Matching gifts, thank you and invite cards can be designed from your ring designs too.  Couples have ordered matching bracelets and pendants for friends and family,  brides maids and best man.

Rings and Jewelry

Ring Styles                           

• Straight Bands 
• Tapered Band > Some people like the narrow bottom band because it is easier to bend your fingers or it's something the men relate to from their past wide top letter, or initial labeled ring.  From my experience the wider straight band is the most comfortable.
• Wrap Rings > One of the most versatile kinds of rings you can ever find.  When I first came up with the idea it was around 1984.  I wanted to make a ring that was easy to fit without soldering he ring together.  I gave them the title of 'Spirit Rings'.  They were extremely popular and can have gemstones set in between the space.  With all the good things about the 'Spirit Ring',  it hasn't been the most popular style for a wedding ring, but it is a great type of ring for a love gift, or even a nice matching wedding part gift, for brides maids or the lovely young ring bearer.
  Good points:
  • Very versatile, wide or narrow.
  • Fit pretty much any finger, men or woman.
  • Easy to set stones into.
• Love Link Set > Another concept I dreamed up in 1986 by cutting shape into one sheet of metal so the two pieces of metal fit together as one set.  Initially it was an idea to be able to split the two rings one for the woman and one for the man.  Of course the ring would fit a larger finger for the mans.  I gave one to my wife as a promise ring representing my love and friendship.  She wears hers on her middle finger and I wear the matching link on my baby finger.
  Good points:
  • One side of the ring can be worn as the engagement ring and can have a diamond or gemstone set in it, while the other side can be given at the wedding ceremony as the wedding band.
  • Space for two Life Crest one on each side.  Most ladies who choose these style rings have them soldered together which has led me to believe that the popular choice is the one 3/8" wide band to be used as both the wedding band and engagement ring all in one. A new tradition, your tradition and journey of Love.
• Anniversary
• Family or Tribe Rings

Choosing a Precious Metal

Platinum is the most expensive so far, and this prestigious metal has the unique qualities that will always set it apart from all other metals. It is heavier by compared volume to gold and because of it's density it is very challenging to engrave, polish and solder.  It really is the most beautiful metal, if you like the color and can afford the extra investment.  It will scratch but unlike gold with blended alloys(10k;14k;18k), platinum will push the metal around on the surface rather than scrape the metal off of the jewelry and cause it to wear down.

Essentially a precious metal is precious because of it's malleability and flexibility and of course because it looks pretty all polished up.  The more lower quality alloy that get's mixed into it the less value it has, but it becomes cheaper.  There is less alloy if any at all in platinum, it's mined less so it is more rare.

Gold is always beautiful too, especially the higher karat metal.  I charge more for white and rose gold than I do for yellow because they are more challenging to engrave, so there is more labour time going into engraving and finishing the metal.  White gold is an excellent alternative to platinum and has only a slight color difference and it is a really tough metal which for longevity is great.

Sterling silver is the cheapest but is a beautiful metal when it's all polished up, unfortunately it tarnishes after awhile and this is usually because of the copper that is blended into it.  Some people have quite a reaction from the oils in their skin or the substances that they work with.

All said about the different metals silver is gaining  more popularity and is now climbing in value as a precious metal again, while the ever popular white gold is getting too expensive for most of the population.  Of course the other new trend is (as far as precious metals go) lower karat yellow gold on silver.  This combination is great because it goes with everything, and if the silver tarnishes then the gold really stands out and is still all precious metals.

Thickness and Width                                   

Straight bands are by far the most comfortable ring style for both men and women.  The main concern is that the width will be too uncomfortable if it is over 5/16" wide.

Over 90% of the rings I make are 3/8" wide with 100% saying they love them for comfort, depth of carving and originality.  No returns because the ring is too wide.

Most people thing they have short little fingers and no room for wide rings but this is untrue because of the soft flexibility of your finger webs which hardly touch the ring at all.

3/8" wide bands are most popular with couples who are marrying a second time, as anniversary Love Gifts or a wedding ring renewal.  Diamonds become secondary to the creative Life Crests that are designed in my Love Rings.

Original or Reproduction

Original custom orders are more costly because of the extra time that goes into creating a one of kind work of art.  From the time that goes into dialogue, designing the ideas and changing the shapes and characters to hand engraving and finishing your wearable art.