How to Choose the Right Handcrafted Silver Rings for Your Finger

Handcrafted silver rings are a great way to express your personal style and individuality but choosing the one that is best for you can be a tough task. There are so many rings out there to choose from in an array of styles and sizes. But following these guidelines will make the process much easier and you'll be sporting some awesome silver handcrafted jewelry in no time.

Keep in mind how often you want to wear your handcrafted silver rings. If you want them for everyday wear, something with a more simple design might be best. If you're looking for a special occasion ring, feel free to go over the top with something intricate and maybe even with the gemstone of your choice. Silver rings can be found with every gemstone imaginable and still give the look of white gold or platinum without costing nearly as much money. You should also consider what setting you'll be in when you're wearing your rings. Perhaps a big cocktail ring isn't best for everyday wear at your office job. Maybe a simple, understated ring will get lost on a night out under dim lights.

The size of your fingers should also be a factor when you're selecting a silver ring. Those with petite fingers can easily choose smaller rings and they'll look great. But go too big and your hand will get overwhelmed. Those with larger fingers - whether it's width or length - might find that smaller rings disappear or don't stand out as much on their hands. If you have larger fingers and you're looking for a bold look, you might have to get rings that look massive. But once they get on your hand, they'll appear in proportion.

The most important thing to remember when selecting jewelry is that it's a matter of taste - your taste, more specifically. If there's a trend you don't particularly care for, don't feel the need to participate in it. Find something that you love, regardless of what might be hot at that time. You want to get pieces you'll love to wear often or for certain occasions. Jewelry lasts forever so choose wisely. It's not like a pair of shoes or a bag that you can toss to the back of your closet after a season. Jewelry is a timeless reflection of your individuality. And there are endless designs available. Just make sure you love what you buy!

Gold, Silver, and Platinum - All About Wedding Jewelry Precious Metals

When you begin shopping for your wedding jewelry, the choices can be overwhelming. Not only are there numerous options, but you want your engagement ring, wedding band, and bridal jewelry sets to have a cohesive style. To get you started, take a look at this guide which explains the differences between all the different types of wedding jewelry metals, including gold, platinum, and silver.

Gold has been a traditional material for wedding jewelry for thousands of years. Malleable enough to fashion into decorative designs, durable enough to last for generations, gold has been one of the most revered precious metals since ancient times. Gleaming yellow gold will add a rich luster to your wedding jewelry. 24kt (pure gold) is considered to be too soft for jewelry like rings, so it is usually alloyed for strength and sometimes for color. 18kt gold (75% gold with 25% alloys) is the standard in Europe and is preferred by American fine jewelers for its higher gold content and richer color. 14kt gold is 14 out of 24 parts pure gold, and is popular for couples who like the beautiful color of gold but are looking to save a little bit on price.

White gold and rose gold are created when an alloy is added to yellow gold to change the color. Many people confuse white gold with platinum, but there are some differences. Platinum will have the purest and brightest white color, since unlike white gold, that it its natural color. White gold is also a bit softer than platinum, although it can still be quite durable. Most people choose white gold over platinum because it is considerably less expensive. Look for white gold wedding bands which have been rhodium finished to give them a brighter white appearance. The process may need to be repeated from time to time, but will definitely improve the look of the metal. Brides and grooms with sensitive skin should take care to select white gold wedding jewelry which is not alloyed with nickel, which can be very allergenic. Look for palladium alloys instead.

Brides who want the strongest and most valuable precious metal for their bridal jewelry turn to platinum. Very dense and strong, the brilliant white metal is ideal for securing diamonds. Due to its strength, it is common for even yellow gold engagement rings to have platinum prongs holding the diamond. It is also naturally hypo-allergenic, making it a good choice for wedding bands for men and women with sensitive skin. Platinum is popular for both modern and vintage inspired jewelry designs. The major drawback of platinum is its high price.

Silver is a very popular metal for bridal jewelry sets as well as bridesmaid jewelry. The white metal makes an excellent coordinate to a white gold or platinum engagement ring, but is also highly affordable. The malleability of silver makes it wonderful for jewelers to use when creating handcrafted sets of bridal jewelry. Silver is often used as the metal of choice for wedding jewelry sets featuring freshwater pearls and Swarovski crystals.

Newer to the fine jewelry scene are metals such as titanium and palladium. The chief appeal of titanium is that it combines strength with lightness. It does not however, offer the same radiance of platinum, silver, or white gold, and titanium rings can be problematic to cut off in case of emergency. Palladium is a member of the platinum family, and until recently was primarily used as an alloy. It shares the same whiteness as platinum, but can be prone to discoloration when soldered, making it more difficult to use for jewelry. With so many beautiful options, the bride and groom can be sure that they will be able to find the perfect jewelry for their wedding.