SIZING AT YOUR LOCAL JEWELER
When choosing a titanium ring, especially for your engagement or wedding band, finding the correct size is the first step. Titanium, unlike most precious metals, cannot be bent or stretched to fit your finger; so getting a proper measurement is important. Your local jewelers can assist you with a complimentary sizing, but just popping in to the corner store for a quick fitting may not give you the most accurate result. One variable is that every jeweler has different sizing equipment and who is to say whose is the most precise. The second consideration depends on the time and temperature, both causing your finger size to change. I have heard it suggested to go to the same jeweler three different times of the day and have them size you, but what if you get three different results, which do you choose? This technique can be embarrassing to you and frustrating for a jeweler not making a sale; not to mention, a wedding schedule rarely allows time to go anywhere once, let alone thrice.
SIZING ONLINE
Some websites come with a sizing graph which some people find a convenient at home solution. Let me tell you from firsthand experience, this paper or string-around-the-finger measurement design is the most unreliable of all. It seems to be a logical, mathematically sound procedure, ensuring accuracy, but our company tried this with our first websites and 99% of our returns were sizing issues from people attempting to self-size. Although the operation sounds easy on paper it takes real hand-coordination to perform the maneuvers described, and it can be dangerous if people try to cut the string while it is still on their finger. The bottom line is neither string nor paper are good materials to measure for metal. Sizing your finger with a plastic ring from a gumball machine would have better results.
THE BEST WAY TO GET THE SIZE RIGHT
Our suggestion, which has proven to have the best precision rate in 15+ years of making titanium rings for men, women, and children in sizes ranging from 2-20; is...send us a ring that fits you. There are just two small possible inconveniences with this approach; number one, you may have to part with your favorite ring for a short time. Number two; if you send in a gold or silver ring, chances are it is not perfectly round as it has probably conformed to the shape of your finger, so we will have to reshape it to get an accurate size. In other words, your ring may not fit the same when we return it, but will return to its former shape after reuniting with your finger. One last option is to go to the street fair and but an inexpensive ring that fits; remember to take the width into account.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS
Sizing up the situation, if all else fails, Hawaii Titanium Rings has helpful and friendly customer service and our return policy is easy on the pocketbook. We are here to help make your engagement, wedding, or any occasion fun and exciting, igniting memories with a glance at your hand.
Call or email us with any size or design questions, we are dedicated to helping you complete your special day.
Aloha from the Ohana at Hawaii Titanium Rings!
808-327-4647
shana@hawaiititaniumrings.com
Jerry Guire, the owner and founder of Hawaii Titanium Rings, stands with artist, Jason Denaro(right), in front of the mural painted on the walls of our new Artist's Studio on the Big Island of Hawaii. Jason finished just before our May 25, 2012 opening, creating an incredible Island Scene, breathing life into the Hawaii Titanium Ring Showroom. Located above Costco in the Kaloko Light Industrial Area, our Studio is open Monday thru Friday 9-5. We welcome you to come in and sit down with our experienced design assistants to help with your custom layout.
The original gallery is still located on Alii Drive in downtown Kona at the 3-way stop, open every day from 9-9 for your convenience. Here you can get a glimpse of our many design possibilities.
Thanks to all the friends who have stopped by, we are excited about our new home and growing Ohana.
Mahalo to all of the people who made it happen!
Jerry Guire made his first Titanium ring out of a key chain over 15 years ago and after showing it to friends, he made his first sale. He has invented a new art technique from pure imagination and skills he acquired in a machine shop making automotive and Aerospace parts. Making rings after work and on weekends, then selling them on eBay enabled him to buy his own machinery, which led to more success, and Hawaiian Titanium Rings. Today, he has two locations in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and he showcases his rings in stores all over the states as well as prospering from a growing online business, so his key chain alteration holds quite the legacy.
Hawaii Titanium Rings is made up of family and friends; Jerry's beautiful wife, Carolyn runs the administration, his brother is the main machinist and Carolyn's brother is the wood specialist. I am Shana, the office manager and I have been friends with Carolyn for over 20 years, my husband is the main artist and my son works in finishing. Alana, our shipping manager and accountant has also been close friends with Carolyn for over 20 years as well and her son recently joined us until he goes to college. We have all joined together to produce what we believe is some of the finest jewelry on the market.
“Titanium is the fourth most abundant mineral in the Earth’s crust… its everywhere; it’s in the trees, it’s in the fish we catch….” explains Jerry. He goes on to say that it’s the processing of Titanium that limits its abundance. Like any precious metal it must be boiled, but at about 3600 degrees, three times the heat used to process gold.
Before the government unclassified Titanium in 1988, it was for military use only. In WWII, Russia used it to make their submarines; later on, Lockheed used it to make the All-Star SR-71 Black Bird fighter jet. Chosen mainly for its strength and its lightweight qualities, titanium was also well-suited for companies making surgical implants or golf clubs, but there were no Titanium rings on the market when Jerry started producing them. Using Titanium to make rings was genius, not only for the lightweight strength and glimmering shine, but it’s completely hypo-allergenic and probably the most comfortable ring you’ll ever wear.
Over the years Jerry Guire has created rings that you won’t find anywhere else because he personally developed the methods used to design the embedded inlays. The inlays are made from a selection of almost 40 types of rare stones and 48 exotic woods.
On the day of our interview Jerry had just come from purchasing a rare black opal found inside but one cave in Lightning Ridge, Australia. The Lightning Ridge Black Opal is striking, a bluish opaque stone containing a kaleidoscope of colors, it captivated me. The cave has since been mined almost to extinction and the last bits of this stone are now panned for like gold.
Jerry doesn’t need to refer to notes; he knows the history behind each stone and piece of wood he uses in his inlays. The woods come from all over, their colors representing their origin, and 10 of them can be found only in Hawaii. Jerry has pieces of trees that are 1500 and 3000 years old, most of them coming from people who own land with trees that have fallen or sunk from excessive weight. It was the beauty of the endemic Hawaiian woods that inspired Jerry to design patterned inlays combining wood grains and precious stones. Tribal patterns and symbols embedded into the inlays are intricate and personal, giving life to each ring.
Like a diamond cutter, he has kept his design secrets in the family by teaching family members and someday his sons. Carolyn, his beautiful wife, with matching intelligence, runs the business side and is a calming balance to Jerry’s Type-A personality. She has headed up the accounting department at some of Kona’s biggest companies and now she is helping build this one up to the same magnitude. Nonetheless, the culmination of their talents and hard work has not resulted in a fast-paced, monetary based lifestyle, but rather a creative, productive, family-orientated atmosphere. Surrounding the workshop and office is an amazing garden that symbolizes the refreshing way they utilize elements while conducting business.
Hawaiian Titanium Rings emanate a strong presence; combining newly sculpted aerospace metal, extinct iridescent stones and patterns of tree growth thousands of years old. The brunette wood tones against glimmering stone galaxies set into solid grey sheen compliment even the most unattractive finger.
The rings’ assorted components denote the diversity of people that they appeal to. Dominating my first impression of the rings was their strength blended with intricate design, so it makes sense that they appeal to both sexes and every class of people. Clientele range from world renowned diamond cutters to famous rock stars; from business woman to bartending broads like myself. Breaking sexual and cultural barriers is an amazing feat in the world of jewelry design. Jerry integrated his talents to create not only jewelry but pieces of wearable art that encapsulate history and memories.
Jerry Guire made his first Titanium ring out of a key chain over 15 years ago and after showing it to friends, he made his first sale. He has invented a new art technique from pure imagination and skills he acquired in a machine shop making automotive and Aerospace parts. Making rings after work and on weekends, then selling them on eBay enabled him to buy his own machinery, which led to more success, and Hawaiian Titanium Rings. Today, he has two locations in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, and he showcases his rings in stores all over the states as well as prospering from a growing online business, so his key chain alteration holds quite the legacy.