The rings you slide on each other's fingers on your wedding day will be a lasting reminder of its promise and joy. Choose a ring you'll cherish for the rest of your life.Buying a wedding ring is the kind of thing which any groom can get into a dizzy over. There are simply so many different styles to choose from these days and so many different designs to match any budget and taste that the choice of wedding ring itself becomes a complex matter.
Thankfully, at weddingrings.net we understand the pressures and try to help. This is why we have put together this handy wedding ring selection guide to help prospective brides and grooms choose a wedding ring which will fit their particular requirements.
Wedding rings on a budget
If you are on a tight budget, and given the global financial crisis most weddings, these days, experience some constraints on costs, then our wedding rings on a budget guide is the perfect thing for you. For those looking for matching wedding bands the choices expand a little and so does the cost but it still remains within the reasonable constraints imposed by the finances of most weddings.
Wedding rings for active people
If you are both modern people with an active, sports lifestyle, then having a wedding ring which reflects this is important. Our wedding rings for active people guide is designed to help you understand the strengths and limitations of each type of metal used in the design of a wedding ring and then make the best possible choice.
Wedding rings which stand the test of time
When it comes to wedding ring styles which stand the test of time our timeless, unique wedding ring styles guide gives you the low-down you need to make an informed decision. Ultimately buying a wedding ring is all about personal choices, likes, dislikes, preferences and the style which reflects your family history. At weddingrings.net we work hard to provide you with as many choices as possible whilst remaining competitive and focused on value for money.
Now that you know all this there is really little excuse for not being able to choose a wedding ring which perfectly matches your special wedding moment.
Your wedding ring is probably the most precious piece of jewellery you will ever own. It is also something you will be wearing every day for the rest of your life so you need to make sure you will be comfortable wearing it. Choose something that is suited to your style and your personality, that is timeless and high quality as well as within your budget. The traditional plain gold wedding band will be in style for years to come and will never date but there are many alternatives available if you prefer something more unique and individual.
It has only been during the last 50 or so years that grooms have been wearing wedding rings. Traditionally it was only the bride who wore the ring as a symbol of eternity, everlasting love and commitment. Now most weddings in the UK have bride and groom exchanging rings while they exchange their vows. Some couples like their wedding rings to be in a matching material and style but this is not essential. It is also common for brides to choose a wedding ring which matches their engagement ring. Ideally they should compliment each other and go together fit wise but there are no strict rules that the materials should be the same.
Yellow Gold, White Gold or Platinum?
The materials of which wedding rings are made of have improved through the years. However, the most popular are still those made from classic 9ct yellow gold or 18ct yellow gold. Gold has a timeless appeal and if looked after well, a piece of gold jewellery can last you a lifetime. Wedding rings made from 9ct white gold or 18ct white gold are also gaining popularity. White gold wedding rings are cheaper than platinum wedding rings but white gold still looks very contemporary and modern. Platinum is a very suitable material for a wedding ring as it is durable and hardwearing and therefore will endure wear and tear for a very long time. Platinum will not tarnish or discolour as it has no surface coating to wear off, this is why it is ideal for making fine jewellery such as wedding rings.
Wedding Ring Style
When it comes to style there are even more options available than there are for the choice of metals. The shape of the band itself is known as the profile and amongst the most popular are d-Shape wedding rings which have a traditional rounded look with a flat fit inside against the finger. Court wedding rings are curved on the inside and outside for a more comfortable fit. Comfort fit or sometimes called flat court wedding rings have a contemporary flat look with a comfortable court fit on the finger. Flat wedding rings are flat on the top and inside and have a more modern look. Wedding band widths generally range from about 2mm to 10mm and you have a choice of lightweight, medium and heavyweight. Your choice is completely down to personal preference and whether you want the ring to look heavy and chunky or delicate and dainty. Your ring can also be finished with a highly polished shine or with satin or matt finishes.
People used to say that the cost of the ring should be 2 months salary. The most important thing is to try to stay within your budget, regardless of if it’s 2 months salary, 2 weeks salary, or 2 years salary. Your perfect ring has a great significance and should be worn for it’s meaning rather than it’s monetary value. The best way to judge value for money when buying your wedding rings is to compare the weights of the material used. Buying your wedding jewellery online will allow you make great savings as online retailers don’t have the huge overheads of high street shops. Have your ring size measured properly. Most high street jewellers will happily do this for you without cost. The ring you select should not fit too tightly as your hands will swell in hot weather. Equally the ring should not be too loose that it slides round on your finger as you may end up losing it. Rings can always be stretched if need be in the future but attempting to make a ring smaller will leave the band with a join in it. Ensure that your wedding rings come with a guarantee and are covered by an initial money back guarantee incase you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase when it arrives. Finally, ensure that your ring is hallmarked.
Diamonds
1. Study styles. The traditional solitaire--a single diamond held aloft by prongs--is the most popular. Bezel settings (in which a slim border of platinum or gold surrounds a smallish diamond) can make the gem look bigger. The anniversary style is a row of diamonds or a diamond flanked by sapphires or emeralds.
2. Become fluent in the four Cs--the international language of diamonds: carat weight, color, clarity and cut.
3. Ask for an independent grading report--your diamond's detailed genealogy. Don't buy a costly stone without one, since it's your guarantee that you're getting what you've paid for.
4. Take a valuable diamond to an independent appraiser. If necessary, buy it first, but only with a written, unconditional moneyback guarantee allowing you a few days to have it appraised.
Precious metals
1. Look for marked jewelry. While gold need not by law carry the karat marks (not to be confused with carat, the weight measurement for diamonds) that define its level of purity, virtually all reputable stores sell only marked gold. If it is karat-marked, law dictates that it also be stamped with a hallmark, which shows that the manufacturer stands behind the karat mark's accuracy. The country of origin is also often noted.
2. Buy gold in a range of colors and levels of purity. The higher the karat rating, the more pure the gold in a piece and the richer the color (and the softer the item). For instance, 24k, or 100 percent pure gold is so soft, it's not often used in jewelry. As the purity decreases, to say 14k, or 58.3 percent gold, other metals like copper or silver are added. This also distorts the color, giving it a reddish hue. Anything less than 10k, or 41.6 percent pure, cannot legally be sold as "gold" in the United States.
3. Step up to platinum, the rarest, purest and heaviest precious metal. Almost double the weight of 14-karat gold, platinum is incredibly dense but also very soft.
TIPS
- Shop at a jewelry store that makes you feel good. Trusting the jeweler, and subsequently the advice and jewelry he or she offers, is very important.
- Ask your jeweler for a free copy of the industry's helpful diamond-buying booklet or contact the Gemological Institute of America (gia.edu).
- Buy only from a reputable retailer who will accept returns--preferably one affiliated with the Jewelers Association or another professional trade association.
- Your jeweler can have a unique report number laserinscribed on your diamond's outer edge. If you ever have it resized or professionally cleaned, you can make sure you're getting your own diamond back. Grading reports and identification numbers also serve insurance purposes.
- Establish a relationship with a reputable jeweler who will be able to resize, clean, remount and engrave your jewelry over the years.
