James Allen News Center

You`ve been married for several years now and have reached some important milestones in your life together. Children have been born, your spouse took a new job and you purchased a new home after several years of saving your money. With all of these accomplishments, what have you and your spouse done for each other personally? One way to reaffirm your love, commitment, and affection for each other would be to exchange anniversary rings, a practice that has been catching on with couples who cherish each other and who want to celebrate the institution of marriage.

Anniversary bands are usually exchanged by couples on their wedding anniversaries many years after they were first married. Ten, twenty, even diamond anniversaries are perfect times to celebrate the exchange of anniversary rings, but you need not wait until then. Some couples simply decide to exchange rings when the moment is right, irrespective of their anniversary or other significant event. As love can be expressed at any time, so can the exchange of anniversary rings which signifies that love.  
Anniversary rings can be made from a variety of metals, but yellow gold, platinum, white gold, titanium and silver are the most popular. Some retailers sell anniversary rings as wedding bands too, meaning that you`ll get the same quality ring in it as you did when you first wed. You can be as elaborate as you want by adding diamonds or go with an informal look if that is your taste. Some couples select matching rings, while others like to surprise each other with a personalized ring for their spouse.

Engraving your silver, gold or other precious metal rings with a message inside of the band is something for you to consider too.  Inscribing "everlasting love" or "forever yours" is an important reminder of your love or showing your marriage date or other special occasion (25th anniversary) are some other ideas. Even sharing an important message that no one else knows including personal "pet names" for each other can be a fun, even whimsical way to personalize your inscriptions.

Gold or silver interlocking rings (with or without diamonds) are gaining in popularity because they offer so much symbolism for the wearers. Made of three separate smaller rings that interlock in order to form a larger ring, this type of jewelry can demonstrate how you and your spouse work through problems or are much more complete as people because of your marriage. Some couples choose interlocking rings as a testimony of their faith by showing that God is the central part of their marriage.

By exchanging anniversary rings this year you won`t be putting off any longer what you know that you should be doing -- reminding each other of your love and commitment for each other in a thoughtful and tangible way, just as you first did on your wedding day.