The tradition of exchanging wedding rings is highly symbolic. The strength of the metals from which they are made symbolize the strength of the bond between you and your loved one. They are also a symbol of your love, which like the ring has no beginning or end.

Hopefully you'll have your rings for the rest of your lives, and you may even pass them on to your children. You'll want to be sure you will be happy with your choices.

The Engagement Ring

Shopping for an engagement ring can be pretty scary. Some guys are not well-versed on the subject of diamonds and jewelry, and its not easy to invest a large sum of money in something you know little about. Here are a few pointers to help you out:

1. While some couples go ring shopping together, many men prefer the old-school way of picking out an engagement ring themselves. But you can still get your sweetie's input if you are paying attention. Even if you think you are surprising her, odds are that she knows something is up and has already dropped a few hints as to what kind of ring she'd like.

2. Look at the jewelry she wears. If she wears mostly silver or white gold, that should tell you that she'd prefer a band of white gold or platinum.

3. Ask her girlfriends, sisters, or mom for advice. They might have some useful suggestions. Does she prefer one large solitaire stone or would she like smaller diamonds on each side? What about shape? Does she like round, oval, pear, etc?

4. It's very important to go to a reputable jeweler, and make sure they are certified by the Jewelers of America (JA) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Beware of ring shopping at the mall. The stones are usually lesser quality with inflated prices.

5. Be sure the ring has its paperwork. You should receive a diamond-grading report from the GIA that cleary indicates its size, shape, clarity, and any imperfections it may have.

Choosing Wedding Bands

You probably already have a good idea of the type of wedding ring you'd like. Do you just want a simple gold band or would you prefer a band with a design. You can also add diamonds or other gemstones, though that will add to the cost.

In terms of color, the basic choices are yellow gold, white gold, and platinum. Yellow gold is the most traditional ring metal, but platinum and white gold are catching up in the popularity department. The average person can not even tell platinum and white gold apart. They have a similar silver color, though the platinum is heavier and the metal is harder and more durable.

Don't feel as though you have to pick out matching wedding bands. Its okay if you and your significant other have different tastes when it comes to jewelry. It's important that you each choose a wedding ring you like and will feel comfortable wearing.

Synonyms:  ngagement, negagement, eengagement, egagement, enngagement, enagement, enaggement, enggagement, enggement, enggaement, engaagement, engaement, engaegment, engaggement, engagment, engagmeent, engageent, engageemnt, engagemment, engagemnt, engagemnet, engagemeent, engagemet, engagemetn, engagemennt, engagemen, and engagementt are typos for engagement. ings, irngs, rrings, rngs, rnigs, riings, rigs, rigns, rins, rinsg, ringgs, ring, and ringss are typos and mispellings for the word "rings."