Cobalt Rings Help Redefine Traditional Wedding Bands
October 8, 2012
The three blackened channels encircling PRAZISE by Benchmark, distinguishes this mens cobalt band from your average ring.
Cobalt Has Arrived
Well deserved accolades are finally rolling in for contemporary metal jewelry designs forged from cobalt chrome, titanium, and tungsten. The widely circulated and highly respected online journal JCK, recently reported, “How Jewelers Are Thinking Outside The Precious Metal Box.” In that article, Sarah Graham, owner of Sarah Graham Metalsmithing in San Francisco, is quoted as saying “an aesthetic shift among consumers is partially responsible for the growing appeal of alternative metals and materials. It seems to be a trend, but also something that is here to stay.”
Despite the fact, or perhaps even because of the consistent and traditional use of precious metal, particularly gold jewelry, many consumers are coming to view it as overwhelmingly cliche. Combining gold’s price tag in conjunction with what some have termed as lavish overuse, it’s no wonder the popular online wedding advisor, TheKnot.com, reports that more than 60% of grooms choose white metal wedding bands over traditional yellow gold. Yellow gold and other precious metals remain, and no doubt will continue to play a vital role in the the wedding and jewelry industry. However, the modern leaning toward the use and popularity of contemporary metals, including the growing demand for cobalt rings, shows that precious metals no longer monopolize the traditional market.
Take Your Pick
The fact that tungsten, cobalt, titanium and ceramic jewelry are now being designed and created in such exotic and cutting edge styles, has added relevance to their popularity among younger consumers. Men’s rings made from alternative metals can be purchased at literally half the price of gold or platinum, but many groom’s are choosing them because of their sleek feel and modern look. Tungsten for instance has a solid and weighty feel that is not found in precious metals. Cobalt radiates a gleaming white brilliancy that by some accounts, surpasses that even of platinum. Titanium, when worn feels nearly weightless. It is the only known element with the strength of steel yet possessing a weight comparable to that of aluminum.
The JCK article mentioned on the outset noted an interesting observation. It stated that there was “a growing trend of men taking an interest in shopping for, and buying fine jewelry for themselves.” Ron Yates, chief guru and founder of Titanium-Jewelry.com also noted this trend in the way men shop. He stated that combining such cutting edge materials as cobalt with black diamonds together in men’s ring’s, cuff-links, bracelets, or other accessories was especially appealing to the guys. Two such popular choices spotlighting black diamonds is the cobalt CONSTRUCT by Benchmark and the tungsten variation FORGE.
A New And Most Welcome Tradition
It’s exciting to see the winds of change rock the established jewelry world. With designers such as Benchmark, Heavy Stone Rings, and J.R. Yates, to name only a few, pushing the envelope of creativity, we have even more fabulous things to look forward to in the future. As men’s wedding rings accelerate toward greater individuality, grooms are becoming more and more involved in shopping for them, and actually enjoying it too. Ahh, progress!
Reasons To Consider Insuring Your Cobalt Rings
April 16, 2012
Don't wait until it's too late to decide how much your cobalt wedding band, and what it represents, actually means to you.
When you began looking for a wedding band, the reasons that led you to narrow your search to selections among mens cobalt wedding bands, no doubt had to do with the longevity of this contemporary metal. Selecting this very ring to be your wedding band took time, and now it has sentiment and meaning behind it too. Additionally while cobalt rings are scratch proof, they can be customized by laser engraving a sweet a personal message meant for only you, by such designers as Heavy Stone Rings, from your loving partner. Some couples have decided to go a step further and customize their cobalt band not only with engraving, but perhaps also by increasing the millimeter or wideness of the band, or having it set with special and specific stones. The bottom line is that this band is an expression of not only you and your own personal taste, but as a couple, of your love and commitment to each other.
So what happens when that unforeseen occurrence takes place, and your ring is lost or stolen? How could this happen? Lots of ways, you go swimming at the lake and forget to take off your wedding ring, that cool water causes your finger to reduce just enough that your ring slips off into the murky water. You don’t even notice it until your drying yourself off an hour later. Where do you even begin to look? You go out for Chinese food, or a good pizza and your fingers swell from all that wonderful and delicious sodium. You decide to take off your ring, before it cuts off the circulation in your finger, and you put it in your pocket. When you get home it’s gone. When, where? You make the typical phone calls to the restaurant, the gas station where you filled up on the way home, but nothing been turned in, it’s gone, they’ll call you if they find anything and now your sick to your stomach. Scenario’s like this happen all the time.
However, when you have insured your cobalt ring, you can get it replaced to the minutest detail, and there are various types of coverage you can choose from. Some jewelry insurers, such as Perfect Circle Insurance for instance, carry Loss, Theft, Damage and Mysterious Disappearance. This particular insurer does not require you to do endless footwork getting multiple estimates of your jewelry, but knows it’s much simpler for you to be able to work with, and get an estimate from your own personal jeweler. Additionally, they have a no deductible option, if that is something you are interested in.
Only you can decide if it’s worth it to insure you cobalt wedding band. It is something you have to decide before you lose it, though and who knows when, or just how that might happen? You obviously never plan or count on losing, right? So think about it, and ask your self, “How much does my wedding band and what is represents actually mean to me?”
Summer Time Tips For Your Cobalt Rings!
April 16, 2012
So as not to lose your cobalt ring, remember that your finger may shrink just a tad after a nice dip in a cool pool!
As the weather heats up, relaxing in the pool or at the lake sounds more and more like a good idea. Out comes the sunscreen and the tanning lotion, side by side with BBQ’s and tall glasses of iced tea. Sounds like a plan to me. Before you head on out though, here are a few helpful hints to ensure that you come home complete, with your beloved cobalt rings.
Unlike rings made of gold, platinum, or silver, mens cobalt wedding rings have anti-corrosive properties, which means that they will not tarnish, chip or break. However, when you hit that nice cool water, you fingers may very likely go down a size. Think about it. What do you do when you get a black eye? The famous remedy of a raw steak or ice pack. Why? The cold reduces swelling. The same thing happens with your finger. Best option is to remove your ring before you go swimming, or you might just find yourself ring-less and not know it till it’s too late.
Next, when applying lotions or sunscreen, you may also want to remove your cobalt ring. This has nothing to do with its being damaged. That’s not a concern to worry about. However, over time, lotions can leave a film on your jewelry. Of course this really is no biggie with cobalt rings, if you do get a film from the lotions or sunscreen, simply wash with a mild soap and warm water, then dry with a soft cloth. If you want to avoid it all together though, save yourself the time, and take it off while you apply, then pop it back on when your done.
These are just a few tips to kick start your summer days. To read more about summertime care and jewelry tips, be sure to visit the jewelry information center. There’s some great advice in keeping your more temperamental, precious metals, such as gold or silver, safe and sound.