You’re in luck: we’ve collected some of the best jewelry gift ideas for this Mother’s Day. No matter what her tastes – or what your budget – check out these incredible gift ideas to make this Mother’s Day one for the history books.

1. If you have a bit more money to spend this Mother’s Day, consider giving her the gift of diamond stud earrings. These pieces of jewelry always make a classic gift idea – besides, who doesn’t want a little sparkle in their lives? To save some money, consider ordering diamond stud earrings online: you’ll often score amazing deals, in addition to free shipping and generous return policies.

2. If you’re looking to give that special woman a sentimental piece of jewelry, consider giving her angel wings pendant jewelry. These special necklaces symbolize love, protection, and strength – and you want your mother to know that she possesses these three qualities in droves. Choose from a range of gorgeous metals and styles to make this necklace uniquely her own.

3. If your mother loves to pay attention to jewelry trends, you may want to give her the gift of other special pendant necklaces, including heart, key, and journey pendants. These eclectic pieces of jewelry will please even the most discerning fashionistas.

Don’t settle for ordinary gifts this Mother’s Day. Instead, make it one for the history books with these jewelry gift ideas for this Mother’s Day!

So what exactly are right-hand diamond rings, and how can you pick out one for yourself?

The Beginnings of the Right-Hand Diamond Ring Trend

Once upon a time, diamond rings were reserved for women who were newly engaged or married. However, today’s independent woman is often tired of waiting for the perfect man to come along and propose; therefore, she takes matters into her own hands by buying a right-hand diamond ring.

While the left-hand diamond engagement ring represents love and a future spent with a partner, the right-hand diamond ring is much more about celebrating the woman’s particular achievements and good fortune. For example, many women buy right-hand diamond rings as a way of announcing to the world that they’re financially independent. Other women buy diamond rings as a reward for a new job promotion or reaching a major life milestone. And there are the women who buy right-hand diamond rings simply because they can afford to – and they’re not about to wait for a man to propose just so they can enjoy looking at a sparkling diamond.

How to Choose the Perfect Right-Hand Diamond Ring

If you’re ready to announce your independence and ambition to the world, you’ll want to select the perfect right-hand diamond ring. Of course, selecting this important piece of jewelry is much like selecting your favorite engagement ring:

1. Pick a style that’s uniquely your own. For example, if you love the look of antique diamond rings, adopt this style for your right-hand ring. Remember, this piece of jewelry is supposed to represent you and you alone, so don’t be afraid to choose a favorite style that’s a little less than traditional.

2. Keep the four Cs in mind – cut, color, clarity, and carat – and how they’ll affect your ring shopping budget. If you want a top-quality diamond, you should expect to fork over more money for the privilege.

3. Avoid shopping for diamond rings that are marketed as engagement rings or wedding bands, as the price will reflect the labeling.

If you want to celebrate your life and all the amazing achievements you’ve accomplished, it’s time to get yourself a right-hand diamond ring!

However, you don’t want to settle for any diamond engagement rings or wedding bands. You want to find the perfect jewelry that reflects the uniqueness of your relationship, as well as signifies to the world that you’re proud to be gay and married.

There are a number of new and exciting wedding band traditions popping up in LGBT marriages. Whether you opt to follow a more traditional route, or want to embrace these new traditions, here’s what you need to know about LGBT wedding bands:

Forgo Diamonds for Gemstones

An exciting LGBT wedding tradition involves the use of gemstones in wedding bands, as opposed to diamonds. The reasoning behind this is symbol: using multi-colored gemstones throughout the band of the wedding ring evokes the rainbow colors contained within the Gay Pride flag. Gemstones also allow you to customize your wedding band without breaking the bank – meaning you’ll have more money to spend on your ceremony.

Of course, you don’t have to use gemstones in your wedding band. Plenty of LGBT couples opt for traditional diamond wedding bands, as they enjoy the look and feel of sparkling jewelry on their ring fingers.

Gay Symbols within Wedding Bands

LGBT wedding bands often incorporate multiple symbols to celebrate their relationship. For example, gay wedding bands often feature two intertwining Mars symbols, which is the classic symbol for masculinity. Lesbian wedding bands often feature triangle symbols. Other wedding bands are featured as “freedom rings”, which involves six intertwined bands, each of which represents a color of the Gay Pride flag. This ring symbolizes the power of people coming together (both gay and straight) to fight for gay independence and rights.

Gay Wedding Bands and Placement

LGBT wedding bands are often worn on the right ring finger, as opposed to the ring finger of the left hand. This is a unique twist on the traditional placement of wedding bands, and has long been celebrated as a fundamental part of LGBT marriage culture.

Whether you’re ready to celebrate your shared love or are just curious about LGBT wedding customs, this information will help you learn more about the wonderful world of LGBT wedding bands.

*LGBT: Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender

Whether you’re sick of waiting for your boyfriend to bite the bullet, or you want to make the ultimate grand gesture, proposing to your man can be an exciting, anxious, and nerve-wracking moment. But not to worry – if you want to sweep your man off his feet with your marriage proposal, here’s how to do it:

Shop for a Wedding Band

Many women opt to propose to their boyfriends with a wedding band. If you want to put an interesting yet traditional spin on the engagement ring, opt for a 14K wedding band with a single diamond solitaire. If your man isn’t a diamond type of guy, don’t worry: you can still offer him a gold plain band with your anniversary date etched in the metal, or propose with a trendy and cool band in contemporary metals such as titanium, cobalt or Argentine silver. Let your proposal be an opportunity to unleash your creative side!

Play It Low-Key

Proposing to your man is a very romantic gesture – but chances are that he won’t want it to be as public as, say, a proposal in Madison Square Garden. While more women are opting to propose to their boyfriends, many men still believe in the traditional role of the man proposing to the woman. Therefore, swap the proposal in the middle of your favorite restaurant for something more secluded and intimate, like a walk on your favorite beach or during a candlelit dinner at home. Remember, men like romance just as much as women do!

Consider Your Ring!

Many women who’ve proposed to their significant others often say that their fiancés insist on buying them a diamond engagement ring after the proposal. Therefore, if you’re going to propose to your man, make it easy on the probably-flustered man: have a set idea in mind of your dream diamond engagement ring. That way, you’ll be on the fast-track towards getting a ring of your own, so you can show it off to all your friends and family members!

Proposing to your man is an exciting and romantic moment – make sure to enjoy every moment of it!

Your first instinct might be to post a picture of your diamond engagement ring on your favorite social media site, like Facebook. But before you get out that digital camera, take a moment to read this article – because we’re about to show you that there’s a right way to approach Tell Your Closest Family Members and Friends In Real Life

Yes, posting pictures of your new diamond engagement ring on Facebook is certainly the most efficient way to let the world know you’re engaged. But there are certain members of your social circle who won’t appreciate finding out through Facebook: your closest family members and friends.

Becoming engaged is a special moment that your closest loved ones want to be a part of. Therefore, before you post anything online, make sure that you’ve called your loved ones before you post a Facebook status update. That way, you won’t get any hurt messages from best friends and aunts who didn’t appreciate finding out through their Facebook feed!

Make Your Facebook Post Unique

Many women post pictures of their new diamond engagement rings with a status that says, “I’m engaged!” But here at 25karats.com, we think there’s a more interesting way to let the world know you’re engaged. Our inspiration? Beyoncé, who wordlessly told the public she was pregnant by silently cradling her baby bump.

Try this on for size: hold out your hand with your diamond engagement ring firmly in place, and take a picture of it. Now post the picture on Facebook without any labels, descriptions, or other words hinting at your newly engaged status. You’ll have a blast watching as your social circle slowly discovers you’re engaged. Just make sure you clear your schedule for the day, because you’ll have plenty of excited calls from well-wishers!

Enjoy Every Moment With Your Man

Being newly engaged is an exciting time, and there will be plenty of people who will want to ask dozens of questions about your diamond engagement ring and potential wedding plans. But don’t feel like you need to respond to everyone on Facebook, or be permanently chained to your mobile phone. Don’t be afraid to shut off your technology and sneak away for private moments with your new fiancé!

1. If your budget won’t stretch very far this Valentine’s Day, consider giving the gift of Love Coupons. From sweet to racy, these coupons allow your sweetheart to cash in on a variety of love-tastic actions, from treating for an evening at the movies to giving a spicy kiss that will make their heart flutter.

2. If you’re more established as a couple – and have a higher budget to boost – why not give the gift of a romantic weekend away? No matter where you live, you’re sure to be near a cozy bed and breakfast, where the two of you can indulge in a special Valentine’s Day getaway. If you enjoy the fast action of the big city, book a hotel room in the nearest metropolis, or head to Vegas or Atlantic City for an exciting yet romantic Valentine’s Day gift your honey won’t forget.

3. If you’re ready to take that next step – you know what we mean here! – here’s the mother of all romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas: a diamond engagement ring. Nothing says “I love you” like a gorgeous and glittering diamond engagement ring. Enlist a friend to figure out your honey’s favorite ring style, and propose to her in a romantic setting.

You’re sure to do Cupid proud with these romantic Valentine’s Day gift ideas!

Palladium Engagement Rings: While platinum diamond rings have ruled the scene for decades, there’s no denying that palladium engagement rings are looking to take over in 2012. Palladium looks almost identical to platinum (and no wonder – it’s considered part of the platinum family) and has similar durability and strength. Palladium is also considered a great choice for those couples who suffer from metal-related allergies. Add to the fact that palladium is a perfect choice for those brides-to-be on a budget (it’s remarkably cheaper than platinum), and it’s no wonder palladium is set to be the hottest engagement ring style for 2012.

Colored Gemstones: Colored gemstones first came into our lives, thanks to the Royal Wedding – and they’re not going anywhere in 2012. The interest in colored gemstone engagement rings is only surging, with stylish brides-to-be intent on choosing a ring in their favorite color. From deep-rich ruby reds to brilliant sapphires, colored gemstones are a perfect (and trendy!) way to inject a little color into your engagement ring.

Asscher Cut Diamond Engagement Rings: While princess cut diamond engagement rings certainly ruled the scene for the last decade, the Asscher cut diamond engagement ring is ready to take hold of the style crown. Asscher cut diamonds look similar to princess cut diamonds; however, the subtle differences make a huge difference in the final price of the former. Asscher cut diamonds use subtle laser cutting to create a multi-facet appearance, giving the diamond an enviable amount of shine. This kind of laser cutting also makes smaller diamonds look much larger – which is perfect for the glamorous couple who wants to save money on their stylish diamond engagement ring.

Multiple Stones: 2012 marks the beginning of another diamond engagement ring trend: multiple stones. From pave-set diamonds to eternity bands, multi-stone diamond engagement rings are a fashionable way to celebrate your love story. Be sure to show those multiple stones off with a gorgeous platinum or palladium metal band.

No matter where your love story takes you in 2012, why not celebrate with a stylish yet timeless diamond engagement ring? Choose one of these of-the-moment engagement ring styles, or select a vintage style – whatever your choice is, be sure to pick the diamond engagement ring style that makes your heart soar!

Wondering why there’s such a huge fuss over gift ideas for this magical holiday? The Valentine’s Day gift speaks volumes about your relationship – and there’s no denying that if you want to take your relationship to the next level, this gift can be provide you with the perfect opportunity.

So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the Valentine’s Day gift ideas he’s sure to love!

If You’re Just Starting Out: If you and your sweetheart are just starting your relationship, you need to tread this holiday with caution. Fail to give him a sentimental gift, and he’ll think you’re not serious about him; give him too much of a gift, and he’ll freak out that you’re moving too fast. If you want to master Valentine’s Day and keep your new relationship growing, go for humor over sentiment. Some fantastic Valentine’s Day gift ideas include his favorite childhood board game, a DVD of his favorite comedian, or a day spent at the arcade (you’ll be providing the quarters, of course). It’s a touching way to let him know you care without putting too much pressure on a new relationship.

If You’re In a Serious Relationship: If you’re in a serious relationship with your sweetheart, there are plenty of opportunities to show him that you care. If you really want this Valentine’s Day to be the best one yet, consider these wonderful gift ideas that are Cupid-approved:

1. If your man likes his fair share of bling – and let’s face it, who doesn’t? – consider giving him the gift of diamond earrings. Not only are these diamonds man-approved, but they’re very much on-trend in 2012. After all, you shouldn’t be the only one to benefit from the gift of diamonds this Valentine’s Day!

2. Do you have a sports fan on your hands? Then go all-out for the ultimate sports experience. Buy a couple tickets to see his team play, and treat to post-game beers and wings. If you’re not a fan of the game and you really want to earn some serious girlfriend points, insist that he take his best friend to the game. He’ll be able to get into the game without worrying about if you’re having a good time.

If You’re Ready to Take the Next Step: If you’re ready to make your relationship official, don’t wait for him to spring the diamond engagement ring on you; instead, get down on one knee and present him with a diamond engagement ring! Platinum or palladium bands with a single diamond are great man-approved diamond engagement rings, plus they can double as a stylish wedding band.

No matter what your relationship status, turn this Valentine’s Day into one he’ll always remember with our great gift ideas for the man in your life!

The engagement party.

The thought of having a party to celebrate your life might make you jump for joy, but be wary – there’s a host of potential etiquette blunders that could set a negative tone in the run-up to your wedding. Now that you have your diamond engagement ring, here’s the engagement party etiquette you need to know:

1. You’re not allowed to throw your own engagement party – period. The engagement party must be offered by one of your relatives, or your sweetheart’s relatives. Similarly, a close and generous friend could offer to host the party. No matter who offers, the couple is not allowed to host their own party, as this can be seen as tacky and greedy. If no one offers, consider dropping a subtle hint to your parents. After all, that’s what family is for.

2. If you’re wondering whether you should have an engagement party at all, consider this general rule of thumb: if your wedding is more than a year away, you’re good to go. If, however, you’re getting married in just a few months, an engagement party is unnecessary and inconvenient for your guests. Remember, it has nothing to do with you – and everything to do with etiquette, time constraints and considerations for your friends and family members.

3. If you’re at your engagement ring party, feel free to show off that gorgeous diamond engagement ring (after all, that’s what it’s there for!). But it’s proper etiquette to ensure that the party’s primary focus is to introduce both sides of the family to each other. Therefore, make sure that all of your attention is on introducing his mother to your cousins, or your friends to his brothers. That way, everyone will feel completely comfortable with each other by the time the wedding rolls around – and that’s certainly a recipe for an awesome reception.

Remember, the engagement party has its own set of rules and etiquette that doesn’t necessarily apply to the wedding. However, never forget the ultimate rules of the party: relax, enjoy your close friends and family members, and show off that beautiful diamond engagement ring!

Or is it?

Whether you’re the one doing the proposing, or you stumbled across this article because you’re looking for a subtle way to hint at your boyfriend (ahem) that you’re ready to walk down the aisle, here are a few diamond engagement ideas that won’t break the bank.
After all, you’ll need all that money for your upcoming wedding!

1. Put your feelers out there and see if you have any friends or family members who work in the jewelry industry. Jewelers get great discount rates on diamond engagement rings, meaning you’ll benefit from having that sweet connection. If your search turns up empty, don’t be afraid to enlist a few trusted friends to see if they have any contacts themselves. You’ll never know who will turn up – and how much money you could potentially save on a diamond engagement rings.

2. Skip traditional jewelers in favor for online vendors. Not only do online vendors offer far more diamond engagement rings (read: more budget options), but many also offer better deals than chain stores and independent jewelers. Be sure that the vendor you shop with offers exceptional customer service in case you need to return the diamond ring. If you’re not sure, send an email to the vendor and search online for what other customers have to say about that particular company.

3. Be sure to pay careful attention to the cut and style of the diamond engagement rings. Many cuts can make larger diamonds look smaller, while some can make smaller diamonds look positively Kim Kardashian-worthy. If you’re on a budget, try looking for an Asscher-cut diamond engagement ring instead of a princess cut, or opt for a single solitaire diamond on a slender palladium or white gold band (both metals resemble platinum, but are far cheaper). You’ll be amazed at what you can buy on a budget.

Remember, you don’t need the budget of a billionaire to buy your dream diamond engagement rings. These creative techniques will help you get the ring you deserve – and at a price that won’t make for a bare bones wedding!