For centuries, men and women have given rings to each other as a pledge of faith and undying love. Despite the fact that different cultures wear the rings on different fingers, the meaning behind these gifts is always the same. Our practice of wearing the rings on our third fingers stems from the belief of the Ancient Greeks that the "vein of love" connects to our heart from this finger.
Whether we believe in the "vein of love" or not, the perfect circle of a ring represents an infinite unity to which all marriages aspire. It is also our custom to adorn our engagement and wedding rings with the lustrous, durable diamond as a symbol of the beautiful, yet lasting qualities that we hope for in our marriage. For many years we were told that "diamonds are a girl's best friend," but in the 1990's many independent women are seeking alternative stones and metals other than gold and silver in their engagement rings and wedding bands that reflect individual tastes as opposed to time-honored traditions.
A wide variety of gemstones give greater flexibility in choosing colors and styles. Most popular among women are rubies, emeralds, and sapphires, but even more unusual stones are gaining popularity. Men tend to prefer blue sapphires or black onyx, in making a more neutral statement. Still, many couples are fond of the traditional look, and choose diamond rings to accentuate their commitment to traditional values.
Whichever gem you choose, there are a few characteristics that determine a stone's value to consider before picking out a specific stone. Known as "the Four C's," the cut, color, clarity, and carat weight indicate the quality of the stone.
Cut refers to the shaping and faceting of the stone. A good cut adds priceless beauty to your ring without added expense. A well-cut faceted stone will reflect light back evenly across its surface area when held face up. If areas appear dark, the stone is probably too deep and narrow. If the stone appears washed out and lifeless, it is probably too shallow and wide.
According to Virginia Paterson of James Locke Jewelers, cut is the most important factor in determining a stone's quality. "The stone's value depends upon what it will 'wear' like. A well-cut stone reflects light from the top of the stone, while a spread-cut stone reflects light from the back, and makes the grease and oil that collect behind any stone much more visible."
Many jewelers may try to sell you by the size of the stone instead of the cut. Paterson advises that you develop a trusting relationship with your jeweler, and make sure that he or she is knowledgeable about the cut of stones. Ask if there is an ideal-cut stone for you to measure your prospective purchase against. If they don't know what you are talking about, they aren't aware of the proper information they need to ensure you that theirs is a quality stone.
The characteristics of color that determine the quality in gemstones are different that those in diamonds. In gemstones you should look for a medium-toned, intense, clear, and saturated color. However, the best diamonds are colorless and disperse white light into a rainbow of colors. Still, these diamonds are very rare and expensive, so you would be better off opting for a diamond with a slight tint that is invisible to the naked eye. Clarity is determined by the presence or absence of inclusions, or tiny flaws. Most stones have inclusions, so you would do best to choose one with the least visible flaws. The stone's value is in this way dependent upon the number of inclusions, and those without any are extremely rare and much more expensive. Always examine diamonds free of any mounting, because often-times inclusions are hidden in this way.
Carat weight refers simply to the size of the stone. Carats are subdivided into 100 "points"--a fifty point diamond weighs one half of a carat. Choose a carat weight appropriate to your budget as well as your lifestyle. Bulky rings are inappropriate for really active people, but may suit others perfectly.
Once you have the perfect stone picked out, your next decision is what type of metal to mount it on. For engagement rings as well as wedding bands, platinum is making a big statement. Fused with gold or by itself, this metal offers an interesting new look without an outrageous price. Diamonds in platinum and gold settings are set off in a fresh way, and many bridal sets are becoming popular using this motif.
Whichever stone or metal you choose, you should always strive to attain "the Fifth C"--confidence in your jeweler. By shopping around and comparing notes, you can determine which jeweler has your desires as well as your budget in mind.
The symbolism enacted by the wedding ring has been around for ages, and will continue well into the next century. Update this age-old tradition by choosing stones and metals that reflect your personality, and this custom will never go out of style.
No comments:
Post a Comment