Rings have been worn throughout all the history on hands both famous and not, from Cleopatra to Jlo, by our mother and yours, my wife and your aunt. As visible body adornments, they are a key of affection and a symbol of enduring commitment. Rings are the perfect expression of “eternal” as they have no beginning or end and signify union and oneness. With all of this implied, rings have been used throughout history to confer authority, seal pacts, unite people, heal sickness, prevent ill luck, foretell the future and announce status. But as expressions of one’s affection for another, rings are truly special.

Rings have a unique value and hold a special place in our hearts and cultures, carrying with them a hint of their ancient symbolism and powerful emotion. The circle of the ring represents wholeness, life, love and eternity all at the same time. Engagement rings and wedding bands are the ultimate symbol of unbroken promise, endless love and lasting commitment. With such a heavy responsibility laid upon them, to convey this precise message and to do it in a style to evoke the deepest feeling, an engagement ring, wedding or anniversary band must reflect both the giver and the wearer.

But how to choose that perfect expression?

There is no plain answer and for us the simple answer is: We don’t know. There is no single and simple answer that will automatically zero you in on the right choice. Because picking the perfect ring is like picking the perfect life-mate…it is a personal preference based on many things that cannot be measured, displayed or even described. Perfect for me might be ho-hum for you so what to do?

First and foremost, we must recognize there are as many styles, models and types of engagement and wedding ring as there are women who will wear them. Just a quick review of the many offered in our departments should be evidence of the problem this poses. The starting point then is maybe the most valuable tool you possess in this task….you know the woman who will wear it better than anyone else. You know her likes, dislikes, her personality and style, the type of clothes she likes and wears, the colors she prefers, and the intensity of the love she holds for you. Keep all of this in mind as we navigate some other helpful tips.

What’s the Occasion?

Ring styles and designs generally fall into specific categories that have become accepted in our society as the norm, or “typical”, for certain events or occasions. For instance, a classic solitaire diamond is generally considered a classic engagement ring, possibly because Hollywood showed it that way 60 years ago in the many war bride movies of that time, or because big diamond companies began advertising it that way. But the trend today is individuality and virtually any style or design that pleases the wearer is now being chosen and worn as a personal choice engagement ring. And the trend for personal taste expressions in a multitude of styles has influenced the choices for every category of rings including wedding bands and anniversary bands. With this in mind, here is a general outline of the most common occasion-based ring styles.

Engagement Ring
A ring usually set with a gemstone (commonly a diamond) that is traditionally given by a man and worn by a woman to signify their mutual intention to be married. The style might include side stones of either diamond or gemstone, can range from art deco to simple band design, and can utilize any of a dozen setting types for the center stone.

Wedding Ring or Band
Traditional wedding rings are 14k, 18k or 24k gold bands, with the wife’s band wider than the husband’s. More modern versions are made of white gold, platinum or even titanium or tungsten. They may be simple polished bands, diamond inlaid styles, engraved or carved with intricate designs, or even Celtic or Claddagh motif. For this occasion it is less about the style than the wearing that matters.
 
Bridal Sets Basically this is a matching set of an engagement ring and a wedding band. They are designed to be complimentary and worn together. A very popular style for those who look and plan a bit ahead.
 
Anniversary Ring or Band
This is a ring given by a man to his wife on the anniversary of their wedding day as a symbol of enduring love. Traditionally, each year of marriage is associated with a specific gem or precious metal but the trend today is to pick any style and stone that is pleasing to both him and her.

Eternity Band
This is a specific style of anniversary ring that features small gemstones (usually diamonds) set in and around an entire band to symbolize the eternity of the marriage or commitment. Today either or both married persons wear it.

Three Stone Ring
This is considered an occasion ring only because it is usually given when one wishes to tell the other “I loved you, I love you, and I will always love you.” It is usually set with three diamonds or other precious gemstones that signify past, present and future.