Anniversary Rings
In this age of rising divorce rates, any anniversary is cause for celebration, and many men choose to celebrate by presenting their wives with anniversary rings. While they are similar to engagement rings, these tokens of commitment actually have many unique characteristics that make them treasured symbols of the couple's relationship.
What are Anniversary Rings?
Simply put, any ring that is given on an anniversary qualifies as an anniversary ring. The jewelry industry, however, has specific design guidelines for these rings, also called anniversary bands, a fact that couples should be aware of when shopping for the perfect ring.
Styles
Anniversary rings come in a wide range of designs, though the most common style is to have a row of diamonds or other gems across the top of the ring, typically in a simple setting to complement the original engagement ring or bridal set. For a more elegant motif, many couples choose eternity rings, where the stones circle the entire finger, though they are naturally more expensive. Three-stone rings are another popular choice.
Stones
The most popular anniversary stones are diamonds because they are reminiscent of the engagement ring or diamond wedding rings and create a lovely complimentary piece of jewelry. Couples should not feel limited, however, and they can choose any appealing gem. A popular choice is to incorporate the birthstones of significant months, such as the wedding month, the couple's birthdays, or children's birthdays.
The stones are usually uniformly sized so as not to be confused with engagement rings. Typically, between three and five stones may be used, depending on the ring's size and design. Furthermore, the stones should be positioned so that the ring can be worn with other jewelry, including the wedding ring or set. Round, princess, and emerald are the most popular shapes for stones in anniversary bands.
Metals
Anniversary rings can be found in most types of metal, including gold, white gold, platinum, and titanium. For continuity in design, most couples choose anniversary bands that match the type of metal and karat value of their wedding rings, but if the ring is to be worn separately, there are no limitations.
For Which Anniversary?
There is no specified anniversary that dictates now is the time for an anniversary ring. Because of the expense of a multi-stone ring, however, most couples present the ring only for significant anniversaries, such as the tenth, twentieth, twenty-fifth, or fiftieth. Later anniversaries, in fact, often recommend gems as gifts, making a new ring the logical choice to commemorate the momentous occasion. To be less predictable, some couples choose to present the ring as a commemoration of the date they got engaged, or perhaps the birth of a child or overcoming some obstacle in their marriage. Depending on the style of the original engagement ring, many couples may even take the opportunity to upgrade to a more elaborate ring than was initially given.
Wearing Anniversary Rings
Three stone ring with bar accents.
How a woman wears an anniversary ring depends on her personal jewelry preferences as well as her lifestyle. Just as with any fine jewelry, the ring should be meticulously cared for to preserve its appearance and value. The ring should not be worn during housecleaning chores or while performing harsh activities that could result in scratches, nicks, or other accidental damage.Many women choose to wear anniversary bands along with their wedding sets on their left hand. If the anniversary band is sufficiently more elaborate than the set, however, it may look more balanced to wear it on the right hand. Some women even choose to replace the wedding set altogether, particularly if it is very old, no longer suits their stylistic preferences, or if they plan to use the original set as an heirloom for their children.
Anniversary rings are an elegant way to commemorate a significant anniversary or other event in a couple's marriage. While they do not typically have as many style variations as engagement rings or the more contemporary Right Hand Rings, they are sophisticated rings in their own right, and the sparkle they bring to a woman's finger is the same sparkle they celebrate in the couple's marriage.
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