For buyers in the market for a rare and precious engagement ring, antique ruby engagement rings are a wonderful option. Often found in Art Deco era rings, they are also found in the Victorian and Edwardian eras as well, as a unique twist on a traditional engagement ring.

Why Rubies?

Rubies have been known as the stone of preference for kings. Finding large, clear, deeply colored rubies are difficult to find, so they tend to be quite expensive. A ruby of choice has a deep red color, rather than the pinkish hues you more often see in lesser pieces. Therefore, antique ruby engagement rings are a rare pick, and a perfect choice for a once in a lifetime occasion.

Victorian and Edwardian Eras

The Victorian and Edwardian eras were known for their luxurious stones set in stylistic mountings. In the Victorian era especially, an antique ruby engagement ring would be a ring of choice, since they were more apt to use other precious stones than the traditional diamond. In choosing an antique ruby engagement ring, you are likely to find inclusions, or imperfections, in the stone. This is due to various reasons, technology of the time, misuse over the years or the choice of stone at the time.

Art Deco Era

The Art Deco era also includes antique ruby engagement rings. This era was known for its artistic flair, and the use of centerpiece stones besides diamonds was even more common. The ruby is a brilliant and striking stone, so it often became, if not the centerpiece of an engagement ring, at least the main accent of the piece, being paired with diamonds for a flashy look. The stones of this period are less likely to have the inclusions of the earlier time period due to technology, but each ring has to be carefully viewed for its quality.

Cut of Rubies

Antique engagement ring design guides the process of choosing the cut of the ruby in an antique ruby engagement ring. The most common cuts found in antique rings are oval or cushion cuts since the technology to do the more extravagant cuts found today was not available during those time periods.

Another cut that is very rare in antique ruby engagement rings is the star ruby, which is cut so that the large inclusion in the ruby is perfectly centered so that it looks like a six sided star. Antique ruby engagement rings were also not submitted to heat treatment, which helps rubies today to have a deeper color and luster.

If you love this article, you will also love another article written by this article’s author on laser engraving equipment and used engraver.

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Wedding rings are a tradition that can be traced as far back as the Egyptians and are the ultimate symbol of love and loyalty for cultures all over the world. The wedding band’s shape is a representation of the love and commitment between the two partners as the circle has no beginning and no end, hence, the marriage should never come to an end.

This ancient tradition of bride and groom exchanging rings has resulted in designs manufactured from all kinds of materials, including leather, grass and twigs, bone and copper. These days’ wedding rings still come in all shapes and forms but are made of sturdier stuff, just take a look online and you’ll see the choices include anything from the classic plain band of gold to platinum, palladium, titanium, tungsten, and sterling silver, hand carved designs, two-tone rings, antique styles and of course, diamond rings.

Once the wedding ceremony and honeymoon is over then you only have your memories and rings as a reminder of that glorious day, and so your choice shouldn’t be a decision to be taken lightly. Some people decide upon the style by choosing something similar to their engagement ring, however many people don’t bother with an engagement anymore and the choice is all yours.

Most wedding rings are manufactured from yellow gold, but this isn’t as common as it once was. 14k and 18k gold are the best choices for yellow gold as they are the strongest and will bear the test of time. White gold is a fashionable option and the perfect choice if you prefer silver but can’t afford platinum.

Platinum is a particularly elegant metal and one of the hardest as it is not mixed with any weaker metals, this is the reason why prices are higher. If you prefer something a little more extravagant then you could always opt for a design that includes a precious stone. In this case you should always check out the durability of the stone as it should be just as strong as the metal as it will need to last a lifetime. For a general idea, diamonds are the strongest precious stone available, followed by rubies and sapphires.

However much you decide to spend on your wedding ring will depend on your budget, if money is no problem then splash out and get a beautiful diamond or platinum wedding ring that is sure to last forever and will attract attention wherever you go. However, when it comes down to it the ring is to symbolize your life together, and a gold band can mean just as much as long as it is given with love and devotion.

Couples like to buy their rings together and make a special occasion of it by visiting the jewelers and often selecting matching rings. Everyone has their own preference so it’s a good idea to go together as you don’t want a ring on your finger for the rest of your life that you don’t like! Most men’s rings are quite plain, often just a simple gold band, whereas the women may prefer something in the same style but with a little more decoration or a small diamond. Modern men are becoming more adventuress and a fashionable choice is a small gem stone inset into the band as they are unique and quite distinct.

A nice touch is to have both rings engraved. A simple date and initials will always remind you of the day you married, or choose a simple message that demonstrates your love to each other.

Look online for wedding rings at Oxford jewellers and you will find plenty of styles to choose from that can be engraved to add a special thoughtful touch. Most online companies’ offer gift wrapping and a gift card for you to add your own special message, they even deliver to the door.

Michiel Van Kets writes articles for Biagio the Jewellers, Oxford jewellers specialized in fine diamonds, with a Diamond Price Promise which means that you can buy with a confidence and trust experienced by our customers. Explore new designs in silver, hot fashion trends in cabochon stones and textured gold, view price and pictures of jewellery ranging from diamond collections and wedding rings to silver heart necklaces and gold amethyst pendants

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