Brides and Ring’s Jewelry Guide

Jewelry holds a spectacular amount of power and fun simply by its ability to transform the wearer. For instance, that little black dress that has been hanging in the closest for years can look new again with a bright bangle bracelet or a sweater can be jazzed up with a sassy choker necklace.

To help you in your jewelry buying quest, here’s our brief guide to jewelry pieces, from Engagement Rings to Bangle Bracelets…

Rings

The ring may be the single most symbolic piece of jewelry. There are so many meanings and traditions that have stood the test of time and fashion. There is a ring for just about every occasion and within every category of ring are literally dozens of sub categories.

Engagement Rings

This tradition has been passed down for hundreds of years, since its arrival on the scene of fashion back in the mid-16th century. The diamond engagement ring was first introduced by the Archduke Maximillian of Austria to Mary of Burgandy, beginning the birth of a tradition. Today diamond engagement rings are available in all price ranges and there are literally dozens of styles to choose from. Here is a brief breakdown of engagement rings by style and design:

Solitaire

A simple yet elegant ring of precious metal holding a dazzling solitary diamond is the stuff fairy tales are made of. This is the ultimate in classical beauty. If you are in the market for an engagement ring, the diamond solitaire is the pinnacle of romance and grace.

Pave

Imagine a road paved in diamonds. Heaven, right? Well, that is what the pave engagement ring goes for. The band is paved in diamonds that are deeply embedded into the band for protection and the highest level of dazzle. This style has the flashy girl in mind.

Gemstones

Not every girl longs to gaze down at a diamond upon her finger. Many girls fall head over heels for emeralds, sapphires and rubies and nowadays it is quite a woman’s choice when it comes to her engagement ring, as it should be!

For more information on engagement rings, check out these articles:

• Engagement Rings Overview
• How to Buy the Perfect Engagement Ring
• The Classic Solitaire Engagement Ring
• Blue Sapphire Engagement Rings

Wedding Rings and Bands

The wedding ring is meant to make the bond between the two lovers official. In addition, the wedding ring should show off the beauty of the engagement ring and must be considered a match to the style of the engagement ring. Be sure to not buy one without the other one in mind.

For more information on wedding rings:

• Wedding Ring Styles Guide

Fashion Rings

Nothing says “Ooh LA LA!” like a single, bold, chunky ring or a cluster of sparkly rings paired up next to each other. Fashion rings are fun, easy and can be one of the cheapest ways to breathe new life into a tired outfit or dress. One word of caution: sometimes a ring can tip one’s style overboard if paired with too many other jewelry pieces. Be sure to give yourself a double take to see if a ring is just a bit too much.

Earrings and Diamond Studs

Earrings are like the framework of precious art. In the same way that a frame only adds to the beauty of artwork, a pair of lovely earrings frames the beauty of the wearer’s face. Earrings are also full of transformative powers. For example, a pair of over-sized gold hoops can read “young and hip” or “demure and sexy.”

In addition, there is no such thing as “inappropriate” stud earrings. Such a style is as easily paired with pajamas as it is with a white wedding gown. Which brings us to our next item of conversation: the diamond stud.

The Perfect Pair of Earrings

There is no such thing as a bad time to wear diamond studs. This timeless creation was made for all outfits, all occasions and all individual styles. It is the one piece of jewelry that is a sure thing every time. There is also no such thing as a “dated” pair of diamond studs. In other words, a pair of diamond studs never goes out of style. When in doubt over what would make a perfect gift for any lass, go with this little winner.

For more information on Earrings and Diamond Studs:

• Tips for Buying Diamond Stud Earrings
• Earrings Guide and Buying Tips

Necklaces and Pendants

No two necklace lengths are the same, both in length, obviously, but also in style. Three popular necklace lengths are:

• Opera
• Choker
• Princess

In addition, there are one or two lengths that fall in between these above-mentioned lengths. Here is a closer look at each length:

Opera length

The Opera length sits just middle of one’s cleavage or sometimes a bit lower. Often it is worn alone or perhaps with much smaller pieces such as a stud earring or a single ring. Take caution to not allow this length to become dated by choosing colors or a design that makes a certain statement since this style of necklace stands out so much. It is easy to keep a youthful and fresh approach to the Opera length however, by opting for updated pendants and metal choices and avoiding cliche cameo pendants or coppery-colored metals once popular in the 1970s.

Choker length

The choker, as it sounds, sits right above the collarbone and sometimes directly in the middle of one’s neck. This style is both dramatic and chic. Best when paired with hair that is either cropped short or is pulled up and away from the face, the choker necklace can easily mingle with earrings, rings and other such pieces in the way that an Opera length cannot. Also, since the choker necklace pulls one’s attention upward towards the face, this necklace style can cause the wearer to appear taller and as stately as Princess Di, whom adored the choker length necklace.

Princess length

The Princess length rests just below the collarbone and is most commonly paired with a pendant. This length can go from the office to the cocktail bar or from junior high school to college since it is often times the first necklace style a girl owns. The main purpose of the Princess length is to show off a pendant.

There are few times when a single Princess length chain would be worn best without a pendant to pull it down a little bit. In fact, such a necklace length can actually become quite annoying if not worn with a pendant because it will easily get in the way of shirt collars, necklines and can sway back up to one’s neck causing the wearer to constantly have to pull the chain back down into place if a pendant is not used to keep it in place.

For more information on Necklaces and Pendants:

• Necklace and Pendant Guide

Bracelets

The one and perhaps only piece of jewelry that can be worn all day everyday no matter what the activity or outfit is a bracelet. That is, of course, except for the already mentioned perfect pair of diamond stud earrings. A bracelet will never get in one’s way when performing physically active sports or recreation in the way that dangling earrings or any necklace might. This practicality is also what made the diamond tennis bracelet popular.

Although, it must be said that when the famous tennis pro, Chris Evert, had to take the time out of her tennis match to pick up the diamonds that broke off her bracelet would not be considered “practical.” However, such incidents are the exception. A bracelet is usually so sturdy and wearable that one can almost begin to be as easy to wear as one’s own skin. In fact, give a bracelet a couple of days and one is likely to forget one is wearing any jewelry at all. Meanwhile, the beauty of the bracelet is there for all to behold.

Bangle Bracelets

This style goes back as far as Cleopatra at least. It is one of the first forms of jewelry ever to be worn by mankind. Gold, stone, animal skin and teeth, metal and shells have been used to create bangle bracelets possibly since the beginning of human history. Since it does not require, obviously, any piercing of the skin, the wrist is one of the first places early men and women used to show off the spoils of their hunt or scavenging.

Diamond Tennis Bracelet

This style has existed for many decades but was not given its name until the infamous event mentioned above when Chris Evert had to take a minute out of her match to pick up the diamonds that had fallen out of her diamond bracelet.

Since then, a strip of diamonds linked next to each other as been called a “tennis bracelet” and it is certainly not just for tennis or sports. This little beauty can easily float from daytime to night time wear and can be as an everyday standard or a special occasion-only sort of piece. That is also what makes this particular style of bracelet the perfect gift for a woman who has everything or who simply wants everything. The diamond tennis bracelet does not carry a certain attitude or flair but merely compliments a woman’s already announced personal style and flair.

For more information on bracelets:

• All about Bracelets!