celtic wedding band

By JohnTIrvin |

Sunday, 27 May 2012

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Engagements are a special time for every couple; it is a time for them to start their lifelong bond. As couples get engaged and start to plan their weddings, they want everything from the flowers to the invitations to represent who they are as a couple and how they plan to share their lives together. All of this starts with the engagement ring, and Celtic jewelry can allow you to mark your engagement with a trendy look of today or a classic traditional look depending on your tastes.

Celtic themed jewelry has been rising in interest and is fashionable right now for it's uniqueness and intricacy of design. Pairing a Trinity or lovers knot band with the popular princess or brilliant cut diamond in white gold will give you a look straight out of the fashion pages, while still being unique enough not to be faddy. The princess and brilliant cut diamonds are some of the most contemporary options right now in engagement rings, they are modern looking and catch the light well. White gold and platinum bands are also en vogue. Platinum has always been a luxury choice and white gold offers the same look at a lower price.

If you want a classic, traditional look, the rich history and timelessness of Celtic design provides just that. Whether it's a deep green emerald or the iconic Claddagh in 14 Karat gold, these designs will last a lifetime providing a nod to history and perhaps even your heritage. Paired with a Celtic wedding band or other Celtic jewelry you can make a striking statement that is appealing to the eye and as traditional as a string of pearls.

Choosing your engagement ring is an exciting and meaningful decision. One that should reflect the bond, and the personality of the couple. Celtic engagement rings are rings that you can wear forever without tiring of the design or looking out of style. While the designs are steeped in a rich and lasting heritage their evergreen quality still remains high fashion.

Pairing these rings with a complementary Celtic wedding band makes a high impact pair that is sure to draw compliments wherever you go. This set can also be the foundation for developing a collection of Celtic jewelry. (Attention future husbands!) Celtic wedding sets are also easily paired with all different types of jewelry, serving only to enhance your overall look. No matter what you like, a Celtic engagement ring will mark this moment with a meaningful and unique piece of jewelry.

irish wedding band

By JohnTIrvin | 0 comments

Choosing a wedding ring might involve months of debate between you and your spouse-to-be. If Celtic wedding ring is your final choice then you have not only chosen something beautiful but also something that carries a history of tradition with it.

Your weddings rings should be such that they reflect the undying love you have for each other. Try and pick a ring which you could cherish forever and something that would not look out of fashion in the coming years. Go ahead and purchase a diamond wedding ring if you can afford to. It is sure to bring a smile on the face of your beloved. And if you have chosen a Celtic wedding ring, then too you have probably chosen the right thing.

The Stories Behind Celtic Wedding Ring

Here are some reasons why Celtic rings are so popular.

The history behind these rings dates back to the 16th century. These rings were a symbol of love and expression. These traditional symbols have their origin in Claddaugh in Ireland. A man named Richard Joyce was kidnapped by the pirates. He designed a ring to express the love he felt for a girl he had left behind. This ring consisted of a heart which showed his undying love, a crown symbolizing his loyalty and also hands meant to show friendship. When this man returned a few years later, he found that his beloved was still unmarried. He then gifted this ring to her and ever since these Celtic wedding rings have been worn by newlyweds. Another version says that the ring design was brought back from the crusaders by a young man who had been captured by the Saracens.

Whatever be the history and the tradition behind these wedding rings, they have now become a symbol of pure love and affection. The heart in the center of the ring symbolizes love, the hands represent friendship and the crown is a symbol of fidelity. If the ring is worn on the left hand and is facing inwards then it is said that the heart is spoken for. If you are unattached, then it is advised to wear the ring on your right hand, that too facing outward. Back then the ring designed by Richard Joyce was passed from mother to daughter and was considered an heirloom with great pride.

The Celtic wedding ring wearer indicates that the two are happily married and their love and friendship would last forever. It is surely a unique wedding ring and you can go ahead and shop for it on the internet, if they are not available in your local jeweler's store. But, just make sure that the Celtic wedding rings of yours proves to be the most perfect and romantic ring for both of you as a couple.

karat wedding band

By JohnTIrvin | 0 comments

Gold Value Calculations - How Professionals Arrive at a Price:

G'day again and welcome to my special three part submission on just how appraisers and Valuers arrive at an appraisal or Valuation Replacement price by using formulas and calculations to arrive at a final figure.

This is NOT difficult and anyone can do this with a simple high school calculator, and so I have included in this series of articles, not only that actual method or formulas used, but also a secret and easy to implement tool to arrive at the same result - but without all the hassle.

But first we need to lay the ground-work of just what a Gold Value Calculation can do - but more importantly what it can't do.

It does NOT calculate the major part of your gem-set jewelry - Yes you guessed it - Diamonds and Gemstones.

This is a simple valuation system for GOLD ONLY ITEMS of jewelry and can be utilized for any quality of gold in any color, and to almost any weight.

But because we all have some of those jewelry items around the house, then it's worth while breaking down the formulas to see how it works on Wedding Bands and Plain Signet Rings etc.

This same system can also get us a really good approximation or 'Ball Park' figure on Bracelets, Chains, Earrings, Brooches, Cuff links and Tie Bars. In fact ANYTHING which is made up from gold only (not mixed with other metals like silver or platinum), without being embellished with gemstones of any kind.

And while it's true that gemstones make up the MOST value in any jewelry appraisal or valuation, it should be remembered that if we lost our webbing ring or something else made from gold only, we would still need to know what the item was worth for replacement. Even if that replacement had NOTHING to do with an Insurance Company or not. It's also nice to know what you should sell an item for - or buy it at a fair price in the first place.

Yet the purists might say that we can't value an item based just on the weight, and I must agree with them to a certain degree. Certainly we do NOT take into account any Vintage or Antique Value, and we also do NOT take into account the condition or workmanship associated with each item.

We simply can't do that with a single formula or tool.

But we CAN arrive at 99% percent of general value just by taking into consideration the color, item, carat (karat) quality and the weight alone. These four factors when combined into the formula WILL give us a darned good approximation.So why don't we use that and accept it is NOT an appraisal. It's simply a Gold Value Calculation.

So before we get 'Down and Dirty' with the formulas, I want you all to get ONE ITEM of your gold only jewelry off the finger or from around your neck, and lets use that as your insight to the World of Jewelers and Appraisers and Antique Dealers and such, to try and understand just how they can calculate so quickly what something might be worth and arrive at a fair buying or selling price in their minds (experience not withstanding).

It's a couple of steps, but once you have mastered this - it's Gold in the Bank (sorry about the pun - I couldn't resist). So are your ready? Have you got your wedding Ring on the kitchen table (or next to your computer) because if you have then hopefully we can can get those four items of information together and get it valued...

In the next article in this three part series we are going to dissect the Gold Value Formula into it's component parts and see how it all fits together.

mens diamond wedding band

By JohnTIrvin | 0 comments

Most customers are absolutely clueless of what to look for when choosing and buying diamond wedding bands. All qualities look alike except designs and styles. There are hundreds of bands to choose from in various price range, colors and quality. It is overwhelming but nonetheless with some knowledge about diamonds can help decide better and make a right perfect buy!

Both men and women prefer to have unique and stylish bands that suit their fashion tastes and lifestyles at affordable prices.

In fact, in the ever-changing fashion world of jewelry, these wedding bands attempted to do something that had not been done earlier in the past. Designers made the setting of diamonds in bands in such a way that with high polished beads of white gold or platinum that couldn't be distinguished from the stone itself. As a result it gave the kind of effect that it would end up looking like a very feminine and yet petite. The look was awesome appearing as micro-thin row of diamonds in a band.

The design of the diamond wedding bands may be different from the single studded band, which is a mixture of Celtic knots. They are stylish and fashionable, yet giving unique and elegant class of look as a stand-alone piece of jewelry on the fingers.

When buying these bands one should not forget the true characteristics of diamonds and methods of evaluation - cut, color, carat, clarity and shape.

Today, the round cut diamond is the most preferred type of diamond wedding band. Many people invest in diamonds that match their personal taste, personality and lifestyle. A small, petite woman may prefer dainty channel-set hoops, while a tall, statuesque lady might wear large, round studs. Because diamonds last a lifetime and are women's best friends it must define the persona of a wearer.

Princess cut and round brilliant diamonds are some of the most desirable stones. Despite their popularity, they look strikingly different. Channel set diamond wedding bands became very popular and with new micro-wall setting these have become the top biggest selling item now.

band wedding

By JohnTIrvin | 0 comments

Congratulation! You have finally made the decision to go with a live band instead of a DJ for your wedding reception. Now you face the daunting task of finding the right band. How do you find them? How much should you pay? How long should they play for? What things should I avoid, and what must I have? As a veteran of over 200 weddings, let me offer 5 simple ideas I have learned over the years.

1. Get a Detailed Quote I can't stress how important this is. Sometimes a vague quote might be a great price, but does it include everything you need and want? Can you choose some of the songs? Will they learn your first dance song? How long will they play for that amount? How long are their breaks? What kind of PA will they use? Will they MC portions of the night? Will they bring dance lights and stage lights? Does the price include a microphone for your toasts and any speeches that might be given? If you don't ask, and the band doesn't offer a written detailed quote, you may be in for a big disappointment. So ask for the details.

2. Check The Band Out: It is always preferable if you can see the band perform live at a wedding reception. Most "real" bands have deals with every bride: "I can get you into this wedding to see the band, as long as when your wedding comes around, you let us bring another potential client to your wedding. Every bride I have ever worked with has been fine with that arrangement. (hint: just don't drink their alcohol or eat the food)

Sometimes you can't see the band live. I would say that more than 50% of our clients have NOT been able to see the band they hire in person. Don't worry if you can't. There are other ways. See if they have any LIVE videos. It is hard to fake a good performance on tape. Also, ask for references and call them. A good band should submit the references with their quote if they have nothing to hide. Ask your wedding planner, she knows who the good bands are.

3. Think About the Type of Music Your Guests Like: This is far more important that you might think at first. If you are hiring a band to get people dancing and keep them dancing, you have to hire a band that plays the kind of music the crowd wants to dance to. Two stories illustrate this truth well:

I will never forget the time we showed up to perform at a wedding in Breckenridge Colorado. The bride only wanted country music. Her friends and family didn't like country, and nobody was dancing. The bride was more than a little discouraged. But she wouldn't let us change up the music. The result: we played to an empty dance floor for two hours. When the bride left, we broke out into some classic rock and the dance floor immediately filled up for the rest of the night.

One time we got hired to play country music and when we showed up, everyone wanted 80's heavy metal. The bride and groom hired us because we gave them a great deal. We did our best and pulled it off. It would have made a better party for everyone if they had hired an 80's metal band that played a little country.

Ask yourself these questions: What kind of music do my parents like to dance to? My husband parents? How about my friends from college? Or my husbands friends. It really is that easy. Hire a band that can play those styles of music and you should have a great reception.

4. Get it In Writing: Yes, you need a contract! This makes everything so much easier. Remember, you will be planning a lot of things. You may hire the band 6 months before the wedding. You are also hiring a caterer, a venue, a minister, a photographer, a florist, ceremony music etc. If you don't have the details written out in a contract, you will probably forget the details. This is also a recipe for disaster. Every good band will demand a contract, and they will write it up for both of you.

5. Start Your Search Early: If you are having a June or July wedding, you need to start looking for your band 9-12 months ahead of time. The good bands get hired early. If you are getting married in a slower time October-April, you can start your search 6 months before the wedding. Where do you look? There are several places you can look. One of them is Gigmasters. You can search their site for every type of band, and narrow it down to the city and state you are getting married in. You can also do a Google search, for example "Colorado Country Bands" if your wedding is in Colorado. A bunch of bands will show up. I would stay away from bar bands and here's why: A bar band often plays for free drinks and likes to do their own thing. They play what they want to hear, not necessarily what your guests do. A good wedding band will play what your crowd wants to dance to, even if they don't like the songs themselves. You'll never know they don't like it because they are professionals.

I hope these 5 thoughts help you as you search for the best band for your wedding!