Tips for Choosing the Right Wedding Bands

Summer has officially arrived, which also means that wedding season is in full swing. The beautiful weather makes the summer months the ideal time for a destination or outdoor wedding. While you are ironing out the last details of your big day, organizing your registry and putting the finishing touches on your honeymoon plans, it’s important to think a little bit about the kinds of wedding bands you want. Even though many of your guests might not get a good look at your wedding rings, you’ll be looking at them for years to come, so it’s important that you choose a style that you really love. While purchasing wedding rings can seem overwhelming, you can make the right selection by following some simple tips:

  • Start with a budget: Before you can start shopping at a jewelry store in Sterling Heights, MI, always work with your partner to set a budget—and stick to it. Weddings are already an expensive event, and you don’t want to put any extra burden on yourself by falling in love with a wedding band that’s way outside of your budget. When you go ring shopping, make sure to tell your jeweler about your budget and ask them to avoid showing you anything that is out of your comfortable price range.
  • Think about your lifestyle: If you or your partner has a particularly hands-on job or you spend a lot of time on projects or physically involved hobbies, you might not want to buy a ring that has gemstones or other settings, since they are more likely to come out under stress or incur damage.
  • Don’t get hung up on matching sets: If you and your partner have very different preferences when it comes to wedding bands, you don’t have to get a matching set. If you like platinum and your partner likes gold, why not get one of each? You can still get your rings in similar styles or add personalized engraving, but you don’t have to try to come to a consensus on a specific material.
  • Figure out a general style: Before you go to a jewelry store in Sterling Heights, MI, it’s helpful to have some direction. While you don’t need to have a very specific style in mind, it’s a good idea to at least know what you don’t want in your wedding band. Ruling out certain styles and features can help ease your shopping experience significantly.

Whether you know exactly what style you want for your wedding bands or you don’t have the faintest idea of what you’re looking for, you can end your search for the perfect rings at Howard’s Fine Jewelry. Our jewelry store in Sterling Heights, MI carries an extensive selection of fine jewelry, including wedding rings that are designed to fit a variety of preferences, styles and budgets. For 70 years, our team has delivered outstanding customer service and a quality selection of products that stand the test of time. Stop by today for a consultation, and let us help you find the perfect pieces of jewelry for you.

July Birthstone: Rubies

If one of your close friends or family members has a birthday in July, you might be at a loss trying to figure out what to give them. Giving birthday gemstone jewelry in Sterling Heights, MI can be a thoughtful gift, and July’s birthstone is the ruby. The ruby is a beautiful stone, but you might not know much about it beyond its signature red hue. Find out a little bit more about this gemstone and tell your loved one about the significance of the ruby to put even more meaning behind a ruby birthday gift.

The origin, significance and status of the ruby

The actual name “ruby” comes from the Latin word “rubis,” which can literally be translated as “red.” The ruby has all kinds of wonderful meanings behind it. The gem represents love, emotion, passion and courage, and has long-been considered the king of all gemstones. Centuries ago, it was commonly believed that the person wearing a red ruby would encounter good fortune. As such, rubies have been worn by royalty, including kings and emperors, throughout history.

Rubies come in a variety of red shades, with hues ranging from reddish purples and blues to red-oranges. Burmese rubies are the most valuable rubies and have a distinctively vibrant red color that has some blue undertones. Rubies are nearly as strong as diamonds and exceed emeralds in their strength. They are also one of the most valuable gemstones on the planet. In fact, rubies that don’t have any imperfections actually surpass diamonds in value. Over the years, many labs have produced synthetic rubies that closely imitate the real thing.

Despite their inherent beauty and strength, most of the rubies that you see incorporated into jewelry have been treated to some extent to increase their appearance and strength. The most popular and valuable rubies tend to come from Thailand or Myanmar, which is where the term “Burmese ruby” came from. Because a ruby’s color is defined by a specific mineral, the geographic location of a ruby can have a significant impact on its appearance, depending on the geological presence of chromium. Myanmar rubies are renowned for their impressive fluorescence. In fact, these stones are even known to have a kind of glowing appearance when exposed to sunlight.

Shop for jewelry in Sterling Heights, MI

Looking for the perfect gift for that special someone? Come to Howard’s Fine Jewelry to browse an extensive selection of beautiful pieces. Whether your loved one has a more classic style or likes jewelry in Sterling Heights, MI with a modern design, we can help you find exactly what you’re looking for. We’re proud to have a 70-year history in the community and an outstanding track record for quality and customer service. We will work with you to determine what your style and budget can accommodate and can show you pieces that have all of the elements you’re looking for. Come see what we have in stock by browsing our website or visiting us in person today—we look forward to helping you!