Ring Frequently Asked Questions
We are pleased to offer a number of gold wedding, anniversary and engagement rings. These rings are manufactured exclusively for us by our local manufacturing jeweler. The rings are all substantial lost wax castings and are hand polished. We also offer a number of sterling silver rings, both our own designs and Pacific NW Indian trade rings. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions we receive concerning our rings.
- How do I determine my ring size?
Your safest way to determine ring size is by using a finger gauge which allows rings of narrow and wide widths, accurately sized, to be tried on. Your local jeweler will have gauges. Remember that fingers are a little larger in hot weather, smaller in cold weather. If you wish to measure your size in the comfort of your own home we can supply a set of plastic sized rings. For more information please see our Ring Sizing page.
- Can I buy one of your engagement rings without the diamond?
Yes, we offer our engagement and anniversary rings without the diamonds on special order should you wish to have an heirloom diamond or other gemstone set in it by your local jeweler. Please indicate the size and cut of the diamond or gemstone when you order so we may send the ring with the correct crown. The rings we offer without diamonds are:
Celtic Engagement Ring without Diamond
Triskele Anniversary Ring without Diamond
Kalgoorlie Engagement Ring without Diamond - Will you set my own stone in one of the engagement rings?
We sell the rings listed above without stones but, as a matter of policy, we cannot set customers’ stones. We suggest that when you wish to have a special stone set in one of our rings, you purchase the ring from us and the stone from a local jeweler. Your local jeweler can then set the stone in the ring for you. A jeweler carefully selects stones such as emeralds, which often have flaws, if he is going to mount them. Stones which are more likely to break in setting tend to gravitate to the loose-stone retail market.
- Can I buy one of your rings in platinum instead of gold?
Our rings are not available in platinum. The Celtic Wedding bands are too intricate and heavily pierced to be cast successfully in platinum. The platinum metal would crack during cooling where it is restrained by the mold.
- Can I buy one of your rings in silver instead of gold?
The Celtic Wedding Ring and Double Helix Wedding Band are available in sterling silver. The Never Ending Hearts Ring and Tlingit Trade Rings are also available in sterling silver. While silver does not wear so well as 14 kt. gold, these robust rings will give good service. The engagement rings we offer are not available in silver since silver will not stand up to the long usage expected of these bands.
- Can I see one of your rings in a store in my area?
If you live in greater Seattle area, please visit our retail store to see our full selection of rings. Most of our rings are exclusive to us, so are only available through our retail store in the greater Seattle area, and of course through our online catalog and print catalog.
- What is your delivery time for the rings?
Please allow 3 or 4 weeks for shipment of our gold rings. In order to provide rings at the best possible prices to our customers, we do not keep extensive inventory of the gold rings we offer. The majority of the rings we sell are crafted by our local manufacturing jeweler after we receive the order. To check on the expected delivery time of a specific ring, place the desired ring in your shopping cart where the availability will be given. (The ring can easily be removed from the shopping cart if desired.)
- Do you offer Welsh Gold?
We do not offer Welsh gold. [Learn More]
- Is there a way to prevent an allergic reaction to a gold ring?
An allergic reaction to a gold ring can often (but not always) be prevented by plating the inside of the ring with rhodium. Your local jeweler can plate your ring, or refer you to someone who can. The rhodium plating wears against the skin, and needs to be re-done every few years.
- What style of finish is on the Celtic Wedding Bands?
The finishing of our Celtic Wedding Bands has been chosen to meet two objectives, structural integrity and highlighting the pattern. Structural integrity is essential to handle the long life anticipated in a wedding band. The strength of the band depends upon the connections between adjacent parts of the ribbon of eternity in the body of the band. Thus structural integrity depends upon minimum removal of material between adjacent parts of the ribbon, just sufficient to define the ribbon. The piercing of the ring is designed to avoid weakening the ring, and in finishing a minimum amount of material around the piercing is removed. The interior of the ring, including the ribbon, is left with the as-cast matte finish, with the ribbon given a high polish on the upper or outer surface. Thus the pattern of the ribbon on the polished top surface is highlighted against the matte finish behind it.
- My ring no longer fits. Can it be resized?
Finger sizes change over the years, and rings need re-sizing for a comfortable fit. Rings are made smaller by cutting out a section, shaping the ring to the smaller size, and welding the gap. Rings are made larger by cutting the ring, reshaping the ring to the size required, and filling in the gap. Some rings may be slightly enlarged by stretching, but stretching is not advisable with cast rings or rings with a variable cross-section.
Your local jeweler should be able to resize your rings. Our Trinity ring and Engagement Rings should offer no problems. The design of the Kalgoorlie ring will need rebuilding where it is cut and extended. The Celtic Wedding Bands have a space left for resizing, between the two heron figures. These bands cannot be enlarged by stretching, as the knot work in the band does not present a uniform cross-section throughout the band. Caution your jeweler against attempting to stretch your Celtic Wedding Bands.
For more information …
For more information on the rings we carry, please follow the links below.
Celtic Rings
Kalgoorlie Rings
Trade Bracelets and Rings
Ring Sizing
Gold and Diamond Information