Ruby Diamonds

Wedding rings are beautiful, timeless symbols of a couple's love. They come in many different styles from simple gold bands to custom designed diamond wedding rings. However, any style of wedding rings can be enhanced with the addition of an eternity ring or an anniversary ring.

Anniversary rings and eternity rings often look very similar; however an eternity ring can be given at any time while anniversary rings are usually given on the anniversary date of the wedding. Some people believe that anniversary rings should be given on special wedding anniversary dates such as the 10th or 15th anniversary.

It isn't necessary to find eternity or anniversary rings that completely match with the wedding rings. In reality most aren't sold as sets, however some bridal ring sets to have an optional anniversary or eternity ring that can be included or purchased later.

When wedding rings are ornate or very detailed, the eternity or anniversary rings can be rather elegant and simplistic in style. They are generally of the same color or type of metal as the wedding bands and rings, making a dramatic and beautiful presentation.

As with most types of rings, either wedding rings or other types, there are several different styles of eternity or anniversary rings. One of the most popular is called a half eternity ring which features a channel style setting of medium sized diamonds that are flush to the surface of the ring.

The benefit to the half eternity ring style is that it will match with any style of wedding rings since it is a rounded or flat band and will sit level with the other bands in the set. Since the diamonds don't protrude from the ring they are comfortable to wear and can be easily resized as needed.

While some women may elect to wear the eternity ring as a third ring with the wedding rings, it is also possible to replace the wedding band itself with the typically more ornate eternity or anniversary ring.

For those women that want to change the look of their wedding sets this substitution of the eternity or anniversary band with the wedding rings or wedding band is a great option. It gives the wedding rings a whole new look with a wonderful addition.

Holding diamonds onto the band of engagement rings is done by mountings or settings, which are part of the overall ring design. In most cases the most popular types of settings are prong settings, however there are many other types of settings that are just as effective and can really add to the overall appearance of any style of traditional or modern engagement rings.

Many engagement rings settings are designed specifically to maximize the amount of light that can enter the diamond both from the top as well as the sides. This light entering into the diamond causes the flashes in color that make diamonds such an appealing stone for engagement rings and other types of jewelry. Mountings also elevate the diamond above the band, providing more options for capturing light as the hand moves.

There are some solid types of mountings that also are designed to maximum the security of the diamond but also attract light. One such option is the bezel setting, very common on both antique and modern styles of engagement rings. Bezel settings are like a collar around the gem and can be full or half, depending on the style of the ring and the shape of the diamond.

For a flat surface for engagement rings or wedding bands the channel setting is very popular. This type of setting has a groove that runs through the center of the band, plus an additional slight groove off to the sides. Round or baguette style diamonds are inserted into the channel for a dazzling appearance. The small grooves on the sides of the channel hold the stones in place but also allow light to filter between and through the diamonds in the channel setting.

Another option on the channel setting or engagement rings is the bar channel. In this style each diamond is separated from others with a thin bar of metal, usually white gold or platinum. The light from the diamonds reflects off the metal rather than through other diamonds.

Ornate types of settings are called bead settings on engagement rings. Smaller or larger drops or beads of metal are engraved and styled to both add to the appearance of the ring but also secure the diamonds and other gems in place.

Invisible settings or mountings on engagement rings are also very popular since they are largely if not complete hidden by the stones themselves. Pave settings are largely invisible and are formed by drilling tiny holes into the band into which each individual diamond chip or stone is then placed. Small beading is then used to secure the diamonds.

Engagement rings with these unique types of settings are both beautiful as well as practical. With any type of engagement rings featuring any type of setting, routine checking of the mountings is always recommend so any loose settings can be immediately repaired.

There are many different metals to consider for the bands on wedding rings, both for men and for women. Historically metals such as yellow gold, white gold, silver and platinum were all that were used; now wedding rings offer many more options in single or dual types of metals.

Selecting a metal for wedding rings is similar to selecting metals for any other type of jewelry. Typically wedding rings for men or women should compliment the metals that they normally prefer to wear. Some people just prefer the color of yellow gold over silver colors; it is very much a personal preference option.

A newer metal used in wedding rings that is worth considering if you like the silver or muted colors is titanium. This metal can be easily used to create the traditional types of bands as well as the sculptured styles such as the Celtic style wedding rings.

For a really different appearance to wedding rings, titanium provides a highly reactive metal that can be selectively oxidized to produce a variety of colors. These colors range from reds to blues and are permanent within the metal of the ring. Wedding rings with oxidized titanium are very unique and very eye catching.

Other options for metals for wedding rings include the palladium, a relatively new durable metal that is lighter in weight than titanium. Palladium rings are not common but are quickly becoming very popular due to their spectacular finish and sheen.

The classics are hard to beat and white and yellow gold wedding rings will always be in style. These metals are often used in the two tone rings since the metals compliment each other. Diamonds many or may not be added to gold wedding bands.

Selecting the right type of gold in classic or new yellow gold bands is important depending on your lifestyle. The higher the purity of gold the softer the metal, resulting in the greater chance of scratches to the surface of the ring. For those that have very active lifestyles a lower gold purity such as a 14K ring will stay beautiful much longer.

For another traditional option the silver and white gold wedding rings are also classic and timeless. Since silver is a very soft, rich and brilliant metal it is often used in the intricate and sculpted types of wedding rings. However, like all other metals, silver is also easy to maintain, making it a good choice for wedding rings.

Not everyone wants weddings, engagement rings and wedding bands to be traditional. Often just a small twist on an old classic can take engagement rings in a completely new direction, making them unique and original without straying too far from the traditional. Brides that want a slightly different look for engagement rings that match their personal taste and style have lots of options to consider.

Even just a few years ago most engagement rings were sold as sets, already including both the bands and the diamonds. Now there are more jewelers that offer diamond engagement rings that allow the buyer to select the diamond for the setting, making each ring one of a kind.

There are different types of diamonds on the market today. Although people typically think of diamonds as dazzlingly brilliant clear stones, there are also colored diamonds as well. Pink, brown, yellow and even blue or green diamonds are possible. Many of the colored or fancy diamonds are enhanced through laboratory processes while the true deep colored diamonds are very rare and very expensive.

The color of the diamond can also be enhanced by the particular cut that is used. Cuts that have several different facets or sides are more likely to reflect light into the center of the diamond, creating the movement of light through the stones on engagement rings. This naturally draws the eye as well as adds depth to the gem.

Since the color of the diamond in engagement rings can be enhanced by the reflection of light by the cut, selecting the right cut is important. One of the newer favorites in diamond cuts is the emerald cut. This is a more rectangular shape with squared off corners and longer stepped type facets that reflect a lot of light into the center of the stone.

Although not a new cut, emerald cut diamonds are becoming very popular. The stepping along the sides of the diamond provides excellent light reflection. The shape makes these styles of engagement rings perfect for almost every style of band.

Three band engagement rings and wedding sets are also becoming very popular. With these styles all rings interlock with a wedding band and anniversary band fitting over and under the engagement ring. Using these types of styles means you don't have to focus on a huge diamond, the rings themselves add beauty to the set.

Not all modern engagement rings are brand new in design. Many of the antique and estate style engagement rings are very popular, both as new recreations and as heirloom pieces of well preserved jewelry.