Right Hand Rings Trend

Right Hand Ring Trends
Written by: Paul J. Armbruster Goldsmiths
Source: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=101024302637&topic=8602

Women of the world, raise your right hands and declare your independence. If you want a diamond to sparkle on your finger, you no longer have to wait for someone to buy it for you.

The "A Diamond is forever" slogan "Your left hand lives for love. Your right hand lives for the moment," has already sold countless rings to strong-minded and fashion-conscious women around the world.

And although it seems more and more acceptable to purchase a hefty-priced rock for yourself, the trend is not really a new one.

"Right hand rings have been sold for hundreds of years," said Don Sims, general manager of Vandegriff Jewelers in Fort Walton Beach, Florida. "Now we just have something to call them."

Brooke Smith lives in Fort Walton Beach and said she has several right hand rings, some that she purchased and some that were gifts.

And although Smith says the rings really fit fingers on both hands, where she wears them is strategic.

"Honestly, I wear them on my right hand so that nobody will think I am married," Smith laughed. "But sometimes, I wear it on my left so guys will think I am married."

The resurfacing of the right hand ring began a few years ago with celebrities like Minnie Driver and rapper Eve who decided to flash their individuality with a little bling on their right hands.

Now, everyone from high school girls to professional women are showing their personalities through jewelry that rests on the fourth finger of their right hand.

"It can be anywhere from classic to high fashion," Mims said. "It's meant to reflect individual style."

While most marketing strategies for right hand rings involve diamonds colored stones can add flair to a single diamond.

"It makes it fun and takes the appearance away from looking like an engagement ring," said Rocky Hard, jewelry designer and owner of Rock Hard Designs in Santa Rosa Beach and Pensacola.

As a designer, Hard sees many women come in with family stones, or divorcees with wedding rings or engagement rings in hopes of turning a piece into something new.

"It really does lend itself to doing something special for a woman," Hard, who is also a De Beers award-winning designer, said.

Many companies, such as De Beers, created cocktail-style rings featuring multiple diamonds so women could choose a look very different from jewelry thought of typically as an engagement ring.

And just as there is a style for every woman, there is also a price.

"It definitely depends on the quality of the diamond," Mims said. "The higher the quality, the higher the expectation of price."

Vandegriff carries right-hand rings that range from just under $1,000 up to about $8,000. But if your budget is a bit tighter than higher-priced jewelry allows, even Wal-Mart is getting in on the action with styles they carry that start at less than $100.

Smith said she bought a cubic zirconium ring to wear out on the town and add a little bling to her style, but her favorite is a more expensive white gold diamond cluster with 24 small stones.

"I like to have a little sparkle in my life," Smith said. "I like to have something to brighten me up.