How to Select a Class Ring

When you near the end of high school or college, you may choose to get a class ring to commemorate your special time. There are many different things to consider when selecting this piece of jewelry.
Your school may choose the center stone or you may have a choice. A lot of people choose the school color for that center stone. Alternatively, you could choose your birthstone or a stone you like. Many of them come with synthetic stones but sometimes you have the option of genuine stones. You will also need to decide whether you want a cut or faceted stone, or a stone that is a cabochon.
Another option is to have something beneath the stone. For instance, some schools let you place the outline of the school mascot under the stone. There are sometimes other options such as having no stone at all. Many of them have the school name in a circle around the stone.
Think about the metal that you want the ring to be made of. A lot of this may depend on if you see yourself wearing it for a long time or just while you are in school. If you are going to wear it for a long time, you might want to get it in a real metal like silver or gold. The cost will go up greatly when you get the more precious metals because class rings tend to be relatively heavy, which increases the cost quickly. Some people’s skin react to metal that is not genuine so that might be an issue. Think about the type of jewelry you normally wear because you might want to match it.
You will need to decide what is on the sides. There are many different things that you might put. You might have a school mascot. You might have a sport that you played or a picture that is representative of a group or club you are in. People will also put in the year that they graduate.
The school generally contracts with someone to sell school rings, but you will often be able to find a ring for cheaper from elsewhere. They will not always have the same options, but you might be able to save a lot of money, especially if you get a precious metal or want a genuine stone. They may even have better options. Look at the jewelers and stores near you so that you know all of your options.