When it comes to picking out wedding rings, there are only two people that matter - you and your intended. No one else in the world can possibly say what will fit personal tastes and what will still hold special meaning 50 years down the road.

As you look for the perfect rings, it is a good idea for both the bride and groom to take an active role in the search. Since you will wear wedding rings for a lifetime, finding rings that please both of you will be important. The choices out there are great. You should prepare for some serious decision making.

Picking out rings will involve a need for the bride and groom to answer a few questions together and perhaps even separately. These include:

The land of Kerala is known for its unique backwaters and green scenic beauty, but little is known of the beautiful, traditional ornaments.

TRADITIONAL JEWELLERY

Down the ages, jewellery has been an obsession with women in Kerala. It has always occupied a special place in their heart since ancient times. Jewellery in Kerala has originated from the age-old customs and beliefs. The designs vary in size and shape and are indeed a treat to the eye. They range from the elaborate and exquisite, to the simple and functional. The nagapadam or Serpent-hood pendant of Nair women, the cherutali necklace of Namboodri ladies, and the mekka mothiram worn by the Christian women are classical examples of, traditional jewellery of Kerala.

Ornaments of different patterns are used by women of all communities and castes. These ornaments are for the neck, the arm, the nose and the ankle.

The auspicious day of Akshay Tritiya, or Akha Teej as it is known in North India, which is the third day in the bright half of the month of Vaishakh according to the Hindu lunar calendar has always been a holy day for Hindus. It is on this day, apart from Diwali and Dussehra that many have initiated important personal and business journeys. Thousands take a dip in the Ganga, lakhs of people fast and pray, and the period is considered as such an auspicious one that even searching for a specific muhurat time is considered unnecessary.

An advertisement for a tailoring shop said, ‘God made men but, tailors made gentlemen.’ The same is probably true for marriages. Matches are made in heaven but brides and grooms are made at the boutiques and jewellery stores.

Women are passionate about their jewellery. I have yet to meet one who isn’t. And I can safely say that the one time in her life when she can truly indulge her passion for it is at her wedding. Though the traditional concept of wedding jewellery has undergone certain changes, yet there is no wedding without any jewellery. Certainly, not a big fat Indian wedding. However, the passage of time and changing social and economical status of the Indian woman has had considerable influence on her choice of the same.

According to Ms. Mala chinnappa advertising consultant for Mehta Jewellery, ‘there is a definite shift in the concept of wedding jewellery. Be it in the kind of material used or design. There is a definite increase in the use of diamonds and other gemstones today. Today’s woman wants jewellery that can be worn as a fashion statement, everyday. This change of taste is mainly because more and more women are working these days. So, they have more exposure. And the economic independence they enjoy is probably the reason that they are ready to experiment. Besides, inter caste marriages are also becoming commonplace. All these factors
 
These days people go beyond the tali, six bangles, two rings and the diamond earring which constituted the traditional wedding jewellery package. Though gold is still very popular (despite the soaring prices), a lot of people are going in for white gold. Especially when it comes to bangles and bracelets. Bracelets with gemstones are fast becoming very popular. Though a number of women are designing their own talis most prefer to go in for the traditional type.

Flaunting heirloom jewellery and regular trips to the branded shop specializing in gold and diamonds might be the right thing to do once in a while. The rest of the time, a stroll through the by lanes of any swanky market of a metro or mini-metro or a trip to the near by local market is good to jazz up your jewellery box with a range of interesting imitation ornaments.

In Mumbai, you can visit Bandra, Andheri-Lokhandwala, Irla etc, in Delhi, you can visit Connaught Place, Delhi Haat, Lajpat Nagar etc and in Bangalore, you need to visit the Forum and in Calcutta, it is New Market & Meena Bazar. The rest of the part depends on you how much you can look for in details and variety.

Ear-rings in white metal, strings of jade and sapphire look a-likes, antique-look silver-coloured jewellery — the range is fascinating.There are changing trends in junk jewellery collections, too. Thus, cosmetic jewellery sellers in any part of India will now tell you that stones are doing well, though the oxidized look was the favoured pick till about the middle of 2006.