One of the trickier aspects of getting married is picking out the rings. It is one thing to commit to another human being for a lifetime, but quite another to make the same commitment to a piece of jewelry.  The ring that you are offered can speak volumes about your partner's taste and how seriously they are taking this "whole marriage thing".  Years ago my sister Parrish was offered, by a desperate and pleading ex-boyfriend, a speck of a diamond set in 10K gold and presented in a Zales box still boasting the $299 price tag. She had to stifle a snort as she declined.

Genuine Mystic Fire Topaz

I, on the other hand, got precisely what I asked for - a Genuine Mystic Fire Topaz ring from Target. (Note to hopeful would-be brides everywhere: If you smart off and tell your beau that when he's ready to commit he can head on down to the Target and get your ring - he will!)  While I treasure my engagement ring and am planning to have it set in Lucite and placed on a light-up pedestal, on a daily basis I wear a diamond three stone engagement ring, the center stone for which is my grandmother's diamond from her own engagement ring. 

The original ring, now bearing a sapphire, is the one my sister Terese used to propose to her fiancée Elizabeth, who was trying to be good about getting colored glass instead of a shiny diamond when the sapphire fell out.  While the ring sits at the jewelers waiting for its fate to be determined, the girls are shopping for wedding bands.  And, as usual, I am here to help!

Now not all women, straight or gay, wear or receive engagement rings and when one is lacking, the wedding band becomes all the more important.  The wedding band is, after all, the ring that seals the deal.  In most heterosexual relationships, it is the only piece of jewelry you can get a man to wear - straight men get so nervous around jewelry.  Mind you I have a male friend who insisted he should get an engagement ring too when he and his wife got engaged - I suppose she should be grateful he didn't insist on a diamond solitaire or worse yet a pinky ring.

www.loveandpride.com

Some lesbian couples decide not to go with traditional bands but rather they want to make a statement with their wedding bands and what better way than pink tourmaline triangles or a diamond female insignia?  These little gems from Love and Pride have a subtle "We're here, we're queer, legalize it" sparkle and shine.

But y'all know I've got my own agenda here.  I'm still waiting for the ladies to make a decision about themes: Rainbow or Country & Western (I was asked to abandon my proposal for a circus theme before I had gotten started).  But to remind them which plan I like best... I am voting for this little beauty as it keeps it all in theme!