5 Tips For Wedding Ring Shopping By Lisa Gunther

Your wedding rings are symbols of your commitment and love.
You’re also going to be looking at them a lot and wearing them a
lot. Here are some tips for your search for wedding rings:

Tip #1: Don’t Delay. Start window shopping and browsing right
away. You might think you know what you want. But when you see
all the beautiful styles out there, you might change your mind.
You need some time to see what’s out there and decide on what
you really want. Once you have zeroed in on “the one” be sure to
visit it a couple times to make sure it feels right before you
go for the final purchase. Don’t buy the first ring you see. You
want to feel like you’ve looked around and you’re confident in
your final choice. No regrets.

Tip #2: How Much Can You Afford? The old rule of thumb for how
much a man would spend on an engagement ring used to be one
month of his salary. Many times the engagement ring was part of
a set that later joined together and became the bride’s wedding
band. Gold bands are very popular and inexpensive. Average price
is around $300. If you’re eyeing platinum, you’re looking at
more like $1000. Precious gemstones or diamonds will add quite a
bit. The main point is to discuss your budget with your future
spouse so that you both have the same expectations. The bride
may have high hopes for an expensive ring set that the groom
cannot afford. Remember, there’s always the 5 or 10 year
anniversary to get lots of diamonds if that’s what you require.

Tip #3: Think About Shape and Style. If you’re very active with
your hands, you might not want pointy edges or a center stone
that sticks out too far. It might get caught on clothing or get
damaged. You might go for a simple band or a center stone that
is recessed in. Stones and intricate designs will trap dirt and
you’ll be cleaning your ring every few days if you want to
maximize its sparkle. If you are allergic to some gold alloy
rings, you can consider platinum as it is hypoallergenic.
Simple, classic looks will stand the test of time. Unusual
gemstones or designs may go out of style quickly.

Tip #4: Look on the Inside. If you’re purchasing an 18K gold
ring, you’ll want to see 18K stamped somewhere on the inside of
your ring. Platinum rings are stamped PLAT. Designer rings also
usually have a manufacturer’s mark. This is a good sign that you
have a reputable jewelry manufacturer. If you’re considering
having the inside of your rings engraved, take a look at how
much room inside you have and how long of a message you can have
engraved. At the bare minimum go for the wedding date so you
don’t forget your anniversary!

Tip #5: Proper Sizing. Try to do your final ring fitting in the
afternoon. You want your body temperature to be normal. You
don’t want to be feeling cold or feel hot or sweaty. If you have
a ring with a simple band or an area where part of the band is
smooth, you can get it re-sized at a later date if you lose or
gain weight. The final weeks of any pregnancies will cause you
to retain water and you may even have to just take your wedding
ring off for a few weeks for comfort. Some specialty rings may
have diamonds or a design all the way around. The fitting for
this kind of ring is extremely critical. Usually, you would see
a sample ring, get fitted to a certain size, and then your
special ring gets made to this size. There is no wiggle room for
resizing.

Don’t be overwhelmed with the ring shopping. You’ll have many
fun afternoons with your beloved shopping, walking and talking.
This should be a fun, exciting time. Don’t get stressed. The
right ring will almost speak to you when you see it and you’ll
know it’s the one.

About the Author: Lisa Gunther is a personalized gift expert
and wedding consultant. Gunther Gifts,
http://www.gunthergifts.com, can help you with groomsmen gifts,
bridesmaid gifts, wedding favors, and all your personalized
gifts needs.

Source: http://www.isnare.com

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