Whether you were married one month ago or you have been married for 30 years, nothing is worse than losing the wedding ring. Unfortunately, people lose this precious piece of jewelry all the time, which typically causes panic. While men may not look at the situation as being disastrous, women do. In fact, women become overly concerned if the ring lost is theirs or their husband’s ring.

Of course, if the wedding ring lost was expensive, perhaps an engagement ring with a large diamond, the problem is that replacing the ring would be costly. Unless the couple has insurance, it would take a long time to save enough money to buy the same ring or one of similar style and value. Now, instead of panicking if you lost your wedding ring, consider the following tips.

• Stop and think back to the last time you had the ring on your finger. Then, consider the place where you were and try to remember if the ring was removed for any reason. As an example, if you were in a restaurant and removed the ring to wash your hands, it might have been left by the sink. In this situation, hopefully, a Good Samaritan would turn it in to management.

• If you have some idea of where you were when the wedding ring was lost, you might consider putting an advertisement in the local paper and offering some type of reward.

• You could also contact the establishment, letting them know the ring was lost. In addition to them keeping an eye out for the ring, they might allow you to post a flier so if the ring were found, someone would contact you to let you know.

• Now, if the wedding ring was lost while playing a sport or participating in an outdoor activity and within a certain area, you could ask family and friends to help you look for it. It might be that you played softball and the ring is lying on the ground between one of the bases.

• Another option for finding a lost wedding ring would be to buy or rent a metal detector. Let us say you had been on a camping trip and you know the ring came off or was set down within the campsite. A metal detector would help you locate the ring much quicker and easier.

• Often, finding a lost wedding ring simply involves recreating time. People can usually narrow down locations and times when the ring was lost, which would make finding it more likely.

• You might also contact a club of people involved with detecting metals and ask for their help. After all, these people love using their metal detector so searching for a ring gives them the opportunity to put their skills to the test.

• Now, if all else fails, you have searched, used a metal detector, notified different stores and restaurants, and even put an advertisement in the paper but without luck, you may need to consider that the ring is lost forever and a new ring needs to be purchased.

• If you have homeowner or renter’s insurance, you can add a jewelry policy for less than $100 per year. For this small investment, you would have peace of mind should you ever find yourself in the position of losing your prized wedding ring.

One of the most romantic ways of showing love between two married people is the renewing of wedding vows. This practice has become increasingly popular with some couples going through a complete ceremony in a church with family and friends and others taking a lavish trip to Fuji or Hawaii with a ceremony on the beach. Regardless of the choice made, often, the couple will complete the renewal of vows with new wedding rings.

Look at a ceremony this way. Often, people will get married when young, which means they probably started out on a tight budget. Therefore, the original engagement and wedding rings were simple, although they are still cherished. This means when the couple decides to renew wedding vows later in life, they are likely financial stable. Exchanging new wedding rings is a great way of celebrating the leaner years spent together while making a new promise of more great years together.

While buying new wedding rings is not expected, it is a wonderful gesture. Couples renewing wedding vows make the decision to present each other with new rings for several reasons. For instance, the couple might have eloped and never had rings at all or as mentioned, it could be that the initial rings were simple and inexpensive. Then again, it is common for a married couple to renew vows for a marked anniversary. In this case, new rings seal the new “marriage” but the rings are also a great gift in recognition of the milestone met.

Usually, new wedding rings exchanged during a renewal ceremony are bigger and of better quality. Instead of the half-carat diamond engagement ring and simple gold band, the husband and wife decide to purchase something more elaborate. This could include a larger diamond for the engagement ring to replace the smaller stone and/or new bands, possibly different or better quality gold encrusted with small diamonds.

Of course, some couples choose to upgrade the band only, which might involve buying thicker bands, possibly those designed with new technology. Today, new methods of designing wedding bands have been created such as the Comfort Fit. With this, the inside of the band is rounded and smooth, which makes it more comfortable to wear whereas the older style bands have a straight line, causing the ring to cut into the finger.

The goal behind exchanging new wedding rings when renewing vows is for sentimental value. Even if the ring were better and more expensive, the occasion would mean more if the rings are given as a reminder that the two people have made a lifetime commitment to one another. This is why even a new band with a simple design should be cherished.

The truth is that men often do not place as much importance on new rings as what a woman does. That does not mean he does not appreciate the thought and sentiment behind the gesture but women love jewelry, especially diamonds. Therefore, having a larger stone to wear means something very special to most women. For this reason, if a man has no preference but the woman wants new rings to be a part of the renewal ceremony, the husband should honor his wife, showing her that the second marriage is just as important as the first.

Typically, a man will shop for an engagement ring at a local jewelry, which involves choosing from rings already designed. The positive aspect of this is that today, you can find virtually anything wanted. Premade rings are stunning and made with a variety of metals, diamond sizes and cuts, and other precious gemstones. While there is certainly nothing wrong with this process, if you want something more personal, you might consider building a diamond engagement ring, one you know she will love.

The primary benefits when you build a diamond engagement ring over buying one already designed is that you have the opportunity to create a ring that matches her personality best but this also allows you to present your fiancé with a ring unlike one worn by any other woman. In fact, the option of building an engagement ring has become quite popular and if done through the right company, it is no more expensive than the more traditional method.

In fact, building a diamond engagement ring for the woman you love is fun and exciting. Some men will go through the process alone while other times, both the man and woman will build the ring together. There is no wrong or right choice, simply what the two of you want. Building a ring together can actually be a great time of bonding, working as a team to create a symbolic piece of jewelry that would proudly be worn for life.

Although you might be able to build a diamond engagement ring that she will love by visiting any number of jewelry stores where you live, chances are you would have a much better selection and lower prices by shopping online. Today, several reputable companies have been established online, giving you the chance to choose each aspect of the ring simply by clicking buttons. When done, you would be able to see the final product and make adjustments if needed.

Additionally, some of the websites where you can build a diamond engagement ring provide a wealth of information so you are educated about different metals, diamond quality and cut, and much more. These companies usually have an expert gemologist on staff available to answer any questions and provide guidance if needed. Many people have concern about the quality of the ring coming from a store on the internet but in truth, if you go with a known company, the quality would be no different from what you would find at a local jewelry store.

To get started, you need to determine budget. You can certainly spend whatever amount wanted but a good rule of thumb is that engagement rings cost two months worth of salary. Therefore, if your gross pay were $5,000 for a two-month period, you would plan spending around $5,000. This is why men take time planning and putting money aside or even financing the ring. That way, they build a spectacular ring, one that the future bride would cherish. Of course, you can spend less or more and again, if you work with a good company building the ring, you would likely save.

We wanted to provide you with two websites in particular that offer the chance to build a diamond engagement ring, reputable companies that have been around for a long time and are known for selling only high quality diamonds and metals. However, these two are just two options so for more, you could conduct research through Google.com or Yahoo.com.

• www.novori.com
• www.bluenile.com

While there are several challenges that go along with an engagement and marriage, one of the first the future groom will face is determining his bride’s engagement ring size.

Obviously, looking at her hand and guessing simply will not work. Now, remember that most jewelers can take a ring and adjust it up or down a full size so if the incorrect size ring were purchased, it can be fixed. The downside is that once the woman is presented with her ring, she will not ever want to take it off so buying the appropriate size from the beginning would be best.

As you will discover, you have several viable means of determining the bride’s engagement ring size but if all else fails, you may need to break down and ask. Sure, surprising her with a ring that she loves and one that fits perfectly is the goal so hopefully, the following information will make the buying process a little less stressful.

• Place her hand in or against your hand, paying close attention to the size of her left hand index finger compared to yours. You could even massage her hand, which would give you the opportunity to feel the size of the finger.

• If the bride is a sound sleeper, you could slip a small piece of string around her finger while sleeping.

• While out some day just spending time together, walk into a costume jewelry store to purchase her an inexpensive ring. With that, you would know without doubt the size of engagement ring you need to buy.

• If you typically wear a ring, when in a playful mood, you could slip your ring on her finger, seeing how it fits, helping you judge as to the appropriate size of engagement ring.

• If the bride has a ring that she wears regularly, when she is not around, you could do one of two things. First, you could place the ring on one of your fingers to gain an understanding as to where it falls and two, you could place her ring on a piece of paper, tracing both inside and outside diameter, which could then be taken to the jewelry when choosing the engagement ring that you would present.

• You could also talk to her mother, sister, or best friends to see if they know the size ring that she wears. If they have no idea, perhaps they could assist in getting the information needed.

• Another method for determining the size engagement ring for your future bride would be to take her shopping. Rather than look at actual engagement rings, you could tell her that you are buying your mother a gift for her birthday or Mother’s Day, asking her to place several rings on her finger so you can get a visual of how the ring would look on your mom.

• While this is not exact science, often the size of a woman’s ring size for her left hand index finger is the same as her shoe size.

• Finally, if everything else fails, you could let her know that you plan buying her a ring, although you would not need to tell her when. This would allow you to just come out and ask her what size ring she wears so when you shop for engagement rings, there is no question.

The wedding ceremony is one of the most cherished times in a couple’s lives, a time of making a public and legal commitment to become husband and wife. While every ceremony is unique, they all share one aspect, the wedding ring exchange. Some couples prefer a small, informal wedding, which may involve going to the Justice of the Peace or a Las Vegas chapel while other couples want a lavish, formal affair involving hundreds of guests and churches decorated with beautiful flowers and ribbons.

Regards less of the couple’s preference, there will come a time for the wedding ring exchange, which involves the bride and groom giving each other a ring previously chosen, which is worn on the left hand index finger to show the world they are taken. Of course, most often the future bride is presented with an engagement ring, which could be months to years before the actual wedding.

Just before the start of the wedding, the bride moves the engagement ring to her right hand index finger. Once the wedding band is placed on her left hand index finger and at the conclusion of the ceremony, she would then move the engagement ring back to her left hand so it sits on top of the wedding band. History tells us that having the wedding band on the finger first puts it closest to the heart, a symbol of the couple’s love and union of marriage.

A traditional wedding starts with the processional, a time when the wedding party and bride walks down the aisle toward the groom and minister waiting at the front of the church. From there, the greeting takes place when the minister welcomes all the guests. Next comes the “statement of intention”, which confirms that the bride and groom want to become husband and wife at free will. Then, the wedding vows are exchanged, a time when both bride and groom share their promise of loving each other for life and living as a married couple.

After the vows are exchanged, there is the wedding ring exchange. One at a time, each person would repeat a statement offered by the minister and then gently slip the ring onto the left hand index finger. Usually, the man would go first, followed by the woman. Again, each wedding is unique but following a traditional ceremony, the exchange of rings would go along with the phrase “With this ring, I thee wed” or “With this ring, I offer my love and life”.

Once the couple has exchanged wedding rings, the minister pronounces them husband and wife and then introduces the newly married couple to the congregation as “Mr. and Mrs. …”. The couple then makes their way up the aisle, followed by the wedding party where they remain in the foyer to be greeted by guests offering congratulations. The reception begins, a time of celebrating with food and dance.

At one time, only the bride was presented with a wedding band but modern times involves both parties being given a ring. The type of ring exchanged depends on what the couple wants. Just as with the ceremony, some people prefer a simple gold band while others look for lavish bands encrusted with diamonds. There is no right or wrong since the focus is not on the ring itself but the symbolism behind the exchange of wedding rings.

Wedding rings are an important part of wedding ceremonies and as a result, you can find virtually any style wanted. While the wedding ring industry is worth billions of dollars, this simple band is also a cherished symbol of two people in love joining lives to become one. The history of wedding rings is not written in stone but there are several facts that have been documented throughout time.

Many experts and researchers believe the history of wedding rings dates back to medieval times when round fetters were worn, a symbol showing that a certain woman was the property of a certain man. However, other historians believe the presentation of the round fetter was more an act of friendship or good faith by people living during the cave dwelling era. We do know for sure that during the Shakespearean era, wedding rings were worn and inscribed with some type of sentimental message.

Now, as far as history of wedding rings and the placement on the left hand index finger, this custom dates back to a Grecian fable that tells a story of this particular finger having an artery that flows straight to the heart. While modern medicine tells us this is nothing but folklore, today wedding rings are still worn on the left hand index finger. However, in the Elizabethan era, wedding rings were actually worn on the thumb.

Archaeologists discovered unique hieroglyphics in Egyptian tombs of wedding rings, which were often depicted as being designed with semi-precious or precious gems. What makes this find so fascinating is that actual rings from the Roman Empire were unearthed, many that looked nothing like the hieroglyphics. In fact, many of the uncovered wedding rings were quite ugly.

History also shows us that the daughter of King Henry VIII, Princess Mary, was presented with a tiny wedding circlet during her wedding to King Francis I. At that time, the princess was just two years of age and her new husband only eight months old. Obviously, customs from the 16th century were quite different from what we see today but the symbolism of the wedding ring was much the same.

Sometime around 870, wedding rings became an important part of Christian weddings according to Hebrew customs taken from the Bible. At that time, bands were quite narrow and thin. However, the history of wedding bands shows us that these metal bands became wider and heavier over time, which represented a position of power and wealth by the couple and in fact, the wider and heavier the band, the more prominent the bride and groom.

The exchange of wedding rings between bride and groom soon took hold. We know that prior to World War II; the double ring ceremony involved only 15% of weddings but once war broke out, the number of couples exchanging rings increased to around 70%. Because of this, jewelers ran short of materials in 1944, simply unable to keep up with high demand.

Today, wedding rings are exchanged to symbolize a man and woman living two separate lives joining as a couple or one person, and the circle of the ring represents never-ending love. The history of wedding rings has evolved but this one piece of jewelry remains a constant reminder and public display that a person is legally spoken for. With thousands of design options, to include different metals and gems, especially diamonds, couples now have a way of expressing their own personality while symbolizing their marital commitment.

Getting married is an exciting time of life for a couple but also a time that involves significant planning. After the purchase of the engagement ring, the couple would need to choose the location of the wedding ceremony, decide on the wedding party, and buy invitations. To seal the marriage, the couple exchanges wedding bands and while this small piece of jewelry might seem straightforward, in truth, there are certain rules of etiquette that go along with the purchase of the engagement and wedding ring.

The following are just a few rules of wedding band etiquette that you can follow to make your special day better, more enjoyable, and less stressful. While some of the rules of etiquette might seem obvious, you would be amazed at how many people make wrong choices.

• Wedding bands should be a gift from one person to another, a special ring chosen with the future bride and/or groom in mind. Therefore, if one party had purchased wedding bands for a prior relationship that fell apart, the old set should never be used for the upcoming ceremony, no matter what.

• Traditionally, the man in the relationship picks out and pays for his fiancé’s engagement ring. While she might provide the correct ring size and give him some ideas as to preferred style, type of metal, and cut of the diamond, ultimately, the man makes the decision based on his budget.

• If the couple getting married is more contemporary, they may shop for the engagement and wedding rings together. However, the bride’s ring is considered the lead, meaning the couple generally chooses the man’s ring to match perfectly or simply a wedding ring that complements the style of the woman’s ring.

• Diamonds are in fact a woman’s best friend but today, engagement rings are designed with a variety of stones. Therefore, the engagement ring could be adorned solely with a diamond, it could have diamonds of several cuts, the ring might be made with a diamond and another precious gem, or the bride may prefer an engagement ring made without a diamond, choosing her favorite precious gem instead.

• Many women wear other rings and various pieces of jewelry along with the engagement ring so if she prefers white gold to yellow gold, the engagement ring should match her normal preference. If the bride to be has dainty hands, chances are she wears smaller pieces of jewelry so again, the engagement ring should not be too large or gaudy.

• Although many women fail to return an engagement ring if wedding plans fall through, proper etiquette states that the ring is a gift based on a promise of marriage so if the marriage never happens for whatever reason, the woman’s ring is to be returned to the man.

• In Western culture, the bride’s engagement ring is worn on her left hand index finger after being proposed to but during the wedding ceremony, she would move the ring to her right hand index finger. Once the wedding band is placed on her left hand, the engagement ring would then be returned to that same hand, sitting in front of the wedding ring. The best way to remember this is after becoming husband and wife, the woman wants the wedding band to be located nearest her heart.

• Sometimes, the man will present his fiancé with a family heirloom for an engagement ring but together, it would need to be determined if she would wear the ring for life or if it would be worn until their future child gets married, at which time the ring would be passed down to another generation.

• Although this is not done as often as it once was, a woman can present her new fiancé with a signet ring after receiving the engagement ring.

• For the wedding bands, generally the man pays for the woman’s engagement and wedding band whereas the woman pays for the man’s wedding band. However, some couples will purchase bands together but either way is acceptable.

Since wedding bands are worn for life, they need to look beautiful but also fit. Unfortunately, many people walk around every day with a wedding ring that fits improperly, causing irritation, reducing the overall appearance, and in some instances, putting a person at risk. For instance, if someone works with equipment, even small kitchen appliances and has a loose fitting wedding band, the ring could easily become caught on something, causing serious damage to the person’s finger.

When shopping for wedding bands, you obviously want the type of metal most appealing and perhaps even bands with beautiful diamonds but you need to make sure the bands fit. As you look around, you will discover that you have a choice of three primary types of bands to include the following:

Mfit Wedding Bands

The Mfit collection is actually unique, an innovative solution to the standard type of wedding band. Using a patented structure, bands are designed to put minimal pressure on the finger and skin, which makes for a luxurious look and feel. The Mfit technology can be applied to the inside of any wedding band, creating the highest level of comfort but without changing the appearance or structure of the ring.

The technology used for Mfit wedding bands was first introduced in 2003 and today, it has become a popular option for people around the world. With air release tunnels, the finger can breathe better. Other benefits include the low pressure points, easy on and off movement, elimination of dirt accumulation, and 100% comfort.

Comfort Fit Wedding Bands

Comfort Fit bands are specially designed so they are rounded on the inside. With this design, the ring slides on and off the finger easily but it also sits on the finger more comfortably. In fact, people that purchase a Comfort Fit wedding band agree that they forget they even have a ring on because it feels so natural.

Within the Comfort Fit band category, you have a number of options. For example, there is the “light Comfort Fit”, which is slightly rounded on the inside, the “heavy Comfort Fit”, a thicker type of ring, on the inside and the outside, and then there is the “regular Comfort Fit”, which falls in between the other two.

Rings known as Comfort Fit are also referred to as “internally round”. These rings are ideal for people that remove wedding bands often. Additionally, all of the Comfort Fit wedding bands actually have greater metal content so you would expect to pay a little more than over a standard fit ring.

Standard Fit Wedding Bands

Rings in the “standard fit” category are the traditional design that has been around for years. These wedding bands are made with a straight interior and without the additional metal dome. As a result, you have a comfortable fit but nothing like you would get with Comfort Fit or Mift rings.

Mfit, Comfort Fit, and standard fit wedding bands come in different metal options such as silver, gold (yellow and white), platinum, and titanium and of different karats, to include 10, 12, 14, and up. Therefore, we recommend that you try on the different types of wedding bands before buying, finding the one that feels best for your hand.

To a woman becoming engaged, nothing makes her happier than being presented with an engagement ring that contains a large diamond. Obviously, anything weighing one carat or more and of high quality is going to cost thousands of dollars so this type of purchase is a serious investment. Now, some people choose a large diamond but one of poor quality. As a result, the price is cut substantially. The debate is whether it is worth investing in a large diamond of quality or saving money on a large diamond of poor quality.

Well, quality is important when it comes to buying a diamond engagement ring. However, diamonds are rated on a variety of things such as cut, clarity, and color. In addition, every diamond has some type of flaw, some that are not relevant and some that are. The key is choosing the largest stone money can buy but without purchasing a ring with serious flaws. With knowledge, you might be able to purchase a large diamond engagement ring with insignificant flaws, meaning you get both size and quality.

Some diamond flaws are so small and insignificant that it would not matter. In this case, the diamond would still be considered quality, offering good clarity and color, as well as being structurally sound. In other words, flaws, also called inclusions, could be superficial or they could cause serious issues, from a structural and appearance standpoint. Think of flaws like fingerprints, with each diamond mined and cut having special features.

A flawless stone would cost tens, if not hundreds of thousand dollars whereas a large stone with minor flaws would be far more affordable. A serious flaw would create a dull stone that would be at risk of shattering whereas a minor flaw might still result in a gorgeous and strong diamond. The following are flaws commonly found in diamonds:

• Mineral/Crystal Flaws – Sometimes, diamonds have minerals or crystals imbedded. If small, they would not be seen with the naked eye but if the minerals and crystals are grouped, they could reduce the diamond’s clarity.

• Pinpoint Flaws – These dark or very small crystals can be standalone or in a group. If clustered, the diamond would appear cloudy and have low clarity.

• Laser Line Flaws – If lasers are used to remove other dark inclusions in a diamond, lines could be left behind, which creates a thread-like appearance on the surface that moves inward. Depending on the depth of the line, it may or may not cause structural problems with the diamond.

• Feather Flaws – Feathers are actual cracks that cause more distraction to the diamond’s appearance than structural weakness but if the feathers were deep, the diamond could shatter if dropped or bumped.

• Cleavage Flaws – This type of flaw is similar to feathers except the crack is in a straight line. Typically, small cleavage flaws cannot be seen but again, if they are deep in the diamond, risk of shattering is increased.

• Girdle Fringe Flaws – Also known as “bearding”, these hair-like lines can appear around the diamond’s girdle, which occurs while being cut. Usually, small bearding is no big deal but if the fringes are extensive, they would need to be polished out, or the diamond re-cut.

• Grain/Growth Line Flaws – These lines are the result of irregular crystallization during the period when then diamond is formed. If the grain or growth lines were colorless, the diamond would look fine but if they have color or they are grouped, the level of clarity would be greatly reduced.

When it comes time to shop for wedding rings, it is interesting to discover that typically, women will choose less expensive rings than men do. Of course, both the future husband and wife want the best ring for the money but if the man were to shop for the rings on his own, he would spend more money than if the two shopped together. Studies have been conducted on this very subject and the reasons are fascinating.

• One reason that men spend more money on wedding rings than women is that they usually do more research so they understand wedding rings better. Because of this, men realize that the better quality metal and stones may be more of an investment initially but that they also last longer and wear better. Therefore, men are more comfortable spending more money upfront than women are.

• Another reason that women usually choose less expensive wedding rings is due to modesty. Sure, there are women that have no problem shopping for the most expensive ring in the store. However, the majority of women want to follow the man’s lead, meaning they will look at rings priced lower than what a man would look at. Although the couple may eventually purchase a higher priced set, the women will start by looking at rings at the lower end of the spectrum.

• Then, men want to buy the most beautiful wedding set that money can buy. This is why some men will hold off on an engagement or wedding, which allows them time to save for a better purchase. Call it ego if you will, a man wants his future or current bride to have the biggest and brightest diamond on her hand so it is no surprise that he will spend more money.

The one thing that both men and women need to remember is that just because wedding rings are expensive does not make them high quality, just as inexpensive rings are not necessarily poor quality. For this reason, couples planning to be married should always shop for wedding rings through a reputable source and most importantly, shop around after doing homework.

The more a man and woman can learn about the different types and qualities of metals and stones, the better chance they have of purchasing a gorgeous set they both love but a set that will last throughout the marriage. Sometimes, high-end jewelry stores will have closeout or overstock sales, which would provide an opportunity to purchase something amazing but at a discounted price.

Now, if you are the woman becoming engaged or you are already engaged and your future husband wants to do the shopping, chances are if you were to allow him to make the choice, the wedding rings you end up with would be far better than what you imagined. Yes, many women do choose less expensive wedding rings than men do but this is actually quite natural. Therefore, if you can be patient, it might ultimately pay off.