The role of a jewellery designer/maker is an exciting and unique role that is incredibly rewarding. This craftsperson is responsible for planning, designing and making wearable jewellery including the mounting, setting and polishing. The jewellery, such as rings, necklaces and bracelets, uses stones, jewels, gems, metals and other materials. Most jewellery designers work in workshops, production facilities, studios, retailers and repair businesses. Jewellery designers/makers tend to start off earning around £16,000, however experienced designers can earn anything from £20,000 to £50,000 per year.
To be a successful jewellery designer/maker, you need to have a specific skillset and knowledge base, including:
You can become a jewellery maker/designer through a number of different route. You can go through:
You can complete a university foundation degree, or a higher national diploma or degrees in:
To complete a university degree you will need:
College courses are an excellent place to start your jewellery designer/maker career, you can complete college courses in:
To enrol onto a T Level college course, you’ll need:
If you prefer to complete an apprenticeship you could take advantage of opportunities provided by the Jewellery, Silversmithing and Allied Trades Professional Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. These are offered by institutions like the British Academy of Jewellery and The Goldsmiths'Company.
If education or an apprenticeship isn’t the ideal route for you right now, then you are able to complete specialised training and complete short, specialist courses, to become a jewellery maker. These courses are run by organisations such as British Academy of Jewellery and Goldsmiths' Foundation Programme. These kinds of courses can then lead to a suitable apprenticeships or training in further or higher education.
The day-to-day responsibilities of a jewellery designer/maker varies depending on where you work and whether or not you own your own shop.
Typical responsibilities of a jewellery designer include:
Securing a role as a jewellery designer/maker can be difficult as the industry is very competitive and not all vacancies will be advertised in a traditional way. One of the best ways to get the competitive edge is to make useful contacts in the industry. You can make these contacts through:
There are plenty of career progression opportunities for jewellery designers/makers, you could go onto become a:
The role of a jewellery designer/maker is a creative, diverse and exciting role that is incredibly unique. Although it can be difficult to get into, it is very rewarding and it has excellent career progression opportunities. If you’re considering starting a role as a jewellery designer/maker, begin by taking a course to see how much you enjoy it and to make sure you have the skillset to actually complete the role.
Select the perfect jewellery for your wedding day using this comprehensive guide. From necklaces to cufflinks, you can match your jewels to you wedding dress, theme, or style. Read on to find out how.
Matching your wedding jewellery to your theme, style, or venue is a great way to enhance your big day. Taking your new engagement ring and making it the central focus for the big day will elevate your look. Matching the jewel you wear around your neck to the colour you chose for your wedding day will help you to stand out as the most important couple of the day. Match necklaces or earrings to cufflinks and create a sense of finery which will dazzle your guests.
This article will help couples choose a wedding style, choose their jewellery, and discusses the different types of jewellery you might wear for your big day.
The first thing you must do before you start shopping for necklaces, earrings, and bracelets for your wedding day is to understand your style. Your wedding style is the overall feel of your wedding day. From groom’s accessories to family heirlooms, your wedding style is the key to building a successful and unforgettable event. You might also refer to your wedding style as your wedding theme.
Examples of the types of style your wedding could reflect include:
Once you choose your wedding style, theme, or aesthetic, you can match your bridal sets and wedding bands to it. This keeps your theme central, allowing you to throw the most stylish wedding of the year.
Bridal jewellery can be a single ring or a full set. Include a necklace, bracelet, earrings, and head ware for your nuptials. Remember, as a Birmingham-based diamond jewellers of distinction, Diamond Dealer Direct offers a full range of illustrious bridal jewellery.
To match a necklace to your wedding dress, keep an eye on your neckline. A rounded necklace will suit a round neckline. A drop pendant best suits a sweetheart neckline. If you have a high necked dress you might consider a choker. You also want to think about length. Does the 16 inch chain suit the neckline better or does a 20 inch chain drop just exactly where you want it to? You can browse our full set of bridal necklaces in our online diamond shop for more inspiration.
There are three real choices in earrings. You might wear bridal earrings which have a drop to them, you might choose a hoop, or you could choose a stud.
A stud is a simple, classic, elegant choice. It gives you the sparkle you need to be pretty, without being a statement set of jewels.
Don’t wear dangling earrings with a long chain or drop pendant. You will look like they are hanging off you and this can drag your features downwards. Stay bright and fresh by teaming a stud with a drop pendant and drop or hoop earrings with a rounded necklace.
A beautiful bridal bracelet doesn’t have to be flashy, but who wants simple on their wedding day? A diamond bracelet has that crisp, clean, classic look which matches most high end wedding styles. And if you are having a casual wedding? Then a diamond bracelet becomes even more enchanting to your guests. Team a simple bracelet with a rounded necklace and a stud earring for an easily elegant style.
Do you want to wear a tiara on your wedding day? How about some hairpins in your theme or colours? Are you wearing a veil? If so, how do you intend to pin it into place? Your hair is yet another area in your body which you can accentuate using fine jewellery from Diamond Dealer Direct.
The blushing bride is not the only one who will wear their finery on their wedding day. The groom can also wear a selection of fine jewellery pieces to help them stand out from the crowd. Here are the top groom’s accessories to consider.
There are two real choices when it comes to cufflinks. You can have a traditional cufflink or a modern style. Modern styles could gear themselves towards video game characters or much loved movies. The traditional style of cufflink keeps cuffs closed using a double panel, a post, and a chain to draw them together. The modern cufflink operates using a hinge and closure similar to that of a wristwatch.
Groom’s accessories often include an elegant wristwatch. They say that you can tell a lot about a man by his watch. Consider the proportions of your wrist, the colour of your suit, and the style of fastening which you prefer. There has never been a better time – or excuse – to splurge on a diamond wristwatch. Think of this as a long term investment into your own future.
The groom’s accessories include things like tie pins, perhaps with a favourite jewel. Lapel pins can accentuate the front of the suit, as can a properly placed pocket square. The groom might wear a silver, white gold, or gold chain and bracelet. An additional ring or two will not be out of place, either.
Given all of the options above, how do you then incorporate cherished family heirlooms into your wedding day? It depends on the item. The bride should always wear both something old and something borrowed and family heirlooms suit this task. Sentimental jewellery can be wonderful – but it also might be out of place with your theme. Remember, if it doesn’t go with your wedding day, then change where it is worn. For example, placing the brooch your gran gave you (but that you think is ugly) inside a clutch would mean you could still wear it. Similarly, you could wear unsightly necklaces under your clothing, where no one can see it.
Otherwise, make your family heirloom the showpiece of your collection and style your wedding day around it. It could become the centrepiece to an already perfect day.
Not only should your wedding day jewels sparkle bright enough to create unforgettable moments, but they must also stand the test of time.
Consider how comfortable the piece is likely to be if you wish to wear it all day. It is one thing to find a bejewelled wedding tiara and quite another to find one that doesn’t hurt when you wear it.
Durability is another practical consideration for groom’s accessories and bridal jewellery. Opal is a wonderful gem, for example, but it is far too soft to wear as an exposed stone on a wedding ring. Daily chores will damage it consistently over time. Remember – diamonds last forever. Choose diamond sets for maximum longevity.
You can shop online for diamond jewellery that will make for showstopping pieces for your big day right here with Diamond Dealer Direct. Pop into our Birmingham branch to speak to our expert jewellers, or head to our website and browse our selection of curated diamond pieces, set to make any wedding day extra special. Shop online now and don’t be disappointed later. The bling is the best part of your big day… That and the love, of course.
There is far more to bridal jewellery than you might first have thought. However, each key pieces is akin to a note played on a piano. Put them together well and you will create a master symphony. Allow yourself to explore the world of groom’s jewellery, watches, and tie pins. Become immersed in bracelets and necklaces that will last a life time. Choose a wedding ring that sets your commitments in stone.
Best of all? You can do all this right here through Diamond Dealer Direct. Simply browse our exquisite range of curated wedding jewellery pieces to find the ideal match for your celebration.
Organise a successful engagement party using this expert how-to guide.
Here at Diamond Dealer Direct, we know all there is to know about engagements and engagement parties. It is our aim to provide clear, effective guides for our clients on how best to celebrate their new engagement. We have spent years perfecting the ideal style of engagement ring or fine jewellery. Over those years we have encountered thousands of couples who have gone on to tie the knot. With this guide to creating an idyllic engagement party which perfectly represents you as a couple, you should be ready to throw the perfect party in no time.
An engagement party should reflect your enthusiasm for celebrating such a magnificent milestone. These top ten tips will help you create a celebration nobody will soon forget.
The first step to any successful party planning venture is to set that budget early on. Leave it too late and you will spend disproportionate amounts on finishing touches which you might not need later on in the planning. Forgetting your budget means you potentially spend your food allowance on decorations, or your open-bar allowance on dressing the tables.
Set a budget before you begin to stay on course. Remember to factor in engagement jewellery, too. If you have the party before you get the rings you will confuse your guests. Everyone will want to see that new ring bling!
Your date needs to work for everyone involved with the party. The most important people are those who will play a role on the day of the wedding. This means yourselves, your chosen bridal party, everyone’s mother-in-law and father-in-law, your kids, your brother and sister’s kids, your partner’s brother’s and sister’s kids… and so on.
Top tip? Do this using an online calendar. Get everyone to mark the days they cannot attend, and then pick a date from there. Moving forward you will know that you did your best. Anyone who can’t make it has some explaining to do.
If you don’t have a favourite venue in mind, choosing the right place to have your engagement party is tough. If you are in Birmingham, you can pop into Diamond Dealer Direct and talk to our agents. They can advise you on a range of local popular venues to house your party.
A good tip is to match the style of the engagement ring and jewellery to the venue, just as you might match the engagement ring to the wedding venue. This ensures there are no style clashes involved.
Plan your invitations early on. Why? Because availability of wedding materials changes. If you need 180 of one type of invitation to account for each guest, you might find your local wedding store only provides packs of 20. This could mean that the store has to order that volume in for you.
Pick key family members first, then key friends, then pepper your list with those you’d like to share the day with. Top tip? Invite fun friends for a day spent laughing.
Now white is a standard wedding colour and theme, but if you don’t want your female guests to show up in white dresses then you need to team it with another colour. You can do this by choosing seasonal colours, like teal and brown in autumn or yellow and orange in summer, or you can match the décor and theme to your engagement jewellery again.
If you team your rings, theme, and venue together this way, you will create a layered party where everyone understands your style. Celebrity, rustic, vintage, garden, and gothic are all popular wedding and engagement party themes.
Are you choosing a catering company or a buffet? Do you even want to feed people? What about a dessert based sweet treat station complete with chocolate fountain? If you want to save money, set a couple of eager-to-help relatives on the task of food provision. You get far more sandwiches for your money if you make them yourself.
You could hire a live band, use a DJ, or match your entertainment style to the theme of the night. For example, a magician matches a 1920’s themed engagement party. So would an MC and a few singers. A football themed engagement party could have a fake betting station, where players donate money in exchange for essential wedding gifts.
This part is important. Do you want to fan yourself with your hands until your friends see the engagement ring? Or do you want to propose again, this time with all the people you love present? It’s nerve wracking, but wait until you hit your wedding day… dress yourself with fine jewellery to accentuate the ring, and to wear on your Big Day.
Hiring a photographer for your engagement party is just as important as the one you hire for your wedding. Plus, it might save you the task of finding one for the wedding if you find one now. Make sure they take plenty of pictures that showcase the ring. Diamond rings are vital at an engagement party. It is the symbol of things to come. Make it work.
Don’t make the faux pas of forgetting to write thank you notes to those who came along. It’s bad luck to start wedding planning when everyone thinks you’re conceited.
As long as you have the right engagement ring, a venue which is enchanting, and stick to your budget, your engagement party will go off without a hitch. Browse our collection of diamond rings and engagement rings to get a feel for the style you like. Remember: matching your ring to your venue and to your theme will produce an engagement-perfect party, every time. We also offer a selection of fine jewellery that can make your future wedding even more special.
Birmingham is renowned for its Jewellery Quarter and the stunning jewellery the area has produced throughout the years. Known as a pioneer of all major technological jewellery making advancements since the mid-1700s, 40% of all the jewellery made in the UK, is designed and made in Birmingham. Currently, the jewellery quarter has the biggest concentration of jewellery makers in Europe as well as the world’s largest Assay Office, which hallmarks around 12 million items a year. Although jewellery production in Birmingham has declined somewhat since it’s peak, due to cheaper production in other areas of the world, the jewellery industry in Birmingham is still thriving and this is set to continue for the foreseeable future.
The jewellery industry in Birmingham began in the early 16th century. In the year 1553 local goldsmith Roger Pemberton was registered as one of the first jewellers in Birmingham. Benefitting from the Industrial Revolution, the city went onto become a large industrial town with suburbs for workers to live. In 1780 there were approximately 28 jewellers recorded in the city, by 1800 the number of jewellers had grown to 400, due to the rapid pace and industrial demand in the city. The middle-class families in the area began moving out, which meant more factories were opened and canals were created to help transport goods. In 1820, the jewellery trade in Birmingham did start to decline, mainly due to the end of the Industrial Revolution, however, by the early 1900’s trade has started increasing again and at this time more than 30,000 people were employed in the Jewellery Quarter alone. Another sharp decline came in jewellery trade in 1920’s as demand for jewellery lowered due to the Great Depression and the second World War.
Many famous jewellers are known for their work in Birmingham, for example, Matthew Boulton a silversmith who lobbied the British government for a hallmarking act and an Assay Office, which is the Birmingham Assay Office we mentioned earlier, this office now has a long-established reputation as an independent centre for quality assessment and expert opinions. Ultimately, this office changed the landscape of jewellery making in Birmingham, making the process easier and much more lucrative.
As we’ve discussed, the jewellery industry in Birmingham has grown throughout the years, despite some small period of sharp decline, the industry has always managed to recover, to become stronger than it was before. Since the Industrial Revolution, jewellery production has become (and remains today) one of the biggest contributors to the city’s thriving economy. One of the reasons for this was the development and rise of Birmingham’s infamous Jewellery Quarter.
The Jewellery Quarter, located in the north-western area of Birmingham City Centre has a rich and diverse history. From its connection to the Industrial Revolution and the early jewellery makers that began to congregate there, to the thriving jewellery, business and nightlife hub it has come today. After connecting roads and canals were created in the area to transport goods and stock, and the stunning Victorian houses (which are still in existence today) were built for jewellery makers working in the area to live in, the area really began to thrive. The output of the jewellery quarter surpassed the amount and quality of jewellery made in Derby. Meanwhile, the jewellery trade also declined in Edinburgh, meaning the middle classes in London became more reliant on the Jewellery Quarter for their supply of jewellery. As well as making jewellery, the area has been known for other manufacturing. For example, in the 19th century there were approximately 100 pen factories and at this time the city produced more than 75% of the world’s pens. The area also manufactured the first football whistle (in 1878) and the first police whistle (in 1883).
Since World War two and as a result of globalisation, stronger competition and technological advances, the output of the Jewellery Quarter has been damaged, as has and its ability to be innovative and competitive in an international market. Therefore, to protect and sustain the area, policy makers and agencies have worked to (and continue to work to) reinvent itself from a stagnant manufacturing industrial district into an urban creative district. Due to the historical background of the Jewellery Quarter many of its remarkable features, including the listed buildings and conservation areas, are legally protected and will continue to be maintained. Despite this, there are many buildings in the area that have been neglected and vandalised. For this reason, and to ensure the area continued to thrive, planning and development is always ongoing, although there are many views as to how the area should or could be transformed in-line with the Quarter’s historic and architectural assets, as well as its unique environmental qualities. Now, the area which was predominantly a jewellery making area, has become an urban village that continues to be the European hub for jewellery making, but is also a hub for thriving businesses, food, drinks and entertainment.
All industries evolve and change over time and this requires new techniques to be implemented and new technologies to be adopted. One of the biggest advancements and changes to jewellery making is the introduction of 3D printing, which has been used in the industry for several years now. 3D printing allows jewellery makers to create custom pieces and/or very intricate and detailed designs, with complete ease. 3D printing has also been combined with an advancement in the manufacturing industry known as CAD-CAM (Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing). CAD-CAM helps to reduce human errors and waste, as well as increasing productivity and allowing for more intricate and unique bespoke designs.
Laser technology has also had a big impact on the way jewellery making companies create their pieces in Birmingham. Using laser powered tools, jewellers are able to create more intricate designs, and both shape and cut stones with much better precision. The advancements in robotics also have some beneficial design applications for jewellery making, robotics has recently become more affordable and widespread, meaning this process is now easily applied by jewellery makers. Other advancements and technological advancements include nano technology, innovative electroforming and wearable technology trends.
As well as technological advancements, other advancements are also impacting the jewellery trade, including the rise in online shopping and social media, through which jewellery makers have a wider reach when it comes to advertising and selling their goods.
The history of jewellery making and the historical Jewellery Quarter in Birmingham has continued to thrive for centuries. This is in part due to the unique and quality work the area produces, it’s ability to change and adapt to trends and technological advancements and excitement over the future of both the area and its productions.
Christmas is a magical time full of love, it naturally brings people together, which makes it the perfect time for the wedding of your dreams. If you’re getting married around Christmas time, you might be looking for inspiration on how you can make yours the perfect Christmas wedding. Which is why we put together this handy blog full of tips to make your Christmas wedding the best it can be.
Before we look at tips on how to make yours the perfect Christmas wedding, let’s first take a look at the proposal. Christmas proposals are so beautiful and memorable and Christmas gives you so many different proposal opportunities. If you’re considering proposing this Christmas, make it truly magical. Take a winter walk, hide the ring in with their Christmas presents, take her/him out for a night on the town, or hang the ring from the Christmas tree, these are just some of the many fantastic ways you can propose at Christmas.
These are just some of the many ideas and tips for making your Christmas wedding completely perfect in every way. You don’t have to use them all for your wedding to have a Christmas feel, so choose the ones that work best for you, the ones that match your personality and the ideas that will give you the wedding you have always dreamt of.
So, you’ve finally met the right person and you’ve decided to propose… hardest part done right? Wrong. Finding the perfect engagement ring can be just as difficult as finding the perfect person. There are so many choices, so many options and styles and the perfect ring doesn’t depend on your preference, but knowing what your special someone likes. Choosing a ring that is completely not their style can have a detrimental impact on the proposal… after all, you want everything to be perfect. We completely understand that, so we’ve put together this guide to help you to find a ring that is perfect for your loved one.
Choosing a diamond
Traditionally speaking, engagement rings are diamonds, they might have other stones with them, but the main stone, is typically a diamond. But again, there are so many diamonds, all varying so much in price. If you don’t know much about them you might not know what you’re looking for, or which one to choose.
The way diamonds are priced is according to the 4 C’s.
The better the 4 C’s, the higher priced the diamond. Another thing to consider when looking at diamonds is the shape. Some are oval, some are pear shaped, others are square, and the shape does impact the overall style. If you’re able to find out your partners preferred stone shape, this will make your job of finding the perfect ring much easier.
Choosing a metal
Once you know what kind of diamond shape you want and how much you are willing to spend, the next thing you should think about is the metal you’d like the ring band to be made from. Typically, engagement rings are made from one of three types of metal:
Choosing a setting
The setting of the stone really makes the style of the ring. The preferred setting is a personal choice, it needs to reflect the personality of the person wearing the ring. There are endless options of standard settings, and even custom engagement ring settings. Engagement ring settings:
Choosing the perfect engagement ring
After you have made all of the above decisions it should be much easier to choose the perfect ring. You’ve narrowed down the search massively. Of course, you will still have some choices to make, but this should be much easier now. If you’re still unable to find the perfect ring, then why not have a custom ring made especially for your partner, using the decisions you’ve made above.
If you’re still unsure as to what you’d like, or if you’d like to take a look at a selection of rings to find the perfect one, then contact one of our expert team members now.
We only ever think about giving diamond rings for marriage proposals, but what if we told you there were other times in life where only diamonds would do?
Diamonds might not seem like the obvious choice in gift. Many people are put off by their reassuringly expensive price. However, there are few ways to declare everlasting love or everlasting friendship that are as efficient as a diamond.
Giving diamonds in the engagement ring is symbolic of everlasting love. A diamond is a hard stone which will never be worn down by any tribulations during the marriage. It is one of the hardest stones in existence, according to the Mohs hardness scale. There are few stones which surpass it in terms of toughness.
We also give diamond engagement rings because a diamond lasts for an eternity. The diamond engagement ring is symbolic of eternal love, which is tough enough to last the distance. While giving diamond rings as accepted as a token of everlasting love and potential marriage, there are other times in life where giving a diamond is an acceptable gift. Here are our top three.
3 times in life to give a diamond outside of an engagement ringIf you want to give an exemplary gift to someone you love but don't want to marry, then giving diamonds is the best way to do it. Here are some situations where only a diamond will do.
Not just any birthday, but a big birthday. When your mother reaches 40 or 50 or 60, this is when we should consider giving her a diamond. It doesn't have to be a diamond ring. Diamond earrings always go down a treat for mothers and mother in laws. You should also consider a diamond necklace. Depending on your mother's age and what she likes in terms of jewellery, you may also consider a diamond studded brooch, watch, or bracelet.
It is traditional to thank the participants in your wedding with a gift. Usually this means something like a hip flask or an engraved glass for the men and often ends with jewellery for the women. Although diamonds are expensive, a small diamond set into a silver backing can make a wonderful gift for those who helped you get married. Again, this is a symbol of eternity. Eternal friendship in this case.
When your loved one graduates, this is the event of a lifetime. They will never do this again. Well, they might, but it's unlikely. A graduation is something to be celebrated. It is an achievement beyond anything else you will do with your life other than getting married. It is symbolic of the start of your career and therefore the start of your life as an adult. Giving a diamond at this crucial juncture is a perfectly acceptable thing to do. It may not be expected either, which makes it all the sweeter for the recipient.
You should also consider giving diamonds to anyone who has just turned 21. The eternal nature of the stone will mean that they will have this gift for the rest of their lives. What a perfect way to remember you by, even after you're gone.
Don't forget that Christmas is a perfectly acceptable time to give anyone you like a diamond.
The promise ring is the eternal symbol of faith and love in a partner – but which finger should you wear it on? We answer this dilemma below, and give a little background on where this unique, stunning tradition came from in the first place.
Promise rings in the UK have a long history that dates back to medieval times. It was the Georgians and the Victorians who made the promise ring so pertinent, during the times of the Industrial Revolution. It is no surprise then, that some of the original meanings and traditional wearing of the rings have been lost to time.
Many of our customers often stop to ask:
“What finger does a promise ring go on?”
And it’s no real wonder. It’s widely accepted that promise rings can be worn on any finger of your choosing. You can wear them on a necklace around your neck, or on whichever finger fits.
Promise rings are almost exclusively given to those we intend to propose to one day, so it’s a good practise run. If your beloved buys a ring, sees the size, and realises how it does or does not fit you, they have a better idea of how big to make that engagement ring. This is part of the reason why many people wear them where they fit.
We also have other types of rings adding to this confusion. Think of the Claddagh, for example. This Irish ring was first made in the 17th century in a small fishing village in Galway, Ireland. The placement of this ring on your fingers has 4 different meanings. If the heart faces you, you are in love if it faces away, you are single. The other two meanings come from which hand the ring is worn on and may mean you are engaged[i].
While the Claddagh is fascinating, it is this type of counter-ring that has challenged perceptions around the promise ring and muddied the waters of confusion.
Now that we all appreciate why we are confused, let’s fix it with some facts. How should you wear that promise ring?
Usually, promise rings are worn on the left hand’s ring finger (if the person isn’t married), or on the right hand if they are married.
The symbolism of the ring finger aligns with the use of the ring. You are ‘reserving’ this person in your heart. You likely intend to marry them one day. It is this wondrous love that we are protecting until the day when we can marry them. Therefore, we traditionally place the promise ring on the ring finger.
Once you are married, you can then move your promise ring to the opposite hands. Some romantic couples even buy promise rings for each other after marriage, as a testament to the love and respect they have for one another.
Don’t fancy wearing a promise ring on your finger or feel that you have no ring fingers left? No problem. Can you wear a promise ring as a necklace? Absolutely! This is why you sometimes see rings attached to chains around people’s necks – it’s another way of displaying this classic, deeply-symbolic gift from someone. Some even prefer wearing rings on their necklaces because it is closer to their heart.
The purpose of giving someone a promise ring dates back much further than you might think – right back to the 16th century, in fact. Prior to the popularity of promise rings caused by the Victorians or the Georgians, couples in love were using promise rings as a token of affection.
It all started in England and in particular during the Georgian and Victorian eras, where ‘Acrostic’ rings that spelled out a word in gems (such as emerald or ruby) were popular. These rings allowed lovers to pass secret messages to one another. The ring’s gemstones spelled out words based on the first letter of their names.
Since then, promise rings of the non-acrostic variety have surged in favour. Within the past decade, promise rings to have become something of a mainstream trend. The reasons for this are numerous, but it’s hard to look past the influence of famous promise ring owners who proudly display their jewellery in music videos or on TV.
The reasons for wearing a promise ring are varied, depending on the individual, situation and relationship, but they’re most commonly recognised as ways to demonstrate fidelity and loyalty.
This dates back to ancient times, and if the question “what finger do you wear a promise ring on” is still reverberating around your mind, the answer has been similar for centuries; the reason they’re typically worn on the ring finger of the left hand is because there’s a vein that runs from that particular finger to the heart.
As noted, the definition of a promise ring varies between couples as much as the question “what finger is a promise ring supposed to go on” has different answers.
Typically, these days, promise rings are often worn as a sign of commitment within the confines of a romantic coupling. Their appeal largely comes from the meanings these rings represent.
Some couples will wear promise rings as a way to confirm a future engagement, while others simply wear them to reflect one-hundred percent devotion to one another.
As the name suggests, a promise ring signifies that a promise has been made between two people. At its base level, it is used to demonstrate a partner’s love and commitment to their relationship. Some people will give their partner a promise ring long before a marriage proposal, for instance.
However, being given a promise ring doesn’t always signify that a proposal is on the cards. Equally, it means far more than simply dating someone – it’s a sign and tangible symbol of a special bond that the whole world can see.
Some couples who aren’t ready to commit to marriage wear promise rings to demonstrate that their commitment to one another extends far beyond sharing the same house or monthly bills.
Ah - good question.
As with all jewellery, there is a certain level of etiquette required when it comes to the reasons for investing in and gifting a promise ring.
The question of “what finger do you wear a promise ring on” should always come last, and certainly after you’ve decided why you want to give someone this important piece of jewellery.
Promise rings shouldn’t be treated lightly, despite the fact they don’t carry the same levity of an engagement or wedding ring. Equally, they’re best given after a couple has dated for a significant amount of time.
How long that is depends very much on the couple in question, but at least a year is usually a good indication that the relationship is strong and means more to both parties than casual dates.
Just remember that this is far more than a piece of birthday jewellery, for example, make sure the meaning behind a promise ring chimes with your situation before buying and gifting.
The good news about promise rings is that pretty much any style goes. It’s whatever suits you and your partner best and, to be honest, whatever catches your eye most profoundly.
Common themes for promise rings include hearts or intertwined pieces that are intended to demonstrate the union of two people.
Due to the aforementioned celebrity influence, many people see promise rings as fashion pieces, too. It’s why the answer to “what finger do you wear a promise ring on” has so many interpretations.
The great thing about the abundance of styles you can choose from when it comes to promise rings is that you’re less likely to come across the issue of them clashing with other rings.
For instance, a promise ring shouldn’t compete with an engagement or wedding ring if the eventual intention is to get married. All of these rings serve a purpose and are therefore best left to their own devices when it comes to style.
Just like any piece of jewellery, there are no rules when it comes to how much you’re expected to spend. Despite this, promise rings are usually significantly less expensive than their wedding-related counterparts.
It’s also important to bear in mind that promise rings are often purchased by younger people who don’t necessarily have lots of disposable income.
Only spend what you can afford, and what feels right!
What finger do you wear a promise ring on? Or are you yet to buy one for that special someone? If you’ve got any questions about promise rings, please do not hesitate to get in touch!
[i] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claddagh_ring
Ever wondered what people are searching for when it comes to their jewellery? We were curious about who was buying up bling and what kind of bling they were buying, so we collected the data from Google search results to find out.
We present to you the facts and figures of who is searching for what in the world of gold and diamond jewellery.
Unsurprisingly but still too large to ignore; we have a winner with engagement rings, at 30% of all searches for jewellery sourced through Google. Almost 1/3 of all of the jewellery searched is for people who are about to propose. What a sweet note to start on. Engagement rings make up more than half of all rings searched, too. Gold or Diamond rings came next at 20%, with wedding rings at a paltry 11%. So everyone’s getting engaged, just not married.
Earrings are the next category where searches are high. 40,000 people searched for diamond earrings in our case study, compared to only 15,000 gold pairs of earrings examined. Users then confounded data scientists even further by switching it on us in the necklace category. There, 22,000 necklaces were diamond compared to 40,000 in gold. If we can retrieve anything from this infographic, it may be that people struggle to make up their minds.
Diamonds are forever, that’s what this comes down to. They are symbolic of the steadfastness and hardiness of love. They are unbreakable, glitter in even a dark room, and can say a thousand words when the person offering it cannot. Gold, however pretty, is just decoration for the diamonds.
UK couples are staying together than ever before, with the overall divorce rate having fallen to 33% as of 2019.
We’re not surprised, as if a couple can survive the stress and challenges of planning a wedding, then they should be able to cope with whatever occurs after vows have been shared!
But what are the most common pre-wedding arguments, and how can you resolve these conflicts as a couple?
We’ll start with the most obvious area of conflict, as couples often do battle about the cost of their wedding and how much they should set aside for their big day.
In fact, this remains one of the most supercharged topics for any aspiring bride and groom, particularly in instances where one partner wants to spend considerably more than the other.
For example, you may have approximately £40,000 in disposable or saved income, but a potential conflict could arise if one person wants to spend it all on the wedding and the other prefers to keep some aside for a rainy day!
Prevention is better than cure in this respect, so be proactive and sit down with your other half to finalise your budget and discuss how funds are going to be sourced ahead of time. This can negate potential arguments further down the line, while allowing you to prioritise certain items of expenditure ahead of others.
Not all in-laws have been created equal, and it’s fair to say that some can struggle to recognise boundaries when you’re attempting to plan your wedding (regardless of which side of the family that they represent).
This can lead to tangible tension and frustration between you and your loved one over time, especially if you feel that your in-laws are being overbearing and having an undue influence on your final decisions.
However, such family dynamics are common, and often in-laws don’t realise how they’re coming across as they simply want to help. Similarly, you shouldn’t fall out with your spouse-to-be in this instance, as they’re not responsible at all for the actions of their parents.
Instead, try to gain some perspective and focus on the bigger picture of your wedding, while adopting a calm and reasoned manner when raising issues with your partner or their parents. The most important thing is to minimise tension and tackle issues productively, rather than allowing negative feelings to fester and spill over into conflict.
This can take many forms and occur for numerous reasons, whether one partner appears disinterested in the big day or the other is overly controlling and incredibly uncompromising over the finer details of their wedding.
Either scenario can be counter-productive, as each can lead to incredible levels of resentment while turning the planning process into a procession where one or both partners feels completely isolated.
The duty here is on the offended partner to raise their concerns in a calm and concise manner, while avoiding accusatory language and trying to focus on how to resolve the issue.
Remember, your partner loves you and may not be aware of their behaviour or how it’s impacting you, and they’ll most likely be desperate to correct the situation once it has been brought to their attention.
