- Mar 29, 2018
Selecting Men's Engagement Rings – From Wood to Metal
Selecting an engagement ring for men is widely misunderstood to be an easy process that doesn’t take up all that much time, thought or investment. The truth is, selecting a ring to commemorate your engagement is pretty tricky and since there are so many options now, it’s become all the more difficult to choose. Just like any part of the wedding, buying an engagement ring for the soon-to-be-groom is a well-planned activity. Here are some of the factors you should consider when
- Mar 27, 2018
Best Retirement Gifts for Men
“Dear Linda, a co-worker will be retiring in the next three months and I was hoping you have some ideas on what to consider as a retirement gift for him. We have worked together for the last 10 years and he has been a mentor to me.” At Carats and Stones we receive questions like these almost every day. In this blog we want to give you some guidance and also ask you to mention in the comment section below if you have any other ideas. First, let’s be very clear about it, there
- Mar 20, 2018
Pros and Cons of Making a Ring of Old Jewelry
When considering the pros and cons of designing a ring from old jewelry, the list of variables can be extensive, especially if the vintage piece you plan on using has a lot of value to you, like a family heirloom. If you focus on a few important principles, it will keep you from being overwhelmed. Here are some important things to consider: Set a goal for your creation People in San Francisco have a reputation for being unique and creative. Even so, there’s a certain practica
- Mar 15, 2018
Engagement Rings for Him – Selecting the Right One!
Did you know that there are several countries where it is tradition for the men to wear male engagement bands? Take a look at Brazil. During the engagement period both the men and women wear a plain wedding band on their right hands. Once the wedding vows have been exchanged the bands are moved over to left hands. Another example is Argentina. During the engagement both wear a silver band on their left hand and following the wedding the engagement bands are replaced with wedd
- Mar 13, 2018
Unique Metals Used for Gay Male Engagement Rings
When we look at gay male engagement rings that speak to more individual emotions and expressions, the field of choices are widening because of the newer markets that busted onto the scene after the Supreme Court edict and voter opinion polls on same-sex marriage emerged. All past tense now, however; there are betrothals to be made and ring makers actually have some catch-up to do in terms of targeting the LGBT market. So, without belaboring the pursuit of the perfect man’s en
- Mar 9, 2018
10 Critical Elements of Wow-Worthy Wedding Ring Design
You’re getting married! And you’re...stressed? Don’t fret: we’ve seen this before, and we know what to do. Start your journey to “I do” off on the right foot with our no-stress guide to custom ring design. With decades in this business, we’ve learned to recognize Ring Shopping Fatigue (RSF) as soon as it walks through our door. Whether a single shopper or a couple shopping together, there’s no hiding the telltale signs. What are the symptoms of RSF? Primary indicators include
- Mar 7, 2018
A Cut above the Rest: What makes black diamond engagement rings so perfect?
Clearer than crystal, sparkling and stunning, diamonds are forever. They’re one of the toughest minerals on our planet, and by far the most beautiful. People began using diamonds for engagement rings as far back as the 1400s. But now, after centuries of pricing the iridescent perfection of these classic clear diamonds, people are beginning to see the beauty of these colored diamonds. The most illustrious of which are the infamous black diamonds. Historically, black diamonds h
