Gemstone Selection – Important Tips to Keep You Safe

Precious metal jewelry looks great all on its own, but there is no question that gemstones add something unique. Nature has blessed us with so much to choose from with natural gemstones, even if diamonds and rubies are extremely popular. Actually, there is more to buying gemstone jewelry than you realize, and that is why we offer these helpful suggestions.

Whenever you shop for gemstones, the questions of value and authenticity always come into the picture. Fashion jewelry will never be the highest quality available, and that is something we all recognize. Nobody wants to get ripped-off, and that is what you obviously need to take adequate precautions against. Actually, there are multitudes of occasions when jewelry is received as a gift or inheritance, and then people immediately think about how much it is worth. So the simple solution there is to seek an appraisal by someone whom you trust. This really should not be a concern as long as you go with someone established and trusted. If the jewelry piece has high value, then we recommend you be willing to pay a professional for the best type of appraisal. Coral, especially red coral, has been a highly valued gemstone in many parts of the world for many centuries. Red coral was even thought to be much more valuable than the diamond at once point in history. The thing that makes it somewhat unattractive is the fact that it is softer than other precious stones. What is not so unusual about red coral is that it has been assigned certain spiritual qualities such as conferring protective powers. Aside from that, red coral is quite attractive in the various forms of jewelry in which it is found. The Mediterranean Sea is home to the blood coral which is quite valuable and not easy to find. Another type of coral that is not seen so much is white coral, and that is from the waters around Japan.

When choosing gemstone jewelry, there are quite a few factors to consider. The same considerations for jewelry will come into play such as function and use, etc. Of course the best option is to be able to try it on, but obviously that cannot be done on the net. The heavier pieces may not affect you, but something like earrings or a necklace could make you uncomfortable if you have to wear it at work all day. It is well known that there are softer and harder gems. Very many people like to have jewelry for their various outlets such as play or work.

There is a full and rich history associated with gemstones. You can also do the same by taking your time and finding those pieces that speak to you. Shop carefully, especially online because it can be more difficult to know what you are looking at. It is pretty easy to shop safely on the net as there are quite a few sites that are established and trusted.

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Total Iraq War Casualty Statistics

At dawn on December 18, 2011, the last American soldiers pulled out of Iraq. That’s just 13 days short of the deadline officially set by the U.S. and Iraq government in an accord signed in 2008. The troops exited Iraq across the Kuwait border, shutting the border gates behind them. The final withdrawal follows a ceremony marking the official end to the war held in Baghdad on Thursday, December 15.

It’s impossible for simple statistics to show the true cost of the Iraq War. However, casualty data released by the U.S. Department of Defense begins to give us some picture, at least in terms of military fatalities. Below are tables showing casualty statistics by year and month, as well as a limited timeline of select events relevant to the war. The numbers include casualties from both Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation New Dawn (OND).

Total Iraq Casualties by Year

Total Iraq Casualties by Year

Iraq War Timeline

*Statistics obtained from the Statistical Information Analysis Division (SIAD) of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Navy Retirement Gifts – Personalized Gift Ideas for US Navy

us navy sealHow do you honor a lifetime of service to our country with a gift?  This can be a difficult and even sometimes stressful endeavor for a gift giver to come up with good ideas.  When a loved one is retiring from a lifetime of service from the United States Navy, you want to give them a gift that shows respect and gratitude for the hard work, dedication and sacrifice that has been given.

We understand that this can be difficult to capture in a gift.  Most importantly, what you want to capture in a gift to a sailor or officer of the US Navy is that you love them.  You want to tell them that you are glad they are home.  You want them to know how much you appreciate what they have done for you, your family and your country.  Many gift ideas just fall flat of achieving these goals.

Personally, we believe the best give you can give anyone is relationship and love.  But, if you want a more tangible gift to give a Navy sailor who is retiring, we offer custom Navy rings that make perfect gifts.  With our rings, you get the opportunity to commemorate a life of service and do so in a personalized way.  You can customize the left and the right emblem of the ring, the engravings on each side, the wording around the stone, the stone color, and you can even add additional engraving inside of the ring.  We offer rings with the following emblems:

  • Surface Warfare Enlisted
  • Fleet Marine Force
  • Naval Aviator Officer
  • Naval Flight Officer
  • Naval Submarine Officer
  • Naval Surface Warfare Officer
  • Naval Officer Insignia
  • Seabee Combat Warfare Enlisted
  • Seabee Combat Warfare Officer
  • Seabees
  • Navy Seal of the United States Navy
  • Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer
  • Navy Special Operations
  • Navy Special Warfare
  • Navy Submarine Warfare Enlisted
  • Navy F-18
  • Navy F-14
  • Navy Chief Petty Officer
  • Navy Blue Angels
  • Navy Aircrew Enlisted
  • Navy Air Warfare Enlisted
  • Navy Master Chief Petty Officer

(If you don’t see your area of service listed above, be sure to ask us as we may have the option).

So, what do these rings look like?  Well, here are a few of the emblems as well as a blown up shot of a ring.

navy ring  navy ring   navy ring f 14  navy ring  f 18  navy ring retirement gift

navy ring retirement gift  navy ring retirement gift  navy ring retirement gift  america ring retirement gift  military ring retirement gift

custom Navy ring

As you can see, these are beautiful custom made rings that make unbelievable gifts.  What is even better is that we offer a low price guarantee on these rings.  You will not find a lower price on the internet for these amazing personalized Navy gifts, and if you do, we will match it.  So, what is the price.  Our rings start at $159, which is an amazing price that your allows you to give an extremely personal customized ring that your Navy sailor will cherish for the rest of his or her life.  We thank they make fantastic retirement Navy gifts.

A retirement from service in the Navy is a special day.  We believe it is cause for a great celebration.  It is an outstanding milestone in one’s life.  One that we feel should always be remembered.  We hope your retirement is as beautiful as this ceremony.

Our goal is to help make your Navy retirement as special as possible.  And if you haven’t found the right gift idea yet for your special someone, we believe our custom military rings are the right solution.  Get started customizing your ring today by clicking on the banner below.

Custom Military Rings

Merry Christmas for an Army Vet

Army Christmas gift - personalized military ring

We received this testimonial today from a happy customer, and we are so thrilled that we could bring joy to an Army vet for his service for our country.  Here is a look at what one of our raving fans had to say about the gift of a custom Army ring she gave to her dad.

I don’t think you can imagine the happiness you brought to my father when he saw his personalized Army ring from his children!  He had been asking for an Army ring for Christmas (it was given as an early gift), but I promise, he had no idea that he was going to get this great of a surprise.  Here he is, a retired 60 year old Army vet that sat completely speechless with tears in his eyes as he looked at the ring (I believe this speaks a thousand words in itself).  It was such a great moment to share with him!  I want to personally thank you for the detail that you put into the personalization and also for giving my father the gift that he will forever cherish.  I, and he, couldn’t have asked for anything better!  Thank you again!!

 

Merry Christmas and God Bless!

~Jenni

Jenni J
Portsmouth, OH
12-18-2011

 

Thank you Jenni for sharing your story with us.  We are so happy that we can provide a gift that made your father speechless.  As we have said many times, we are in the business of celebrating milestones.  In the Army, there are many occasions that are difficult and even heart breaking.  So, when there is time to celebrate a life and an occasion, we are happy that our personalized military rings could actually bring someone tears of joy.  Thank you so much again for sharing with us and have a Merry Christmas!

Be sure to check out all of our Army rings at our store.  We offer a low price guarantee on all of our custom Army rings.

Army Retirement Gift Ideas

Army Retirement Gift Ideas

Army retirement - Soldier Retiring

When shopping for a retirement gift for an army soldier, it can be quite a challenge.  You want to be able to give the perfect gift, but gifts can be tricky.  When giving a retirement gift for a soldier, we’re not just talking about your standard gift here.  You are talking about giving a gift to a soldier who has laid down their life for the love of their country.  You are talking about sacrifice, sweat, determination, courage and honor.  And when you are trying to buy a retirement gift, there can be even more pressure because you are trying to celebrate an entire career’s worth of service to this great country.

Maybe you have looked around at some other military shops already, but have been unsatisfied.  We understand.  When it comes to celebrating a lifetime of service in the army, some gifts just won’t cut it.  There are plenty of gifts to choose from – hats, shirts, blankets, figurines, jackets, ties, watches, exercise gear, funny gifts, etc., but we recommend you make this gift extra special.  So, what makes a special gift for a retiring US Army soldier?  We think it is all about personalization.

Personalize It

When you think about it, what are the gifts that have meant the most not only to your soldier but to you throughout the years?  They have been the gifts that are personalized.  A soldier and a letter - gift ideas for army retirementWhy?  They show that extra amount of thought and consideration.  Gifts are special when they reveal the heart of the giver.  Why else would we put the drawings and pictures of our children up on the refrigerator door?  Why else do we keep letters that have been written to us for years and years, and go back to read them over and over again.  They are special.  They are personalized.

We believe that when it comes to a retirement gift for an Army soldier, the gift needs to not only be a neat and special gift, but it needs to encompass the heart of the giver.  That is why we believe our custom military rings are the perfect gift for a soldier’s retirement.

Custom Army Rings

At our store, you can create a custom military ring for your soldier.  You have the choice of hundreds of different emblem combinations.  You get to choose the emblems, the engraving on each side, the stone color, the metal type, the wording around the stone, and you can even add a personalized message to be engraved on the inside of the ring.

Custom Military Rings

Our rings start at only $159.  We offer a low price guarantee on all of our rings, and we stand by it.  That means, if you can find a lower price on these custom military rings anywhere on the web, we will match it.  To date, we have not had anyone need to use this guarantee because we have the lowest prices online.  The rings also ship for free in the domestic United States.

Army Ring Options

Here are just a few samples of what our Army ring emblems look like.  Click here to view all of our Army rings.

101st Airborn ring  1st Infantry Division Ring      2nd Infantry Army Ring

Retirements Matter

Retirements only happen once in a lifetime.  We believe that these custom Army rings make the perfect gift for a retirement.  They are beautiful.  They are a permanent gift that will last and has durability.  And every time a ring like this is worn, it is a reminder of the special celebration that occurs with a retirement milestone.  We believe in celebrations, and we believe these rings are the perfect gift to commemorate a soldier’s retirement.

I love this video.  It shows the progression of one soldier’s life into retirement, and I think many Army soldiers can relate to the pictures seen within.  From boot camp and graduation to deployment, service, and eventually retirement, here is a look at one man’s journey in the Army.

Testimonials

Here are a few testimonials from our satisfied customers:

I just received the ring and could not be happier with how it turned it.  It’s simply beautiful… and even more special than I had imagined.  The craftsmanship is impeccable and of the highest quality. Thanks again for being such a pleasure to work with. You have been a consummate professional throughout this process.  Communication could not have been easier or more timely.  Thanks again for all of your efforts!

Kim S
Haddonfield, NJ
3-19-2011

 

I am very happy with my new ring.  It is wider than any other ring I wear.

COL C. J. Jensen
Denton, MD
7-17-2011

 

Your website was by far the easiest to navigate from other websites I’ve looked at, and the pricing was absolutely unbeatable.  I’m sure I will be ordering from you again in the future.

Serenity J.
Norfolk, VA
10-21-2011

Thank You!

For the United States Army soldiers who have served this country with honor, we thank you.  You have selflessly laid down your lives for your family, your friends, your country and your freedom.  Your dedication of service requires dignity and dedication, and we thank you for your sacrifice.

From MilitaryMilestones.com, we say thank you.  Our goal is to help you commemorate this special time in life with a timeless, perfect gift.  We think our custom military rings are the perfect solution for your retirement gift needs.

When Santa Invades – A Soldier’s Guide to Ho-Ho-Homeland Security [INFOGRAPHIC]

With all of the hustle and bustle of the holidays, we at Military Milestones think that we all should have a little fun.  So, we decided to come up with this light hearted infographic.  We hope you enjoy and it brings a smile to your face.

When Santa Invades Infographic - Military Rings and Awesomeness by MilitaryMilestones.com

Share this today with your military friends or family to give them a good laugh this holiday season.  And let us know what we missed!  How would you defend your home?

 

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Ring Sizer – Free Printable Ring Sizing Chart

Getting the Right Ring Size:

At MilitaryMilestones.com, we understand that when you are buying a ring online, you want to be sure to size it correctly.  So, we’ve created this page to make sure you have the ring sizingtools you need to size your ring correctly and feel confident in buying online.  If you are buying a ring without know yours or the recipients ring size, we highly recommend you print out our free ring sizing chart and use it to size your finger.

We hope you find our online ring sizer useful, and if you haven’t already, be sure to check out our huge selection of custom military rings.

Ring Sizer:
To use our Ring Sizer, follow these steps:
1. Print it – make sure to uncheck the “fit to page” option on your print command screen.
2. Cut out the sizer
3. Make a slot in the sizer by cutting along the dotted line.
4. Roll the sizer into a circle with the numbers on the outside.
5. Insert the end of the tab into the slot.
6. Place the sizer around your finger and pull the tab through the slot until the paper is
snug (tight) around the base of your finger.
7. Read your finger size on the scale.

Click here to print out our free ring sizer.

Tips on Obtaining the Proper Ring Fit:

  • Due to size variance between hands, you need to decide on which hand and finger the ring will be worn prior to ordering the ring.
  • Fingers have a tendency to swell and/or shrink as much as a half size depending on time of day, temperature, and after performing strenuous physical activities. For this reason, we recommend that you have your finger measured at room temperature and in your most normal state during the day to obtain your most accurate ring size
  • Measure your finger in warm temperatures at the end of the day.

Tips if you’re buying the ring as a surprise:

  • Ask your intended recipient’s mother or friend if they know his/her finger size.
  • Borrow one of your intended recipient’s rings. (Make sure to borrow a ring that fits the finger you intend your gift ring to fit.)

Other tips and information:

  • When considering a wide band, move up a size from your measurement, for comfort’s sake.
  • Different countries have different ring-size systems. All sizes listed here are standard American sizes.
  • The average woman’s ring size is about 6. The average man’s ring size is about 10.
  • Your ring size will be about half a size larger on your primary hand (i.e., the hand you write with).

When You Receive Your Ring:

  • The ring should easily slide on, but will resist slightly when coming off, even taking 2-3 seconds to get over the knuckle. This is normal and especially common for men, who typically have larger knuckles.
  • Remember different activities and temperatures throughout the day will cause your hands and fingers to constantly change, so it’s normal to have a ring feel tight sometimes and loose other times.fitted military ring
  • If a ring initially seems to be a little too large or too small, we suggest that you wear it for a few weeks to get used to it before exchanging it for a different size. Wearing your new ring for a few weeks will help you better determine if an exchange is necessary.

Don’t Fear:

If you do end up purchasing a ring from our site that doesn’t fit properly, we will be sure to help you get it re-sized.

Why Does Uncle Sam Love Solar? – Infographic

Why is Uncle Sam and the military going solar?  The simple answer is that it can save big, big money.  The United States military is by far the single largest buyer of energy in the world.  Estimated U.S. spending on fuel per year is $20 billion.  That’s a lot of greenbacks.   The Department of Defense has 3 primary goals – create and preserver jobs, provide better care and improve energy efficiency.  With the world price of fuel around $80 a barrel, keeping one soldier in Afghanistan costs hundreds of dollars a day in fuel alone.  Solar power can make a massive dent in military costs in the area of buildings, equipment and heat generation.

Other reasons for the love affair with solar are that it can improve national security and there are federal mandates coming to become more efficient.  Ok, so maybe federal mandates aren’t really a love affair, but it is certainly cause for Uncle Sam to get its act together and become more energy efficient.

Thanks to our friends at 1bog.org for this awesome infographic spelling it out.  We at Military Milestones are happy to bring you awesomeness from across the web about happening with the military.  We love our soldiers, and we believe that because a military life is so hard, you should celebrate milestones when you get the chance.  We can help with that by offering tremendous, long lasting gifts.  We offer custom military rings that can be personalized for yourself or a loved one.  Our one page ring configurator makes it easy to see your ring, and we offer free shipping and a low price guarantee.  Check us out if you need a gift.


Veterans Day 11-11-11

Many thanks to all our men and women in uniform today and yesterday. The military serves to teach people that life goes far beyond oneself. When one serves one learns about honor, duty, respect, commitment. All character traits that serve a person well in the military life and beyond. As we celebrate today, all those that serve, we are thankful that the military continues to be an avenue of learning life traits that will serve the veteran as well. Check out militarymilestones.com for a custom ring that will help you remember the milestones of your military career.