Heart Jewelry Choices, Heart Jewellery Allure

10k White Gold Heart-Shaped Created Ruby Heart Ring

Double Heart Diamond Promise Ring ( Availabe Sizes 4-9)

Created Ruby Heart Ring with Diamonds 1/2 Carat (ctw) in 10K Yellow Gold

Unique Titanium Band with Lab-grade Diamonds Sizes 9 to 14 – Black Knight

With the Christmas season nearly upon us, most people are thinking about the gifts they want to give to their loved ones. One gift that is very popular at this time of the year, especially for the ladies on your list, is jewelry. All of the women I know (myself included) love opening those little boxes from a jewelry store to find out what treasure is lying within. Will it be one of the pieces of heart jewelry that you have been dropping hints about or will it be something equally beautiful that your loved one has lovingly picked out themselves? For some women it may be a beautiful ruby heart ring, or a diamond engagement ring as this is the season when we think of love and families, so this makes it a very popular time of year for proposals of marriage.

In fact my husband and I got engaged at Christmas and although I had chosen the ring I wanted I had not seen it for some months, so it was lovely to open the box and have him slip it onto my finger. Thirty nine years later I still love my ring (and the man who gave it to me) and wear it every day. Until I started this website I had no particular need to look at engagement rings so other than noticing other people’s rings I hadn’t really considered how styles and fashions have changed over the years. So I decided to see what style of engagement ring I would choose if I was getting engaged in 2010.

One of the biggest changes I have noticed is that large selections of rings are now in white gold rather than the traditional gold that was the norm when we got engaged. White gold and platinum rings were far more expensive and less widely available, certainly for our budget.

Still by far the most popular style of engagement ring is the traditional solitaire diamond whether set in gold or white gold, on a plain band or with fancy shoulders or with side accents. The choice seems endless especially when you look at the on-line retailers, not only do they seem to have far more choice than the mall jewelers, but the prices are competitive and you are sure to be able to find a ring to fit even the tightest budget.

A diamond solitaire was never my first choice of ring for two reasons; firstly I’m not very fond of solitaire rings and secondly they don’t really look good on my fingers because of the length between my second finger joint and my knuckles. That is one of the reasons I chose the ring I did, an 18K gold band with a single diamond surrounded by eight blue sapphires: it looked far nicer than the solitaires I tried on. So I looked to see if I could find anything similar today. Although searching on-line I found some really beautiful diamond and sapphire rings I didn’t find any I liked more than the one I already have.

But it is not only engagement ring styles that have changed, so have wedding bands. When I got married the fashion was for broader wedding rings mostly in yellow gold whether plain or engraved, and mine is a 10mm 22k plain gold band. While the width of wedding rings has changed over the years (they are a lot narrower now) plain gold bands in white gold, platinum or gold are still very popular. What has become increasingly popular over the past few years are bridal sets, an engagement ring and matching wedding band designed to be worn together to look like one ring. Although I am not a big fan of diamonds, if I was choosing an engagement ring and wedding ring today I think I would pick a bridal set, subject to seeing how it looked on my finger.

I know if Santa hangs a little jewelers box my tree this Christmas it won’t contain an engagement ring but it may well have a ruby heart ring or heart charm bracelet inside. However, if you are hoping that your boyfriend will pop the question maybe your little box will have that sparkling diamond ring inside.

When talking to one of my friends about jewelry she remarked that she felt “bare” if she didn’t have at least one bracelet on her arm. I feel that way if I don’t have my rings on. In fact the only time I ever take them off is when I go to have my nails done or if I am using bleach when doing my household chores. As yet I do not have rings on all my fingers and, as I wrote in an earlier post, one ring I would love to receive is a silver heart ring to add to my other heart jewelry pieces.

I have been looking online at the different styles of heart rings and there are so many to choose from to suit everybody from babies to Grandmas. Here are just a few of the choices I have been looking at.

One of the first styles I looked at was the ever popular heart shaped signet rings. These make ideal gifts for babies or young children and you can have them engraved with a name or initials. I used to have a silver heart ring like this when I was younger and I used to wear it on my little finger but as I already wear a different pinky ring now I decided to look at other designs.

Because I already have an open heart charm necklace it seemed natural to look at the rings in the same collection. As I prefer understated simple jewelry designs I found some of the designs of rings in the Jayne Seymour collection a bit too elaborate for my tastes but they are rather beautiful.

There are other open heart designs for rings. Some are very simple with a single small heart on them or with two hearts intertwined. If you like this design and also love gemstones then there are more elaborate designs with diamond and other precious stones outlining the heart shape. If your style in jewelry is understated another design to consider is a simple band made up of tiny cute hearts or one of the many other band designs.

If on the other hand you’re a more extrovert person whose jewelry style is more flamboyant then you might want to consider a larger heart shape on your ring. One that I looked at had a pink cubic zirconia heart lock and key and yet another one had a large pink heart shaped topaz with a bow on the top of it made of diamond. Or there is any number of Pave diamond or cubic zirconia rings to choose from. I’m not sure I could carry these off as you need long fingers to be able to show these off to their best advantage.

Next I looked at the Claddagh rings. I particularly like this traditional Irish ring as it symbolizes love, loyalty and friendship. Although originally designed as wedding bands for both men and women they have become a popular item of jewelry not just for lovers to give to each other but also as a gift to give to a best friend as a token of enduring friendship. There are so many different settings to choose from depending on who it is for. There are simple silver ones or ones made in yellow gold or silver with a birthstone in the heart and beautiful diamond engagement rings or wedding bands.

Finally I decided to look at toe rings just for a change. This is something I have never worn but a good friend of mine wears toe rings when she is wearing her flip flops. There are lots of different designs to choose from and yes there are silver heart toe rings but I don’t think I will choose to get one of these.

I haven’t finally decided which style of heart ring I would like to have but one of the criteria is that I am able to wear it everyday so that would seem to rule out the Pave rings or the ones with huge stones in them. In the meantime I’ll keep looking.

Nothing says “romance” like red or pink hearts and so, to tell someone you love them, what could be more appropriate than a pink heart ring? Pink has been and continues to be a very popular color of gemstone for all kinds of jewelry, especially when it comes to heart jewelry. The rarest and most expensive pink gemstone is the diamond which can cost from thousands of dollars per carat to millions of dollars depending on the depth of color in the stone. However, there are other pink stones to choose from which don’t need you to be a Rockefeller to afford to buy a piece of pink heart jewelry.

The second hardest gemstone after the diamond is the sapphire.  Hang on a minute you are thinking, here we are talking about pink heart rings and all at once we are talking about sapphires which are blue.  While it is true that the most common color for sapphires is blue it is also found in colors such as yellow, pink and green.  In fact the sapphire and ruby is the same mineral – corundum – so it is not really surprising that there should be pink varieties of this stone.  Pink sapphires range in color from pale pink to fuchsia and they are a lot less expensive than a pink diamond. But if real sapphires are still beyond your price range then you could choose one of the rings available with a lab created heart sapphire setting.

Spinel is another pink gemstone and it is similar to ruby and sapphire but not as expensive and so is often used in jewelry as a substitute for sapphires and rubies.  Because it so closely resembles the ruby, some of the most famous rubies, such as the Black Prince’s ruby in the English Imperial State Crown, have been found to be spinels.  Although it is a natural gemstone, its name has become synonymous with the synthetic ones made in laboratories and most often used for imitation birthstone rings. If you choose a spinel pink heart ring do check on the authenticity of the stone.

One of the most popular pink stones is the tourmaline as you can find virtually any shade of pink you could imagine in this stone as well as lots of other colors as well. This is because the tourmaline, according to an old Egyptian legend, passed over a rainbow on its way from the center of the earth. The tourmaline is attributed with magical powers and is the gemstone of friendship and love and is said to ensure that these are firm and long-lasting.

Yet another popular less expensive variety of gemstone is the pink quartz. This stone has a unique milky or cloudy quality and can be found in larger carat sizes.

Of course one of the most popular inexpensive alternatives to diamonds is cubic zirconia.  If you are on a very tight budget choosing a sterling silver ring with a pink cubic zirconia stone will certainly not break the bank. For those looking for something a little more expensive there are lots to choose from set in 14k or 18k gold.

But a pink heart ring does not have to be one with a pink heart gemstone set in it.  Why not choose pink gold as the setting for your heart ring?  As with white gold, yellow gold or sterling silver you can choose any color of gemstone from the clear white ice of a diamond to the very dark blue of the sapphire – the choice is yours.  Or alternatively, you could choose a pink gold heart shaped signet ring or a wedding band with hearts embossed on it.

I hope this has given you some ideas on which pink heart ring to choose, whether for yourself or to give to a loved one.  There is plenty of information on the Web about the different kinds of pink gemstones available and also lots of retailers with a huge selection of rings and other pieces of heart jewelry such as heart earrings and heart pendants that will complement your choice.

14k White Gold Diamond Heart Ring (1/10 cttw, H-I Color, I2 Clarity), Size 7

Have you ever been stuck for a unique gift idea for those special days such as an anniversary, birthday, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day for the special woman in your life?  So why not give her a beautiful piece of  heart jewelry?  Because heart jewelry is so versatile, it can be worn everyday for any situation, whether that is popping to the grocery store, going to work, attending a swanky party or meeting friends for lunch, so it makes the ideal present.

On your next wedding anniversary a heart pendant necklace would make a perfect gift for your wife.  Gold and sterling silver are both fine choices.  Not only will it show her how much she still means to you but she will be able to wear it every day and it will remind her of the special relationship you two share.  If you get it engraved with a special message personal to you both, that will be  a demonstration to her of all the time and thought you have put into choosing a special gift for her – and, although you don’t perhaps tell her as often as she would like, how much you love her.  Every time she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror or touches her neck it will bring a smile to her face as she thinks of you and remembers special times you have shared and continue to share.

There are many occasions on which to give a piece of heart jewelry to your daughter and a delicate heart bracelet would be appropriate for any of them.  The first one that springs to mind is her birth and a heart bracelet with her date of birth and her birthstone on it is something she can treasure forever.  Or how about a silver charm bracelet for her “sweet sixteen” birthday?  When she is all dressed up to go to her prom a gold heart bracelet to complement the gorgeous dress she is wearing will make her truly feel like a princess.  Or giving her a heart bracelet on her graduation day will show her how proud you are of her achievements.

Valentine’s Day is traditionally the time that lovers want to express their feelings for their significant other, obviously with a gift that symbolizes love – whether that is red roses, heart shaped candy or perhaps a cute soft toy.  Giving your loved one an open heart ring would convey in a very clear way exactly how much you love her.  For the guy who wants to let his girlfriend know he is committed to her but not yet ready to get engaged, a heart shaped ring given as a promise ring would leave her in no doubt of his fidelity.

On Mother’s Day we all sometimes struggle to think of that special something for the best Mom in the world.  If you ask her what she wants she will frequently say that there is nothing she needs so, often, we search the stores for a sweater or top or purse that we think she might like.  Getting her a piece of heart jewelry will surely put a smile on her face and show her just how much you love her.  A silver heart locket engraved with a special message and containing a family photograph is something she will not only treasure forever but will proudly show off to her friends.

For birthdays and Christmas you can’t go wrong if you choose to give heart jewelry, especially for a close friend.  There are lots of different pieces in the stores but a pair of silver heart earrings will show your feelings for her as a friend and you can be sure they will complement the other jewelry in her collection.  Whether she prefers stud earrings, hoops or dangly styles there are lots of designs to choose from.

So no matter what the occasion or the age of the recipient, if you choose a piece of heart jewelry it will show your wife, daughter, girlfriend, Mom or close friend how much they mean to you.

Following on from my previous posts about heart jewelry for men and it not being something anyone can see becoming fashionable any time soon, because it would look silly or girlie on them, I decided to have some fun and ask family members and friends which males they would like to see being made to wear say heart shaped earrings, a heart ring, heart pendants or other heart jewelry to make them look ridiculous and a laughing stock.

Most of the people I asked could come up with someone they wanted to look stupid without too much thought and not all of them chose celebrities or people in the public eye.  For instance, one of the people, who used to work for one of big five consulting firms, chose as their candidate one of the partners in the firm.  This guy was a typical little man with a big ego “puffed up and full of his own self importance”.  He should be made to wear heart shaped earrings because he was an “obnoxious twerp who deserved to be made to look silly”.  Knowing the commentator as I do, it must have been entertaining to see the working relationship that the two had!

At the time I did this survey the World Cup was in full swing and the England team was playing particularly badly and without any enthusiasm for winning a match.  My husband is a big soccer fan and was absolutely disgusted with his team’s performance and so he chose the whole of the England football squad to wear heart earrings, heart bracelets, heart rings, and necklaces.  His reasoning was that they played like a bunch of girls and so they deserved to be made to look like girls.  While I agree that they were anything like the macho men they think they are, I thought his comments were cruel and unfair to women!

Recently there have been surveys done that have found that couples have a sixth sense and often know what the other is thinking and have similar ideas.  This proved true when I was talking to friends and family even though I spoke to them separately.  One of the couples independently chose the Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Renaldo and they would both like to see him wearing heart earrings.  The husband said that he chose Renaldo because he is so arrogant and he wants him to look stupid.  His wife’s reasoning was that Renaldo is so conceited and full of himself.

Yet another couple chose Simon Cowell of American Idol fame and again they both picked the same item of jewelry – a heart necklace.  The lady said she would like to see him wearing a big heart medallion as the heart shape and its symbolism is the polar opposite of him because he comes across as quite heartless.  On the other hand the guy chose the heart necklace for Simon Cowell because he’d look ridiculous and because he is so in love with himself.

As I said earlier, not all of the respondents picked famous people to nominate.  One guy selected one of his neighbors who he would like to see with big heart shaped hoop earrings or a big heart necklace because he is such a big homophobe.  On  the other hand, another of the guys wanted his brother to wear heart rings “because he’d look funny and silly so I could laugh at him and he’d be embarrassed”.  Obviously some sibling rivalry there!

I was rather surprised that only one politician was on the list.  This was Jack Straw, a British Labour Party MP and former Home Secretary, Foreign Secretary and Justice Minister. The person who suggested him also chose an unusual piece of heart jewelry – a tiara with diamonds on it.  When asked why they would like to see this particular Member of Parliament wearing this the answer was, and I quote, “To make him look like a complete fool as everything he says is wrong and he’s a complete waste of space”.  Not much love lost there then!

My own choice would be any number of the car salesmen I have come across over the years (both in the USA and the UK) who even in this day and age think that women have no knowledge of what they are talking about when it comes to buying a car.  There was one occasion when the salesman actually told me to come back with my husband when I asked to go on a test drive!  I would like to see these guys wearing the biggest, flashiest, vulgar pieces of heart jewelry so that they can look as stupid as they sound when they come out with sexist comments.

So have some fun of your own and think about which male celebrity, politician or work colleague you would like to see looking ridiculous wearing heart shaped earrings or any other item of heart jewelry.

Having recently written about which piece of heart jewelry I would choose if I could only have one (I chose a heart charm) I decided to ask some of my English family members and friends, both male and female, what they would choose. This first posting on the subject is from the ladies perspective and their ages ranged from early teens to an eighty eight year old Great Grandmother.

First of all I asked the question “Do you have a favorite piece of jewelry?” and then followed on with the question about what sort of heart jewelry they would choose if they could only have one piece. As you can imagine they all had very different answers and some of them quite surprised me.

The most popular selection was a heart shaped necklace but for very different reasons.  My daughter’s favorite jewelry item is her eternity ring which her husband bought her when she had their son, understandable really.  When asked what article of heart jewelry she would like someone to buy for her, she chose a yellow gold heart necklace for no other reason than that she does not have one and would really like one.

One of my friend’s teenage daughters would also choose a heart shaped necklace but her metal of choice would be silver (she also quite likes the ones encrusted with crystal or cubic zircon) as it “goes with more stuff”.  Although she was wearing bracelets and earrings she said the silver teddy bear necklace she was wearing was the favorite of all her jewelry.

A heart necklace was also chosen by one of my friends who is quite petite and not the least bit extrovert so her choice of a chunky necklace not made of precious metals or gemstones came as a bit of a surprise. When I asked her why she would choose that design she told me that it would look “funky”.  This from a lady whose style is always understated and never outrageous!

Before I asked my Mom about her favorite jewelry I knew what her answer would be.  It is the diamond solitaire that my Dad bought her two years before he died. I don’t ever remember my Mom wearing any jewelry except her wedding ring and her watch until she received the diamond ring so it came as a surprise that she would like a heart shaped ring because she would like more rings.  Who would have guessed that this eighty eight year old Great Grandma would still be interested in collecting jewelry?

I think the answers that most surprised me came from another of my friends.  She doesn’t have any favorite jewelry because she says she is not comfortable wearing it and although she has some costume jewelry she never thinks of putting it on.  When she was younger she had her ears pierced and used to wear gold earrings and she also had a gold signet ring but as she got older she stopped wearing them and now the only thing she wears is her wedding band.  Although she thinks jewelry looks nice on some people she wouldn’t want any, but she may possibly wear a heart ring.

The youngest member said that her favorite jewelry items were bracelets and she wore two or three at a time varying from plain bangle types to charm bracelets and a mixture of costume jewelry and more expensive ones.  I thought she would therefore choose a heart bracelet as her choice for heart jewelry, especially as she was wearing a very pretty one on the day I spoke to her, but that was not the case.  Instead she suggested that a delicate and tasteful pair of silver heart earrings would probably be her favorite because she could wear them every day and they would go with any outfit.

Her Mom also said that her favorite jewelry pieces were bracelets and even if she didn’t wear any other item of jewelry she felt “bare” and as if something was missing if she didn’t have a bracelet on.  Not surprisingly she said that she would choose a heart bracelet in either silver or white gold as they were her precious metals of choice.  If it was to be a gift from her husband she said she would have to tell him exactly which one she wanted and where to buy it from so that she received the right one as her tastes and his differed so much.

Talking to my friends and family made me realize that women choose their jewelry for a variety of reasons and what one likes may not be right for everybody.  It also showed me that not every woman shares a love of jewelry.  One thing they all agreed on, though, was that if someone bought them a heart shaped necklace, heart earrings or any other piece of heart jewelry it would show how much that person loved them.

10k White Gold Diamond Double Heart Ring (1/4 cttw, H-I Color, I2 Clarity), Size 6

Do you ever give some thought to the jewelry you are planning to wear?  Do you just wear it to enhance your appearance or do you wonder about the symbolism or the relevance of it or the options available?  Most people buy jewelry simply to make themselves or the one they intend to wear it look good, but others are intrigued by the various different types and the emotions behind the trinkets.  So we thought we would take a look into just a little of the background of one particular type of jewelry, the double heart ring, to see what choices and information we could find out.

The double heart ring itself is one of a range of heart jewelry items favored by many people.  Hearts and jewelry are two symbols of love and when put together in a piece of jewelry such as a double heart ring, one gets a beautiful and meaningful gift.

Sisters Double Heart Ring (size: 6)

The double hearts can signify several meanings. They can represent a love between a man and woman or the bond between mother and daughter. To see a woman wearing a ring or other piece of jewelry with a heart is to know someone loves that woman and thinks she is special enough to have a piece of someone else’s heart.

Heart rings are readily available online or in jewelry stores. They are made in many styles, colors, karats, and prices. They come in different price ranges, so there should be one for even the most frugal of budgets. If looking to give one as a romantic gift, there is a beautiful selection at Sears, Reeds Jewelers, and many online stores as well.

The 10-karat interlocking double heart ring is available at Sears. It received 5 out of 5 stars in its ratings. It is a 10 karat yellow gold with pink plate and rhodium, and comes in a standard size 7. It is priced at $32.99 on sale. Reeds Jewelers carries a Diamond Double Heart Ring. It has received 4.7 out 5 stars in its ratings. It features 2 round diamonds mounted in 10-karat white gold, and comes in several sizes. It is currently priced at $230.

If looking into buying a heart ring to give as a promise ring there is a great store online to purchase from.

Diamond Double Heart Ring – Size 7

Ourpromiserings.com has a large selection of rings. Their styles are available in several finishes such as yellow gold, white gold, platinum, and sterling silver. Their prices range from under $100 up to $900. They also offer a coupon for first time online buyers. They will receive $25 off their order of $150 or more. Double heart rings also make exquisite engagement rings because the two hearts are representing the union of two people joining their hearts together to become one. The ring itself represents eternity, so as an engagement ring, one is simply asking for eternal love.

For a mother who wants to purchase a double heart ring to signify a daughter’s birth or the bond between them, a personalized birthstone ring is an option. Heavenlytreasures.com offers personalized diamond and double heart birthstone rings. They are available in white or yellow gold finishes and are $229.

If one is looking for heart jewelry to complement existing rings, online stores such as overstock.com and emitations.com have nice selections. At overstock.com, one can purchase items such as ankle bracelets, necklaces, bracelets, or rings. Prices vary from low to high, and they always offer $2.95 shipping no matter how many items one purchases.

Nickel Free Double Heart Cubic Zirconia Accent Ring .925 Sterling Silver Band Size 7

The jewelry is of good quality and comes in several finishes such as white or yellow gold, and sterling silver. Emitations.com is another online site to purchase heart jewelry from. One will not find any diamonds though. It is a more affordable line of jewelry in cubic zirconium. They do not offer gold or sterling silver, but do offer high-quality gold or silver plating. The jewelry is elegant and understated.

One cannot go wrong when purchasing jewelry for a woman, no matter the occasion. It could be a man proposing to his soon-to-be wife, or a mother symbolizing her love for her daughter. Double heart rings pose a double meaning. The double hearts are representing the hearts of two people who are united by birth or by marriage. Heart jewelry of any kind shows the symbol of strength within any relationship and should always be treasured.

So, you’ve decided that your girlfriend is the love of your life and you want to take the next step by asking her to marry you.  Do you ask her first and then both go out and choose an engagement ring?  Or do you want to surprise her over a romantic dinner by getting down on one knee and producing a ring which you have selected for her? If you’ve chosen the second route there are a few things to consider before dashing off to the jewelers to look at their selection of heart engagement rings.

First and foremost, has your lady love ever expressed a preference for one shaped ring over another?  Although it may seem to be the ultimate in romantic rings, not all women like the idea of a heart shaped engagement ring.  Some ladies find the design “cheesy” or “tacky” and would much prefer a more traditional diamond shape in their engagement ring.

The most popular shape of diamond is the round brilliant cut as it best optimizes the fire and the brilliance of the diamond. However, there are at least nine other cuts to consider.  A princess cut stone is a favorite shape for engagement rings.  It is usually square and has pointed corners.  Whereas an emerald cut is oblong with rectangular facets.  If you like the emerald cut but would prefer a square shaped diamond then an Asscher-cut diamond is the one you should choose.

Other shapes you may want to consider are oval, marquise, radiant, cushion or pear.  One cautionary note, take a note of the shape of your girlfriend’s fingers as this may help to determine which shape would best suit her hand.  Certain shapes look better than others depending on finger length and chubbiness.  A reputable jeweler will be able to give you information on the differences of all the different cuts and which shape would be best suited for your choice of ring.

Okay, so now you’ve chosen the shape of diamond you want, now you need to think about the color and again you may have a range of choices depending on your budget.  By far the most usual color of stone for an engagement ring is the white diamond but if money is no object and you want to be truly romantic you might try to get a pink diamond.  This is the rarest diamond in the world and the deeper the color the more the cost.  If your wallet won’t stretch that far but you want something different you may want to consider colors such as champagne, pink champagne, blue, yellow or green diamonds.

Nearly there now, all you need to think about now is the setting of the ring and the choice of metal.  Look at what jewelry your intended usually wears and that should give you some indication of whether she prefers gold, white gold or platinum.  And does she already have any other heart jewelry?  You may care to match with that.  When it comes to which setting to pick, ask the jeweler to show you different designs to help you make your decision.  Also make sure that the store has a returns policy in case it turns out not to be the ring of her dreams.

That’s all there is to it!

Bet you thought that you could just walk into the jewelers and look at the heart engagement rings, then pick one pay for it and wait for the right moment to present it! To save yourself a lot of headaches over the right ring to get it is worth doing a bit of homework.  Ask her friends and family if she has said anything specific about the kind of ring she would like and listen carefully for any hints she might drop if the subject comes up.  No matter what ring you choose she will love you for it and always treasure it.

The giving of promise rings has been traced back at least as far as the sixteenth century and they were usually given by young men to their girlfriends as a token that they were committed to their lady love but couldn’t afford to marry her straight away.  In other words it was used as a pre-engagement ring.  The popularity of heart jewelry meant that often promise rings had heart shapes in their design because this, for centuries, has been a virtually universal symbol of love.

Back in the 1950s in the USA, when teenage girls and boys were “going steady”, quite often to show their friends and other people their relationship was serious the boy would give his girlfriend his class ring to wear on a chain round her neck. In a way this was a kind of promise ring as it was showing that the girl was involved with somebody and was not available for dating other guys. The next stage after the class ring would be the giving of a “promise” ring, especially if it was an open heart ring, to show that the relationship had moved to the next stage – exclusivity.   It all seems so formal and such a long time ago now, doesn’t it?

Promise rings are traditionally less expensive than an engagement ring and are still popular today to show your loved one and the world that you are committed to each other but are not quite ready for the next step – marriage. Choosing something like an open heart ring conveys the fact that you have let one very special person into your life. If you want to have matching rings then you should check out the open heart collection by Jane Seymour as they have a style for both men and women at very affordable prices.

A promise ring given as a precursor to the actual engagement ring can be worn on any finger but is most often worn on the ring finger of the left hand. It is usually moved to the right hand ring finger to accommodate either that beautiful diamond engagement ring or a wedding band. But promise rings are not just given as a precursor to “popping the question”. They can also be used to signify other promises. For example:

• Some teens are wearing promise rings or bracelets as a sign of chastity and purity – promising to retain their virginity until they get married.

• Young couples give and wear them to show monogamy – promising to stay faithful to that one person.

• As a friendship ring, especially the Claddagh heart ring, given to a close friend – promising loyalty, friendship and love.

• It can be a symbol of sobriety and abstinence – promising to remain sober or drug free or not gamble.

Although there can be any number of meanings to a promise ring, it is  still predominantly given as a pre-engagement ring. If you search on the Internet for promise rings you will find there are numerous outlets selling them in lots of different price ranges and designs. Lots of the designs feature hearts from simple silver heart rings to more elaborate styles with diamonds or other precious stones.

If you truly want to show that your hearts are entwined you might choose a double heart ring and then at a later date complement it with a double heart necklace or some heart shaped earrings. To make the ring even more meaningful to you both you might like to have the band engraved with both your initials or with a special phrase. Whichever open heart ring you choose, you can be sure that it will be loved and cherished for the rest of her life.

10k White Gold Open Heart Pendant (1/5 cttw, H-I Color, I1-I2 Clarity), 18″

Open Heart Necklace in Sterling Silver .925

Silver Tone Designer Style Open Floating Heart Charm Pendant Necklace

15″ Sterling Silver Open Heart Slide Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Designer Inspired Cut Out Post Earrings & Open Heart Necklace

Sterling Silver Celtic Knot Open Heart Necklace, 20.5″

Sterling Silver with 2.00 carats total weight Round shape Pink Sapphire and Swiss Blue Topaz Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Sterling Silver Marcasite Floral Open Heart Necklace, 18″

Sterling Silver with 1.75 carats total weight Round shape Swiss Blue Topaz and Peridot Open Heart Pendant Necklace

Why is it that so many men have difficulty finding that perfect present for their significant other?  Often they spend hours trying to think of what to give her for that special day such as a birthday, Valentine’s Day, anniversary or Christmas – only to settle on flowers or chocolates or something totally inappropriate like a kitchen gadget.  While women love receiving these gifts, especially as they know they are given with love, nothing will make them happier than receiving a specially selected piece of jewelry, especially a piece of heart jewelry such as an open heart necklace or a beautiful pair of heart earrings.

It is not hard to choose the right gift for that special lady – all you need is a little thought and some utilization of your listening skills.  Women are very good at dropping subtle (and sometimes not so subtle!) hints on things they would like.   While some men are very good at picking up the nuances, far too many tune out when they are trailing round the Mall with their lady love unless they are looking at “guy” stuff.  When she drags you to look in a jewelry store window and “oohs” and “ahs” over the pieces she sees there, that’s exactly the time to make a mental note of what she is particularly interested in.  This will give you a list of things to choose from when the next special occasion comes round.

So now the big day has arrived, you’ve bought her the open heart necklace or heart bracelet she was admiring in the store, wrapped it carefully and chosen the perfect card to go with it.  She is going to love it, and love you too, so why not take it a step further and make the day even more special for both of you?  You could take her to her favorite restaurant for a lovely romantic meal followed by a movie or nightclub.  Or, and this is one of my favorite romantic dates with my husband, you could cook her a special meal at home with a nice bottle of wine and with the benefit of candle light in the background, then watch a “chick flick” together.  And to round off the evening, run a relaxing bath for you both to share using her favorite bath oil and lighting aromatic candles.  Not only will she think you are the most romantic man on the face of this earth she will also see how caring and how much you love her even if you don’t tell her as much as she would like.

Of course there are other gifts you can give her like clothes or sexy underwear but you had better be sure you know her size and what she really likes in the clothes and lingerie department or it could be an unmitigated disaster.  Obviously, if you are buying your significant other something as intimate as underwear, you must know your loved one very well and know that she is as excited by it as you are.  If this is not the case then steer clear of Victoria’s Secrets or you could end up in the dog house for days instead of enjoying a romantic evening together.

Another no no for gifts for your wife is anything that smacks of housework, unless she has specifically asked for a new set of saucepans or vacuum cleaner – and even then think twice about presenting her with these on that special day, no matter how long you have been together. Although she may say, when asked, that this really is all she can think that she needs, giving her a piece of heart jewelry instead will show her that you see her as more than someone who does the household chores and it will confirm that it is her who you truly love.

Not only will buying your lady an open heart necklace help spice up your marriage on that one particular occasion, you can keep the magic going by adding different heart jewelry pieces to her collection over time.  Perhaps you could buy an open heart shaped ring for your anniversary or a heart brooch for her birthday – the possibilities are endless and she will appreciate the sentiment behind them far more than a last minute dash to the store for chocolates and flowers.  Although rest assured, she would probably appreciate some of those as well!

3.27 Carat Heart Shape Diamond Engagement Ring in 18k

Heart shaped engagement rings would seem to be the ultimate proclamation of love and romance because the heart shape has for centuries symbolized these emotions. And what could be more symbolic of undying love than a pink diamond heart shaped ring?   However, before choosing this shape or this color of stone for your engagement ring there are a few things you might like to consider when determining if this is the right ring for you.

The first thing to think about is how much you can afford to spend on that unique heart shaped diamond ring.

Ladies 14k White Gold 1.04 Ct Round Cut Diamond Heart Shaped Wedding Engagement Bridal Ring Set

To ensure that the heart shape is truly discernible, stones of less than one third of a carat are rarely used and obviously the larger the stone the clearer will be the design when it is cut.  If you really would like to consider a pink diamond you need to be aware that this is the most rare and valuable of all diamonds and depending on the depth of color can cost from thousands of dollars to more than a million dollars per carat.  Even when choosing a white diamond you need to choose one of as high a quality and size as your budget allows.

When choosing a heart shaped diamond engagement ring it is very important to look at the cut of the stone.  The lobes of the heart need to be symmetrical, the point of the heart should be sharp (not rounded) and centralized so that the cut doesn’t appear lopsided or distorted.  Another thing to look for is the “bow tie” effect which is usually evident in fancy cuts such as heart and marquise cuts.  Some people like this effect but, depending on its size, it affects the sparkle of the stone.

Having chosen the stone, another thing to consider is the setting.  If you are choosing a solitaire heart shaped engagement ring, you should be sure that it has enough prongs in the setting to protect the stone.  Whereas more traditional shapes, such as the round or princess ones, have four prongs, the heart shaped diamond needs five – the extra one to protect the point of the heart.

3/4ct TW Heart-shaped Diamond Engagement Ring in 14Kt White Gold – Size 6

Some other designs to choose from could be a three stone ring – a very romantic setting with three heart shaped diamonds on a band, each one filled with love to symbolize your past, present and future together. Another increasingly popular style of ring is the Celtic Claddagh ring with the joined hands representing friendship, the heart they are holding standing for love and the crown on top symbolizing loyalty – all qualities we promise to bring to a relationship.  When used as an engagement ring or as a wedding band, these rings usually have a diamond or other precious stone in the heart.

Yet another factor to take into consideration is the shape and size of the hand of the wearer of this ring.  For instance the long shapes of the emerald and marquise cut engagement rings can look odd on fatter fingers unless they have accent stones set with them.  Equally, the generally broader round or heart shaped diamond engagement rings aren’t necessarily the right ones to choose for thinner fingers.

If you’re a man and the ring is to be given as a surprise to your future wife, do try to find out what style of engagement ring she would prefer before rushing off to buy the ultimate romantic gesture of a heart shaped engagement ring. 

14K White Gold Genuine 2.00 ct. White Topaz Heart Shaped Solitaire Engagement Ring

Even if her choice is for one of the more popular shapes of stone, you can still show your romantic side by having heart shaped scroll work or carvings on the band especially if she has other heart jewelry (for example, heart earrings or heart charms) that it will complement.

But whichever style of ring you choose, a solitaire heart shaped engagement ring or a pave diamond engagement ring, it will show the world that you are in love.

The special message that giving heart rings as a gift highlights almost more than any other type of gift is the sentiment that the lucky recipient holds a very special place in your life. They make suitable presents for anyone as they can be given as a token of undying love or as a sign of close friendship or to celebrate an achievement.

Nowadays, the huge choice of designs and materials that this type of heart jewelry is made from makes it is failry easy to find the right ring to fit the occasion.  Here are some thoughts for you to consider if you’re trying to find that unique gift and you need some help:

1. A Wide Choice Of Heart Rings

As I mentioned in an earlier post, a heart shaped engagement ring is obviously the ultimate way to express the depth of love a man feels for his fiancée. But what about those men who have been married for a while but want to reaffirm their on going love for their wife? A heart shaped engagement ring would not be particularly appropriate but there are so many other beautiful heart shaped rings to choose from and you are sure to be able to find one to complement her other pieces of jewelry. Whether she wears yellow gold, white gold, diamonds, rubies or sapphires the choice is almost as wide and limitless as the price range is.

2. Claddagh Ring

Although the Celtic Claddagh ring was traditionally used as a wedding ring, the symbolism of the design makes it an excellent gift to give to a close friend. The two hands are said to represent friendship, the heart they are holding love and the crown on top signifies loyalty all the qualities shared by really good friends. In fact this ring is often given to friends with the phrase “Let love and friendship reign forever”.

3. Heart Shaped Signet Rings

Many years ago I had a sterling silver heart shaped signet ring with my initials engraved on it. These rings are still popular today and would make a lovely graduation gift for your daughter, one that she will treasure for ever. Traditionally made from either silver or gold there are many designs to choose from which you can have engraved with her initials and have birthstones set into them.

4. Fun Heart Rings

There are so many different kinds of heart rings on the market today including lots of fun ones like the ones made from plastic in various bright colors to match any casual outfit. Yet another design is made from clear plastic and filled with sprinkles. These rings tend to be inexpensive enough for you to buy for yourself and they will certainly draw people’s eyes to them so they will make you stand out from the crowd.

5. Heart Rings Are Complementary

And finally, one more point to make about a heart ring: it is very easy to match with a lady’s other pieces of jewelry (so you can start to think about what she already wears and exactly what type of heart ring would complement it) or it could be a whole new and welcome style for her that provides a completely new image for her. The heart ring itself is something that will match many other types of costume jewelry or fashion jewelry: depending on the design and materials you select, a heart ring can be stylish and sophisticated or it can present an extrovert and outgoing image. And it can form the start point for a wider themed collection because there are many, many fine examples of other jewelry pieces – heart charms, heart bracelets, heart necklaces and heart earrings to name just a few – so the lucky recipient can readily extend her collection once you’ve started it off.

So when you are thinking of buying a heart ring, consider what occasion it is to celebrate, or what the relationship is between you and the recipient and then enjoy picking out the one that most reflects the feelings you are trying to convey.

For centuries the heart shape has been the universal symbol of love – so it is no surprise that giving a piece of heart jewelry is the most popular way of showing someone that you love them. And nothing could be more romantic than a heart ring, especially if it is an engagement ring.

Ok, heart charms, heart bracelets and heart earrings are beautiful and wearable and special – but let’s be honest, what could be a bigger demonstration of love than the time that your Prince Charming tells you just how much he loves you and then produces a beautiful diamond heart shaped engagement ring? It’s the stuff of fairy tales that every girl dreams of! And how about the “couples” ring that is shown on the left (click on the picture for more details)?

As with fashion, hairstyles and make up, styles change over time and the same can be said for jewelry styles with a few exceptions. For example, heart jewelry in general is one style that has survived no matter what the latest fad, associated as it is with romantic feelings and declarations. But perhaps the most obvious exception to changes in popularity over a long period of time is the solitaire diamond ring which has always been in fashion, not just as an engagement ring but also as a dress ring.  Although there may be changes in the settings and choice of precious metal such as yellow gold, white gold, rose gold and platinum, diamonds still remain the number one choice of most for those getting married.

When my husband and I got engaged in the late sixties, although the largest selection of engagement rings on offer were solitaires or diamond clusters, a very fashionable alternative was to choose a ring with diamonds and other precious stones such as rubies, emeralds and sapphires. In some ways, this very wide choice was confusing because so many of the rings on offer were so wonderful to look at. And just like the times that you go out for a meal at your favorite restaurant and after the main course they bring you the dessert selections – you see the hot fudge sundae, the apple pie and that large slice of cheesecake and you want to try all of them, even though you know you can’t have them – well, that’s how I was when I started to look at engagement rings. (But to digress for a moment: the last time I went out for a meal, the restaurant offered a “dessert selection” with small portions of three different desserts in one serving – so perhaps you can have them all, or three of them at least!).

Anyhow, let’s get back to jewelry and the engagement ring anecdote. I remember going shopping with my girlfriend and stopping to look in the jewelry stores and picking out the engagement rings we wanted. My friend’s choice was for an oval ruby surrounded by diamonds whereas I decided that I wanted a central diamond surrounded by deep blue sapphires in the shape of a flower. Having lost touch with my friend before she got married I don’t know if she got the ring of her dreams but I certainly did and I still wear it every day.

Just writing this reminded me of Princess Diana’s engagement ring which was a large dark blue sapphire surrounded by diamonds. Very similar in design to the one my friend wanted but I am sure far more expensive than either of us would expect.

My husband has bought me lots of beautiful jewelry since we have been together and I treasure every piece. But the one item I would really like to receive is a heart ring to add to the heart jewelry collection which he has bought for me over all of these years to show how much he still loves me. So if your significant other is looking to find something that will last a long time and will be a constant reminder of how much you mean to each other, you might subtly suggest (or maybe not so subtly) a piece of jewelry such as a heart ring.