Archive for the ‘Bridal Jewelry’ Category
From Yesterday’s Asia to Today’s Artisan Jeweler: The History of Mokume Gane
The timeless, elegant look of Mokume gane metalwork is something to behold. Not only is the handsome styling of Mokume gane arresting and attractive, it has a fascinating back-story that makes it a true conversation piece.
The Japanese word translates to English as “wood eye metal.” There are a few other historical names for the metalwork, which translate to “cloud metal” and “wood-grain metal.” These translations are quite descriptive, as the rippling, rolling look of the Mokume gane patterns resemble wood grain. Certainly, comparing Mokume gane to wood grain is fitting, but the array of patterns produced by experienced artisans are as diverse as the clouds themselves.
It was 17th century Japanese katana makers who came up with the process of creating Mokume gane metal, which was used as sword fittings. Changes in weaponry killed the market for katanas, and Mokume gane artisans instead plied their trade for decorative items such as jewelry. They created their unique metalwork by liquefying soft metallic elements, which would form liquid phase diffusion bonds. This means the metal bonds together, but doesn’t entirely melt. The resulting patterns are striking.
Today’s Mokume gane rings are made from a wide array of various precious metals, including titanium, platinum, iron, brass, bronze, sterling and nickel silver and assorted colors of karat gold. Since there are a wide variety of metals available for use in the Mokume gane process, it results in an extremely diverse possibility of looks in the final product.
Those artisans who make Mokume gane rings are creating something unique every single time they create a piece. Because the process is a result of a series of twisting, rolling and forging, you can be sure that no two pieces of jewelry will be alike.
Since Mokume gane metalwork has only been in the U.S. since the 1970s, there isn’t much heirloom jewelry in this country. If you’re seeking an unique piece that has heirloom potential, Mokume gane is worth investigating further. For some of the finest Mokume Jewelry in the world, visit The Chris Ploof Studio in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. Chris creates beautiful meteorite and damascus steel jewelry in addition to his mokume work.
A Wedding Ring Involves Deep Love and Commitment For the Wedding Couples
The wedding is the most sacred part of human life; each and every item involved with wedding is sacred and important to the wedding couples. One of the most important of these wedding accessories is the ring. Wedding ring is considered to be the bond between the wedding couple and the most essential item for a wedding. Use of rings started quite a long time ago; its use was first seen during the Egyptian civilization, when the men used to offer hay or leaf made rings to the women. If a woman accepted the ring from a man, it made the woman his wife and a property of the man. Later this ritual was also seen to be practiced in Rome. Gradually it became prevalent worldwide among all races and religions. First it was just the women who used to wear wedding rings, but after the Second World War, men also started using rings. During the period of war, the men had to stay away from their loved ones for long months. At that time they used these rings as a memory of their women; they felt close to their loved ones.
Nowadays, wedding bands for both men and women are used worldwide. They use it as a symbol of love and commitment towards each other; the ring forms a deep bonding between the wedding couple. It keeps them together for the rest of their marital life. No matter how far the man and wife stay from each other; this wedding ring keeps them close mentally forever. Previously it was believed that the wedding rings had sacred powers; and it was used likewise. People used to wear this ring on the 4th finger of their hand; they believed that this finger contains the vein of love which runs straight to the heart. The wedding rings linked between the husband and the wife through this finger. Nowadays, people do not usually share such belief but they wear it on that finger only as a symbol of tradition.
Wedding rings of gorgeous designs are available nowadays in the market. Many stores and companies have grown up all over the world which provides excellent wedding rings and some of them even provide these gorgeous rings on the basis of monthly installments. This step taken by the stores has made it much easier for the wedding couples to but the best ring for their partners. As said earlier, wedding ring is the most precious item of the marital life and people always want to deliver the best ring to their partner. They try to give their best for purchasing the best ring available in the market. To help people, the ring stores have come forwards and they provide excellent rings. People mostly use diamond studded platinum or gold rings for their wedding; but since these rings are prohibitively expensive, they often fail to buy them. There are even plain gold rings which are gorgeous, but costs much less than the diamond rings. Whatever ring a person uses, it consists of the same love and commitment towards the partner.
Wedding rings are the most important part of a person’s wedding; this wedding ring forms the bond between the husband and the wife as long as they are alive. The ritual of using wedding bands for both men and women started a long time ago.
Author: Mark Jones Fisher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Deciding Factors For the Proper Choice of the Wedding Bands
The choice of the metal for the wedding ring is the most crucial factor. In fact the most popular choice of the metal for the wedding ring is yellow gold. This is an age old tradition and gold being the best choice of the metal for the ring for a long period of time. But in the present day context there had been a big change in the age old custom. And these other metals like Platinum, Titanium and white gold are increasing in popularity with the modern day couples. These are more durable and fashionable too. Platinum with white alloys of gold are demanding by the wedding couples. A slightly yellow white gold alloy, which was used with gold, is now replaced with cheaper nickel-gold alloy with a plating of rhodium. This can be cheap than before but it is it is not at all durable and good. As we have said earlier that titanium has become a hot element for making a wedding ring and every couple wants that. The reasons are its durability, affordability, and gunmetal grey color. Tungsten carbide is also another metal, which is gradually picking its name in this list of wedding ring materials. With gold or platinum inlays tungsten carbide is used. It is equally durable like platinum and titanium and can be molded to a finer finish than the metals mentioned before.
The fact is that these days most of the people these days are in favor choosing these metals for the ring. And therefore the trend of the modern day marriage has changed from its traditional concept of yellow gold as people are feeling free to choose other metals like Platinum, Titanium and other such metals. As the choice of the white metals for the wedding bands is quite popular these days and therefore there are several people who prefer to choose metals like Platinum. Even if the platinum is not affordable for many people they choose white gold rings which give almost the same look as platinum to the wedding band.
Besides the metal for the ring there are also other choices to make while choosing the wedding ring. Other than the metal for the ring the gems chosen for the wedding ring also plays a significant role. In this respect the most preferred choice of the gem for the ring is of course the diamond. In earlier days the diamond was so unavailable that it was only affordable for the kings and nobles. But in the present day context this concept has changed a lot because of the availability of diamond and lower in the price. And therefore the diamond has become more affordable to the common men. But besides the diamond there are also other gems like ruby, emerald and other such precious stones which are equally popular choices for the gem for the wedding band. But still besides the availability of these gems the diamond is the most preferred choice.
Besides that the other factors like the design and the style of the ring are also quite important factors to be paid proper attention to in order to get the best choice of the wedding ring. In fact it should always be kept in mind that the type and style of ring you choose is going to be the partner for your lifetime and therefore one should always be very careful in making the choices.
Wedding rings are the most important part of a person’s wedding; this wedding ring forms the bond between the husband and the wife as long as they are alive. The ritual of using wedding bands for both men and women started a long time ago.
Author: Mark Jones Fisher
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Why You Should Or Shouldn’t Wear Men’s Wedding Rings
The tradition of wedding rings originated from ancient times, tracing back as early to the Greek and Roman periods, when rings were as simple as a woven ring of olive leaves.
The tradition continued through the Victorian ages and slowly blossomed today, but this tradition did not include rings for men. The tradition of wedding rings had all along been one where only women were the only party in marriage to put on wedding rings.
The practice of men’s wedding rings started to gain popularity during the first World War, where many men who had left wives behind wore a piece of jewelry to hold and remember their loved ones close to them.
Following the close of both World Wars, many jewellers had begun to include men as their marketing targets and started to introduce the concept of a double ring wedding, which would later become the common feature of weddings today.
But even then, many men continue to not wear wedding rings for many reasons in today’s society. Some men refuse to declare their marriage status through being identified by jewellery. Others may hold objectionable views towards precious metals or precious stones.
More often than not, most men reject the idea of a wedding band because of the connotation jewelry has with being effeminate. But in fact, men’s wedding bands are especially designed to differentiate them from women’s rings.
Whether you wear a ring or not is not so much an issue of whether you are a man or woman, but more about comfort, convenience, and most importantly, whether you like it or not. It makes no sense if you were to wear a wedding just for the sake of it being a status symbol when it causes you discomfort.
Some jobs even require employees not wear jewelry, their wedding rings included, at work due to safety reasons. For example, an electrician puts himself at great risk if he were to work on circuits with an electricity-conducting ring band on his finger.
And if all those aren’t part of your concern, then whether you wear it or not is simply a matter of choice. Our forefathers many years ago never did, and that didn’t stop them from being happily married.
Eric is an adventurous guy who believes in freedom. He believes that wearing jewelry is a matter of choice and he himself prefers titanium wedding bands. Besides men’s jewelry, Eric T. thinks that bridal ring sets is another great way of expressing your uniqueness.
Author: Eric Tai
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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