Insider Tips for Buying Your Wedding Band
Oh, the excitement of planning your wedding! Now the day for buying your wedding band has finally come. Although it’s a small piece of jewelry, your wedding ring represents love and choosing the one to fit your style and lifestyle requires careful consideration.
Believe it or not, the oldest wedding bands were exchanged in Ancient Egypt. Their circular shape was the symbol of eternal love, and therefore, they had a special meaning for Egyptians.
In this article, we’ll guide you through what to consider when buying the perfect rings.
Setting the Budget
Your big day is going to be expensive. For many couples, the budget will, undoubtedly, be the most significant factor when choosing wedding bands. So to avoid unnecessary arguments and stress, you should have a predetermined budget.
With that in mind, you won’t spend time looking at rings that are way too expensive, and you’ll be able to keep focused.
Generally speaking, wedding rings can go anywhere from around $200 upwards, but the price will get higher depending on the metal and style. For example, any added embellishment or engraving will quickly add to the original price.
Also, it will be a good idea to decide early if you want a vintage wedding band or a modern one.
Start Early
We’re not saying you should start looking for your wedding rings the moment you get engaged. But just like with a wedding dress, a suit, a band, and other details, finding the best rings takes time. For that reason, make sure you start early. You could visit some jewelry stores when you begin planning your wedding, to get some basic ideas about the cost, styles, etc.
If you want custom-made wedding rings, you should contact the store well in advance, since this process can take time.
Keep in mind that if you want some engraving, it will take around a month, but you can always do so after the wedding.
Choosing the Metals
There are various types of metals used to craft wedding rings. All of which have their advantages and disadvantages, but your style and color preference will ultimately be the deciding factors.
Brides also like to match their wedding band with an engagement ring, so this should also be taken into account. Here are some of the most popular metals used:
Yellow Gold
Yellow gold, which is considered the purest color, is probably the most popular choice for traditional couples. It’s the most hypoallergenic, meaning the chances of skin irritation are quite slim.
The number of karats defines the purity of the gold, so the higher the number of karats, the greater metal purity. However, if you decide to buy a high karat wedding band, know that it isn’t going to be the most durable ring, but it is going to be expensive. So if you’re looking for something that’s going to be long-lasting, consider 18K or 14K gold.
One thing you should remember is that yellow gold is prone to scratching and dents. Therefore, you should have it polished regularly.
White Gold
For couples that want platinum wedding bands, but are on a tight budget, white gold is an excellent option. White gold is often finished with rhodium plating, which generally starts to wears off after a year. But don’t worry, if you decide to purchase a white gold wedding band you can restore its glory by having it dipped when the time comes.
But the fabulous thing about rhodium plating is its dazzling appearance. Since it’s highly-reflective, it gives your ring a shiny finish.
Platinum
Couples who don’t mind splurging will love platinum wedding bands. Known for being the most expensive metal, platinum gives any piece of jewelry that sleek, elegant feel.
However, platinum rings require regular upkeeping. Even the smallest dent or scratch is easily noticeable, so if you decide to get a platinum wedding band, keep that in mind.
Rose Gold
Popular among modern couples, rose gold jewelry has a romantic, vintage look. These kinds of rings are a combination of gold and copper, which give this metal a soft, pastel color.
Rose gold works surprisingly well with white or yellow gold, so these kinds of combinations aren’t uncommon in the world of wedding rings.
The benefits of getting a rose gold wedding band are that it’s affordable, stylish, and quite durable. That said, it isn’t vulnerable to the buffeting of everyday life.
Consider the Shape and Style
Now that you know which metals are used to make wedding bands and you have your preference, it’s time to choose the style and the shape. There are so many different variations out there, so it can be overwhelming when you finally decide to start looking for a wedding ring. The shape or the cut of your ring is going to affect its price a lot. Traditional, round cut is generally more expensive than pear cut.
However, the best thing is that you can actually try out different styles and see which one you like the most. After all, you should get something you’ll be able to look at for the rest of your life and love it just as much as the day you bought it.
You can look at it from different angles to see if you prefer a flat wedding band, or maybe a D-shape art deco ring. Brides have to make a tougher choice, because their wedding ring style should complement an engagement ring. So if your engagement ring is glamourous, you might opt for a subtle wedding band.
And if you’re a couple who loves vintage jewelry, you can choose your wedding rings based on the era you like.
Be Careful with the Size
Most people wear their wedding rings all the time, whether it’s hot, cold, during exercising, or while doing household chores. Your fingers tend to swell because of different factors, so you should find rings that’ll always be comfortable to wear.
Although there are many ways to find your size, such as using a ring chart, or a ring sizer, the most efficient method is trying a ring on at a store.
However, there’s a catch with this, too. The conditions when you go to try on your wedding ring are important. We’ve mentioned your fingers can swell, especially when it’s hot, but they can also shrink when it’s cold. So when you go to try on the ring, make sure your body temperature is average. Avoid going immediately in the morning or after exercising, and visit the jewelry store in the afternoon.
In a nutshell, your ring should be comfortable enough for everyday activities, but also feel snug so that it doesn’t fall off.
Think About the Maintenance
For your ring to last longer and be as shiny as the first day you bought it, you need to take good care of it. Some metals require regular polishing, so be sure to get well informed. For example, platinum rings need to be cleaned regularly and often, which can be a problem for some customers.
Luckily, most jewelry stores will polish your rings for free, so don’t be shy to ask for some touching up when there are scratches or dents.
Alternatively, you can clean your ring at home. Use some gentle dish detergent and a toothbrush to give it an occasional scrub.
Take Your Lifestyle Into Account
If you’re athletic, play an instrument, or are very active, you should keep these things in mind when buying a wedding band. In that case, you want to choose a simple ring that won’t affect your everyday activities. The perfect option wouldn’t have any large gemstones, be narrow, and durable, like this one.
Consider the Quality
The wedding ring you chose is going to be on your finger for years to come. So consider paying a bit more to have a good-quality ring.
Besides taking into account the materials, another major factor is buying wedding rings from reputable jewelry stores. They usually give a warranty that verifies the metals used. What’s more, esteemed vendors will explain to you the art of craftsmanship needed for your particular ring, the metals that were used, and the required care.
Don’t Buy the Same Rings If You Don’t Want
During the Renaissance period, wedding bands were made identical for a bride and groom. And this tradition persisted for a long time. However, it’s a misconception that a couple must have identical wedding bands. Your fashion styles can vary tremendously, so you don’t want to purchase a ring you don’t like just because your partner loves it. There’s a high chance you won’t wear it as much if it doesn’t match your style.
Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and get mismatched wedding rings. You’ve seen how many different metals and styles there are, so it’s understandable your partner and you might like different rings. Rose gold may steal your heart, but not your partner’s. And that’s OK. The important thing is that you adore your wedding rings and take good care of them.
Buy Wedding Rings You’ll Adore
We hope this article provided some tips on how to buy your wedding bands. The most important thing is to set the budget first and look for the rings with that in mind. Whatever shape and color you choose, make sure the ring reflects your style and is comfortable.
What’s your preference? Do you love traditional yellow gold, or vintage rose gold? Have you started the search for the wedding rings yet? We would love to hear if you have any tips for other couples.
Meta description: Choosing wedding bands is an important task that requires careful planning. Luckily, we’ve gathered top tips to help you pick the perfect ring.
Many thanks to Estate Diamond Jewellery for this article.
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