Eternity Rings

A Ruby Eternity Ring

August 23, 2009 – 11:58 am

In most of Asia the color of good luck and good fortune and prosperous marriage and general happiness and all things good is RED, while everything white pertains to evil and death and bad luck. Needless to say the color of choice for bridal gowns, wedding invitations and all matrimonial paraphernalia is red. As you might have guessed, ruby engagement and wedding rings are extremely popular as are ruby eternity rings for friends and lovers and even as lucky presents to colleagues and friends.

Lucky Red

There is also another custom in China that makes for red being abundant. There are no wedding presents given, I mean no THINGS, no appliances or crystal or towels or linen or silverware. They only give money to the bride and groom in lucky red envelopes and in lucky denominations that exclude all combinations of 4. That also applies to engagement ceremonies and anniversaries and all events where you may be tempted to bring a gift. There is one exception. You may give a bride or groom a piece of jewelry. And guess what is the most common and well received of all jewelry gifts? Yes, it’s a ruby eternity ring.

Gold Ruby Rings

Gold is also the preferred metal for ruby eternity rings in Asia. The gold is very deep yellow, almost an orange color that surprises many people when they first walk into a jewelry shop. Silver is of very little value, so little value that it is almost impossible to get silver repaired. Platinum is hot as is titanium and white gold.

The next most popular gemstone is the emerald (well actually it’s jade but emeralds are also prized at an equal level) and all for the same reasons as ruby rings. They are lucky, denote longevity and prosperity and ward off evil.

Ruby Three-Stone Eternity Ring (never four!)

The other thing that is fun to note is that in Chinese culture, as I mentioned above, the number 4 is unlucky and must be avoided in all areas of life including telephone numbers and license plates. Therefore it will be impossible for an eternity ring to have 4 stones even if they are rubies. The three stone ruby eternity rings are therefore a hugely popular choice and the varieties in price and quality are endless.

Asian Ruby Ring Shopping

But why do I write about this since you are likely not in China or in any Asian country but in the west and are looking to give a great present to a friend or lover or husband or wife? Well, the fact of the matter is that the world has become very united in commerce especially with internet jewelry outlets, and a vast majority of inexpensive and good to medium quality rings are being designed, or manufactured in Asia and sent to the west. Their traditional styles and customs influence the designs they make and promote.

You may wonder why so many rings have a certain style and one of the reasons is where they are made and who makes them, their culture and their beliefs as to what is lucky, unlucky, beautiful or tasteless. The other reason is that rubies (some of the best) originally come from Southeast Asia and therefore they begin their life as jewelry under Asian rules.

It’s also just fun to know that when you buy a ruby eternity ring to show love for your friend or spouse you can give a little touch of extra good fortune if you follow your instincts to give red and then …count the number of stones for extra good fortune.