If you are reading this, it would only mean one thing: your wedding day is approaching, and while you must be busy with arrangements, we would try to make it short. First of all, congratulations are on the way. Now that you are about to commit your love to someone, we have designed this guide to help you make the right choice while buying wedding rings.
What is a Wedding Ring and what does it symbolize?
Aesthetically speaking, a Wedding Ring is an unadorned metal band or diamond/gemstone studded eternity band that tends to be more simple (as compared to say, an engagement ring).
Beyond its eye-pleasing design, it works as the traditional token of love and commitment that is exchanged between couples along with the Wedding vows. It not only officially pronounces you both as man and wife but also tells the world loud and clear that you’re in a committed relationship. So if we keep the long story short, a Wedding Ring is a lifelong symbol of the beautiful bond of marriage.
Difference between Wedding Band and Wedding Ring
Though the interchangeable usage of the two terms (Wedding Ring and band) is justified on some levels since the difference between them isn’t significant, we know it has only led up to years of confusion. But worry not, we have the exact difference (however minor that might be) laid out for you:
Typically, if the ring is ornamented with Diamonds/Gemstones, it is referred to as a Wedding Ring. A Wedding Band, on the other hand, is best defined as an unadorned metal band that looks much simpler.
Women’s Wedding Rings
Wedding Rings for Women are distinctively feminine and ooze sheer elegance. They are (relatively) thin (about 4 MM in size on an average) and are typically studded with Diamonds/gemstones all over the band to enhance the visual appeal (and the bling). The best part? Whether you’re the kind of bride who likes to stick to classics or wish to go all out with your choice of accessory, you have a world of options before you. Right from classic plain bands to curved, eternity, nature-inspired and vintage ones, every ring style here pleases different aesthetics. Besides that, women tend to fancy a polished finish (because who can say no to some extra bling, right?).
Men’s Wedding Bands
Wedding Bands for Men are (to no surprise) masculine but simpler in design. They stand out for their thick band size (about 6 MM), which adds to their manly appearance. Contrary to the popular belief, men too are facilitated with an ample number of options in wedding ring styles today. While they are mostly likely to prefer a classic plain band (thanks to the timeless appeal), the ones featuring subtle gemstone/diamond accents, milgrain detailing, and brushed or hammered finishing have become a go-to choice for those that like a more defined look. If you fancy a little sparkle or pop of color, a single stone or three stone ring style is by far the most popular choice.
Things to Consider While Buying Wedding Rings
Now, moving on to all those things that should be considered while buying wedding rings.
How to know the ideal wedding ring budget?
When it comes to buying anything, the most important factor is the amount of money you are willing to pay for that product. Although, it depends on the spending capacity and mindset of the buyer and might vary from person to person, we recommend that you sit down and plan beforehand with your spouse the budget in which you are thinking about investing in the rings.
The reason we used the term "investing" here is the fact that unlike all the other expenses occurring for your wedding, rings can be considered a fairly good investment.
Metals for Wedding Ring
Before even making the decision about the ring design, you must first select the metal from which you want your wedding ring to be crafted. Though, gold is the most obvious choice when buying a wedding ring, you must be delighted to know about the various color options available in the metal itself.
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Yellow Gold
Yellow is the traditional color of gold. Yellow gold can be chosen for a classical and vintage touch to the rings.
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White Gold
White gold is gaining popularity for its silvery sparkle and value. The white gold metal comes with a plating of rhodium.
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Rose Gold
Rose gold is now being acknowledged as the metal of romance due to its unique rosy hue, which looks flattering on any skin tone.
Choice of Gemstone
Gemstones are another important consideration while selecting the wedding ring. They not only enhance the look of the ring but are also the primary driver of the price. Therefore, it is quite important to understand which gemstone will be more durable and which will fall within your budget. The whole gemstone family is quite extended, but they are broadly classified into two categories.
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Precious Gemstones:
Precious gemstones, though quite costly, tend to be durable and hard. Also, one can rest assured about the gemstone’s color, which will not fade with time. The gemstones that fall into this category are diamonds, rubies, blue sapphires, and emeralds.
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Semi-Precious Gemstones:
Gemstones, which tend to be less durable and would lose their sparkle and even fade in color with time, usually fall into the category of semi-precious gemstones. They are available in a range of colors, giving the buyer many options to choose from.
Wedding Ring Style
When it comes to wedding rings, bands are quite popular since they can be crafted into a matching pair for both the bride and the groom. The wedding bands are also available in three styles.
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Eternity Wedding Band
Eternity wedding rings are gold-crafted bands studded with tiny gemstones or diamonds set in a continuous line. The eternity band, like a circle, symbolizes the never-ending promise of commitment.
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Half-Eternity Wedding Band
As the name suggests, half eternity bands comprise a half circle or channel of gemstones or diamonds. Like the eternity bands, these rings symbolize a promise of undying love to your spouse.
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Plain Wedding Band
Plain wedding bands are simple and crafted from precious metals. They are studded with very few or no gemstones, making them an obvious choice for the groom.
Mix n Match- Team up your Engagement and Wedding Ring
While an engagement ring insinuates a promise of marriage, exchanging a Wedding Ring is more like living up to that promise. So, if you see, together, they both complete and complement each other, then why not wear them together? (and make a seamless statement in the process) However, the noteworthy part here is that there is no one way to do so and everything in the end boils down to your choice of preference.
You could go for a wedding band that matches with the center stone, setting, metal, and pretty much everything of your engagement ring. Or you could even dare to dare (if that’s your kind of thing) by mixing different metals, shapes, and what not! Besides, while classic eternity bands are always the go-to choice for those that prefer an understated look, if you wish for your wedding band to fit seamlessly with the engagement ring (without letting an extra gap come in between), curvature wedding bands are the way forward!
Everything said and done, we know you’ve been wondering about the right way to stack them together. Well, traditionally they are both worn on the ring finger of the left hand. The Wedding Band is worn before (or inside) the engagement ring, which takes us to a common traditional adage (famous in Rome) suggesting that a vein from the ring finger directly connects to the heart. So, wearing a wedding band that way would keep it closest to the heart.
Determine Wedding Ring Size
Checking the ring size can be easier than you think. The easiest way is to take a look at an existing ring. If you still face trouble ensuring the right size, you can take help from different tools designed by jewelry stores to determine the right fit for you.
There are a few online stores that even provide a ring sizer to help their customers choose the perfect ring size.
Conclusion
Choosing the right wedding ring is perhaps as complicated as choosing the right life partner, but with the right guide and your heart’s voice, you can easily make the selection that will make your spouse feel special. The above-mentioned points are some easy tips to keep in mind while setting out to buy the wedding ring so that you don’t face any difficulty while choosing the right ring for your loved one.