To anyone with a drop of Irish blood, these rings tell the stories of a thousand years gone by, when Erin was largely unknown and avoided by other Europeans, occupied by a fierce warrior-race known for their ruthlessness in battle. When St. Patrick used a shamrock to teach the Gaelic-speaking Celts the concept of the Holy Trinity, thus converting the warlike race to Christianity, the world opened up to Ireland; the rich ancestral craftsmanship of the people of Erin captured the admiration of all Europe. Seeing the beauty of the Celtic engagement ring, and the loving sentiments that they express, these rings have grown steadily in popularity.

Don't feel like contending with $25,000 (the average cost of a wedding) in charges to your credit card upon returning from your honeymoon (by the way, this does not include the cost of the honeymoon)? Then try these money saving tips when selecting an engagement ring and planning your wedding!

These days, many people take wedding bands and engagement rings for granted, and although they give these beautiful items of jewellery with integrity and love, they are often given with no real knowledge of the meaning behind them.

Most brides are able to recite the four C's of diamonds -- cut, carat, color, and clarity. But the real importance in selecting engagement and wedding rings is finding a style of jewelry that you will be proud to wear for the rest of your life. The conventional rules of the solid gold wedding band and solitaire engagement ring may still hold true for some, but the standards in wedding jewelry are changing. Consider these modern trends in selecting your perfect ring set:

A diamond ring is forever. It is perhaps the most romantic symbol of love for most couples and has actually become an essential in engagements and weddings. Nothing can be more romantic… except of course a diamond ring with an engraving inside.