Milgrain Wedding Bands

You want a simple wedding band, but it mustn’t be completely plain. You are looking for something small to add decoration, but it must be subtle, yet effective. Then the ideal design for you will include milgrain.

Milgrain is the word used to describe a popular form of jewelry decoration made up of a thin band of texture, usually resembling tiny beads – similar to the texture found around the outside of coins – or a thin intertwined string, engraved or crafted into a metal surface. This pattern extends all the way around the wedding band.

Traditionally, the milgrain pattern is made up of two textured lines situated very close to or right on both edges of an otherwise plain wedding band. In modern times, however, many variations of this design have come into being, and milgrain is also being used in a number of other designs.

Some women’s wedding band designs incorporate more than the traditional two lines of milgrain. Designs with three lines – two along the edges and one in the middle of the band – have increased in popularity lately, and any number of milgrain lines can be used to decorate a plain wedding band. This makes the band look as though it is intricately decorated, without the added cost of special design features like carved designs or set gemstones.

A particularly attractive alternative to the traditional milgrain design is that of having the bands of milgrain made of a different colour to the rest of the wedding band. This is most popular with milgrain that resembles intertwined wires. This design gives the wedding band a two tone effect, at a fraction of the cost.

Contemporary wedding bands also make use of milgrain quite frequently, but sometimes with a bit of a twist. It is not uncommon to find only a single line of milgrain incorporated into a contemporary design. The line is either situated only on the one edge, or right in the middle of the ring.

Another common use of milgrain in modern jewelry is in two tone wedding bands. If the different metal bands run parallel to each other, quite often there is a line of milgrain engraved onto the edge of one of the metals, where it meets the metal of another colour. This design allows for the transition between the two metals to not be as harsh as they would have otherwise been.
Intricately decorated wedding bands, too, can use milgrain as part of their design. The milgrain, usually situated on the edges of the band, just frame the ring nicely, and round off the edges attractively.

A word of caution, however: if your wedding band has a milgrain design, particularly one that resembles a string like design or that is deeper than the rest of the wedding band’s surface, it can be the ideal place to collect dirt. So in the interest of hygiene and cleanness, and so that your wedding band looks its best at all times, regularly clean the band with a soft brush.

Where to find wholesale wedding bands

Wedding rings and wedding bands are a major investment and perhaps the most important material investment of a marriage. Unfortunately jewelers know this too, and charge top dollar for wedding bands. That is why many brides and grooms to be look for wholesale or cost price wedding bands, but often with little success. So where can you find wholesale wedding bands?
The basic concept behind buying wholesale is that you can receive a discount if you buy in bulk, but this isn’t usually practical when buying jewelry. You could try join forces with your friends to each buy a ring from the same supplier, but it may be difficult to find enough friends who all want to buy new jewelry simultaneously.

It may also be possible to get a near wholesale discount if you look for wedding bands at the manufacturer, or the supplier to retail jewelry stores. This may, however, be difficult to find, as few retailers are willing to give away their trade secrets, which include who their suppliers are.
There are, however, simpler ways to find wedding bands at very reasonable or even wholesale prices. Why not use what you no doubt already have at your disposal: bridal magazines? You are likely to find many jewelers listed in these magazines, some of whom may offer wholesale rings and bands. Since everyone who advertises in these publications wants to stand out, they are likely to advertise special promotions and wholesale prices.

It is also a good idea to keep your eyes open while your shopping. Every time you walk through a mall, keep an eye out for jewelry shops and any special offers they may have. Also ask your friends to do the same while they’re out shopping, since they may find an appropriate shop in a shopping centre you’ve never visited.

It will also help to look around during busy shopping seasons, like those around Christmas time, as you are likely to find special deals at many jewelers. If you are stuck having to shop during a quieter time of year, however, don’t fret! You may be able to find a jeweler who is willing to sell some of their merchandise at wholesale prices, either because they are desperate for a sale, or they are trying to get rid of old stock.

Undeniably, however, the fastest and probably most effective way to find wholesale wedding bands is to search for them on the internet. The worldwide web is full of up-to-date information, and with a little practice, you will be able to find exactly what you are looking for in the click of a button. Also, dealing with jewelry salespersons online may eliminate middle-men such as retailers, who add their own mark-up. But be careful that you deal with legitimate sellers, even though you’re paying wholesale price, it’s a lot of money to lose if you are caught in a scam.

We all understand the value of a good bargain, but beware that you lose focus and buy your wedding band just because it’s at a wholesale price. Make sure that the wedding band you select is to your liking and suits you. Also, don’t let a discounted price make you compromise on quality, remember, your wedding band needs to last a lifetime !

The difference between wedding bands and wedding rings

It may seem very confusing, but yes, there is a difference between a wedding band and a wedding ring. It’s not that difficult to tell them apart once you understand how they differ.

The wedding ring is also commonly referred to as the engagement ring. This is the ring that is given to the woman when the man proposes to her. The wedding ring (or engagement ring) is the more elaborate ring when compared to the wedding band, as it traditionally has a solitaire diamond or other gemstone (or multiple gemstones) in it and may have a very intricate, decorative appearance. Traditionally, this ring is chosen by the man, and its design is a surprise to the woman, who sees it for the first time when she is proposed to. This ring is therefore more difficult to choose than the wedding band, as the bride-to-be is not involved in the choosing process.

A woman's wedding band is described as a plain ring, usually made of gold, that is given to the bride or groom on the wedding day.

The groom’s wedding band is traditionally quite wide, and can be made in number of materials. In recent years, men’s wedding bands have been produced from such materials as titanium, tungsten and stainless steel which are more resilient to damage than traditional metals like gold. Men’s wedding bands are usually quite plain, but such decorations and milgrain, mokume-gane and two tone bands have gained popularity over the last few years. This wedding band is usually chosen by both the bride and groom. Since the man only wears one ring, it can is commonly referred to as either his wedding ring or his wedding band.

The bride’s wedding band is usually thin and minimally decorated, if at all. It compliments the wedding/engagement ring, but doesn’t detract attention from it. It is traditionally worn under the wedding ring. Usually, the bride and groom choose this wedding band together too.

But not everybody needs to stick to the rules. Some couples choose to only purchase one ring for the bride, instead of spending money twice. Sometimes, the bride’s wedding ring and wedding band can be purchased as a matching set, and sets of three rings have also become popular recently - two wedding bands, especially designed to fit next to the wedding ring, worn on either side of the wedding ring. This eliminates the chance that the rings will not suite each other, and generally works out cheaper than buying two, or three, individual rings. Some couples even decide to use a wedding band – a simple, undecorated ring - as the engagement ring and then to decide on the more intricate ring together.

Tradition may dictate that that a larger wedding ring be given to the bride-to-be during the proposal and a smaller wedding band be given on the wedding day, but in reality, what you choose to do is up to you. If you wish to break free from tradition, feel free! The important thing is that she will wear whichever ring(s) you give her on the ring finger of her left hand for the rest of your lives together.

Yellow Gold Band Rings

For centuries the most sought after precious metal from which jewelry has been made has been gold and until recent years, the only available option was the traditional yellow gold. It stands to reason that through the centuries of experience with the metal, jewelers have come up with a wide variety of options when it comes to yellow gold women's wedding bands and rings.

Through the years, a number of different grades of yellow gold have been developed. These are measured in a unit called karats, and is denoted by the letter K. 24K gold is pure gold, which is very soft and easily damaged. Gold jewelry is more commonly available in 18K, 14K and 10K, which get progressively harder. This harder quality is attained by mixing the pure gold with other metals to improve durability, and sometimes to change the color of the gold. The most popular karat value for gold wedding bands is usually 14K, but depending on availability and application, many people also purchase the harder 10K or the softer 18K versions.

Designs of yellow gold wedding bands, too, offer a wide variety of options. From the traditional plain yellow gold wedding band to more intricate options which include intricately carved patterns and exquisite gemstones, the choices are endless.

One of the most fascinating types of yellow gold wedding bands is antique wedding bands. They are very hard to come by, since very few jewelers still produce such designs. You are most likely to find one in a second hand store or antique shop. They are usually characterized by intricate carving and decoration that gives a delicate feel to the band or ring. If there are any gemstones set in the ring, they are usually in a very high setting.

On the other extreme, a wide variety of contemporary wedding bands and rings are available in yellow gold, but with a distinctly fresh and new feel to the design. Most contemporary wedding bands are very geometric in shape, and do not make use of much decoration like carving or gemstones.

For a slightly less modern feel to your yellow gold wedding band, why not consider getting one with a slightly decorative feature, like milgrain. This design incorporates a small engraved pattern that goes along the edges of the band. This pattern resembles tiny beads or a small string, and round off any plain or decorative wedding band quite nicely.

When it comes to yellow gold wedding bands, the options are endless. You can get a wedding band that is carved, decorated with a variety of stones, or one that even incorporates other metals to give a two tone effect. You can get a comfort fit yellow gold wedding band, one that is engraved, has channel set diamonds, is an unusual shape or is very plain and simple. You even get yellow gold mokume gane wedding bands.

Regardless of the constant innovations being made in the jewelry industry, yellow gold will never be threatened as the undisputed champion and worldwide favorite. Rhodium, titanium, tungsten and white gold may rise and fall, but yellow gold will remain forever a symbol of eternal love and commitment to millions who have yellow gold wedding bands.

Benchmark Wedding Bands - What You Didn't Know

The Benchmark jewelry company is a well respected producer of both men’s and women’s wedding bands and rings in the United States. It which was started by H. Tosyali, a Turkish designer who immigrated to the USA in the 1970’s.

For over 4 decades, Benchmark has been committed to producing the best quality womens wedding bands and providing top-notch customer service. This has established them as a world class jewelry designing company.

Not only does Benchmark jewelry stand apart from all its competition due to their outstanding reputation, but they also employ a number of unique techniques significant to their unrivalled craftsmanship. They also offer an outstanding service.

All of Benchmark’s jewelry is manufactured by means of a die-struck method. This process takes longer than most other traditional methods, but it ensures that that your unique ring will last longer and be more resistant to everyday wear and tear than other wedding bands and rings.

Benchmark introduced the innovative “Comfort Fit” ring design. Rings that proudly bear the Comfort Fit name have a slightly curved inner wall so that the ring fits more comfortably and doesn’t exert excess pressure on any part of the finger it is worn on. This prevents the ring from cutting into the finger and causing discomfort or pain. The difference in appearance isn’t very obvious, but once the ring is tried on, the difference is unmistakable!

The unique diamond setting technique known as “Precision Setting” is also among Benchmark’s tricks of the trade. They are one of the few jewelry manufacturers who have perfected this technique of diamond setting. It allows for the maximum surface area of the diamond to be visible, yet the security of the diamond is not compromised in any way. The result of this technique is a dazzling ring that makes use of the full potential of the diamond.

These are remarkable innovations, but by far the most unique and appealing of Benchmark’s services is its lifetime warranty which is provided on all its rings and bands. This is offered to all customers to ensure that your special Benchmark ring will last a lifetime! Included in the lifetime guarantee is the free resizing of your wedding ring or wedding band if your finger size changes. For more elaborate rings, such as eternity rings or mixed metal rings that cannot be resized, Benchmark will replace the ring free of charge. Benchmark are also happy to refurbish any rings that have been damaged, so they can be returned to their former beauty and splendour.

Benchmark manufactures rings in a wide variety of materials, from the traditional platinum and yellow and white gold to modern materials like titanium, palladium, tungsten and even ceramic. They also offer a variety of gemstones, besides the traditional diamonds, to be set within the rings.

A wide range of wedding bands and wedding rings are available from Benchmark, ranging from a simple and plain wedding band to a highly elaborate ring with a variety of metals, gemstones and setting styles, Benchmark provides for everyone’s tastes. Benchmark’s unrivalled quality does come at an according price, but if one considers the incredible lifetime warranty, the little extra expense is definitely worth it to ensure that your unique ring will last a lifetime!

Differences between Brushed and Polished Titanium Bands

Purchasing beautiful titanium wedding bands is the present trend. Titanium is a strong, ductile and cheap metal, which is ideal for shaping into wedding bands. They are much lighter in weight when compared to a gold or platinum band. They are hypo allergic and don’t cause skin discoloration. It is almost a non-reactive metal, and does not corrode due to the presence of chemical or harmful substances. So, many couples choose titanium to make their wedding bands that ought to last for a lifetime.

If you have tried buying titanium women wedding bands, you might have come across jewelry websites that talk of polished or brushed titanium bands. These are some of the styles in which titanium wedding bands are available. A normal titanium ring may be of four different finishes. They are as follows: polished, brushed, matte, and hammered. Let’s look at each of these classifications in detail.

Polished finish is the most reflective and sparkling among the four varieties. Therefore, it is the most “eye-catching” too. The wedding bands made of this have a mirror-like, shiny surface. Polished titanium wedding bands look similar to those made in platinum and white gold. Brushed variety of titanium refers to a much more subtle type of titanium. They are mush less reflective when compared to the polished variety. Brushed titanium often appears to have the color of steel. Matte finishes are also somewhat similar to the brushed variety, and appear to have the color of steel. Finally, the hammered style refers to the variety of titanium that consists of multi-directional indents on its surface. Out of the four varieties, polished and brushed wedding bands are the most popular ones.

As you may be aware of there are a number of jewelry retailers and on line jewelry stores that sell titanium wedding rings. You can obtain both polished and brushed variety of titanium bands from them. Each titanium wedding band that they design is available in both, polished and brushed varieties. Some jewelers also offer to do dual finish in one band. For example, you can choose to have polished sides and brushed center on the same wedding band. All of these wedding bands are attractive, and the final choice depends on the taste of the future wearer.

Each variety of titanium can be made into unique wedding bands with the right choice of precious stones to line it, or metals to engrave it. Precious metals like yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, silver and platinum can be used to create inlays in polished titanium wedding bands.

Both polished and brushed titanium wedding rings are very popular among men. Most men do not prefer wearing gold wedding bands. Gold looks traditional and is very heavy. Most of the gold wedding bands are inlaid with intricate work, and men do not prefer it. This makes titanium their favorite metal to prepare wedding bands from. Being a strong metal, titanium wedding bands are seldom distorted or corroded. They look stylish, sleek and modern.

With their surfaces polished or brushed, titanium wedding bands are widely accepted by couples. They have started getting very popular across the world.

The Wedding Band Types

Is the wedding band really significant in Marriage? Yes, the wedding bands are significant in the wedding ceremonies because of what they symbolize. This is the display of the love and bond they hold for each other.

There are various types of womens wedding bands that one can easily purchase online. You do not need to worry when it comes to buying your wedding bands for your wedding because there are different types of bands to choose from. Every type of wedding band has significant characteristics.

There is the bridal set. This is also known as the wedding set as this type contains two wedding rings designed to be worn by both man and woman. There are some bridal sets that contain 3 rings, which include both the ring of the husband and wife and the engagement ring of the bride.

Often the Bridal sets consist of two types, which are the parallel rings and the integrated rings. The parallel set is usually simple and may contain inset stones but does not have other complicated structures other than the inset stone while the integrated set usually includes an engagement ring together with the two major rings.

The Wedding Ring set may not include an engagement ring. There are also 3 different categories, which are the woman’s bridal set, dual band set, and the triple set.

The first category of wedding sets which is the bridal set does not include the ring of the man while the dual band set includes a ring for both the man and woman but does not include an engagement ring. The triple set usually includes the ring for both the man and woman and additional ring which is the engagement ring.

The there is the plain band. This type of wedding band is usually plain when it comes to design. You can choose from platinum, metal, or gold. It is up to you what plain band you prefer. This type of set usually includes just the two rings.

The diamond wedding ring can be customized according to what you and your partner wants. You can also add a diamond engagement ring if you want. The shape as well as the different settings of this kind of ring is usually in the details.

Many individuals favor this kind of wedding band even if the cost of this type is quite expensive. Some of the styles of diamond rings that you can choose from are bridals setting pave setting, channel setting, and the simpler setting. The different styles of diamond wedding bands usually contain different types of stones such as the ruby, sapphire, or aquamarine. The style of stone usually depends on what the husband and wife choose for the wedding ring.

How To Choose Your Anniversary Band?

Anniversary bands are quite different from women's wedding bands and represents the enduring love of married couples. This is a new tradition which is becoming very popular. These rings display the couples continuing love for each other. And symbolizes eternity, so therefore they are called eternity rings. It is important to choose a ring containing the perfect setting.

Anniversary rings are bought for various occasions, depending on the couple - some husbands buy one to commemorate their first born child, while others, for completing 5 or 10 years of their married life together. Usually it is the husband who gives this gift to his wife, but today a growing number of wives also buy anniversary bands for their husbands. For the rings to match you can choose the same material used in the wedding ring while deciding on the anniversary ring, but this entirely depends on the couple’s preference. Anniversary rings are usually made of colored stones and small diamonds. If it is the 25th year anniversary ring, white gold, silver or platinum is quite often preferred. Gold anniversary rings are almost always chosen to mark 50 years of married life.

Although diamond studded anniversary bands are more popular, there are rings set in precious stones which also represent every anniversary and such rings are becoming more popular as well. Diamonds are the ultimate choice of many, because they believe it is the most romantic and timeless precious stone. It is the perfect anniversary gift and can be complemented with an array of other stones or as a single stone, a solitaire.

Many husbands buy anniversary rings on the pretext of buying something valuable, to symbolize their commitment to their wife. If it is the fifth anniversary, buy a ring embedded with sapphire or pink tourmaline. In case you are celebrating 10 years of togetherness, choose diamonds and blue sapphires, or diamonds and emeralds for remaining married for 20 years. Couples who enter their 60th anniversary prefer the precious star rubies or diamond rings.

Different gemstones symbolize special meanings - Ruby- love, pearl- beauty and emerald signifies growth. These gemstones portray unspoken messages which you would share with your partner on that special day.

Some get their rings engraved with words like ‘eternally yours’ or ‘forever’ along with the anniversary date and the number of years married. Nicknames and secret phrases, only known by the couple can also be engraved on the ring. Anniversary bands ultimately convey the love that you still have for each other. The effort and the thoughtfulness put into selecting these wonderful gifts, has to be appreciated by that special someone you love.

Anniversary bands are also very good investments and so you must select them only after careful consideration. Find the one that best fits the finger and never make a hasty decision, but select the jewelry based on its quality. An anniversary band will be treasured for life and is worth taking that extra time to decide, even if it is a little hard on the pocketbook, but worth it in the end as you watch the glee and radiance in the eyes of your loved one, when she sees the precious gift which will be cherished forever.

The Gold Wedding Band Vs. The Silver Wedding Band

Matrimony, or commonly known as Marriage is one of the most important moments as well as occasion in the life of a man and a woman who both love as well as value each other. Wedding bands are usually part of the wedding ceremony as it symbolizes love as well as togetherness of both the man and the woman for richer for poorer and for better or for worse.

Wedding bands are considered to be a very important part in every wedding ceremony. In fact, during the old times; wedding bands were also an important symbol for marriage. During the olden times, the tradition was that if a man was wearing a wedding band, it meant that the man was already married to a woman , symbolizing that the man was no longer available.

Are you planning to purchase a ring for your wedding but you don't know what is the best choice? There are some differences between the silver and gold wedding bands that you may want to consider.

Silver rings are also considered as one of the most popular rings these days because the style as well as the appearance of this kind of ring is beautiful and the price is not very expensive compared to gold wedding rings.

When it comes to the different styles as well as different designs of the wedding rings, these are considered to be more detailed compared to gold rings. The reason for this is the silver rings are easier to engrave compared to the gold rings. Gold rings are more solid when it comes to texture and that is why it is not easy to engrave.

When it comes to color of the wedding bands , gold rings are more solid and bright in color however, many choose the silver ring because the color is not very bright.

When it comes to versatility, silver rings are more versatile especially when it comes to its uses meaning many people will choose silver rings compared to gold rings for other special occasions.
Gold rings are usually limited when it comes to its uses, this kind of ring are usually just for wedding ceremonies but when it comes silver rings, it can basically fit any occasion not only for wedding ceremonies but for engagement, anniversaries, and any other special occasions.

There are some gold rings that cause discoloration to the skin whereas, with the silver rings, it does not cause any discoloration to the skin. This is another reason some may choose the silver rings compared to gold rings.

There are some individuals who find silver rings more attractive compared to gold rings. Silver rings are usually considered as the modernized rings for weddings.

Silver rings are more popular among men compared to gold rings whereas; gold rings are more popular among women compared to silver rings.

Which ever type of wedding rings you choose really does not matter as long as it symbolizes the love, value and commitment between each other.

How to Clean a Textured White Gold Wedding Band

It's really important to keep up with the cleaning and maintenance of women's wedding bands. These are most often a piece of jewelry that is worn 24/7. It doesn't take long before debris start to build up on the rings. This can cause them to look dull and unattractive.

If you have the simple but elegant gold wedding bands these are easy to clean. The textured wedding bands present a bit more of a challenge and particularly the textured white gold wedding bands.

The texture that we are referring to is the embedded patterns that are found in so many of the beautiful wedding bands of today. Most of these rings are comprised of exquisite work. When dirt and debris build up in the texture it takes away from the delicacy of the patterns.

When cleaning the first thing you want to realize is that you must still be gentle with your white gold wedding band even though it does not contain any diamonds. You can still easily scratch it, or damage the gold by using the wrong products.

White gold demands its own unique care. To begin with your white gold textured wedding band will be rhodium plated. This is a hard metal which has the ability to be polished to a bright shine. Most often after your cleaning of this type of ring you will see a big difference in the clarity of the ring.

Find a small bowl that you can add some warm water to. Then add a little ammonia to the water. No more than a few drops. Soak the ring in this solution for a few minutes. Then using a soft bristle toothbrush, gently clean the entire ring making sure to get into all the textured parts. You may have to repeat this 2-3 times if there is a lot of debris built up it may be a little more difficult to clean.

Once you are happy that you have the ring totally clean, then using a second bowl of clear water rinse the ring well. Finally, you can dry and polish it with a soft cloth. Your ring should look as good as new.

There are a couple of safety precautions that you want to take when you are cleaning your wedding bands.

First make sure that if you are cleaning in by leaving it to soak for a few minutes, that you don't leave it unattended. Someone could easily come along and empty the bowl of water down the drain and there goes your precious ring.

The other thing you want to be cautious about is not scrubbing it with an abrasive cleaning pad. If you are too aggressive with your cleaning it could end up damaging the ring.

You may also find it easier to use a soft cloth to hold the ring with when you are cleaning it as well. It can get slippery from the water, and you could end up dropping it.