BEST GOLD TESTER

4/29/09

Chris and I got engaged when I was 19 and he was 22. I have never been a girl too concerned about jewelry, so when we had a conversation about what kind of engagement ring I would like I said, "Just a band and a diamond. I don't care." When he finally popped the question I got exactly what I had asked for and I couldn't have been more thrilled.

Now, fast forward about ten years or so. During that time I did start to get a little bothered by the fact that my rings are gold because A) I do not own any other gold jewelry because B) gold has been considered "out of style" for many years. Then, once I started my photography business I REALLY started to notice girls' engagement and wedding rings because I'm constantly photographing them.

So, I guess it was just a matter of time before I suggested to my husband that we "upgrade" our rings. All I want are silver bands, though, not necessarily more diamonds or anything fancy like that. He didn't see the point in it a few years ago, but now that he's lost almost 100 pounds in the last year his wedding band is barely hanging on to the only finger it still fits - this thumb! Because of that, he is now more willing to go ring shopping with me, but he did say to me once, "I think I'll kind of miss our ghetto rings." That funny little comment made me realize how proud I actually am of my "ghetto rings", because they are a symbol of how young and poor we were when we first got engaged and how far we've come together.

So, even if I do eventually switch over to silver rings, I'll probably string our gold bands onto a thin gold chain and wear them on occasion. (BTW, notice the solitaire diamond necklace I am wearing in this photo? My mother had that made as a gift to me using the diamond that was in her wedding ring when she was married to my father. So, I guess I sort of got the idea from her.)

18 kt yellow gold
14 kt white gold
oxidized sterling silver