| Rings | | | | the way or only partway around the band. These |
| In simplest terms, a ring is a circular band worn | | | | bands are simply renamed and energetically |
| on the finger. But rings are perhaps the most | | | | marketed versions of the ancient eternity ring, |
| meaningful of all jewelry. Rings have served dozen | | | | so-called because the circle is a traditional symbol |
| of important purposes since people first wore | | | | of eternity. Today's eternity rings have gems set |
| them in the third millennium BC. They have | | | | all the way around the ring. De Beers introduced |
| expressed friendship, promised marriage, and | | | | the style's new name in the 1970's as a |
| commemorated the departed. Today, rings are as | | | | promotional effort to sell smaller diamonds to |
| meaningful as ever. Perhaps that's why they're | | | | married couples. |
| the most popular type of jewelry sold in the U.S. | | | | Colored Stone Ring Styles |
| Popular Ring Styles | | | | Diamonds aren't the only gems that are popular in |
| Solitaire rings - typically showcase the beauty of a | | | | rings. Colored stones are also very much in |
| single gem. That gem is often a diamond, although | | | | demand. Their rainbow hues make them versatile |
| colored stones and cultured pearls are also used in | | | | additions to any jewelry wardrobe. |
| solitaries. The gem is usually the dominant feature | | | | Often, the colored stone in a ring is accented with |
| of a solitaire ring. This style became popular after | | | | diamonds. There are many variations on these |
| the 1880s, when new supplies of diamonds | | | | two main styles: the cluster ring, with a large |
| entered the market from newly discovered | | | | center stone entirely surrounded by diamonds, |
| deposits in South Africa. The custom of the | | | | and the three-stone ring, featuring a colored stone |
| diamond solitaire engagement ring took root in the | | | | in the middle of a matched pair of diamonds. |
| US in the early twentieth century. The style | | | | Anniversary (or eternity) rings might feature |
| continues to be enormously popular today. | | | | colored stones instead of diamonds, or colored |
| Diamond Ring Styles | | | | stones alternating with diamonds. These are ideal |
| The tradition of wearing both an engagement ring | | | | for the customer looking for a companion for a |
| and a wedding ring dates back to the 1800s. But | | | | colored stone solitaire ring. |
| the concept of a matching wedding and | | | | The colored stone in a ring is often one of the |
| engagement ring is a twentieth-century | | | | "Big Three": ruby, sapphire, and emerald. But this |
| development. The wedding ring in a wedding set | | | | isn't always the case. Vibrant colored stones like |
| can be a plain or decorated band of gold or | | | | tanzanite and tourmaline are also excellent choices |
| platinum. Or it can be set with diamonds or other | | | | for occasional wear in cocktail or fashion rings. |
| gems. Then there are guards and wraps, which | | | | They can provide the spectacular effect of a |
| are wedding rings, designed to curve around or | | | | large stone without the expense of a comparably |
| partly surround the diamond solitaire engagement | | | | sized diamond. |
| ring they set off. | | | | Many designers use colored stones in contracting |
| A matching ensemble of an engagement ring, | | | | colors and shapes to create dramatic jewelry |
| woman's wedding ring, and man's wedding band is | | | | styles. The bold green of tsavorite garnet or |
| sometimes called a trio. Matching engagement ring | | | | peridot makes a striking statement when |
| and wedding band sets are sometimes called bridal | | | | combined with the rich red of tourmaline or |
| sets or duos. | | | | rhodolite garnet. |
| Men's wedding rings have been traditionally made | | | | Colored stones can take the starring role in |
| of gold or titanium, but tungsten has become one | | | | high-priced, one-of-a-kind jewelry. Set with a |
| of the most popular metals for a man's wedding | | | | modestly priced amethyst or garnet, they can be |
| ring. Due to tungsten's resistance to scratching | | | | part of a lovely birthstone ring. Colored stones are |
| and its heft make it a very masculine ring. | | | | also popular in men's jewelry, where gems like |
| Anniversary bands have become popular as a gift | | | | jadeite and cat's-eye chrysoberyl provide a |
| from husband to wife on a wedding anniversary. | | | | strong, masculine look. |
| Anniversary bands are set with a continuous row | | | | New styles such as colored stones and tungsten |
| of diamonds or other precious gems, usually of | | | | are a vital part of the jewelry marketplace. |
| the same size and cut. The gems can extend all | | | | |