Remember that an engagement ring symbolizes your lifetime commitment to her, and there is no better way to express it other than giving her a beautiful filigree engagement ring. This kind of ring features detailed metalwork, which normally has symmetrical patterns. The designs can be so fine and delicate that they can be compared to lace, or filigree work, hence the name. Rings with filigree pattern go through a very delicate process to ensure the intricacy of their design. They are produced with or without a central gemstone depending on the complexity of the pattern that they will carry.

Those that showcase elaborate filigree patterns normally don’t carry a central stone mainly because the presence of the stone can overwhelm the ring’s design. However, for an engagement ring, a gemstone is considered de rigueur so these more elaborate rings are probably not suitable. If you are planning to buy this type of engagement ring, you need to know that there are different filigree variations to select from. In fact, filigree engagement rings, in common with any other type of ring, are highly customizable in order to fit the personal preference and budget of different couples.

Some of the choices available include the following:

Simple Filigree Pattern: Engagement rings with simple filigree patterns are less detailed since they only feature the pattern on a particular part of the ring. The designs can be placed on the ring’s shoulders, around the center stone, or they can serve as mere accents.

Complex Filigree Pattern: Rings carrying complex filigree patterns feature more ornate designs. They often have intricate metalwork that may dominate the entire ring band, or just simply surround the gemstones.

Multi-tone Filigree Pattern: Rings featuring multi-tone filigree patterns utilize contrasting metals to ascertain that each feature of the design will be relatively visible. When making this kind of pattern, yellow gold combined with white gold or platinum are the most common choices.

Filigree rings are frequently made in a dome style with the dome being of intricate filigree metalwork set with a single precious stone in the center. This works beautifully for a dress ring but could be a little bulky for an engagement ring if you intend to wear a wedding band on the same finger at some point in the future. There are however other alternative styles and antiquejewelrymall.com has some stunning examples. For instance a filigree 14k yellow gold solitaire diamond ring for $1,440 and a fabulous Art Deco style peridot and diamond filigree ring in 18k yellow gold for just $475. Although these rings are both yellow gold similar gorgeous designs are available in white gold or platinum.

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Some tips to bear in mind when out looking for a new titanium ring include: do not worry about the percentage titanium, unless of course it is low. If a store tries to spin you a line about the ring being more than 99% pure titanium, and try to charge you a higher price for it on that basis, then let them know that any decent titanium ring is greater than 99% purity; if it is any lower, you might want to be concerned about what other cheap metal is being used as bulk.

Similarly, if you are offered expensive coatings – the kind you might expect for example with white gold – then ask why. Titanium rings are essentially non-reactive and don’t need any coatings. If you feel you are being coerced into having one, it may be because the store wants to make an extra buck for itself, or, even worse, because the ring is not titanium, but something cheaper like steel. If you decide that you want a strong titanium ring, but want it to look like gold, then feel free to get a coating for cosmetic reasons – remember though that the coating is not indestructible, and may need re-doing from time to time.

Titanium is an incredibly strong but lightweight metal, and this can also help you reach a conclusion about whether a titanium ring is genuine or not. Stainless steel and gold rings will be heavier than the same sized titanium rings. Of course, if a shop tries to sell you a white gold ring for the price of a cheaper titanium one, then they are fools! If you spot their mistake, let honesty prevail. But if they are trying to palm you off with a steel ring, it is worth knowing that titanium is only very weakly magnetic, whereas steel is extremely easy to pick up with a magnet. Don’t be shy; it’s your money. Take a little bar magnet with you!

There will be various colors available to you. Some titanium rings are silvery white, and others are very dark. This does not offer any information about purity, quality or value however. Just pick a shade of grey or blue or black that you like, and try it out for size.

Talking about sizes, titanium rings are tricky when it comes to sizes and settings. The metal is extremely tough, so a ring made from it cannot be sized up or down. The designs and settings can also be fairly limited because of the hardness of titanium. Of course, if you want a simple ring design, and want to wear it pretty much anywhere – even when playing sports or swimming – then this aspect becomes a benefit. Unlike most other metals used in jewelry, titanium will not bend or warp or chip when subjected to a knock or bump; and it will not tarnish in any way when exposed to treated water in a swimming pool. This often makes titanium rings a favorite among men!

Importantly, the tough characteristics of titanium can have serious repercussions in emergencies, especially those where you might have an accident and get you finger caught for example in machinery at work. Usually, it is a trivial matter to free the finger by cutting through the ring. With a titanium ring, this process is far more difficult, so always be aware of the risks of wearing any kind of jewelry in your place of work, and be safe!

On the positive side, titanium rings will last a very long time, so it is worth getting a masterpiece and paying a little more for one, especially if you can get a one-off or bespoke design done through your local jeweler – then you’ll know you have a one of a kind!

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So having decided to avoid gold and platinum, and instead opt for a more affordable sterling silver ring, you need to get clued up on some details.

Firstly, what is sterling silver? Is it the same as pure silver? The answer is no. Pure silver is a rather soft malleable metal. It tarnishes quite readily, and if your rings were made of it, they would be very easily damaged or chipped. These undesirable properties are remedied by alloying silver with 7.5% copper. This alloy of 92.5% silver mixed with 7.5% copper is what we call “sterling” silver. This is why genuine sterling silver jewelry will usually have a “925″ stamped on it. The mechanical properties of sterling silver are much better than pure silver, and it has been used widely for making beautiful, practical, and hard wearing jewelry – and at a far more attractive price!

The disadvantage of wearing sterling silver rings is that occasionally they can cause a green stain on your fingers. Many people believe that “fake” silver jewelry has this effect, but that sterling silver is okay. But remember, sterling silver contains copper, and it is the copper that causes the green coloration. So if you find that your fingers get the dreaded green stain, do not brand your sterling silver rings as fakes! They are fine. Some jewellers will be able to add a special coating to prevent this from happening. If you like this idea, go and ask your local jeweller.

If you are not too bothered about getting your fingers green, then that’s fine too; the stains wash off easily in warm water, and they won’t cause you any harm. You might wonder how the unsightly green stains happen though, and whether there are any tips available for preventing them, rather than going down the jeweller’s and paying for a special coating. The green coloration is the result of a chemical reaction of the copper with air and moisture on your skin. This can be avoided if you make certain not to wear your sterling silver rings during times when your hands are likely to get hot and sweaty, such as during exercise. Avoid wearing them in situations where your hands might get wet, for example when washing up dishes. Make sure you dry your hands thoroughly, especially between the fingers, before putting your rings back on.

Of course, stylistically (if you can avoid them turning your hands green) sterling silver rings are ideal inexpensive  jewelry that suit all skin tones, and if you are worried about staining, and you can afford to pay a little more, then perhaps a white gold ring will fit the bill. They are just as attractive, and definitely will not turn your fingers green, but you will certainly need to pay more for them!

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If you are thinking of choosing a white gold ring, the first question to ask is: what is white gold? Actually, there are two main types. The first is an alloy of gold and nickel which is used to make hard, more durable rings. The second type of white gold is a mixture of gold and palladium. This is a softer alloy, which is more pliable and is used for setting gemstones – you should not be able to find white gold rings where the band itself is made from the palladium alloy; if you do, ask the jeweller about durability or avoid that ring altogether.

An important point to know about white gold is that it is rarely silvery white naturally, and in fact the term white gold is used to describe gold/nickel alloys of varying hues from pale yellow to pink, and even light brown. White gold rings always look so beautifully silvery white because they are normally rhodium plated. This is also important because it offers some degree of protection to people who suffer from nickel sensitivity, and who may otherwise not be able to wear white gold jewelry. But remember, over time, metal plate can wear away, so choose carefully if you are prone to rashes and irritation due to nickel allergy.

Stylistically, white gold rings are a very good choice as they complement all skin tones and colors, whereas yellow gold jewelry can sometimes look less attractive. Yellow gold rings (and other jewelry) can appear more formal also, so if you’re trying to achieve sophistication with a modern, more informal twist then white gold rings are the answer. Finally, if the ring is for an engagement then white gold is great for highlighting diamonds. Yellow gold can detract somewhat from the appearance of a diamond as the reflection of the band colour can make it look dull.

The other great thing about white gold rings is that they are harder wearing than yellow gold, and so less care is needed in their upkeep. And since there is less gold in a white gold ring than in the yellow gold one, the white gold ring can sometimes cost substantially less. So for the same cost as a traditional yellow gold ring, you could perhaps opt for a bigger, nicer gemstone instead, set into white gold.

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Disclaimer: here are a few ways you can try out, if you are determined to polish your gold rings, or in fact any kind of precious metal jewelry. Personally, I always go to the jewelers so somebody can be held to account if the item is ruined. In other words, consider the value of your own rings and other items, both in terms of their cash value but also their sentimental value. Is it worth risking a cheap method rather than seeing a pro? So try these cleaning methods at your own risk!

If your gold ring has scratches on it or has gone dull and you want to polish it up like new, you can use a relatively high tech method – most homes probably don’t have a buffing wheel. The jewelers have buffing wheels and use a polishing compound for gold, called red rouge. You can try using this type of compound and a lot of elbow grease to rub your jewelry to the glossy shine that you want. Most of the polishing compounds you can buy though are mildly abrasive. This means they wear away the surface layer of the ring during the process. For gold rings this is not a problem; just make sure your ring is gold rather than gold plated. Otherwise, eventually, after a few polishes, you will have to get it re-plated at substantial cost. This will be the only decent method for removing scratches; if you opt for a cleaning solution, it will shine up the gold but leave scratches untouched.

There are some very low tech methods for cleaning your gold ring which shouldn’t cause too much damage – be careful though!

1. Toothpaste – for general cleaning, in between professional polishes, you can use toothpaste and an old toothbrush. Make sure the bristles are worn and soft so they don’t leave scratches on the surface of the ring. Then rinse in water and buff dry thoroughly using a clean soft cloth. Note: many toothpastes contain abrasives to help whiten and remove stubborn stains from teeth. So you are well-advised to use a little caution with toothpaste. Many experts will advise against using toothpaste at all:

3. Dish soap – this method is good for de-greasing. Soak the gold ring in warm water containing a little dish soap. Leave it soaking for an hour or so. Then brush it with an old toothbrush, rinse with clean water and dry on a soft cloth.

And now on to some of the oddball cleaning ideas, which do allegedly work!

4. Coca cola – I’m sure if this works, then any brand of cola will do the trick. Just soak the ring in it for an hour, brush and rinse, then dry it carefully. (This idea is based on the observation that coke can give coins their original shine. But of course, coins are not made of 18K gold!)

5. Vodka – yeah, I said vodka. Use this (like dish soap) as a detergent to de-grease and remove dirt and grime from your gold ring. The same method applies: brush using an old toothbrush, rinse off with clean water and dry the ring thoroughly.

Some of these methods will be safe enough to use at home, but they will not provide you with that brand new look gold ring. You will need to get it professionally cleaned for that, especially if you want minor scratches removed. Your local jewelers will have all the necessary kit available to them, including buffing wheels and ultrasonic cleaning equipment. If you are at all worried about damaging your jewelry, then save yourself any hassle and go there.

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Let’s remember though, that weddings are not the only time in life that you might want to get some bling on your fingers, and there are so many styles available that you can easily get something fairly unique (if something can be fairly unique!) that won’t destroy your bank balance. A stylish gold ring just to wear to be glamorous.

Of course, a ring can still be plain in design – a simple band – but be made from an unusual metal, to give it some personality. Actually, gold rings are very rarely, if ever, made from pure 24 karat gold, since it is too soft. For jewelry, it is mixed with other metals to form stronger alloys which can be fashioned into various colors, depending on which other metals are added, and in what proportions. So you will find that the “usual” yellow gold associated with gold wedding rings (for example) is made from gold, copper and silver. Pink gold – also known as rose gold – is made from the same three metals, but in different proportions (the more copper added, the deeper the color effect). Another popular type for jewelry is white gold, which has copper added, but also palladium or platinum. Cheaper variants use nickel, but this metal can cause allergic reactions in some people. The other common option is green gold, which has a higher proportion of silver added – and sometimes some zinc. So even before considering investigating wacky shapes and designs for a gold ring, you have a wide variety of options using just the stunning array of colors that the various alloys offer.

CZ Art Deco Gold Ring

Then having exhausted the alloy choices, and perhaps intertwining rings of different gold compositions, it might be time to find a beauty that screams out to you. Perhaps rather than a plain band, a pretty engraved pattern might be a good option. It is at this point that the possibility of a gold ring with a big stone springs into your mind. A nice compromise for a special occasion gold ring might be one with a cubic zirconia – basically a fake diamond, similar to those in the Diamonique range of jewelry. Let’s face it, if you are splashing out, and the ring is not for an engagement or a wedding, then you’ll be paying out for the luxury of a precious metal. Getting a diamond buried in it might be going slightly over the top!

So before you opt for the run of the mill, samey old gold band, dare yourself to explore some of the more adventurous styles of gold rings on the market.

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