First, let me say congratulations on making the decision to get married to that most important person in your life—your wife or your husband. Now for some facts. How to choose the right engagement ring and wedding bands? Do you both get engagement rings? What type of metal should you get? Where should you shop? And how much should you pay?
Let me answer these questions as best as I can. The right engagement and wedding bands should be not only a symbol of your love and commitment, but a very open display of your individuality and personality. You are not going to settle on a cookie-cutter style, therefore, find a jeweler who is willing to listen and know about you and your partner. This will not happen on the Internet. The best thing you can do is shop local and make buying rings part of the overall fun experience.
Should you both get engagement and wedding rings? I think so. Why not? Shout out to the world that you are going forward with your lives together. I think the embracing of giving rings to each other is more than a display. Ring giving is an emotional statement. Remember, we are creating trends and traditions like never before.
What type of metal should your rings be made of? The answer is simple. Stay with the finer metals that work well with your lifestyle and type of work you do. I am going to say avoid the alternative metals. I know they are trendy but they really are just street-fair type of costume jewelry. You both deserve the best for this lifetime expression. The right type of metal is silver, gold or platinum.
Where should you shop? I strongly recommend that you shop local. Shop with a true professional jeweler. Shop at a place where you can establish a personal relationship. Shop with a jeweler who cares about you and the moments in your life. Shop at the places that have always embraced you and will continue to do so.
Finally, how much should you spend? That answer is simple. If you want quality jewelry, do not just shop price point. Low pricing is often a sign of mass-produced and poor quality product. I would not even call that jewelry. Fine jewelry is quality made at affordable pricing. So the answer is to buy what is comfortable for the both of you. Remember, you are going to be wearing it for a lifetime.
Now get shopping. Diamonds are a woman's best friend and now a man's best friend as well.
Don Strzepek is the owner of Tucker, Inc. Stop by 5 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 507; visit www.tuckercompany.net or call 312-263-3317 .
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