If you are in the process of shopping for diamond rings, it is essential that you familiarize yourself with the general styles of rings on the market. Since there have been so many recommended occasions tied to certain types of diamond rings, it helps to know if you are buying the correct ring for the correct milestone.
The most basic diamond ring of them all is the diamond solitaire. Consisting of a single stone in a precious metal setting, the solitaire ring was long considered the standard for engagement ring purposes. Over the years, however, styles of acceptable engagement rings have broadened, creating a much larger design pool to choose from. The solitaire ring, while not the only style of engagement ring, still remains highly symbolic with regards to marriage proposals.
A diamond eternity ring is designed for two primary purposes. They are intended to be used as gifts to celebrate a wedding anniversary, sometimes replacing the wedding band itself, or they can be given to commemorate the birth of a couple’s first child, sometimes including the child’s birthstone as well as diamonds. Both the full eternity rings and the half eternity rings can be used to represent these two milestones in a relationship.
The three stone ring, like the eternity ring, is also used as an anniversary gift. The stones are symbolic of the couple’s past, present, and future. While some brides to be are choosing a three stone ring in place of an engagement ring, they are typically reserved for anniversary purposes.
The right hand ring, or dress diamond ring, was intended to be marketed towards single women who didn’t feel the need to be in a relationship in order to be able to wear a diamond ring. Because there is no specific style associated with the right hand ring, any of the above designs can be used to represent a woman’s independence.
While there are several other styles and types of diamond rings on the market, these are the primary categories. Keep in mind, however, that just because a ring is traditionally used for one purpose that doesn’t mean you can’t choose your own tradition to create.
