TIMELESS WEDDING BAND TRENDS FOR MEN

Women tend to focus a lot of attention on their engagement ring, from its conception and design right through to the final product. And while some men do get excited about wedding jewelry, many might be overwhelmed by the choices they have to make that come with shopping for wedding band.

Fear not, here are some tips for choosing or creating the perfect wedding band while keeping the latest trends in mind.

Platinum

Platinum is one of the best choices when it comes to picking a base metal for a wedding band. It is the strongest and most durable metal available. It also has a beautiful look to it, and right now a matte finish is one of the most popular ways to wear it. The matte finish subdues some of the metallic shine to give it a nice toned-down colour and texture.

Many of our men’s wedding bands are offered in Platinum so you can choose to have one of our classic wedding band styles like the WB-6901SP – which displays a unique milgrain outline that accents a brushed centre – in a stylish and modern metal like such as platinum.

Sticking to Something Traditional

If you like to keep it plain and simple – we totally get it. There’s nothing wrong with choosing a ring that will transcend time because it’s rooted in tradition.

When it comes to choosing a traditional ring, the type of metal and the thickness of the ring are the two things to think about. The traditional choice of metal would be yellow gold, but do you want a white gold ring or perhaps rose gold? Do you prefer a thinner cut to a ring or do you like the look of a denser piece?

We have a beautiful selection of wedding bands of all kinds to guide your decision.

We want you to have a happy wedding and that starts with making the right choices when it comes to one of the most important symbol of marriage and love – the ring.

'til next time,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

The Gold Mine

828-726-1009

www.hudsongoldmine.com 

Three Misconceptions About Buying Engagement Rings

Marriage is one of the beautiful things in life. Nothing rivals seeing two people in love forever joining together in holy matrimony. But nobody ever said it was easy! Working up the courage to ask is just the beginning. There’s a lot of planning, budgeting, adjusting your original plans when things change and actually managing all of the major issues in the process. Buying an engagement ring is just one of many tasks on your plate. There’s a lot of misinformation out there so we thought we’d clear up 3 misconceptions about buying engagement weddings rings to help you along.

It’s very complicated

The selection at The Gold Mine is vast. We have many different types of rings and with all types of colors and styles in our catalog – and it might be overwhelming to first-time buyers. In fact, getting an engagement ring with our store is actually easy. All you need to do is talk to your partner, and then talk to the store nearest you. They will walk you through the process and even make recommendations. Find the right size, pick your favorite color, and voila! At the end of the day, it’s hard to go wrong with any of our beautiful rings.

Custom is too expensive

There are plenty of companies out there that might overcharge for customization, but getting a custom ring is less expensive than you might think. Technology has come a long way and the craft has been honed by experts around the world. You should never go into the process blind, though. Ask us for advice. Try on some of our rings to get a feel, and search our collections for something to your liking. Who knows, you might find one here that you like and not need the customization after all.

You can’t find good rings at affordable prices

There are many persistent myths in the jewelry world: you need to spend several months’ pay on a ring, you need to buy a ring with a large stone, or that you can’t possibly find a good ring at an affordable price. That’s all false. The right ring for you is not a matter of price but of fit. You need to find the right ring for your partner and not worry about what other people say about spending money.

Buying a ring doesn’t have to be a stressful process. We deal with plenty of couples that are anxious for their big day, but want to find the right ring first. Finding the right engagement ring will help make the whole process a lot easier – feel free to contact us for more information!

See ya,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist

The Gold Mine

EMERALD - THE MAY BIRTHSTONE

Green is the color of Spring and has long symbolized love and rebirth. As the gem of Venus, it was also considered to aid in fertility. In addition, it was believed that wearing an Emerald would improve one’s memory and intelligence, enabling one to think clearly. Cleopatra, Egypt’s  female monarch was famous for wearing Emeralds. The deeper and more vivid the color of green, the more valuable the gemstone. To clean your emerald, use room temperature running water and a soft toothbrush with mild soap. Do not clean an emerald in ultrasonic cleaners, steam cleaners or acetone. 

Many of you know about my family's connection to the Hiddenite emerald mines in nearby Alexander County.  Emeralds have always been fascinating to me as they seem to be to many others.  Let me invite you to stop by our shop today..take a look at this stunningly beautiful gemstone in the many rings, earrings, pendants & bracelets we have...you'll be glad you did!

'til next time,

Bill Warren, Owner/Gemologist
The Gold Mine
828-726-1009
www.hudsongoldmine.com 

RING TERMS DEFINED: CONTEMPORARY

Here at The Gold Mine, we are happy to continue the tradition of giving finely-made, breathtakingly-beautiful rings as gifts at many of life’s special occasions. This is a major purchase, though, so we want to make sure that you are as well-informed as possible before you make that selection. Modern-style or contemporary rings are different than their older counterparts, and knowing what the term means will help you make the perfect selection. Let’s cover it in-depth so you know what you are getting in to.

What does contemporary mean?

When dealing with jewelry, something that is contemporary means something that was made in the style of more recent times. This includes everything from material and color to look and feel. While an older ring might be made to fit the ideals of the time, so too does a contemporary ring reflect current values. That is why we are beginning to see new metals, more diverse colors, and different weights becoming popular.

What do they look like?

While a vintage ring might be large and bulky, a modern ring will usually be sleek and light. This is due to a more minimalistic modern style, and our movement away from past aesthetics. Contemporary rings will usually have minimal decoration and a smaller stone at the top; not only that, but metals such as titanium and cobalt are becoming popular instead of traditional silver and gold. What we are beginning to see is a trend toward shiny and sleek rather than large and elegant.

Who wears it best?

A contemporary style ring is best for the person who enjoys making a quiet fashion statement, or one who prefers to be minimalistic. They fit best on the hand of someone who values shine and feel rather in-your-face beauty. Lightweight and stylish, a contemporary ring might go best with a young, trendy couple or with someone doesn’t like to make a lot of noise in a social setting.

Modern or contemporary rings are very different than their old-fashioned counterparts. They differ in nearly every area. That doesn’t mean one is better or worse than the other, it just means that different styles will fit different kinds of people. Now that you know what it means and who it works best on, stop by to see the Gold Mine's vast collection to see if you find the right fit.

'til next time,
Bill Warren, DDJ (Doctor of Dynamic Jewelry) & Owner
The Gold Mine
www.hudsongoldmine.com 
828-726-1009

Which Precious Metal is Right for You?

There are a lot of options for engagement rings and wedding bands out there. However, it is incredibly important to find the metal that is right for you and your aesthetic preferences. There are many benefits to each type of metal. Here is some information on your options when choosing an engagement ring or piece of jewelry in general.

Yellow Gold

Yellow gold has a mesmerizingly rich color. For centuries, traditional jewelry across different nations, histories and civilizations was made of yellow gold. Of all the existing colors of gold, yellow gold most closely resembles the color of the metal when it is mined. There is nothing quite as iconic or rich as a yellow gold ring, and any piece created in yellow gold is sure to carry a certain classical beauty with it.

White Gold

White gold, unlike silver which can look similar at first glance, is a far superior metal than silver. It does not tarnish to black in the way silver does, and as a result does not need the same kind of cleaning regimen.  An alloy of gold and at least one other white metal, white gold can contain nickel, palladium, or be plated with rhodium to emphasize the white color. White gold makes a very sturdy and long lasting piece of jewelry that truly shines.

Rose Gold

For that touch of personality and uniqueness, rose gold is the way to go.  Rose gold is a type of gold with more copper in its alloy – the more copper present in a gold alloy, the more of a rose hue or tint.  Most often, rose gold will consist of partly silver, partly copper, and of course gold. Rose gold offers a splash of unexpected color in any piece and would suit anyone with a creative or expressive streak.

Platinum

Platinum has an unparalleled rarity and is naturally white in color, letting any platinum piece shine with a breathtaking vigor. This hypo-allergenic metal does not tarnish, ages well over time, and is a clear choice for any jewelry piece that will last forever and stay beautiful the entire time.

Knowing all you can about the best materials for your jewelry can make all the difference. Taking into account a person’s occupation, personality, and aesthetic preference, each precious metal has a unique appeal.

'til next time,

Bill Warren, DDJ (Doctor of Dynamic Jewelry) & Owner

The Gold Mine

www.hudsongoldmine.com  email:  goldman86@bellsouth.net

828-726-1009