral pattern.

This beautiful antique wedding ring is sure to make a statement.  It is offered in 14k white gold and features seven raised platforms that hold diamonds.

This beautiful antique wedding ring is sure to make a statement. It is offered in 14k white gold and features seven raised platforms that hold diamonds.

Hey Y’all! – Southern inspired Wedding Rings

Friday, December 4th, 2009

Ryan Adams was right when he sang, “all the sweetest winds they blow across the south.”  If you’re planning on tying the knot in a little white clapboard church in the beauty of the southern countryside, then you should have rings that reflect the sweet southern sentiment of your wedding.

 

It’s most important when picking out you and your spouse’s wedding bands to consider the theme or pace at which you both live your lives.  Couples that reside in our nation’s southern states tend to live their lives a little differently than in other regions of the country.  It could be the warm climate, the overwhelming amount of rocking chairs lying around or the ingrained sense of politeness that all southern families seem to have been lecturing to their kids about since birth.  All of these factors included, southern people seem to be a little happier, a heck of a lot friendlier and to a Yankee tourist’s chagrin, a whole lot slower paced.

 

Weddings held in the Deep South usually incorporate natural elements of the land along with more simplistic decorations.  Ceremonies often take place outside to utilize the surroundings, flowers are vibrant colors and often handpicked and the dress is typically a simple yet elegant dress, as opposed to the decadent gowns one might find in a more metropolitan setting.

 

The rings can often include these natural elements into their design.  A yellow gold band, for example, is most reminiscent of the warm glow of the southern sun.  Several different kinds of bands can incorporate floral patterns as well as leaf and berry molds and even weaved gold or diamond designs to represent the bends and curves of nature’s most inherent beauties.

 

Accent stones are a wonderful way to add the colors of the flowers used at your wedding, especially Gerbera Daisies which happen to be the most vibrant flowers in all of nature’s creations.

 

The key to picking out the best bands for the southern him and her is to keep them from being overcomplicated.  Too many stones will make the ring seem busy and showy and while that may work for the cosmopolitan couple always on the go go go, our more laid back twosome might appreciate one or two larger stones instead.

 

The three-stoned past, present and future rings are also an appropriate design for an engagement ring, as many southern folks put a lot of importance in remembering their roots.  “You can take a gal out of the country but you can never take the country out of the gal.”  Plus, southern debs are very close to their fathers, so if you men can please “daddy” by tipping your hat to the great job he did raising his little girl by buying a ring that acknowledges her heritage, then you will be in for a great future as a son-in-law.

 

Think easy-going, natural beauty and simple but elegant designs and you are well on your way to having the most knee-slappin’, heart thumpin’, country fried wedding around.  Yee haw ya’ll!

Stainless Steel Wedding Bands: Go “Green” for your Wedding

Thursday, December 3rd, 2009

Recently, pop singer and newly engaged celebrity, Beyonce, was trashed for wearing over sized gold earrings.  Not because they were visually over-the-top, but because there is a growing sentiment that gold is bad for the environment. This is not true for all gold, but much of the mining occurs in biologically rare places of the world, such as threatened rain forests.  Not only does the act of mining tear apart the wild life and landscape, hazardous materials, such as mercury can seep into the ground water poisoning local fish and inhabitants. If you have heard the anti-gold buzz, and want to keep your wedding environmentally friendly, you do have another option.  Why not consider buying stainless steel wedding rings?

 

There are many benefits to stainless steel wedding rings such as low cost, strength and durability, and stylistic options, but most people don’t realize that jewelry made from stainless steel is also less harmful to the environment than gold, sterling silver, platinum, and especially Tungsten.  This is due to many factors, the first of which is the materials used to manufacture the metal.

 

The base component is scrap iron, which is readily available, and not as rare as the precious metals.  Also, many manufacturers that make stainless steel used in your wedding ring use scrap metals, giving the final product about 70% pre-consumer recycled content.  In addition to much of the stainless steel manufactured being comprised of recycled content, the material is also very easily recycled, after it has served its purpose.  Not that I am presuming you will toss your stainless steel wedding bands into the recycle bin some day.

 

The manufacturing process of stainless steel has come a long way thanks to advancements in technology that reduce the strain on the environment. Stainless steel wedding bands have less embodied energy than rings made of other metals, especially Tungsten.  Embodied energy refers to the amount of energy it takes to produce something.  Stainless steel is relatively low on the scale, while because Tungsten requires intense heat to forge, special conditions and environmental precautions are necessary.  This intense heat helps make a Tungsten wedding band incredibly strong and durable, but this also means they use an incredible amount of energy in production.

 

There are many beautiful options for stainless steel wedding bands on the market.  They can be etched in unique patterns, designed with stones, and inlaid with rubber.  Take a look at some of these options below, and make your wedding a beautiful day for you while contributing to a healthier planet.

 

stainless steel 1

stainless steel 2

stainless 3

Engagement Ring Trend: The Sapphire

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Want an engagement ring that sets you apart from the rest of the brides-to-be?  Have you ever considered forgoing the standard diamond and creating a stunning setting with a Sapphire?  Many people commonly consider sapphires to be blue. Princess Diana wore a stunning Blue Sapphire in her engagement ring to Prince Charles, but these gemstones are also available in many colors.  Sapphires are found in enough color options to suit any taste including yellow, green, violet, purple, blue, pink, orange, black, brown and colorless.  Second on the hardness scale to diamonds, their strength, uniqueness, and beauty, make the Sapphire an incredible addition to an engagement ring.

 

Varieties of the Sapphire can be a bit confusing, so I will categorize them for you here. When the term “Sapphire” is used alone, it is usually considered to be in the blue range.  All other Sapphires are “Fancy Sapphires,” except for the red stone, which is the “ruby,” and the salmon colored stone, which is called “Padparadscha,” the Sinhalese word for lotus blossom.

 

Blue Sapphire: These stones are blue, ranging from violet to green tints.  The greener the tint, the lesser the quality. The most valuable Blue Sapphire is the Cornflower, or Kashmir sapphire.

 

Fancy Sapphire: These range from yellow, green, pink, orange, black, brown and colorless.  Often, the colorless Fancy Sapphire is substituted for the Diamond.

 

Ruby: This is essentially a red Sapphire, given its own name.  Rubies with a vivid and medium tone are considered to be the most valuable.

 

Padparadscha: The Padparadscha, a salmon colored stone, can fetch a higher price than even some of the best Blue Sapphires.  Rare and sought after, the gem was originally mined in Sri Lanka, but is now also found in Africa and Vietnam.

 

Star Sapphire:  This is a name given to Sapphires that contain an effect known as asterism.  This is the result of titanium dioxide impurities on the stone that gives the appearance of a star in certain reflected light.  Six point Star Sapphires are most common, but twelve points are also available, just more rare.

 

Color Change Sapphire: This rare Sapphire changes color between natural and artificial light, from blue to violet.

 

Now that you are armed with information on different Sapphire varieties, consider this stone for your engagement ring.  If you want something unique to symbolize your love and commitment, try thinking outside the box and design a custom wedding or engagement ring with the Sapphire color of your choice.  There are many options, and which ever you pick, you can be sure that it will be beautiful and unique.

 

Star Sapphire

Star Sapphire

Padparadscha

Padparadscha

Thanksgiving Themed Wedding Rings

Monday, November 30th, 2009

If you don’t quite want the heat and humidity of a summer wedding or the chill of December nuptials, then a fall wedding may be the perfect time of year for you to tie the knot.  Imagine incorporating the shades of fall into your flower arrangements and Bridal party colors as well as falling leaves and themes of family, love and thanks into your wedding rings.  The possibilities for inspiration are endless and since most couples choose to get married in June or July, a fall ceremony will be something completely different for you and a pleasant surprise for veteran wedding guests.

 

If you do in fact choose to take your vows around the holidays, there are a few other benefits to consider.  Most working families take off work for the holidays so odds of absentee guests greatly decrease.  It is more expensive to fly around days like Thanksgiving but chances are that most folks were planning on traveling anyway.  If you’re a bride that loves accessories, then give thanks for the cooler weather of fall!  Instead of engraved flasks and keychains as gifts for your Bridesmaids, consider wraps or shawls or even necklaces mirroring the fall theme used on your wedding bands.

 

Here are a few ideas to incorporate Fall’s many themes into your wedding band:

  1. Folks travel in great numbers near and far to see the leaves change colors in small towns all over New England.  Capture the spirit of falling leaves with engraved leaves on your bands or leaf inspired designs.
  2. November’s birthstones are Citrine Quartz or yellow Topaz.  Even if your birthday isn’t in November, these stones are said to have heightened powers throughout the entire month.  Other warm colored stones can also be a perfect way to represent fall skies, soulful food and a cozy family atmosphere.
  3. Thanksgiving is the season for giving thanks.  Catch the spirit and use symbols such as joined hands or interlocking weaved designs on your band.
  4. Past, present and future rings are also an interesting idea to use on a fall anniversary ring.  In keeping with the theme of giving thanks for all that has been, is and will be good in your life this particular ring is a great way to show appreciation for the life you share with your special loved one.

 

Whether early on or late in the season, a Fall wedding can be nothing short of a true celebration of the family you and your spouse are starting.  It can be a wonderful introduction to a new life filled with family, love and joy forever.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wedding Ring Trend – November Birthstones

Friday, November 27th, 2009

A great idea to personalize an engagement ring or wedding band is to accent your lonely diamonds with brilliant, colorful birthstones.

 

Whether you’re a casual horoscope reader or an astrological junkie, throughout history many have believed that certain gemstones carry special powers and that these powers are heightened during a corresponding month of the year.  Over time, these gems have become associated with the twelve signs of the Zodiac, to which it is believed that those born under a particular sign are influenced by it and its assigned characteristics.

 

November’s traditional birthstone can be represented by either Citrine or Topaz gemstones and is most commonly found in a glowing shade of yellow.

 

Citrine is one of the more rare forms of quartz and can range in color from the palest yellow to a darker amber color.  The name Citrine is a derivative of an old French term, “citrin,” meaning lemon, presumably referring to the stone’s sunny disposition.  Artisans of old often favored the warm color of quartz because they believed it enhanced the quality of gold jewelry and, like all forms of quartz, had magical powers and could ward off evil thoughts and snake venom (If only Harry Potter could’ve gotten his hands on a Citrine quartz!).  A gift of Citrine is typically thought to be symbolic for hope and strength.

 

Topaz, November’s alternative to Citrine quartz, is usually found in yellow but also exists in other colors including red, golden-brown, blue and pink.  Egyptians believed its golden color was cast specifically by the sun god Ra.  Like Citrine, Topaz was thought to have its own special powers and that this particular gem could calm tempers and give its wearer strength, much like Samson and his flowing locks of hair.  A gift of Topaz is a symbol of friendship and often thought to increase one’s capacity to give and receive love, an excellent stone for a wedding ring!

 

In regards to the stones representing particular Zodiac signs, November shares its days with both the Scorpio and Sagittarius signs.  In my amateur astrological research, it appears that despite their proximity on the calendar, these two signs are quite opposite of one another.

 

Scorpios, besides being weird desert creatures with deadly tails, are often described as passionate, intense, mysterious, deep and incredibly strong-willed.  Famous Scorpios include Lucille Ball, Marie Curie, Jonas Salk (no, not one of the Jonas brothers!), Ghandi and Bill Gates.

 

Sagittarius signs, besides being half man half horse, are often described as utterly optimistic, curious, creative and friendly.  Famous Sagittarians include Beethoven, Frank Sinatra, John F. Kennedy JR., Frank Sinatra and Joe DiMaggio.

 

In conclusion, you don’t have to believe in the magical powers of the stars or the mystical properties of stones to include one of November’s beauties on your ring.  Personally, yellow is my favorite color and if there is any truth to the power of sharing astrological signs, I don’t think I would mind being grouped in any category that includes Beethoven, Sinatra and Bill Gates!