Choosing a Conflict-Free Wedding Diamond

Shopping for your wedding ring is something many women dream of. Today most brides are choosing a conflict free diamond ring. Choosing this type of ring is easier to do the more you know about it.

Being able to identify your stone is the first step in choosing a conflict free diamond. These diamonds always come with a Kimberly Process certificate. The store you buy the diamond from should have a certificate to give you if the diamond truly is conflict free. Any legitimate jeweler will have the System of Warranties statement, which you can also ask to see when making your purchase.

One of the easiest ways to choose a conflict free diamond for your wedding ring is to give your business to a retailer that specializes in them. The most famous example of a jewelry retailer that sells conflict free diamonds is Tiffany & Co.

The countries that produce conflict free diamonds include Canada, Australia and Russia, among others. These countries are participants in the Kimberly Process mentioned above and have seen their revenue greatly increase as a result. The increased revenue benefits those living in each of these countries.

The initiative for the Kimberly Process was completed by both the gemstone industry and the United Nations. Its purpose is to ensure that conflict diamonds are no longer sold because in the past the sale of diamonds was a way to pay for brutal wars. Since the Kimberly Process was started 98% of diamond distributors worldwide adhere to its guidelines. It is now law in 74 different countries that any diamonds sold must be conflict free. In 2003 the Clean Diamond Trade Act was passed in order to provide legislature for the Kimberly Process. Those who are members of the process trade conflict free diamonds with each other and hold each other accountable for having their facilities pass inspection to prove their diamonds are conflict free.

During the period of time between 2010 and 2014 millions of carets worth of diamonds were mined under conditions that many people objected to on a moral level. The resulting idea was that going forward the definition of a conflict diamond became a rough diamond that was one that was mined specifically to pay for military actions rebelling against government.

Be aware of the fact that purchasing a conflict free diamond should be no more expensive than purchasing one that is not conflict free. Do your homework when shopping and you will be sure that you aren’t paying more for your diamond than you need to.

To go in a completely different direction consider purchasing a vintage stone wedding ring. If it is a vintage stone, you can be sure that it is considered conflict free. You will be purchasing a beautiful ring that is eco-friendly as well as produced ethically.

Choosing a conflict free wedding diamond is an important decision that every bride must make, either on her own or with the help of her fiancé.

5 Non-traditional Men’s Wedding Bands

When it comes to wedding rings, men get the short end of the stick. The bride gets an engagement ring with a diamond or two, then a wedding band with some sparkle to pair it with. Men’s rings sometimes seem to come in two options: gold or white gold. Sure, a few other metals are becoming popular, like titanium and tungsten, but they still only come in black, silver, or gold tones. If you’d like a little more style in your wedding band, check out these five truly original wedding bands.

Meteorite

A four-billion-year-old chunk of star stuff, having crossed the vast expanses of space, is now ready to become part of your wedding band. It’s a potent metaphor for the vastness and durability of love, and the meteorite stone has a beautiful pattern that isn’t found on any terrestrial metal. Stylish, sci-fi, and sentimental: what’s not to love? Plus, any time someone asks where your ring came from, you get to say, “SPACE.” We recommend saying it with as much bass and reverb as you can muster.

Wooden

Sure, it’s no meteorite, but wooden wedding rings have a beauty all their own. They have a softness and warmth to them that is a stark contrast to a cold metal ring. Since wood comes in all shades and colors, and can be finished with hundreds of shades of stain or mineral oil, you’ll have a lot of options to choose from. Wooden rings can also be inlaid with bits of metal or precious stone for an even more unique and beautiful piece.

Industrial

A men’s wedding band doesn’t have to be a simple band, either. You can add ornamentation without it feeling too fussy or feminine, as the example above shows. Industrial rings have features like rivets and studs that provide visual interest while remaining undeniably masculine. We especially like the steampunk-y feel of the copper rivets on some industrial wedding rings. Other industrial rings play with the traditional ring shape, opting for a hexagonal nuts-and-bolts design or a rugged square.

Waveform Ring

These rings are made from conventional materials, but the decoration on them is anything but typical. The ring features a cutout in the shape of a waveform, the visual representation of a sound. Each waveform is completely unique--your voice is just as one-of-a-kind as your fingerprint. You can choose the sound that’ll be represented on the ring. It can be the “I Do” that you say on your wedding day, or your spouse saying “I Love You,” or a snippet of your recession music. It’s an eye-catching ring and a beautiful memory combined.

Twig Band

These sterling silver bands are cast to look like a circle of twigs around your finger. They’re a little bit nature, a little bit elvish--you would expect to see it around Elrond or Celeborn’s finger. While they don’t have the warmth of a wooden ring, they definitely have a beauty all their own.

With so many cool options to choose from, why should the bride have all the fancy rings? Get a ring that’s as unique as you are. After all, it’s a symbol of your love that you plan to wear forever--make it something you’ll want to show off. For more great ideas, check out my wedding blog by clicking here.

Irish Wedding and Engagement Rings

Millions of couples throughout America have ties to an Irish heritage. With so many people representing the Irish culture, the demand for traditional style Irish rings has steadily been on the rise. Depending on whether you want an engagement ring or a wedding ring, there are two classic styles for the consumer. For engagement rings, the Claddagh is the historically accurate choice that most couples opt for buying. For wedding rings, the classic Celtic knot design is the overwhelming winner in popularity. Whichever way you go for your Irish ring design, there are benefits and drawbacks to each style just like any other style of ring that you might purchase.

The Claddagh Design

Usually designated for use as an engagement ring, the Claddagh is a traditional design that is specifically for women. Traditionally, the design depicts two hands holding a heart, but the design can vary depending on region and the artist’s particular style. The intent of the design is to symbolize the dedication and pledge that one takes when making their wedding vows and this has led to it being the most popular choice for Irish engagement rings. The design is one of the most traditional in Irish culture, and just by wearing it a woman can display her relationship status whether it is love, loyalty, or friendship. What the ring indicates precisely varies depending on how the ring is worn, and those are as follows:

• If the ring is on her right hand with the point of the heart away from the body, it means she is single. The Claddagh is one of the most popular Irish wedding rings, but it can also be passed down from mother to daughter and can be worn by single women.
• If the ring is on her right hand with the point of the heart towards her, she is in a relationship, but not yet engaged. Having the heart inwards, so it appear right side up from the wearer’s perspective, means the woman’s heart has been captured.
• If the ring is on her left hand with the point of the heart away from her body, she is engaged.
• If the ring is on her left hand with the point of the heart towards her, she is married.

The Celtic Knot

Undoubtedly the most recognized of all Irish wedding ring styles, there are countless variations on this classic style. While they all appear similar and are instantly recognized if seen alone, you can certainly see the variations if you compare a few rings next to each other. The most common design for an Irish wedding ring is the “infinite knot” which is a very old and traditional Christian symbol that stands for the intertwining lives of bride and groom that lasts for all of eternity. Most couples end up purchasing their Irish wedding rings with the “infinite knot” style of Celtic knot because they are the most common, most traditional, and offer the most variations from which to choose.

Going Green: Wooden Wedding Rings

With a growing number of couples becoming interested in reducing their carbon footprint, it is no wonder that engagement and wedding ring manufacturers would pounce on that demographic. On top of the ecological impact, the unethical way that many companies go about obtaining their diamonds and gold to make the traditional style of wedding rings is enough to promote some couples to look at alternatives. One of the most popular alternatives is to buy wooden rings which offer the rare benefit of being made right there in America. However, all types of wedding rings regardless of what they are made from have their own advantages and disadvantages, so the ultimate decision is up to the couple.

Renewable Sourcing

One of the biggest benefits of choosing a wooden wedding ring is that they are made from 100% renewable resources. Unlike gold, silver, or other heavy elements that are finite and growing more scarce, timber is one of the biggest exports in the United States and can be replenished in a fairly short timeframe. With that in mind, most jewelers who make wooden wedding rings actually reclaim their materials from old products such as broken guitars or old farm planks to recycle them into another purpose. Some manufacturers even go as far as fining downed trees and branches for their materials, which can actually lead to some pretty high quality woods being used without the larger price tag.

Durability and Longevity

Though gold or silver wedding rings are obviously going to be more durable than one made from wood, they are actually much more resilient than most people initially think. With the proper maintenance and care, a wooden wedding ring can last a very long time. However, they do require more care than metal wedding rings such as being cleaned with lemon seed oil or a similar product. Also, though they are often coated with some sort of waterproof layer, you want to avoid putting your handcrafted ring under water too often as well as exposing it to harsh chemicals.

With all the benefits both ethically and ecologically, wooden wedding rings are on the top of many young couples’ lists when looking for a way to go green. As a bonus, wooden wedding rings are also much cheaper than traditional wedding or engagement rings because they aren’t made from precious metals and don’t feature any rare stones. If you want to give your wooden ring that extra touch, you can have it custom engraved or burned with any choice of words or symbols to suit your personal taste. And as a final hidden benefit, wooden rings are the perfect choice for anyone who has a metal allergy or sensitivity that prevents them from wearing jewelry all together.