Wedding Ring Buying Guide
Are you looking for the perfect wedding ring for your big day? Whether you're looking for something more traditional or modern and unique, there is a wide range of factors to consider when purchasing the perfect wedding band, which can be overwhelming.
To help take the guesswork out of buying your wedding rings, below we'll explore everything you need to know, from metal and style choices to understanding wedding ring weight, widths, ring sizes, personalisation options and more.
What Does A Wedding Ring Symbolise?
A wedding ring symbolises a couple's eternal bond and commitment to each other. Exchanged between two people on their wedding day, it's a visual reminder of the couple's love and dedication for one another and their commitment to upholding the values in their marriage.
The tradition of exchanging wedding rings originated in ancient Egypt, where the circle of a ring represented eternity, as it had no beginning and no end. After that, the Romans adopted this practice, eventually spreading throughout Europe and becoming a popular tradition in many cultures.
Wedding Ring Metal Choices
Today, couples have a variety of metals to choose from when selecting their wedding rings. Below we'll explore some of the most popular choices and the advantages and disadvantages of each metal type.
Platinum
Platinum is an exceptionally treasured, dense and luminous silvery-white metal that achieved immense popularity around the globe in the 19th century. In recent times, platinum wedding rings have become a favoured choice due to their durability. But what are the advantages and disadvantages of Platinum as a metal choice?
Advantages
Platinum is the optimal choice of metal due to its unparalleled durability and strength. Platinum is also hypoallergenic, making it a perfect option for those with sensitive skin, and unlike white gold, Platinum does not require rhodium plating to maintain its whiteness.
Disadvantages
Platinum is one of the most expensive metals in the world. Its inflated price point can be attributed to its high demand in the fine jewellery industry and its density, as precious metals are often priced by weight.
Exclusivity also comes at a price. Compared to Silver and Gold, Platinum is mineable in only a few places on Earth. Nearly two-thirds of the world's supply can be found in South Africa. Other sources include North America and Russia.
Yellow Gold
Timeless and classic - yellow gold wedding rings have been the go-to choice for couples across the globe for generations.
When purchasing gold wedding bands, it's essential to consider the metals carat used to describe the purity of the gold alloys. Typically 24-carat gold is considered pure, while lower-level carats indicate that the alloy contains other metals in varying proportions.
Examples of common alloys for yellow gold include:
Due to its softness, pure gold (24ct) is alloyed with other metals to change its hardness, durability and appearance.
18K Yellow Gold - 75% gold, 12.5% copper, 12.5% silver
9K Yellow Gold - 37.5% gold, 42.5% silver and 20% copper
Yellow gold is a timeless and classic metal choice for wedding bands. However, when choosing this metal, it is essential to consider its advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages
Let's state the obvious - yellow gold jewellery is beautiful and the most traditional metal choice for wedding rings.
This metal type is also available in different carat weights to suit your budget, with 9ct being the most affordable and 18ct being the dearest.
If you're looking to add an additional sparkle to your gold wedding bands, yellow gold is always a great choice. Diamonds and gemstones are both stunning accompaniments for this luxurious metal!
Gold is known to regulate body temperature naturally, making it a popular option for those who suffer from chills, hot flashes and other temperature-related issues.
Disadvantages
Yellow gold is one of the most expensive types of precious metals.
It can be harder to match colour variations of yellow gold, making it more problematic when resizing your wedding ring.
Compared to other metals, yellow gold is more susceptible to dents and scratches. As a result, your gold wedding bands will require regular polishing to retain their shine and lustre.
White Gold
White gold wedding rings offer a modern twist on tradition with its unique and contemporary aesthetic.
White gold has a shinier, more brilliant white appearance than silver and was initially developed to imitate Platinum, a naturally white metal.
By combining yellow gold with white metal alloys such as palladium, nickel or silver, it is possible to create a stunning light grey-hued precious metal known as white gold.
However, to achieve its sought-after lustrous sheen, white gold has to be coated in a precious metal known as rhodium. Rhodium comes from the same metal family as Platinum and is one of the most expensive metals on the planet.
Examples of common alloys for white gold include:
18K white gold - 75% yellow gold, 25% mixture of palladium, nickel silver
9K white gold - 37.5% yellow gold, 62.5% mixture of palladium, nickel silver
Pros and cons of choosing white gold to have a wedding band crafted from include:
Advantages
White gold has a similar aesthetic to Platinum, just without the price tag. It's also impervious to rust, tarnishes, and corrosion.
Disadvantages
Daily wear can cause white gold jewellery to accumulate scratches.
Over time, the dazzling lustre of your white gold wedding bands will dull and require rhodium plating again to restore its original brilliance.
People with metal allergies should be aware that white gold may not be the optimal choice, as it contains traces of nickel in its alloy.
Wedding Ring Styles
Wedding bands come in various styles, from classic and timeless to modern and unique. Below we'll explore some of the most popular wedding ring styles.
Classic Court
A classic court wedding ring is a timeless and traditional wedding band style. The style features convex surfaces and gently curved edges making this court-shaped ring a comfortable fit.
Lightweight Court
The light court wedding ring is very similar to the classic court style; however, the design features a thinner band. The lighter weight makes it more comfortable to wear and gives it a delicate feel.
Flat Court
The flat court wedding ring is a modern twist on the classic court, featuring a flat outer surface with a slight curve on the edges with the same convexed inner surface as the traditional court for comfort.
Knife edge
A knife edge wedding ring is a modern design that features two edges that come together at a point, with a soft inner surface edge giving this style of ring its unique shape—an elegant and eye-catching choice for brides who want something different.
Halo
The unisex halo wedding ring features a perfectly spherical shape and is an excellent option for couples looking to purchase a wedding ring set.
D-shaped
D-shaped wedding rings are very similar to the traditional court-shaped band, with one crucial difference; the outside of the ring is gently curved, whilst the inside sits flat against the finger.
Wishbone
The Wishbone wedding ring features a 'V' shape on top of the ring's design, a symbol of luck, prosperity, and hope.
Bevelled edge
The bevelled edge wedding ring is distinguished by its sleek, 90-degree angled edges, creating a modern and contemporary look - making it one of the most popular choices for men's wedding rings.
Wedding Ring Weight And Widths
Wedding ring weight is an essential factor to consider when purchasing a wedding band. Heavier rings are more durable than lighter bands, whilst lightweight rings are generally more comfortable to wear and provide a more delicate feel.
The width of a wedding ring is measured in millimetres. We recommend between 1 mm and 4 mm for women and 4 mm to 6 mm for men. Standard wedding band widths range from 2 mm to 6 mm, but if you require a larger or smaller width, we'd be more than happy to create a bespoke wedding ring on your behalf.
Wedding Ring Sizes
Whether browsing for your wedding ring or planning a surprise proposal, getting the correct ring size is essential to ensure a lifetime of comfort.
To guarantee your wedding ring is the perfect fit, there are a few key indicators to look out for:
Your ring should fit securely on your finger without slipping off yet still be comfortable.
There shouldn't be any pinching or squeezing of the skin when wearing the ring.
You should be able to move your finger with ease and shouldn't feel any tightness when doing so.
To find the most accurate ring size, book an appointment at your local jeweller to have your finger measured, especially if you plan to purchase online.
Luckily when you purchase one of our wedding rings through our online store, we provide a complimentary ring resize for peace of mind. Otherwise, we're more than happy for individuals and couples to drop by our Hatton Garden jewellery shop to have their finger sizes professionally measured.
What Is A 'Wed-Fit' Ring?
For all prospective brides-to-be, the term wed-fit should be integral to your decision-making when purchasing a wedding ring. Wed-fit is the technical term for a wedding band designed to be worn flush against your engagement ring with no gap between the bands.
Bridal Wedding Ring Sets
A 'Bridal Set' often features an engagement ring and a matching wedding band designed with the same metal, style, and embellishments. The set can also include an eternity ring. With a well-coordinated set, you can ensure that all your rings complement each other.
Who Buys The Wedding Ring?
Generally speaking, it is traditional for the groom to purchase the engagement and wedding bands for him and his bride-to-be. However, it's 2023, and more couples are now opting to split the cost of the rings or have different preferences regarding who pays. So, ultimately, it is up to each couple's individual preferences.
How Much Are Wedding Rings?
Wedding rings typically range in price from a few hundred pounds to several thousand, depending on the style and metal type you choose. Generally, more expensive metals such as Platinum and gold will be dearer than lower-end metals such as titanium or tungsten. Finally, custom design features can also add to the cost of the ring, like having your wedding bands engraved or set with diamonds.
How Much Money Should You Spend On A Wedding Ring?
When buying your wedding rings, it is important to spend within your means. Jewellery can be expensive, so it is essential to ensure that you are making a wise financial choice for yourself and your budget. Set a realistic budget for yourself based on what you can afford. It would be best if you also considered the quality and craftsmanship of the piece - it's important to invest in jewellery that will last.
At L&S Design, we provide our customers with the option to pay in instalments through ClearPay for their wedding rings to help you spread the cost.
What Hand Does The Wedding Ring Go On?
Traditionally, the wedding ring is worn on the fourth finger of the left hand. This practice began in ancient Rome and has been adopted by various cultures since then. The belief is that the vein in this finger leads to the heart, creating a symbolic gesture of love and commitment.
Wedding Ring Engraving
Adding that personal touch to your wedding bands engraved, or why not even personalise your wedding ring box with an engraved message that has a special meaning for both you and your partner?
Our ring engraving service offers a range of options to make your wedding bands unique to you and your partner. We can engrave on a ring's inside, outside and surface edge. So whether it's a wedding ring or engagement ring, add that personal touch by having it engraved with your initials, a name or memorable date, a monogram, family crest or fingerprint.
Buying the perfect wedding ring
As you embark on the journey of finding the perfect wedding rings for your special day, there are many factors to consider. From metal type and style to widths, weights and personalisation, it's easy to become overwhelmed with all the choices.
We hope this wedding guide has helped ease some of your anxieties and simplified the process. Ultimately, choosing a wedding ring is a very personal decision, so take the time to find something that truly reflects you and your partner!
Need help to choose the perfect wedding ring? Book an appointment to visit our Hatton Garden studio to view our extensive range of wedding bands, and sit down with one of our jewellers to discuss the different options available to you!
