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Putting the I in \"I Do\"
In love, as in marriage, our eager and instinctual quest for unity and harmony will sometimes, along the way, cause us to lose sight of our individuality. Marriage's many "we's," however, shouldn't eclipse who we are, but, rather, shed light on whom we've become. So when it comes to putting the "I" back in "I do," choosing a wedding ring that expresses our personality is an exciting place to start.
Since your wedding ring is perhaps the most important piece of jewelry you will ever own, and one which you will, hopefully, wear every day of your life, "you'll need to think about how your style might evolve over time and not choose anything...that you won't like 50 years from now," says jewelry and style expert Michael O'Connor. "You'll also need to choose a precious metal that will stand up to daily wear over those same 50 years, and, if you have gemstones in your wedding band, a metal that will hold them securely."
When it comes to choosing metals, platinum speaks to those seeking strength, durability and exclusivity. 30 times more rare than gold, this most precious of metals does not corrode or change color over time, which makes it ideal for engraved or patterned wedding bands. Unlike gold, which is usually alloyed to varying degrees (14K or 18K are the most common), platinum remains 90-95% pure, making it hypoallergenic. Gold's mixture with other metals, however, yields more color variety. Higher karat ratings will result in richer hues, but also softer metal. A high concentration of copper, for example, produces pink gold. Gold, then, is a good match for those who value warmth and color.
To further help determine which precious metal is right for you, take your engagement ring into consideration. Although ther
e is no rule that dictates that engagement rings and wedding bands should fit seamlessly, O'Connor believes "they should have some element in the design and makeup that makes them look like they belong together." "Most importantly," he says, "is that the metals of the two [rings] should match. Not only in the color, but [also in] the actual metal....A more durable metal like platinum might wear down another if it were to rub against it daily."
For a less traditional and more custom-built look, opting for a gem-set ring opens up a myriad of possibilities. Not only will the gem(s) you choose bear personal significance, but it may carry historical or mythical meaning as well. Pearls, for instance, were once believed to be the tears of dragons. According to O'Connor, "in the Victorian era, gemstones were often used to relay messages of love from the giver to the receiver. There are examples of jewelry...spelling out words like 'dear' [by setting a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby in the aforementioned order]."
Should your fiancé not share the romantic sensibilities of the Victorians, or perhaps find a gem-set band to be too feminine, don't despair. You are not marrying your identical twin, so wanting two different styles is perfectly understandable and acceptable. As the physical manifestation of a couple's union and commitment to one another, however, your wedding rings should compliment each other. "If she gets platinum, he should also get platinum," says O'Connor. "He can choose any style that might work for his aesthetic, however, what does it say about...the marriage...if she's wearing a precious metal and he's wearing steel, the same metal used for the kitchen sink?"
Ellen Fure
originally posted at www.chatterberries.com/fashion/articles/view/ps/2/id/54/category/All/subcategory/Wedding_Accessories/Putting_the_I_in_I_do
Since your wedding ring is perhaps the most important piece of jewelry you will ever own, and one which you will, hopefully, wear every day of your life, "you'll need to think about how your style might evolve over time and not choose anything...that you won't like 50 years from now," says jewelry and style expert Michael O'Connor. "You'll also need to choose a precious metal that will stand up to daily wear over those same 50 years, and, if you have gemstones in your wedding band, a metal that will hold them securely."
When it comes to choosing metals, platinum speaks to those seeking strength, durability and exclusivity. 30 times more rare than gold, this most precious of metals does not corrode or change color over time, which makes it ideal for engraved or patterned wedding bands. Unlike gold, which is usually alloyed to varying degrees (14K or 18K are the most common), platinum remains 90-95% pure, making it hypoallergenic. Gold's mixture with other metals, however, yields more color variety. Higher karat ratings will result in richer hues, but also softer metal. A high concentration of copper, for example, produces pink gold. Gold, then, is a good match for those who value warmth and color.
To further help determine which precious metal is right for you, take your engagement ring into consideration. Although ther
For a less traditional and more custom-built look, opting for a gem-set ring opens up a myriad of possibilities. Not only will the gem(s) you choose bear personal significance, but it may carry historical or mythical meaning as well. Pearls, for instance, were once believed to be the tears of dragons. According to O'Connor, "in the Victorian era, gemstones were often used to relay messages of love from the giver to the receiver. There are examples of jewelry...spelling out words like 'dear' [by setting a diamond, emerald, amethyst and ruby in the aforementioned order]."
Should your fiancé not share the romantic sensibilities of the Victorians, or perhaps find a gem-set band to be too feminine, don't despair. You are not marrying your identical twin, so wanting two different styles is perfectly understandable and acceptable. As the physical manifestation of a couple's union and commitment to one another, however, your wedding rings should compliment each other. "If she gets platinum, he should also get platinum," says O'Connor. "He can choose any style that might work for his aesthetic, however, what does it say about...the marriage...if she's wearing a precious metal and he's wearing steel, the same metal used for the kitchen sink?"
Ellen Fure
originally posted at www.chatterberries.com/fashion/articles/view/ps/2/id/54/category/All/subcategory/Wedding_Accessories/Putting_the_I_in_I_do
Tags & Keywords : marriage, engagement, diamond ring, platinum, engagement ring, wedding, style, jewelry