Showing posts with label Celtic Wedding Rings. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Celtic Wedding Rings. Show all posts

Tuesday, 29 December 2009

Celtic Wedding Rings - Lasting Symbols of Love and Devotion

Considering a Celtic wedding rings set? Celtic wedding rings are a popular expression of love and devotion. Coupled with a rich history these engagement bands and ring sets carry the symbolic significance of an entire culture with them.

Celtic Ring Styles

Your Celtic wedding ring set can come in many styles. As is common, you can choose from amongst gold, white gold, platinum, or silver for your band. As a bride and groom wedding set, platinum and white gold tends to be more popular for Celtic sets, than it silver or yellow gold. The band engravings and Celtic embellishments add a symbolic significance that is instantly recognized.

Celtic Knots

Your ring set can have a variety of cultural knots that are associated with being "Celtic". You can choose between circular knot patterns that signify permanence or angular knots that have a cultural significance pointing towards a stable foundation. There are additional knot patterns that can be considered but these are the most popular for marriage rings because of their significance.

Diamonds and Gemstones

Diamonds and gemstones can also be included in Celtic wedding rings to increase their beauty and symbolism. Singular, featured, custom diamonds can be used for the bride's wedding ring, and it is also popular to include multiple diamonds bezzled in custom locations along the band. When catching the light, a quality diamond brings attention and creates a beauty that is unmatched by a wedding band set that goes without.

Where to Find The Perfect Celtic Wedding Ring Set

Celtic jewelry is very popular and can be found in most jewelry stores. Celtic bracelets, engagement ring sets, and anniversary rings and pendants are all typically found in your average jewelry store. This is well and good, but I would always recommend visiting or speaking with a custom design jewelry expert, as the breadth of their knowledge and ability can help you create the perfect Celtic wedding ring set for your most special occasion.

Thursday, 24 December 2009

Carved Wedding Rings

Carved wedding rings can convert a simple and traditional band into a work of art, quite literally. It has been popping up almost as long as the wedding ring itself. The Art Deco and Art Nouveau eras favored this type of rings, as did a little later in the 1950's and 60's. Further back in time, the Celts carved their wedding rings, as did the Romans. Luckily for us, latest technologies, including computer aided equipment means that nowadays, the carving can be extremely fine and intricate.

What's the Difference between Carved and Engraved Wedding Rings? Engraved wedding rings tend to have shallower embellishments that are more for texture or decoration. Carved rings tend to have much deeper patterns, and these can often involve the actual shape of the band. In fact, the carvings are so deep that they can be considered to be dimensional, not just surface decoration.

Popular Carved Wedding Ring Designs. These are extremely popular designs for carving. Other styles include Art Nouveau and Victorian inspired designs featuring leaves, scrolls, flowers and other natural objects such as wheat. Geometric designs can be used to great effect to either replicate the much admired Art Deco style, or contemporary designs.

Carved wedding rings can look absolutely sensational when incorporating various colored metals such as two tone. Other ideas are to have the deeper parts of the ring tinted or inlaid with other colored metals.

It can also incorporate precious gems and diamonds for even more visual impact.

Points To Consider When Selecting A Carved Wedding Ring. It may well wear over the years. The deeper the engraving initially, the longer it will take the wear to show. Some carving may need to be reworked after many years of wear. Wedding rings that have carvings involving the entire band may wear more noticeably than a carved wedding ring that only features work on the front.

Some metals may be more long wearing than others, while other metals are so hard, such as tungsten and titanium, they make carving almost impossible. Check with your jeweler as to what is going to be the best metal for your wedding ring requirements.

Conclusion

Carved wedding rings can be an excellent option for those seeking a unique or highly embellished wedding ring. Lovers of jewelry styles ranging from pagan to Celtic to Victorian to contemporary will all be able to find a carved wedding ring to suit their taste.

Friday, 4 December 2009

Celtic Jewelry Basics - Tying the Knot With Celtic Wedding Rings

Many of us dream of the perfect wedding. After all, this is truly one of the most significant events in our lives that mark a new beginning of a chapter that revolves around love, devotion, and commitment.

One of the aspects that can truly make or break a wedding event is the pair of rings to be exchanged during the ceremonial vows. Wedding rings are valuable because they symbolize the pledge for eternal love between two people.

Celtic rings are some of the most popular choices for wedding rings nowadays. This is due to the inherent beauty and great symbolism that Celtic wedding rings posses. Even people who do not have Irish heritage or those who have contemporary taste admire the exquisite splendor of these rings that resonate Irish culture and traditions.

Tying the knot with Celtic wedding rings starts with buying a pair. Because of the wide variety of choices in the market today, it is easy to get lost and dazed, and not know which pair to get for you and your beloved. To help you with your shopping endeavor, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

1.Choose a knot design. Knots are not simply for aesthetic purposes, they carry significance and meaning with their design. Circular knots represent eternity and permanence, an important representation of an everlasting love and marriage. Angular knots portray stability and foundation, two aspects that are crucial in any marriage.

Smooth and flowing design patterns are evocative of a couple's harmonious and comfortable relationship. Trinity knots carry the symbolism of ancient Celtic tradition, which are apt for those who want to imbibe cultural traditions and values into their married life.

2.Find a reputable jewelry store. Knowing where to buy Celtic wedding rings is another critical issue in this topic. You need to find a store that has an excellent artisanship, reliable customer service, and reasonable price. Ask recommendations from family and friends who have tried buying these pieces of jewelry. Do not forget to do a little background check on the store before buying from them.

3.Decide what metal to use. Some of your options include silver, white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Platinum is the heaviest, most durable, and most expensive among these metals. Yellow and white gold are both long lasting and flexible but the latter tends to tarnish in time. Silver is the cheapest and most flexible of the metals. It may also wear away over time.

4.Pick out a gemstone. If you want to splurge on your wedding ring, diamonds are a great way to do that. Not only are they very expensive, they are also elegant and stunning. If you are looking for a less costly deal, you can opt for rubies, emeralds or sapphires, which are also beautiful.

5.Fit the ring. Size matters so do not forget to ensure that the ring fits snugly into your ring finger. Make room for adjustments in your finger size by opting for a ring that has a resizable band.

After all the wedding merry-making is over, the only things left for you to remember the event by are photos, videos, and a pair of wedding rings that symbolize your great love for each other. So make sure you pick the right pair!

Thursday, 29 October 2009

Celtic Wedding Rings of Love

There is nothing more beautiful than two people celebrating their love through marriage. And a lot of couples choose Celtic wedding rings to solidify that love. They believe not only in its beauty but the symbolic meanings behind each design.

Celtic wedding rings are available in platinum, white gold, yellow gold and silver. Although the most expensive, many marrying couples prefer the platinum ring because it is the most durable. For those who can't afford platinum rings, white gold and yellow gold are the next best choice. They're not as expensive, and they're the next most durable ring. If budget is a bit tight, silver rings are the ones to choose. Don't worry, though, designs are not sacrificed and it will still be beautiful.

Marrying couples can also opt to have gemstones with their Celtic wedding rings. Diamonds, rubies and emeralds add more beauty to an already beautiful ring. These gemstones can be used in several ways, including as studs on the band of the ring or as one ring in the center.

When it comes to the design, there are many to choose from for Celtic wedding rings. And it usually differs with the knots used. Circular knots usually mean eternity and a life forever with each other. These are the most popular designs marrying couples choose for their rings. There are also angular knots available, and these rings symbolize stability and foundation.

Most knots represent life, mankind and even spirituality. Square knots, or shield knots, are meant to ward off evil spirits or bad intentions. Spirals signify rebirth or life cycles. The presence of man or animals on a Celtic wedding ring represents the relationship between man and nature or man and man.

Some favorite designs and knots for Celtic wedding rings include the Eternity Knot, the Trinity Knot, the Lover's Knot and Triskele. The Eternity Knot is any knot that has a closed path with no definite beginning and end. It symbolizes eternal life.

The Trinity Knot is a knot with three points connected into a triangle. Catholic and Celtic beliefs merged with the Trinity Knot. The knot represents the Holy Trinity, according to Catholic beliefs, and the Triple Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic belief. It symbolizes spiritual growth, eternal life and a love that never ends.

The Lover's Knot is any knot that connects what would otherwise be separate paths. The Josephine Knot, or Granny's Knot, can be considered a Lover's Knot. The Triskele has three interlocking spirals. These spirals could represent many things, including fertility, the phases of the moon, reincarnation and creation, preservation and destruction. The Triskele design is located at the center and surrounded with the couple's initials. It can also be seen as a symbol of commitment and eternity.

There are so many designs to choose for a Celtic wedding ring. The infinity band is a popular choice as it represents eternal and never-ending love for each other's partner. It has no beginning and no end and is available in silver, white gold, yellow gold and platinum. Its simple design also makes it an inexpensive choice, especially for the ones with a tight budget.

The Trinity Knot symbolizes perfection because it represents the Holy Trinity or the Triple Gods and Goddesses of the Celts. These rings can be dressed up with gold trims or be made as an inset ring to allow for resizing. The Trinity Knots can be placed all around the band or one by one around the band. The Celtic Knot has no beginning and no end and can be dressed up in a lot of ways. You can add yellow gold or white gold trim, add squares in between the knots or have the knots wrap around the entire band.

Who would have thought picking out Celtic wedding rings would require you to make so many choices? Still, it is worth the effort because it symbolizes a partnership and a lifelong commitment. So choosing the knot is important, and if it surrounds the entire band and has gold trims it will serve as a constant reminder of a couple's love for one another.

Wednesday, 21 October 2009

Celtic Wedding Rings - How Wide Should the Band Be?

Choosing the right Celtic wedding rings for you and your future husband or wife should be a joyful task. However, some questions may arise during the selection process.

One of the things you may be wondering about is exactly how wide the band, or bands, should be...

This very personal decision depends a great deal on a few key factors. For example, your body type should play a role in which Celtic wedding ring you select.

Those with petite or delicate builds will be flattered most by a ring that is also slender and delicate. Conversely, if you have a more solid build, you may find a wider band suits you best. Looking at your body type and choosing accordingly is a wise way to begin the search for the ideal ring.

Aside from body type, there are some other things you may want to consider. Current trends in jewelry design may also prompt your decision.

If you are looking for a interesting mixture of the ancient symbols of Celtic culture (spirals, knot work, Claddagh symbols) and modern style, you may want to go for a more individual ring with a touch of past and present built in to its design.

Sometimes, wider bands work best, as they provide a larger base for unique settings, stones, and scrollwork.

Slender bands provide the most traditional, classic look. They are usually combined with a central gemstone, such as emerald, diamond, or ruby, and some intricate interlace (knot work) to flank the solitaire stone and lend dimension.

Certain of today's Celtic wedding rings utilize two tones of gold to add visual interest, often in the form of borders in a contrasting precious metal. These bands are often wider, and they really do "pop" on the hand, drawing the eye. However, if you're interested in a slender band with yellow and white-gold details, you'll be pleased to note that plenty of these rings are available.

Rather than contrasting borders, they often rely on Celtic interlace (along the top of the ring) to provide more richness and ornate beauty.

Thin, medium, and wide bands all offer differing degrees of engraving, embossed symbols, and inlaid jewels. Taking the time to shop around and see what looks best to you is important. Luckily, there are a host of excellent choices in today's marketplace.

Be sure to look for a retailer who promises handcrafted quality and authenticity. Rings should be stamped (assayed) in Ireland itself for true heirloom quality that is guaranteed.

In general, learning to correlate body type to ring width is the best way to choose. But there are no rules. Finding a ring you love, which offers the special, enduring symbols of Celtic culture is the most important thing. Having the same passion for your choice that the master artisans of Ireland have for their time-honored craft will ensure that you can enjoy your wedding ring for a lifetime.

Thursday, 1 October 2009

Spring 2009 Jewelry Trends For Men

Who says that jewelry trends are just for the fashion savvy women? Many men have a keen interest in fashion trends and jewelry specifically, and this season's looks are sure to entice even the most fashion-cynical male. As we move out of a cold winter, men's trends are staying on a neutral color scheme, with clothing trending more toward shades of grey. Read on to find out what jewelry works with this hot spring look.One hot jewelry trend for men is I.D. bracelets. Nothing that resembles something you would see on a hospital patient or on a luggage tag-these bracelets are chic and stylish. Men can get their real name and information engraved on these beauties (available in silver, gold and white gold), or perhaps a favorite quote or song lyric. The possibilities are endless, and you will be seeing these on runways everywhere.For a while there, it was more fashionable for men to be wearing more understated pieces of jewelry, such as a simple thin necklace with no pendent. This year, spring has men's necklaces blooming in a big way. Although men's jewelry may never reach the epic, sometimes outlandish nature that women's necklaces can reach, the trend this spring is for larger, more colorful pendants for men.Designers have kept things tasteful and masculine, with simple chains featuring pendants like round, bold colored disks made from a solid gemstone or wood. Large crosses are also being spotted, some in the traditional simple Christian design while others are trending toward more ornate Celtic crosses.Earrings are also popular this spring, but the George Michael one earring was left behind in the 80's. A few years ago, it was common to see men wearing a simple stud earring in both ears. This trend hasn't necessarily faded away, as many men still sport this style, but what is hot this spring is two studs in one ear.Many women have multiple piercings in one ear, and now the trend is for men to have dual studs while leaving the other ear bare. The studs are being seen in very simple designs like small diamonds and even pearls. One model was even spotted wearing turquoise, which would be a lovely and bold compliment to the grey clothing trend that is being seen.For men who enjoy wearing rings, large chunky rings are very hot this spring. These rings look terrific stacked on top of one another, or as a standout piece when worn alone. They usually come in gold or silver, and have thick bands up to inch thick. Look for designs like skull and crossbones, barcodes and Celtic spirals. Wear them on your thumb for a unique look.Body piercings are also making a comeback, specifically facial piercings. While body piercing was once thought of as very taboo, many models this season have been seen with very simple and even elegant facial piercings. Small diamond nose rings are very en vogue right now, as are small silver lip rings. While the trend of having a small chin stud is fading, you can still make a bold statement with the nose or lip ring.If you are considering making the leap for this trend, make sure your employer has a policy that allows facial piercings, as no one should lose their job over fashion. If you run into someone on the street who's piercing you like, make sure and ask where they got their work done. Facial and any piercing can go awry if not done at a reputable shop, so make sure you do your research before you go under the needle.