James Allen News Center

It has long been a custom for the man to give to the woman a ring upon their engagement with both the man and the woman exchanging wedding rings at the marriage ceremony. Today, many couples are also exchanging anniversary rings to mark a significant milestone in their relationship.  Anniversary rings are similar to wedding rings, but there are some important features you may want to consider when selecting a pair of rings. Please read on and we`ll explore the symbolism behind anniversary rings and how to choose your pair.

No, you don`t have to wait until your diamond anniversary (50 years) to exchange diamond anniversary rings. The term is related to the type of ring, not the length of a marriage. With so many couples today delaying marriage until later in life, different milestones are important for them – exchange your rings at a time and place appropriate for you both.

Symbolism is the key when choosing diamond anniversary rings and that is why so much importance is placed on the ring`s design. Some rings have three interlocking bands to represent the three stages of marriage: past, present, and future. Other bands place the emphasis on the setting with three stones symbolizing those same stages of marriage. Some couples choose rings with extra settings representing the number of children in the marriage or the years married. These additional stones can be found embedded in the channel of the ring.

James Allen encourages customers to design their rings the way that they want them to look. Platinum, white gold, and yellow gold 14K or 18k bands are popular choices and customers can choose a variety of shapes including princess, oval, round, and emerald. If symbolism is important to you, then it is all the more likely you`ll customize your anniversary rings to suit your tastes.

Finally, deciding on an occasion to exchange anniversary rings is a private matter, but the following are some guidelines to help you out:

• Exchange anniversary rings on an important anniversary – your tenth, twentieth or twenty-fifth anniversaries are some of the more significant milestones in your marriage.

• If your last child has left the nest, consider exchanging rings the first anniversary following that event. An important era in your relationship is over, but the best days are yet to come. Diamond rings can be just the spark you need to ignite the next chapter in your life.

• Coming through a difficult time in your marriage should be a cause for celebration.  An illness, job loss, or other challenge can test the bonds; anniversary rings are your "reward" to each other for holding fast under difficult if not unpleasant circumstances.

Indeed, anniversary rings are what you make of them. Beautiful and symbolic, your love for each other will continue to burn brightly – a pair of diamond sparklers is a fitting tribute of enduring love.