The occasion of a lifetime means differently to all of us, yet, we all crave to make that special moment even better. And what could be better than offering a premium engagement rings to your beloved. This is the time when two souls commingle for lifetime and thus, a diamond engagement ring suits the occasion.

Things to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring

Obviously, the factors include personal taste, lifestyle, and possible family traditions, but the most important consideration may be price. Only a few lucky people can afford the role models of the rich and famous and declare that they have no money when buying an engagement ring.

For those lucky enough to own a family heirloom engagement ring or long-standing piece of family jewelry, choosing an engagement ring is a fairly simple process. You can choose to remake the ring, but many people choose to present the ring to the fiancee in its original form. In this way, they will continue a long tradition.

If you are looking for a historic engagement ring, but your family does not have a family heirloom, you may want to go for an antique engagement ring. We have a great article on tips and pitfalls to avoid when choosing an antique engagement ring. Women can dream of a 2-carat diamond and an emerald engagement ring, such as a 3.5-carat diamond, surrounded by 21 smaller diamonds, but in fact, most women will be satisfied with the ring they choose with love.

Choosing such a beautiful engagement ring is sure to please even the most demanding woman. David and sons jewelers (davidandsonsjewelers.com) is the best place to look for artisan-designed engagement rings. So how do you strike a balance between choosing the ring for your fiancee to get married?

Etiquette experts recommend spending two hours a day, dressing cheerfully, lovingly, and proudly, and overspending, which will put your budget in crisis. Overload your stress level.  Of course, if you can afford more, there won’t be too many women arguing with you!

We have provided a helpful article on how to find the perfect affordable engagement ring. We make sure that you can find what you are looking for at the right price, you probably have the same goals and values, or you do not plan to join your life, so it should not be too difficult to spend on the ring Money reached a consensus.

Some couples consider jewelry an investment and choose the best gemstones that they will appreciate. Others don’t care much about intrinsic value, but will choose bold ways to express their taste and fashion style.

Once you’ve determined the price range, where is the next buying decision? Local jewelry or the online jewelry? Personalized service or the convenience and variety offered online? It is up to you and your fiancee. Shopping online can be as simple or romantic as you like. You can make a quick decision before rushing to work, or you can order a delicious candlelight dinner at home, choose your ring online, and celebrate with champagne and red roses to mark the day.

We found an ideal place to start shopping for engagement rings online at David and Sons Jewelers. There are various styles, gems, and prices for you to choose from, so have fun! For other good places for engagement rings, we recommend that you visit the guide to the best online engagement ring stores. We conducted research and found a list of the best quality, best value jewelry online. Bend your knees and make a ring your girl has never seen before. It sounds like a romantic gesture, but usually, in reality, the wise man will let his future wife participate in the selection. Express respect and consideration for her opinions, so she will love you even more.

The post Things to Consider When Buying an Engagement Ring appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

1. Sterling Silver

Do not wear unhealed body piercing sterling silver jewelry. Sterling silver is composed of silver 92.5 percent and another element 7.5 percent, usually copper. Although copper allows the silver more robust, interacting with your skin is also more possible. Thanks to the softness of sterling silver to attack, nicks in the jewels are a breeding ground for bacteria. Once it comes into contact with body tissues and fluids, sterling oxidizes. Tarnish is not what you want in an open wound.

2. Costume Jewelry

With unhealed piercings stop all types of costume jewelry as this jewelry typically includes large amounts of nickel. Some costume jewelry has even said to contain lead in recent years, which would be dangerous for you to wear in any jewelry, particularly in new piercings. California prosecuted many major retailers in 2004 for not reporting that there was the lead in the products on their racks.

3. Plated Gold

Although it may be beautiful plated gold jewelry, it is not very robust. The plating may rub off and cause irritation or damage to the underlying metal. Gold-filled jewelry has a gold coat much thicker than gold-plated piercing jewelry, and it should not be used. A deep scratch might expose the metal below and provide bacteria with a home.

4. High Karat or Low Karat Pure Gold

Many piercing jewelry experts recommend avoiding pure gold jewels, but others believe that for unhealed body piercings, 14 K and 18 K gold are perfect. Note that— real gold is 24 karat gold. It’s very soft, making nicks more likely to trap germs. 24 K gold is not the right candidate for modern piercings because of this. Ten gold karats are less pure and have more alloys. The lower the grade of karat, the more “other” metals are in the blend, mostly nickel, palladium, or copper, which can trigger an unhealed penetrating reaction.

5. Bone, Wood, and Other Absorbent Jewelry

Stick with natural metals for now and avoid bone and wood jewelry— and any other body jewelry made of absorbent or non-smooth content — until the piercings are okay entirely. And even then, see how they respond with your skin— for short periods, certain people can only wear the type of body jewelry.

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There are various kinds of jewelry with distinct color shades available in the market. Therefore, one must know what kind of jewelry goes with what kind of outfit for an enhanced look. This is the key to accentuating one’s attire for an attractive appearance.

One should know the kind of jewelry as an accessory to wear and exactly how they should be worn. Just enough number of jewelry should be worn for any given attire in order to achieve a cohesive look. The first important factor to consider is the materials the jewelry is made of. This means that the jewelry should not just match the outfit but also each other. For instance, gold jewelry cannot be mixed with those made of glass.

One does not necessarily have to wear jewelry of a similar color as that of their outfit but one that is complementary is just enough. For instance, a blue dress would blend perfectly well with blue jewelry but wearing the same with gold or diamond jewelry such as necklaces, earrings, bangles or even rings would look just perfect. It is also important for every piece of jewelry worn to match each other so that the wearer can look great generally.

For a look with a more personalized touch, one can wear customized jewelry that features the name or picture of either the wearer or even that of a loved one. It can also feature the picture of a place that is really loved by the wearer. When wearing a necklace, one should note that the farthest it should go is the collarbone line unless it is those long ones with beads that are meant to go past the neckline of the top one is wearing.

Another important aspect of wearing any kind of jewelry as an accessory is to test them in order to ensure that the wearer is comfortable in them. This ensures that they do not have to remove the jewelry when they are at the important event they intend to attend.

Mixing formal jewelry with a casual outfit or vice versa is a sure way of getting an attractive look. For instance, a women wearing a casual outfit such as a T-shirt and jeans trouser, can go for the formal pearls and LYR Design jewelry. This is quite elegant but pairing this with a pair of sexy heels takes the look to the next level, making the woman look hot!

The post Jewelry as an Accessory for Accentuating Outfits appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Anklets, also known as ankle strings, ankle bracelets, or ankle chains, are a type of jewelry designed to be worn around a person’s ankle. For more than 8,000 years now, women and girls in South Asia have been adorning their bodies with the ornaments, and Egyptian women first started wearing them in pre-dynastic times. It wasn’t until the 1930s, however, that ladies in the United States started wearing this style of jewelry, and today men and women alike are known to choose this accessory for everyday wear or when dressing up for an event.

Anklets Today

Anklets currently come in many styles and designs. From tiny golden anklets to ones made of leather or nylon, every person will find one they love. In fact, some are created using beads or shells, and silver and plastic versions are also available. These cute anklets have become the favorite of many who love to mix and match styles.

When Were Anklets First Worn?

While excavating Sumerian tombs or those from the cradle of civilization, archeologists came across ankle bracelets that were more than 4,500 years old. Ancient Egyptian women wore anklets to inform others of their social status and wealth. Those who were plebeians or a slave favored metallic, shell or leather anklets. In contrast, women with a rich husband chose anklets of gold or silver or those with precious stones.

However, Ancient India is where the anklets really took hold and became a commonplace item in the culture. Women in this region used the ankle bracelets for many purposes. Some opted to wear them simply as a body ornament, and others used the ankle string to inform people of her marital status. Dancers placed flexible chains around their ankles, and these items were known as Payal. Some ankle chains featured charms or trinkets that would tinkle when the woman danced. Today, many Arabian belly dancers wear jewelry of this type when dancing.

Indian women continue to wear ankle chains. They are an integral part of the bridal ensemble in this country and are combined with a traditional saree and precious jewelry on a woman’s big day. However, there are other uses for the ankle bracelet that many may be unaware of.

In southeast Asia and the Middle East, ankle bracelets were used to encourage women to engage in the short tripping step. Anklets would be placed on both ankles and joined with a chain. This would lead the woman to walk with a graceful gait and show her femininity.

Left or Right? Which Ankle Should the Jewelry Be Worn On?

Truly, it does not matter which ankle a person chooses to wear the jewelry on, although some do worry about etiquette when it comes to this adornment. Some believe that a woman wearing an anklet on the right ankle is a call girl. However, others believe wearing the anklet on the left side of the body is evil, as the left side in Christianity is often referred to as a symbol of the devil. Wearing the bracelet on the right side is considered by some as a sign the wearer is non-traditional in terms of sexual orientation. While people need to be aware of these beliefs, a person should wear the ankle chain on the ankle he or she prefers. Most people aren’t aware of these different beliefs and don’t stop to consider why the man or woman chose one ankle over the other for wearing their ankle bracelet.

Anklet Types

Golden anklets are considered to be a luxury item. This is especially true when the ankle bracelet features precious stones, and people will find both single and double-chain versions of this item. Mature women often select this type of ankle bracelet and wear jewelry for special occasions. This type of ankle chain, on the other hand, is not commonly seen in more casual settings.

Silver anklets, in contrast, are ideal for a day out with friends and young women often choose this style. The ankle chain works well with many types of footwear, including high heel sandals, flats, and even bare feet. Those who love ethnic or bohemian styles often turn to anklets with beads and these styles go well with flip-flops or sandals.

Barefoot anklets remain popular in India and women around the world are choosing to invest in this jewelry today. This type of ankle bracelet features a bracelet that rings the ankle before stretching across the bridge of the foot to a toe ring. The anklet mimics a barefoot sandal but does not include the sole and are often seen on America’s beaches.

Charm anklets are extremely popular right now, due in part to the charm craze that has swept the nation. A charm anklet is a perfect place to hold these trinkets and show off one’s personality. It’s also a great way to expand one’s charm collection without the need for numerous bracelets on the arm.

Rules for Wearing Anklets

Make certain the anklet fits in with the rest of the wardrobe. A woman who tends to dress in conservative clothing, for example, will likely find the ankle bracelet doesn’t look right with the majority of her outfits.

Choose a mini dress or skirt to pair with the ankle chain. Casual shorts, cuffed jeans, and leggings are other good options. However, the anklet should never be worn with bottoms that cover the ankle zone. It will look out of place when paired with this type of bottom covering.

Have a pedicure before donning an ankle chain. The anklet draws attention to the feet and nobody wants to have ungroomed feet when this is the case. The pedicure ensures this is not an issue.

Thin feet look best with delicate ankle bracelets. For those with thick ankles, choose an ankle string with medium-sized trinkets to make the feet look slimmer.

Anklets are hot this summer. If you have yet to try this fashion accessory, do so today. You may find it is exactly what you need to round out your wardrobe and leave you looking and feeling your best every day.

The post Explained: What is an Anklet, Why Wear One, and the Rules of Wearing One? appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Second, dіѕсоvеr guidelineѕ fоr ѕеlесtіng the right nесklасе lеngth fоr уоur specific neck, height, face аnd bоdу tуре. And third, lеаrn how tо fіnd and purchase the реrfесt nесklасе length оn fоlѕоmѕhор.

Tips for buying a designer neck-piece

Collar

Cоllаrѕ are 12 tо 14 іnсhеѕ, with multiple strands that sit vеrу сlоѕе tо the nесk. Thеу’rе рорulаr at more еlеgаnt occasions аnd lооk bеѕt with V-nесk, bоаt оr ballet nесk аnd off-the-shoulder necklines.  17 to 19 inches, a рrіnсеѕѕ nесklасе hаngѕ just below the соllаrbоnе.

If уоu also hаvе a ѕlеndеr nесk, a collar ѕtуlе necklace wіll ѕhоw іt оff nісеlу.

Choker

15 tо 16 іnсhеѕ in lеngth, a сhоkеr саn be single оr multi-stranded.

Chokers аrе реrfесt if уоu want a ѕhоrt nесklасе wіthоut being tоо ѕnug аrоund the neck.

Thеу work wеll with mаnу fоrmаl dresses, but іt dереndѕ оn what theу’re made of: ѕіlvеr оr gоld looks сlаѕѕіс, while соrd or lеаthеr lооkѕ grungy at hіgh-fаѕhіоn еvеntѕ.

Chokers аlѕо hеlр bаlаnсе a rесtаnglе оr hеаrt-ѕhареd face bу ѕоftеnіng аn аngulаr chin.

Fасtоrѕ tо Consider Bеfоrе Buуіng Short Necklaces

 Dереndіng on уоur nесk ѕіzе, 10- tо 14-іnсh nесklасеѕ wrap vеrу сlоѕеlу аrоund the nесk. Thеѕе nесklасеѕ mау аlѕо be rеfеrrеd to as соllаr necklaces. If you wаnt уоur nесklасе to sit at the neck, but wіth a lооѕеr fіt, соnѕіdеr purchasing a 16-іnсh nесklасе, which typically ѕіtѕ just above the соllаrbоnе. Sіxtееn-іnсh nесklасеѕ are ѕоmеtіmеѕ rеfеrrеd to as сhоkеrѕ, chains, lockets, or ѕtrаndѕ.

Eighteen-inch necklaces ѕіt аt the соllаrbоnе. Evеn though 18-inch nесklасеѕ аrе lоngеr than tурісаl соllаrѕ оr сhоkеrѕ, they will ѕtіll appear to ѕіt ԛuіtе close to the nесk. Pеndаntѕ аttасhеd tо 18-inch nесklасеѕ will tурісаllу lіе аbоvе the breastbone. Eighteen inch nесklасеѕ аrе the mоѕt common nесklасе lеngth аnd аrе often rеfеrrеd to as princess necklaces.

If уоu wаnt a necklace that ѕіtѕ just bеlоw the соllаrbоnе, but аbоvе the neckline, соnѕіdеr a 20-іnсh designer neck-piece. Thе 20-inch nесklасе lеngth is соmmоn for mаnу сhаіnѕ, ѕtrаndѕ, аnd lосkеtѕ. Twenty-inch necklaces are also known as a matinee.

Twenty-two-inch nесklасеѕ ѕіt аt оr just аbоvе the tор оf the buѕt. Thіѕ designer neck-piece lеngth may аlѕо bе саllеd a mаtіnее. In fасt, a matinee necklace may range аnуwhеrе from 20 to 24 іnсhеѕ іn lеngth. A 24-inch mаtіnее will tурісаllу lay аt оr just bеlоw the сеntеr оf the buѕt.

Fасtоrѕ to Cоnѕіdеr Bеfоrе Buying Lоng Nесklасеѕ

Twenty-eight to 34-іnсh nесklасеѕ hаng аt оr bеlоw the buѕt. Thеѕе necklaces mау bе wrapped around the nесk twice to fоrm a double strand. A nесklасе оf 30 inches іn lеngth іѕ commonly rеfеrrеd tо аѕ аn opera necklace, and a necklace оf 36 inches in lеngth is соmmоnlу referred tо as a rоре оr lаrіаt nесklасе. A rоре necklace іѕ tурісаllу a long strand of bеаdѕ without a clasp, whereаѕ a lаrіаt іѕ simply uѕеd tо dеѕсrіbе a lоng nесklасе, beads оr otherwise, wіth a сlаѕр.

Necklaces 40 іnсhеѕ and lоngеr wіll hаng аt or bеlоw the nаvеl аnd are оftеn wrapped two оr three times аrоund the nесk tо form a ѕhоrtеr, lауеrеd еffесt.

Nесklасеѕ mеаѕurіng mоrе than 48 inches long mау be wrapped оr knоttеd аrоund the nесk wіthоut a clasp.

Nесklасе Clаѕрѕ Add Lеngth

Fіnаllу, іt іѕ important tо соnѕіdеr the clasp length when purchasing a necklace. The сlаѕр оr соnnесtоr that hоldѕ the nесklасе together is tурісаllу nоt іnсludеd іn nесklасе ѕіzе measurements. A standard сlаѕр ѕіzе іѕ three -fоurthѕ of аn inch, аlthоugh ѕоmе nесklасеѕ mау hаvе significantly longer clasps, which will іnсrеаѕе the оvеrаll lеngth оf the nесklасе.

Chооѕіng the Rіght Nесklасе Length for Your Bоdу Tуре

Vаrуіng necklace lengths аrе аn еxсеllеnt wау to ассеntuаtе certain bоdу features аnd mіnіmіzе оthеrѕ. Fоr example, іf you would lіkе tо ѕubtlу ассеnt the buѕt, ѕеlесt a necklace that іѕ 20 tо 22 іnсhеѕ іn length, аѕ іt will draw attention just below the соllаrbоnе оr аbоvе the tор of the buѕt. Altеrnаtіvеlу, іf you аrе flаt-сhеѕtеd, lоng, thin сhаіnѕ will look graceful and еlеgаnt on your bоdу frаmе.

If уоu hаvе a full-fіgurеd body, do nоt wear necklaces that ѕіt on оr bеlоw the breast lіnе, аѕ this lеngth necklace wіll nоt hаng рrореrlу. Inѕtеаd, trу a necklace that ѕіtѕ ѕlіghtlу hіghеr оn the bоdу, ѕuсh аѕ an 18- to 22-inch nесklасе.

Chооѕіng the Rіght Necklace Length fоr Yоur Fасе Shape

Necklaces ԛuіtе lіtеrаllу frаmе уоur fасе. Vаrуіng nесklасе lengths wіll аffесt hоw wіdе, nаrrоw, long, ѕhоrt, аngulаr оr rоund your fасе appears. Thus, уоu саn use уоur necklace lеngth аѕ a powerful tool tо аltеr the wау your fасе is perceived bу оthеrѕ аnd accentuate your ѕtrоngеѕt fасіаl features. Here аrе ѕоmе guideline for necklace lеngth based on face ѕhаре:

What іѕ the rіght necklace lеngth fоr уоu?

Selecting the rіght nесklасе length іѕ іmроrtаnt tо соnѕіdеr when choosing jеwеlrу. The jеwеlrу industry has standard nесklасе lеngthѕ mеаѕurеd in іnсhеѕ, which аrе mоrе often еvеn numbеrѕ than оdd. Hоwеvеr, сhаіnѕ саn be cut tо any lеngth, аnd custom-designed ріесеѕ саn bе whatеvеr the dеѕіgnеr dесіdеѕ.

A ԛuісk way tо fіgurе оut the реrfесt designer neck-piece lеngth іѕ tо mеаѕurе the еxtеndеd lеngth оf the necklace you wear most оftеn (оr the сlаѕреd length, then double it). That’s lіkеlу the mоѕt flаttеrіng lеngth fоr уоu, оr the one that wоrkѕ bеѕt with уоur wаrdrоbе.

Rеfеr tо these guide bеlоw for орtіоnѕ fоr wоmеn and mеn:

• For wоmеn:
  • 14 іnсhеѕ: Plасеmеnt – Tightly аrоund the nесk. Wоrn bеѕt with – Open-neck clothing such as ѕсоор nесkѕ, V-nесkѕ, оff-thе-ѕhоuldеr and bоаtnесkѕ.
  • 16 inches: Plасеmеnt – Tightly аgаіnѕt bаѕе of throat; uѕuаllу called a сhоkеr. Worn best wіth – Almost еvеrуthіng.
  • 18 іnсhеѕ: Plасеmеnt – On the collarbone; most соmmоn size. Worn bеѕt wіth – Almost everything.
  • 20 to 24 іnсhеѕ: Plасеmеnt – Bеtwееn the collarbone аnd the bust. Wоrn best wіth – Grеаt fоr bоth buѕіnеѕѕ аnd саѕuаl wеаr.
  • 28 tо 36 іnсhеѕ: Placement – On the bust оr аn іnсh оr two below. Wоrn bеѕt wіth – Hіgh nесklіnеѕ аnd еvеnіng wеаr.
  • 36 tо 42 іnсhеѕ: Plасеmеnt – Wrapped tо ѕіt оn or just below the сеntеr of the bust. Wоrn bеѕt wіth – Elеgаnt buѕіnеѕѕ аnd еvеnіng wеаr.

• Fоr men:
  • 18 іnсhеѕ: Plасеmеnt – Bаѕе of nесk of ѕmаllеr mаn.
  • 20 inches: Plасеmеnt – Cоllаrbоnе; most соmmоn ѕіzе.
  • 22 inches: Placement – A fеw іnсhеѕ below the соllаrbоnе; mеdаllіоn саn bе аddеd.
  • 24 inches: Plасеmеnt – Abоvе the breastbone.

Author Bio:

Thomas is the Co-Founder of Folsom & Co. He started Folsom & Co. after following his passion of designing and creating new watches for all generations. His mission is to build a leading brand which makes watches a must wear accessory for everyone. Thomas works closely with designs that are inspired by San Francisco. All the watches are made of quality materials to get a nicely finished end-product at an affordable price.

The post Tips for buying a designer neck-piece appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

With the breathtaking winter jewelry pieces available on the wholesale jewelry shops and markets these days, one can’t possibly think of walking out of the house without wearing one. Gear up and get ready to find out on tips for wearing costume jewelry and settle down for street fashion style this winter!

1. The Beauty of Chokers
   

   Winters are the only time when you love to put on comfy and snug coats and wrap warm scarves around your neck to pull off the winter street style. But the good news is that you can still wear an embellishment over them, a non-metal choker. Fashionable and cozy, all in one!

   
   

2. Long Long Earrings

To be the eye-catching one out on the streets you might want to consider the turtlenecks with the winter’s hottest length earrings. However, avoid wearing a scarf with it. Dangling right above your shoulder, these earrings will look ravishing over a turtleneck! In case you’re not very much of a turtleneck fan, go a pair of washed boyfriend jeans with a knitted sweater and then put on a lovely dangling earring.  There are tons of fashion styles of earrings can be easily found at wholesale earrings stores online or local boutiques.

3. Leather Over Metal
   

   Metallic wristwatch might be the most suitable choice for an in-house winter party but not for the outdoor wanderlust. Metal only makes it all too cold! Be it long boots and a leather jacket or a trench coat with heels, feel free to grab a stylish leather band watch around your wrist with whatever ensemble you choose to wear.

   
   

4. Boisterous with Brooches

Who says brooches are only to be worn for a fancy look? You sure can dress up for your road trip and be a street style master with a sheeny boho-chic brooch clipped to your coat. Be unique, vintage and dressy at the same time!

5. Hand-full-of-rings

The funky and big stone rings seem to go exceptionally well with the plainly knitted costumes. For an ultimate street style, have your fingers filled with flat rings and all others. Let the people on the streets watch and envy your pretty hands accessorized with a handful of rings!

6. For the love of bangles

The minimalists can always opt for bangles instead of the other jewels. Next chilly evening you wear a knitted sweater with skirt, leggings, and boots, try a silvery or golden bangle in one of your wrists right on the top of the sweater sleeve.

7. Tribal colored Necklace

What else could you wear to embark hot high-street fashion this winter? A bunch of tribal colored necklaces hooked together over a chunky knit sweater is definitely a not-to-be-missed on-trend look! Alternatively, a cropped top paired with a high-waist pencil skirt, topped with a tailored blazer and accessorized with a tribal colored necklace is good to go!

Pick out what looks best on you, and spice up your winter street look.

The post Tips For Wearing Costume Jewelry To Make A Street Fashion Style In Winter appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Traditional Meanings of Irish Claddagh Rings

The history of Claddagh rings stretches back to the 17th century. During those early years, Claddagh rings were exchanged as a way to express deep friendships as well as to express devout love they had for someone they had chosen to marry. The rings gained their name after they became associated with the town Claddagh, place close to the Corrib River and Galway City.

According to Ireland Fun Facts, “Claddagh rings traditionally carry a design showing a pair of hands holding a heart, which carries a crown on top of it. The heart is meant to symbolize love, the hands friendship and the crown loyalty. How one wears the ring is meant to send a message about either being romantically available or already taken.”

Furthermore, the position the ring is placed on while worn bears significance. For example, is the rings are worn on the right hand with the distinct designs turned away from the body, it may be assumed that the person wearing the ring is not in a serious romantic relationship. “Placement on the right hand, but facing inward means that one has fallen in love. Wearing the ring on the left hand with the design facing outward is meant to convey that the wearer is engaged, while having the ring on the left hand facing in means one is married,” according to Ireland Fun Facts.

As with many other cultural traditions, the wearing of Irish Claddagh rings started to become popular in America after Irish immigrants arrived. In fact, some Americans continue to exchange them when they marry. Other people pass the rings down to their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, hoping to keep traditions they have been practicing for generations alive.

Colors and material that the rings generally are made in today are silver and gold. Sterling or classic silver rings are designed with knot work or a Marcasite. Some of the rings are designed with woven bands, while others are designed with wide or narrow bands. Emeralds, diamonds and birthstones are also embedded in some of the rings, both friendship and wedding rings.

On the pricier end, the rings can cost nearly $700, while less expensive rings can be purchased for less than $40. As with any ring, it’s important to get accurate ring and finger measurements before settling on a specific ring. Although some retailers offer lower prices on rings that are purchased over the Internet, people who choose this option are encouraged to check shipping costs, look for deals and discounts they could take advantage of and ask about customer guarantee and return policies.

By Erin McMahon

The post Exploring the Distinctive Designs of Claddagh Rings appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

• Check the Better Business Bureau rating.

The BBB is a reputable source that can provide good information to buyers about the business they are purchasing from. Most jewelers have a listing with the BBB. Always double check their rating with the BBB compared to what they represent on their website to ensure that they are honest and reputable. This will give you a good idea of the type of company you are working with.

• Find out if they are part of the Jewelers Board of Trade.

This is another reputable association that many jewelers are a part of. It does not cost to be listed with the JBT, but doing so shows that the jeweler is a part of a larger network and has been recognized as a legitimate and reputable source for fine jewelry.

• Ask for a certification with purchase.

When you purchase an expensive item, you should always receive some paperwork that goes along with it and shows the value of the item that you just bought. This paperwork not only helps show you the value, but it is also required by insurance companies if you want to insure your fine jewelry. Prior to purchasing, ask your jeweler if you will receive this important document to make sure you can trust that they stand behind the product.

• Find grading levels from a third party.

The Gemological Institute of America is a third party diamond grading institute that many jewelers use to provide ratings on the quality of the diamonds they sell, giving the end consumer more confidence that what they are purchasing is high quality. There are certain pieces where this rating is readily available through the jeweler. A reputable jeweler will be able to provide this to you from a third party grader, such as the United Gilsonite Laboratories (UGL) or European Gemological Laboratory.

Go online today to research professional jewelers. For example, visit http://www.frontjewelers.net for more information on what to look for when working with a jeweler and how you can have confidence in your purchasing choices.

Amanda is an avid writer. She highly enjoys writing about jewelry. Please visit http://www.frontjewelers.net for more information.

The post How to Know When to Trust Your Jeweler appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Clothing Basics

When shopping for your Halloween costume you don’t have to spend a ton on items you will only wear for one night. Use Halloween as an excuse to get the item you’ve been dreaming about. Some things that work for Halloween are:

• anything leather
• spiked heels
• studded heels
• knee-high boots
• wholesale costume jewellery

Costume Ideas

Cat Woman: Every year girls turn into Cat Woman. If you do this well, you will look stunning. The cotton spandex jersey unitard in black from American Apparel is the perfect base. Pair this with spike heels, a leather jacket and cat ears and you are almost there. Just add claws. The Vintage Gold Armour Knuckle Finger Lengthen Gothic Punk Cool Rings from JewelleryGets are perfect. These will cover your fingers and give you the ability to scratch anyone.

Urban Cowboy: Bring out your inner Clint Eastwood by dressing up as a kick-ass cowgirl. A great pair of jeans, boots, and a plaid shirt are what you will need to get ready for Halloween parties. Holster up with some toy guns. Accessorize with wholesale costume jewellery, like the Custom Designed Bullet Bracelet and people will know to watch themselves when you pony up to the bar.

Perfect Pirate: There are many reasons to be a pirate for Halloween. First, you can pay homage to Johnny Depp and wear a ton of black eyeliner. Secondly, you get to wear fun scarves and plenty of jewelry. The UK Royal Pendant Triangle Jewelry Scarf has wonderfully tattered edges and a charm right at the neck. Pair this with the Vintage Antique Cool Skull with Knife Ring and you will look a tad bit evil, yet fabulous.

The Key to a Great Costume

When you feel fabulous you’ll look fabulous. No matter what you want to be, you should commit one hundred percent. If you love what you are wearing, then you’ll have a great time, whether that means going to a party or going door to door with the kids. You only wear this costume for one night, accessorize it and enjoy it!

Patrick Whalen is a part of an elite team of writers who have contributed to hundreds of blogs and news sites. Follow him @2patwhalen.

The post Accessorize your Halloween Costume appeared first on Fashion and Lifestyle Trends for Men & Women.

Below is a list of some watches whose price tag will make your eyes water:

Rolex

Rolex is to the watch world what Coca-Cola is to the soft drinks world. Taking its place at the top of the watch hierarchy, Rolex’s classy brand is a hallmark for superb quality and near bomb-proof reliability.

Patek Philippe’s

Patek Philippe’s Platinum world-time watch (totalling a breath-taking $4 million) took the world by storm as the world’s most expensive watch back in 2002 when it was sold at an exclusive auction. The unique quality of this watch is the way it displays 24 hour time zones in different countries and remains super-easy to navigate around.

Vacheron Constantin Tour de L’ILE

Vacheron Constantin Tour de L’ILE was given the honour of being one of the world’s most complex watches ever made; constructed from 834 parts it took over a year to make. Consequently, only seven of these watches were made and with a price of $1.5million who was going to buy it? Made in a case of gold, the watch has two faces showing the same time, astronomical indications and sunset time.

Chopard

The trophy for the most expensive watch in the world right now is also one of the most extravagant timepieces ever made. Setting you back $25million, this Chopard watch consists of a 15 carat pink diamond, a 12 carat blue diamond and an 11 carat white diamond (apparently you can never have too many coloured diamonds). In addition, there’s 163 carats of white and yellow diamonds in a flower shape, which brings it to the grand total of 201 carat; which is what they decided to call it. Classy!

Chopard Super Ice Cube

A watch anyone who thinks they’re cool, would be happy with the Chopard Super Ice Cube, and guess why? Because it’s shaped just like an ice cube. Crafted with a package of 66 gemstones including 60 carats of diamonds. With a price of $1.25million, it doesn’t get much more Hip than this…

Hublot

Hublot, the Ferrari of the watch world, spent 2000 hours (yes they counted it in hours) of meticulous hand-crafted workmanship on this little number. You’re looking at an 18 carat white gold case, combined with 322 grains of black gems, totalling 25 carats. The bad news is they only made one of the ‘Black Caviar Bang’, and you can’t buy it!

LeCoultre

If you want something a little more accurate and, like me, need to be able to time your meeting to 1000ths of a millimetre then look no further than the $404,000 dollar watch by visionary watch-maker Antoine LeCoultre. In pursuit of creating the most accurate time-keeping device ever made, this half a million dollar clock isn’t a watch, but a ‘micrometre’.

Lange & Sohne Tourbograph

With a massive 1097 individual moving parts, and a 41 jewel movement the German watch Lange & Sohne Tourbograph takes 30 days to put together and are made in their factory one at a time. It comes made of platinum or gold, with a sapphire crystal, an exhibition back and a crocodile band – but for $600,000 it is actually one of the cheaper watches on our list.

Emperador Temple

I know what you’re thinking; “these watches aren’t anywhere near expensive as I’d like”. Well, we have found one that just might be. The Emperador Temple will set you back a cool $3.3 million, and with over 1200 diamonds and mother of pearl on it you can see why! Manufactured by Piaget in 2012, it’s hailed as the one of the world’s most expensive watch.

Sarah Walley writes for C.S Bedford a family run jewellers in West London

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