Men's Wedding Bands @ Jewel Info 4 U
By: Ms Nandita Ray
Men's wedding ring Facts
In most cultures when people marry
they not only have a ceremony to
seal the event but also don an
article to display their newly
acquired status. Different cultures
have different ways to exhibit
marriage. Some African tribes wear a
Labret; the Hindus wear vermilion on
their forehead or a Mangalsutra
around their neck while most
Christians prefer a wedding ring.
This is true for the bride.
 This
wearing of a wedding band is not
new. It has drifted down from
yesteryears when the ancient
Egyptians exchanged a never ending
band of love. A circle of love with
no end to the perfection and unity
between the two. The exchange of the
rings in a ceremony came down from
the Romans, where it symbolized a
public acceptance of the marriage
contract between the man and the
woman. This was adopted by the
Christians society and today
exchange of rings is a very
important part of the wedding
ceremony. In fact like the Romans,
people wear this wedding band on the
fourth finger believing that the
vein running along this finger goes
directly to the heart (not true) and
is affectionately called the 'love
vein'.
At first it was only the brides
who wore a wedding ring. They
started wearing a band only when the
World Wars started. With long
periods of separations perhaps even
death, men preferred to wear a band
as it kept his love close to him. It
also established his marital status.
Today it is purely a personal or
professional choice to wear the
ring. Some men wear it for special
events only and some do not. Couples
spend days to finalize their wedding
band. No longer is it made of
Egyptian reed but is made of the
choicest metals and gemstones in
attractive designs. Shopping at the
malls is not feasible since the
stores generally do not have more
than a hundred designs at one go.
Careful and diligent research based
on individual taste and consultation
with the partner and armed with all
the knowledge possible is one
confident to choose a band that one
will wear through out his life
time....hopefully! Before you head
off to buy a wedding ring there are
a few do's and don'ts that you
should keep in mind since its
overwhelming with the millions of
choices.
Wedding Band Buying TipsMost men's rings are a reflection
of his taste and style. No religious
custom is involved in choosing the
ring.Choose a ring appropriate to your
lifestyle, taste, personality and
physical build.
Would you like to match it with your
partner's? Then set bands are what
you are looking for, his and hers
band.
Do you work with your hand or can
you wear it to work daily? Some may
not prefer to wear it daily while
for some it might be risky to wear
the ring due to the rough conditions
they work in, like Steve Irwin the
famous animal environmentalist. He
said, "Its dangerous working with
wild life, there is always the
chance of getting any sort of
jewelry hooked up. Not only could I
put my life at risk but also the
animals we work to save." Some are
prohibited to wear any jewelry for
safety reasons not even a wedding
band.
Some like to wear the ring on
their neck and therefore delicate
and weave designs are not feasible.
Most men prefer simple flat bands
which are practical and masculine
looking. It makes them feel 'macho'
and which man doesn't want to feel
virile and potent!
Traditional gold band is the
classic choice.
Gold and silver bands are popular
but Titanium is in vogue and in
demand. The choice of the metal
depends on personal choice and the
pockets.
The choice of the metal depends
on your skin too. If you have an
overtly sensitive skin it is better
to go with the Titanium bands or
stainless steel ones.
Titanium is lightweight and is
good for men who are wearing jewelry
for the first time.
White gold is more subtle than rose
or yellow gold.
It is better to buy a comfort fit
so as to get used to the presence of
the ring easily. It also sits easy
on the finger. The width of the band
is measured in millimeters. Large
men wear 6-10mm while 3-6mm for
average height and weight.
The finger should be measured
carefully. Help should be taken from
the jeweler to get the finger
measured correctly. Measuring rings
called 'sizers' are used to find the
right fit. Pay attention to details
such as design, quality, details,
weight, metal, durability and
practicality. It should be something
that you can use with ease and feel
comfortable.
There might be other points that
you would like to take into account
also.
Men's Wedding band TypesVariety is the spice of life' so
think the craftsmen and designers of
jewelry who leave no stone unturned
to model rings of various shades and
pattern. The choice is humungous!
Visit a number of online boutiques
the maximum number of styles are
available.
Gold Wedding BandsThis is still a
popular choice, especially men with
a traditional bent of mind. The
classic gold band is, 'numero uno'.
A simple no frills attached gold
band, lies flat and if a 'comfort
fit' sits nicely and carries gravity
and a subdued elegance. The width
depends on choice. A medium width is
one to go with if you want the quiet
dignified look. Gold can be yellow,
rose color or white gold. White gold
is soft to the eye. Gold is durable
and doesn't require much care. A
little body wash and a gentle rub
with your fingers and its shine is
back. Gold sits easy with most skin.
There are a number of designs
engraved and gem fitted gold bands
also available in 9K, 14K and
18K.Gold with silver is quite
trendy. The Classic Tricolor wedding
bands also called Cartier or rolling
style band/ring is made from 3
interlocking bands of yellow gold,
white gold and rose gold. This is a
good choice if you don't have an
engagement ring. Classic Milligram
wedding band also called beaded or
granulated style is stylish. A shiny
metal band is held by two beaded
edges in yellow, white gold and
platinum. Gold bands in double or
two tones looks a class apart.
Combination of the colors depends
on the eye of the beholder. Rose
color sets off a striking contrast
with white gold or yellow gold with
white has a subdued effect. The
designs are varied, braided,
interlocking, wired look or Celtic
knots or Claddagh designs a host of
choices. The Classic Diamond
Eternity band in gold is a
traditional gift for celebrating an
important wedding anniversary. It's
a ring studded with diamonds all
over and has a personality of its
own. Get a solitaire diamond set on
your gold band or your birthstone.
For this you have to find a jeweler
who offers this service. Gold Bands
that resemble signet rings or
sporting an antique look or buying
an antique ring are the other
options. There are simple bands with
engravings, etchings and colored
enamels and also Gold bands with
patterns and studded with gems, the
choice is open.
Silver Wedding BandsSimple and
smart, popular, affordable, durable,
maintenance free/easy and very
workable in any situation. Either
you can go for the classic band with
tarnish free rhodium coated band or
select broad bands with etchings,
like a row of elephants or lions in
sterling silver. Slightly rounded
with high polish silver bands with
filigreed rims are classy or band
with yin and yang symbol all over in
a subdued tone is catchy too! Double
tone it with addition of gold in a
delicate design or the Claddagh ring
all made in silver, the hands and
the heart or have the heart in green
enamel and establish your Irish
heritage.
Get your band personalized or
have diamonds or colored gemstones
hammered into it. The dome rings
with onyx and red stone with
opposing scrolled dome setting or
the round Amethyst with open scroll
Dome are in vogue. The tapered
stardust Dome ring or the extra
large etched Dome ring complete with
high polish and puffed finish is
quite a booty. Two toned shrimp ring
in two tone or the Spinner rings
spell intrigue and excitement in
your wedded life as it expresses
your all rounded personality. The
ring features an outer band that
spins freely over the lower broader
band.
The antique look is also
dignified and very modish. Enameled
silver rings or just hearts floating
around the band or entwined braids
all highly polished are some neat
ideas. Hand woven rings frame cuff
ring with blackened weave in between
the two bands is beautiful. Silver
is neutral to most skin types and a
soft cloth and some hand washing
soap will bring the shine back to
the band.
Stainless SteelThis meant
for men who believe in tradition of
super strength, loyalty and grit,
all the characteristics exhibited by
steel. Get it in polished or matte
finish bands, simple and smart made
in the classic style. A comfort fit
band with just neat etchings around
the rim makes a stylish band which
will weather all storms or the satin
finish band circular and slightly
flat with oblong indentations or the
wave pattern enhanced by a gold
plated finish. Get a band which like
to converging lines and an empty
space holding a cubic zircon aloft,
glittering and shining. The Claddagh
motif engraved on a simple band with
satin finish. A ripple look or the
hammered in grunge look, if this
your style comes in a comfort fit
ring or the chiseled band with the
spear head design or the two tone
puzzle ring with high polish or
brushed finish makes a statement of
its own.
Also available is the Lion Head
Celtic Knot for the one with the
Irish temperament. If you want a
softer fit go for the band with
rubber insert and Roman numerals. If
your heart is set on the Claddagh
design that is available with the
entire etching smartly engraved. The
illusion band with diamond accent
with four zircons looks elegant. Go
for simplicity with power.
Platinum Wedding BandsPlatinum Bands are
quite expensive and a time honored
metal with an unmatched status. It
has a long life span if its purity
is 950 percent platinum. There is no
end to craftsmanship available in
form and fabrication of wedding
bands. Ranging from simple circular
bands to comfort fit or elaborate
patterns with diamonds or gemstone
of your choice everything is
possible to get. Famous Celtic knots
and braids, Claddagh hands holding
the heart with a crown on top, the
love ring is hand crafted and
available. Mix and match with gold
or knotted wire look or go for the
Eternity design. Platinum brushed
diamond band is flatter and the
diamonds are set a distance from
each other giving it a restraint
splendor. The wave pattern, the
shrimp look or the puzzle bands are
available.
Titanium BandsTitanium
Bands are the
latest trend is the use of Titanium.
Bought into prominence by Lockheed
when it built an aero plane with
this lightweight metal, this is made
up of 90% Titanium, 6% aluminum and
4% vanadium. Neutral to human body
it is also used in the medical
field. It is heat resistant, very
durable, light weight yet super
strong and makes excellent wedding
bands. Apart from the classic style,
the dome, semi dome or Channel style
there are various other designs and
in colors too. The color is produced
by careful oxidation. Colors
available on wedding bands are blue,
teal and magenta. The black rainbow
includes shades of blue and black
and grey with a hint of green
titanium ring. Diamond treated
titanium rings are a good buy since
they are coated with a diamond film.
This technology has been developed
by "Original Titanium Workshop" and
the process involves a cloud of
carbon atoms to be altered into
diamonds and permanently deposited
on the ring.
The Claddagh design is very
popular. Inlays in gold and silver
make a smart impression. Engraved or
sculpted Celtic designs or oriental
motifs, the yin yang designs are
made from aircraft grade Titanium
which is very durable and light
weight.
Gemstone wedding bandsGetting a
solitaire diamond wedding band is
cool as is getting your birthstone
gem along with your partner's stone
hammered into a simple band. Broad
comfort fit bands in gold and silver
make the color of sapphire, emerald,
ruby or turquoise even deeper while
the intricate designs, carved into
the band with smattering of
gemstones of your choice is a sure
hit. Some jewelers offer to put in
stones on selected rings. Diamond
wedding bands are expensive and need
care and careful handling since the
diamonds can get scratched or
damaged. If fitted into a slot or
depression the diamond might be
protected. A tantalizing variety is
available.
Claddagh Wedding bands:Coming from Ireland and taking its
name from the ancient fishing
village called Claddagh this ring
with its symbols and designs is
hugely popular in America. It
symbolizes undying love between
couples. The design is simple, two
hands encircling symbolizing love,
care and protection for each other.
Crafted in 1600's this ring is
handcrafted in Dublin and for 400
years has adorned the fingers of
many happily married couples.
Usually the thickness makes it a
little heavy like the pure gold
Claddagh ring which is 15mm tall and
4mm thick. The hands hold the heart
with a crown perched cheekily on
top. Some rings have a hollow
beneath the heart so that a stone
can be put in. The placement of the
heart and the finger on which it is
worn sends out particular signals.
There are Claddagh rings which have
3 Celtic symbols engraved on it.
Each entwined on the other like a
flowing rope chain of knots is
smart. Available in gold, platinum,
silver, steel and Titanium the
Claddagh ring is like buying
refinement at its best.
Celtic Wedding BandsDesigns gifted from Ireland once
again. Hugely popular especially
with those who are fond of history.
The Celtic woven wedding band is
handcrafted in Dublin. Its intricate
filigree design is taken from the
Ardagh Chalice discovered in1868.
The delicate wire design is
exquisite. The finish is clean and
poetic. This can be got in white
gold and yellow gold. The Celtic
cross comfort ring is based on the
early Christianity of the Celtic
clan. In 14K or 18K this design is
the circle. The Gaelic for love in
Ogham alphabet is engraved on this
ring or go for the words 'mo anam
cara' which is 'my soul friend'.
This is ancient Celtic alphabet
and dates back to 500 AD. The Celtic
shield wedding ring has Celtic knot
work both sides surrounded by beads
and ha an antique look. This pattern
has been taken from the Celtic
shield with the same knot work. The
Trinity Knot comfort ring symbolizes
the Holy Trinity. The new Grange Tri
spiral represents man, woman and the
child surrounded by the wonders of
nature as they weave their way
through life. Irish Celtic bands are
based on the Celtic belief of
Divinity that surrounds every mortal
and that love surpasses all.
Therefore these deigns make dream
wedding bands which are hauteur and
spectacular.
Designer wedding bandsIf you can afford it then go for a
one of a kind designer rings, like
the ones created by artisan Lee
Hensard in some innovative mix of
classic and modern styles. Each ring
is hand crafted and usually made
from Titanium and no two rings are
alike. His red and white polished
titanium boxer ring is made in red
which is baked Epoxy. Inside of the
ring is colored with red and carries
a simple red oblong dent like design
in the center. The Bumper ring is
fashioned in black with two rubber
'Bumpers' to give the ring a
comfortable fit. The Delay is green
baked Epoxy and has rounded cuts on
its side to give it a softer look.
The 'Mokume Gane' wedding rings
are a class apart. It is a Japanese
technique that involves overlapping
of precious metals and patterning
them. It is based on the ancient
Japanese technique of creating
Damascus steel which was used for
sword blades. 'Mokume Gane' means
wood grain. The Platinum ring which
has layers of platinum, subtle in
color and white Mokume has alternate
layers of platinum (light grey) 14K
palladium white gold and sterling
white layers. The Tri gold ring is
solid gold and made up of 14K rose
gold, 14K white gold and 18K yellow
gold. Color difference is very
subtle and the matte finish gives it
distinction. The Champagne ring is
14K white gold, 14K rose gold and
platinum making a strong contrast.
While the wine ring is made with 14K
rose and white gold with heavy
etching in the layers is very
interesting design.
Puzzle BandsCan be
used as wedding bands too. It can be
made with gold, silver or any other
metal. It can be set with diamonds
and gemstones. Many couples prefer
this band since it symbolizes the
trials and triumphs of wedded life
and the thought and effort required
to keep the flames of love and
friendship on.
This is just a short account of
the styles and designs available.
But it does not encompass all.
Ergo, diligent research is the buzz
word as you prepare for the longest
sentence (pun intended) of your life
time when you say "I do".
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