Metal Choices When Designing a Custom Military Ring

For the purpose of this article we will use the metal types that are unique to our manufacturers. There are many different names and types of metals but we cannot possibly cover every one that is available, so we will stick to the types that we use in our production.

There are many different ways to design your custom military ring. Our purpose in this article is to educate you and to help you to make a good and practical choice when you design your own ring.

1. CELESTRIUM is the metal that most of our customers choose. It is probably the most practical choice for many reasons: First it is the least costly of the alloys available. Celestrium has the appearance of 14kt white gold. It is a jeweler's alloy which is harder than gold and practical for everyday use. Many soldiers will wear the celestrium ring to work each day without worrying about the effects of daily wear and tear on the ring. The second reason that celestrum is the most popular choice of our customers is that it is very stylish. The fad in jewelry now is the look of sterling silver or white gold. This ring is an excellent alternative for many of our young people who may not be able to afford gold. The kicker is that this ring comes with a lifetime guarantee. One of my customers also informed me that it makes a good bottle opener.

2. GOLDTONE CELESTRIUM is a celestrium ring that has a 14kt yellow gold overlay. It cost just a wee bit more than the celestrium ring and has all of the qualities that I mentioned above. Those who choose this ring choose it because they want the traditional yellow gold look without having to pay the price. This ring also comes with a lifetime guarantee.

3. SILVER SELECT is a new ring composed of sterling silver with a platinum overlay. Many of our customers are strictly sterling silver wearers. The platinum overlay of this ring gives it an excellent luster. This ring is very similar to the celestrium in appearance with the exception that it has much more lustre.

4. 10kt WHITE OR YELLOW GOLD is a good choice for those who want a gold ring that can be worn often. Since 10kt gold has a little bit less gold content it is harder than 14kt gold and more durable. I recommend 10kt gold to those of you who plan on wearing your ring frequently. Since 10kt has less gold content it cost less than 14kt gold. Any dealer who sells 10kt gold should give you a lifetime guarantee with the ring, and any reputable dealer will.

5. 14kt WHITE OR YELLOW GOLD is the top of the line for ring wear. 18 or 24kt gold will be much too soft to be practical to wear as a ring. These may be excellent choices for charms or necklaces but since the fingers take so much abuse every day these softer rings will wear out very quickly. Many of you want to wear the top of the line only which is fine. This is why you have the choice of 14kt gold. These rings also come with a lifetime guarantee. Many of the customers who choose these metals use them as special occasion wear or heirlooms to pass down to future generations.

We have given you a little bit here, there are many, many more articles to come on the overall subject. We hope that this article has been a help to you and that it will be a start for you.

By Cedric W. Rice

Platinum - The Metal of Choice For Special Occasions!

In the early days, gold was just yellow. But today when you see yellow gold, it is mostly for rings and pendants that are either old, or for flashy designs. The metal of choice for engagement rings and wedding rings alike has become white gold. But then, there is one small tragedy which comes in when you wear white gold. It bears an uncanny resemblance to sterling silver! So, if you are the kind to show off, wearing a ring that resembles silver does not augment well! With modern technology, it is also possible to create gold in a few other colors, but that is stuff for another article!

Platinum, as we are aware, is one of the rarest metals to be found in the earth, and is valued to be much higher than even gold - which is considered to be the standard of valuation all over the world.

Going back in time, the name Platinum is derived from Spanish - from the phrase 'Platina del Pinto', which can be translated as 'little silver of the Pinto river'. That is where the metal was first found, and hence the name stuck. Platinum started becoming very popular in the 18th century, when King Louis XV of France declared it to be the only metal fit for a king's jewelry, as it was so rare!

Trivia- Platinum is considered to be about 30 times rarer than Gold in the earth's surface!!

Why are we giving you all this history of the metal? Because for a special occasion like a marriage or a special anniversary, this is the best option you should consider. Platinum anyway is gaining popularity all over the world, with separate platinum guilds being formed to regulate the sale and certification of the metal. For engagement rings also, platinum has become the third highest used material - after white gold and yellow gold. There are a few significant advantages of platinum being used in making jewelry.

•Stability - Like gold, platinum also is well known for its stability. In fact, some isotopes of platinum are way more stable than gold, and they are going to be around millions of years from now! Unlike several other metals and materials, platinum is unaffected by contact with such highly corrosive liquids like Hydrochloric acid and Nitric acid. So, that is another very big positive when investing in a platinum ring.

•Quality - Like the world gold council, platinum also has a governing body, and the platinum ingots are assayed and hallmarked pretty much like the gold and silver ingots all around the world. So, when you buy platinum jewelry from a reputed jeweler (or a well known online jeweler), you can ask for the certification of the metal used, and you are assured of its price for a lifetime.

•Investment - Again like gold and silver, platinum is publicly traded as a commodity in stock exchanges across the world, and several people prefer platinum to gold for short term investments, as the price is much more reactive to international market situations. Certified platinum can be sold at the day's market price almost anywhere, and that makes it quite a good investment.

•Specialty - Over the years, gold jewelry has become exceedingly common, and there are some special occasions in life which deserve something extra. That something extra has to be more valuable and rarer than gold; which means the choice is platinum. Getting platinum jewelry as a gift is a feeling that is absolutely inexpressible, and occasions like a 25th anniversary deserve a platinum ring for sure.

When you buy a platinum ring online, you are sure to get a price that is not possible at your local jewelry store. There are quite a few special offers also that you can see online, which make sure that your cost of the ring comes down significantly. It is not an exaggeration to say that if you strike the right bargain, you can get a platinum anniversary ring online at the price of a gold ring offline!

By Martha Miller

Platinum Rings - Historical Facts About This Much Beloved Precious Metal

Platinum rings have so many exceptionally wonderful qualities that seem to set them apart from rings made from other types of precious metal. With its sleek, glamorous look, this most beloved of precious metals has long been a favorite of the "glamorous set," which these days includes movie stars, models and other fashionable types. But as sleek and "modern" as platinum jewelry seems to us now, its roots are actually very ancient indeed.

As a matter of fact, to give you a sense of just how ancient platinum is, meteorites are known to contain platinum (as well as numerous other metals), and we also know that meteorites first struck the earth approximately two billion years ago. Historical records also indicate that platinum was used by Ancient Egyptians and other ancient peoples (including the Incas in South America). Platinum then seemed to "disappear" for a while, until it was "rediscovered," first in the 1700s, and then again in the 1800s and 1900s. Today, in the twenty-first century, platinum rings and many other types of platinum jewelry remain a source of fascination and joy worldwide.

One of the most successful early uses of platinum occurred in the early 1900s when celebrated jeweler Louis Cartier figured out how to bring out the full glory or platinum in the jewelry that he made for royals and other wealthy individuals throughout Europe and beyond. Then, in 1924 a massive platinum deposit was discovered in South Africa, and from that point forward, the platinum industry had its principle source.

By Riley Grant

Wedding Ring Sets - His and Hers Jewelry to Symbolise Your Love

Some very popular wedding ring set designs include a basic yellow or white gold band, silver and gold combination bands, and even two tone gold braided bands. These are just a few designs that are popular amount couples now, but there are millions of designs to choose from. Many jewelers even offer a customization plan where you and your loved one can design your own ring set!

There are many places where you can purchase a wedding ring set. For starters, the internet is booming with many online jewelery retailers. However, the internet is also a very easy way to lose money when making major purchases such as jewelry or other expensive things. An online set should never be purchased with out first making sure that the jewelry is going to come with a certificate of authenticity and some type of warranty. It is also not a bad idea to look into insurance for your wedding ring set, as something so valuable can be hard to replace without the safety net of insurance.

Of course, if you are not too keen on the idea of purchasing your wedding rings via the internet, there are numerous jewelry retailers that can help you find the perfect set to symbolize your marriage. Even outlet malls often have major jewelry brand shops that sell sets at very fair prices, as well as eternity rings and more. What ever you choose this is a purchase decision to take your time over as it is an expensive item that you want to enjoy wearing for the rest of your life.

By Simon Claudiman