Wedding Jewelry - Selecting Engagement Rings and Wedding Rings on a Budget The engagement rings and wedding rings you select will serve as a lasting memory of your wedding day. As such, it’s important to shop around for your ideal long-lasting symbol of love, while also ensuring the jewelry selected falls within your wedding budget. Following are tips to consider when shopping for your wedding jewelry: Establish a budget. Throw out the rule about spending at least two months salary if you’re on a budget. Who invented that rule anyway? Probably the jewelry retailers. Select a style. Find a design you will be comfortable wearing every day for the rest of your life. Choose a ring that expresses your style and personality. Determine the metal. Although not necessary, some couples choose matching metals for their wedding bands and engagement ring. Consider which metals you wear regularly. Perhaps the bride wears more gold and the groom wears more silver, etc. The primary ring metal choices are yellow gold, white gold and platinum. Choose a traditional versus non-traditional gem. Some brides consider gems other than diamonds for their wedding rings. While softer stones can be beautiful, they aren’t always the best choice for an engagement or a wedding ring. Consider your daily activity. For instance, are you a person who does a lot of activity with your hands? If so, you may want to consider gems that are more resistant to abrasion. Following are a list of common stones and their hardness level: * Diamonds: 10 * Rubies: 9 * Sapphire: 9 * Emerald: 8 * Topaz: 8 * Aquamarine: 7.5 to 8 * Amethyst: 7 * Garnet: 6.5 to 7.5 * Opal: 6 As a rule of thumb, remember that the darker the color the more expensive the stone. Consider alternatives. Some adventurous couples are opting for wedding rings that will never be lost, being the tattooed wedding ring. This may be the choice for those with occupations where they use their hands a lot, such as doctors or mechanics. Tattooed wedding rings are generally less expensive although they will require an occasional touch-up. When shopping for wedding rings or an engagement ring, be sure to select rings that express your style and personality, however, it’s most important to find rings that meet your budgetary requirements. Remember, rings can always be upgraded down the road, such as on special anniversaries. Article Source

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