Top 10 Reasons to Shop for Designer Men’s Stylish Jewelry Online

Do you like to stay on top of the latest and greatest fashion trends for men’s style? Chances are that if you do, it can be fairly difficult knowing where to shop at to find the greatest selection and the sweetest bargains on men’s stylish jewelry. The stop and go world of the present day leaves little room for free time when you factor in the craziness of your work schedule combined with family time and recreation. Thanks to the internet, more people are able to shop online for clothing, accessories and men’s stylish jewelry in their spare time, and be able still stay on top of the current fashion trends without running out of time in the process. If you have ever wondered what the top reasons were behind using the power of the online shopping and deal finding to net yourself men’s stylish jewelry that will make you the weekend star with the ladies, perhaps the following top ten reasons can get you in the know before the fashion police come banging down your front door.

Top 10 Reasons to Shop for Designer Men’s Stylish Jewelry Online

1. More convenient. Simply put, it’s convenient to shop online. You don’t have to go anywhere, and you can do it in your pajamas if you so choose.
2. Better selection. Why limit yourself to the cramped space on store shelves when you are trying to find the men’s stylish jewelry that you want? Online stores have virtually unlimited space in their warehouses, which translates into more selection for you.
3. Greater bargains. In the upside down financial world of today, a penny saved is indeed a penny earned. Generally speaking, online men’s stylish jewelry is a much greater value.
4. Door front shipping. Once you have placed your order, it is conveniently mailed directly to your front door.
5. Easy returns. Most online vendors – at least the ones worth shopping at – offer very reasonable returns policies.
6. Price/item comparison. With online shopping, you can effortlessly compare competing merchants and similar selections.
7. One-of-a-kind coupons. If you take your time and look around, you can generally find shopping cart coupon codes that offer you another amenity.
8. Wish list shopping. Newer sites offer wish list features that allow you create shopping lists of items you intend to buy in the near future.
9. Staying ahead of the fashion curb. The sites that offer the men’s stylish jewelry that you want can help keep you in par with the latest and greatest fashions and styles.
10. Monthly newsletters. Stay informed of deals, values and new arrivals by signing up to monthly newsletters.  

Why Do Women Wear Wedding Bands on Their Right Hand?

Have you ever wondered why wedding bands are worn on the left hand of the bride? It’s actually a lot more of a commonly pondered question that you may think that it is at first thought. There are some prominent reasons for this, the most popular of which is a theory that emanates from the 16th Century, where the Tudor belief purported that the ring finger on the left hand was connected directly to a person’s heart via a vein, and that this vascular promiscuity represented a noble claim to a person’s heart.

It was the then founded tradition for a couple that was engaged to be wed to place wedding band on the left hand ring finger of the fiancé, or the bride-to-be, which allowed them to celebrate their union, and that also represented to other potentially interested romantic prospects that this heart was “spoken for” and had already been courted and won (back in those days, brides who wore wedding bands were generally from royalty or wealth, and the presence of a ring on their finger signified that they were indeed taken). It wouldn’t be until centuries later that men would also start wearing wedding bands on the fingers.

Today, it’s not uncommon for women to wear wedding bands on their right hand, however. There are a number of reasons behind this ideology, and most stem from cultural or lifestyle differences between people. What follows are some other common instances of why people may wear wedding bands on their right hand.

• Gender Equality has been a prominent force in today’s society. Some women simply earn more than men – unlike in the older days – and wear wedding bands on their right hand to show economic independence.
• Gay and Lesbian Marriages: A newer concept that is finally being recognized by many countries also commonly switches the hand as a sign of independence and cultural recognition.
• Heirloom: Some people have family heirlooms that are wedding bands and wear them on the right hand as a memorial.
• Cultural Differences: Some cultures and countries believe that wedding bands should be worn on the right hand. This is a tradition followed in countries like Poland, Greece, India and Colombia.

What to do with the Engagement Ring during the wedding ceremony?

It might not be the most difficult part of your wedding to plan, but the question of what to do with the bride’s diamond engagement ring during the ceremony arises frequently. For many an auxiliary question is how the bridal set should be worn after the ceremony? That might influence the placement of the wedding and engagement rings during the wedding itself.

Traditionally engagement and wedding rings are worn together on the left hand, especially if they are a set. The wedding ring is usually first, and closest to the heart, and the engagement ring is worn on top of it. This means that the engagement ring will have to be taken off or changed to the right hand for the ceremony. That way the groom can place the wedding ring in its intended order. After the ceremony the engagement ring can be replaced on the left hand above the wedding ring, if so desired.

Superstition holds that the wedding ring should never be taken off, and if it is not put on first it will have to be removed every time you want to clean or store the engagement ring. Not all women want to wear the engagement ring every day, especially if their job prohibits one, or there is a baby who can be easily scratched.

Of course not removing the ring at all can be very inconvenient, especially if you have the type of skin that becomes irritated under the band after washing your hands. In a blog post on “The Knot”, one woman went even further when she said she takes the whole bridal set off and substitutes a simple gold band at work. She is a nurse, and she does this for safety reasons. Another woman wrote that she was a firefighter and since she intends to remove her engagement and wedding rings only for cleaning or very dirty chores, her fiancé (also a firefighter) designed a set that was capable of withstanding some very damaging situations.

The question of whether the diamond engagement ring should be removed for the ceremony becomes irrelevant if the wedding band is a wide stand-alone ring with or without diamonds. In that case the decision will have already been made that the engagement ring will always be worn on the right hand.

A variation on placement is the engagement ring first and the wedding ring second, the rational being the order that the rings were given and received. The engagement ring would then be left on during the ceremony and the wedding ring placed on the ring finger of the left hand, above the diamond.

The order the rings are worn in, or whether they are ever taken off, is a decision made at the discretion of the couple, and is no indication of how long the marriage will last or how sincere their love is.

Diamonds, love and friendship

 “A kiss on the hand may be quite continental, but Diamonds are a girl's best friend.”
- as written by Leo Robin, and performed by Mae West.

A diamond should never be a girl’s best friend. The man who placed the ring on her finger, solidifying a promise to love her ‘til death did them part, should be both the lover and the best friend.

It is not the diamond that is the symbol of eternal love; it is the never ending circle that is the band upon which the stone is mounted. A diamond engagement ring is meant to be more than a sparkling accoutrement.

In an atmosphere where materialism often outweighs human commitment, it is refreshing that the custom of pledging marriage with a ring is still the norm. Part of love is made up of private moments, and part of it thrives when it is declared openly.

Many cultures through history have expressed the bonding of a couple through symbols. The circle, which has no beginning or end, also represents the sun, the moon at its fullest, the earth, and eternity. In ancient times a circle of reeds was used create the circle of the wedding band.

A diamond engagement ring is a symbol, not just an adornment. The husband to be has made a pledge and his wife to be has accepted that pledge and has added one of her own. The realization of those pledges is worn on the woman’s hand, first the engagement ring, followed by the wedding ring.

It should also be mentioned that engagement rings for men are gaining popularity. The ring is usually in the form of a band similar to a man’s wedding ring, but has a diamond, or multiple diamonds, set flush with the surface, and mounted on the front face of the ring. In the Nordic countries engagement rings are common for both the bride and the groom.

The commercialization of diamond engagement wedding rings originated with the De Beers Company near the beginning of the 1900’s. Bigger was better. Expensive was even better. The promotion added an element of materialism to the act of betrothal.

There are few things in the world more beautiful than a high quality gemstone set into a spectacular ring. But an engagement ring should also represent the emotional connection between the couple; the friendship and love. Without that, as Malcolm Forbes has said:

“Diamonds are nothing more than chunks of coal that stuck to their jobs.” 

Buying a “manly” wedding band

No so many years ago wearing jewelry was considered “unmanly”.  Men did not even wear wrist watches; they consulted their trusty pocket watch. WWII changed all that. Men were issued wrist watches, and many soldiers started to wear wedding bands to remind them of their family back home. Most certainly no one was going to accuse a man in uniform with a gun as being unmanly.

Today the practice of wearing both a time piece on the wrist and rings on their fingers has continued. Chain link bracelets and necklaces have been added to the list of acceptable jewelry for men.

But men’s jewelry is very different from women’s. As a general rule, a man chooses his jewelry according to practicality and his life style. While a woman would choose her engagement and wedding ring for their beauty, a man is interested in how his watch and wedding ring will stand up in terms of his job and hobbies. If he is a jeans and boots kind of guy, bling-bling will look totally out of place. However, a man who is CEO of a large company and spends more time in the boardroom than working in the engine of his car might want to express his standing with a tasteful array of diamonds on his wedding band.

A male characteristic is linear thought. He is logical, and thinks in a straight line. He considers strength a valuable asset, having sprung from a line of hunter/gatherers that dates back to prehistoric times. He is practical. When family, friends or co-workers approach him with a problem his initial reaction will be “what can I DO?” That’s the premise of the Venus and Mars theory. A man might secretly see himself as a high steel worker, a cowboy, or any job that seems to be the epitome of manly. He envisions himself as a “man’s man”.

Many jewelry manufacturers and jewelry designers have woken up to the unique tastes that men exhibit in clothes and accessories. The traditional plain yellow gold man’s wedding ring is still a viable choice, but there is also a huge assortment of high-end designer rings that are comfortable to wear, durable, and as attractive as any work of art.

A man’s wedding ring need not be only a symbolic expression of his marital status; his wedding ring can represent his tastes and personality as well as his commitment to a relationship. Today’s designers of men’s wedding rings can explore new materials and textures, interesting structural forms, and inclusion of high quality gemstones if so desired.  A man’s wedding ring should match the man.

New Trends in the men’s luxury jewelry market

One would think that during the recession the sales on luxury items in general would
drop. But high end jewelry and car markets did the exact opposite.

While the overall car market fell, luxury car sales rose by 10% or more during 2008, one of the hardest hit years.  GM’s numbers were down (24%) along with the standards Honda (almost 13%) and Toyota (11%) also experiencing a loss in sales. During the same time period Mercedes increased their market share 24%, Audi 17% and BMW an amazing 50%!

Part of the reason is that there is no substitute for quality and prestige. Another is that luxury car manufacturers introduced some less expensive models opening the market to a large income level.

Men’s jewelry also over performed in the downturn, doubling since 2007.  As in the case of car manufacturers, there were some externals involved. For many men the competitive business atmosphere caused them to become more aware of their appearance. “Dress for success” became an important lifestyle goal.

This trend has continued unabated until the current time. Men now represent a rise of 10% in the jewelry buying public. And they are making up their own minds about what they want to wear. A jewelry manufacturer of high end wedding bands for men noted that 4 out of 7 men choose their own wedding ring without help, with 3 being somewhat influenced by their future wife.

The styles and shapes that men are attracted to are very specific.  The same manufacturer explained that they were drawn to the architectural design of their men’s wedding bands, as well as the mechanical complexity of the rings.  Quality of craftsmanship is also a buying factor. Is the infrastructure of the wedding ring solid; is it well executed; and how professional is the finishing? A man’s wedding ring is more dependent on the lines and finish than a woman’s ring which can also rely on the brilliance of the diamond to carry the “look”.

Will this trend in the men’s high end jewelry last?

Michael Fisher, the Editor of the men’s section at Sylesight, is a trend-forecasting specialist. He explains that men will not necessarily spend on wardrobe pieces, “but an accessory to express their individuality? Sure.” (Time Business). He also explained that business men buy luxury jewelry (such as wedding rings) at the end of a recession to show that they are part of the recovery. Men tend to buy one excellent piece instead of mix and match cheaper items, so they are willing to pay the extra to have a luxury high end piece, especially in a wedding ring that will be worn for years.

Valentine’s Day gifts for women-A Great Tips for Guys

It’s that time of the year again…Valentine’s Day.  For most guys a drug store box of chocolates or a bouquet of spring flowers along with a sappy card is their standby. But what do candy and floral arrangements have to do with love?  These are consumables, definitely not representative of relationship of substance.

The key is the depth of the feelings, and the commitment to each other; in other words, the essence of the relationship. Has Valentine’s Day caught you in a new relationship, maybe just casually dating?  Obviously the gift in that case is going to be less expensive, and less in your face love sick.

If you are dating steadily, but have not yet gotten to the point of making a decision about a long term commitment, then a delicate heart pendant or maybe a romantic couple’s weekend at a spa would be suitable. The experience might even kick the relationship up to the next level.

Valentine’s Day, more than any other special occasion, is the time to solidify a relationship that has proven to be enduring. A promise ring would become a keepsake that she will treasure even after it is replaced by an engagement ring. Promise rings can be any style, but they should be genuine (as is your love), and heart shaped gemstones are particularly meaningful. For a change, an eternity style band in candy colorful combinations might be perfect. I have seen a collection called “Bonbon” with colored gemstone set into various colors of gold, and these rings look good enough to eat.

Is this Valentine’s Day the big one? Is this going to be the day when you solidify your promise with an engagement ring? One gentleman I know covered all bases: a box of chocolates, a romantic card, and a bouquet of roses with an engagement ring tied onto one of the stems. The ring was totally unexpected, and desperately wanted, so he made one lady very happy.

The most popular engagement ring currently is made from white gold or platinum with a diamond or multiple diamonds. The style and color of metal has gone through changes over the years, from yellow gold with colored gemstones, to the modern favorite. Some careful probing of your lady love or her friends might give you a clue as to what her tastes are.
The wedding is always a special day by itself, you don’t need Valentine’s Day to exchange those rings.

But down the line, either on the day of your anniversary or on Valentine’s Day, you should think back on how special she has made your life, and recognize your mutual love with a sparkling eternity or anniversary ring. Some claim the eternity ring has a solid circle of diamonds symbolizing love that lasts forever, and the anniversary ring  is made with a half circle of diamonds. Most people use the terms interchangeably. Whatever the name, the ring is always an expression of enduring love.

What does this tell you about buying a Valentine’s Day gift for the woman in your life? Take a look at your relationship and make your choice appropriate to the status of your relationship.