A Comprehensive Guide to Wedding Bands: Find the Right Ring

When it comes to jewellery, some purchases are more important than others. As consumers, we all buy accessories, clothing and jewellery on a regular basis, often without putting much thought into our investments. These items become a part of our everyday wardrobes, helping us to craft a sense of identity and personal style that can be conveyed to the people around us.

But when it comes to commitment jewellery, the stakes are a little higher. Engagement and wedding rings are some of the most expensive and carefully chosen accessories we’ll ever buy, where these small tokens of affection are designed to last a lifetime. As such the process of selecting an appropriate wedding band can be overwhelming, with so many options to choose from.

Read on for our comprehensive guide to choosing your wedding band, where we will discuss the top designs available today and how you can narrow down your options.

Wedding Ring Styles

When it comes to choosing your wedding rings there are a huge array of design options to choose from, where shape, colour and material are all up for discussion. Some of these features include:

Metal Type

Traditional wedding bands are typically made from silver, gold or platinum, where these metals are known to be both hard wearing and timeless. Within these categories there are a range of colour variations to choose from as well as markers of quality. For instance gold comes with a purity rating known as a carat that will affect the cost and feel of your jewellery.

Stones & Settings

Historically, wedding rings are formed of a simple band of metal, where this means that they can withstand the wear and tear of daily life. But you may prefer a ring that features some kind of precious stone, such as diamonds, emeralds or sapphires. These can be cut and set in a variety of ways to create different aesthetic results depending on your preferences.

Etchings & Engravings

Wedding bands can also be customised with specialist detailing to create an entirely unique piece of jewellery. Ornate etchings can form an attractive design along the outside of your ring, or a personalised message can be engraved on the inside, where it can be worn next to the skin as a hidden sentiment.

Width

Another important aspect of ring design to consider is the width of your band, where this can vary according to your preferences. Wedding bands can come in a standard or customisable width to fit in with your other jewellery. You may also wish to have matching rings with your partner but with a differing band size to reflect your individual styles.

Finish

Wedding rings are also available with a variety of finishes, where this may come as standard with your ring purchase, or you may be able to choose your desired look. Precious metals can feature a matte, high shine or brush finish, all of which can impact the final look of your piece. Comparing a range of options can help you to decide which finish you prefer for your ring.

Choosing Your Ring

There are lots of different approaches to choosing a wedding ring that can help you to narrow down your options, where the practicalities of making a final decision extend beyond the design of your jewellery. Some essential things to think about when you’re ring shopping may include:

Your Jewellery Style

When choosing your wedding ring, it is important to remember that this meaningful accessory is designed to be worn forever. As such it is vital to think long term about your jewellery style preferences. Are you more likely to wear silver or gold, for instance? You may also wish to choose a wedding band that complements your engagement ring so that the two pieces can be worn together.

Timelessness

The longevity of your choice is also an essential aspect of shopping for your wedding band, where your chosen style needs to be both durable and timeless. This means that it can be beneficial not to hop onto current jewellery trends that will likely appear dated and old fashioned in the decades to come. Instead think about your personal preferences alongside styles that are always in fashion. Simple bands made from silver and gold will never go out of style, which is why these remain popular when it comes to choosing a wedding ring set.

Sizing

Sizing your wedding ring is another key part of the buying process. Whilst your engagement ring may be chosen with some element of surprise, both you and your partner will be fully involved in the process of selecting wedding rings. This means that you can arrange for bespoke fittings, where you can consult your retailer on how your ring should be sized for optimal comfort and security. You can work out your ring size at home using a piece of string to measure the diameter of your finger. This can be useful if you are shopping online or if you’d like your partner to make the final decision when it comes to the rings.

Budget

When it comes to purchasing a wedding ring, one of the deciding factors will be the price. As with engagement jewellery, wedding rings are sold at a range of price points to suit all budgets, where the final cost will depend on your chosen materials and design. Choosing a slim and simple design can help you to stay under budget, where weightier materials and precious stones will add to the final price. Remember that it is always worth investing in high quality jewellery if you’re intending to wear it every day, where this will help to ensure that your rings last as long as your marriage.

Matching Or Different

An additional decision you will need to make when choosing your wedding rings is whether you would like a matching set or two different pieces. Traditionally a man wouldn’t be expected to wear a ring, whilst today it is more likely that couples will both want a ring to represent their union. You may prefer to have replicant rings in different sizes, whilst you can also vary the ring width, colour or style according to your preferences.

Jewellery Insurance

Wedding rings often make for an expensive purchase, where you may also wish to buy an insurance package to cover your jewellery in case of loss, theft or damages. These rings take on a great symbolic significance, so it can be upsetting if one gets lost. Taking out an insurance deal with your retailer can deliver peace of mind whilst saving you money in the long run if you do need to source a replacement. Alternatively, you can invest in an insurance package after you make your initial purchase, where this may involve seeking a valuation from an independent party.

Where To Shop

Today there are a number of different retailers that offer a wedding ring service, so it can be difficult to know where to start. Think about whether you’d like to make your purchase online or in person, where it can be helpful to explore a retailer’s ring catalogue via their website before visiting. Considering your jewellery style preferences can also help you to decide where you’d like to shop, as ring sellers will specialise in different designs and materials. It can also be helpful to seek recommendations from friends and family to find a jeweller you can trust.

Ian Mundie & Son: Wedding Ring Design To Suit Your Style

At Ian Mundie & Son, we offer a comprehensive range of custom rings to suit your unique sense of style, where our wedding bands are always of the highest quality. We also provide custom engagement rings made from a variety of precious metals and stones, where we can modify and resize existing jewellery or design a brand new piece according to your specifications.

So whether you’re looking for an elaborate diamond ring or a simple set of wedding bands, our jewellery experts are here to help. Get in touch with us today to find out more about our full range of services.