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Choosing The Perfect Wedding Ring
By:
Published: July 25, 2006
The ultimate symbol of a couple's unending love and commitment to each other is the wedding ring. Whether it may be a classic, plain band, one that is custom designed to match the engagement ring or to fit together with the man's band, wedding rings may be made to fit any style or preference.
Here are some things to consider when choosing your wedding rings:
Know your style.
While engagement rings are sometimes changed or adjusted over time, stones added or reset, wedding rings typically remain the same forever. Some are worn alone, the engagement ring reserved only for special occasions or worn on the right hand. That is why it is very important to select a band that reflects your own individual taste. This is not to say, of course, that there is no need to ensure that the engagement ring and wedding band fit together. Wedding bands should compliment the engagement ring, drawing out the defining features that make it unique instead of appearing overpowering and detracting attention away from it. If your engagement ring is simple and delicate, the wedding band should also be small and thin. Some couples choose bands that fit together, such as wave or puzzle patterns. But, since these are typically more difficult to fit with engagement rings, they are usually made to be worn alone. Keep in mind how you want to wear your wedding ring, and what style would look best on your hand before you start looking.
Wedding bands come in different shapes.
If you thought that design was only reserved for the engagement ring, think again. The shape, or what jewelers refer to as the cross section, is what is molded when custom fitting a wedding band to the engagement ring. It is also what determines how comfortable the band will feel when worn and how noticeable you want it to be when worn next to the engagement ring. While jewelers can typically make any shaped band, here are the most common shapes:
Match your colors (Or, should I say, metals).
Wedding bands should always match the metal of the engagement ring. The woman's metal choice does not have to match the man's, though. Like engagement rings, metal choices include gold, silver, or platinum. Gold may be worn in yellow, white, or rose and in either 9 or 18 carat weight. Platinum is the hardest metal and has a light, steel color. But it is also the most expensive metal choice. If you prefer the look of platinum but can't afford it, opt to have a white gold band rhodium plated. This cosmetic technique is relatively cheap and also wears well.
Choose your width.
When fitting a wedding band with an engagement ring, the width of the band can either be chosen to match that of the ring, be slightly smaller so as to not off-set it, or be thicker to add an additional design element to the overall appearance. Also, keep in mind that shape and width go somewhat hand-in-hand. If you want a bold, noticeable wedding ring, you may choose a flat cross section shape with a thicker width. Although wedding rings can be made up to 11mm in width, the most popular sizes for women range between 2 and 4mm and between 4 and 7mm for men.
Add your finishing touches.
From a classic, polished look to one that is textured and draws more attention, the ring's finish adds a final element to its overall appearance. Especially with wedding rings that are thicker in width and, thus, have a larger surface area, the finish may be quite apparent. Here are some of the most popular finishes:
Here are some things to consider when choosing your wedding rings:
Know your style.
While engagement rings are sometimes changed or adjusted over time, stones added or reset, wedding rings typically remain the same forever. Some are worn alone, the engagement ring reserved only for special occasions or worn on the right hand. That is why it is very important to select a band that reflects your own individual taste. This is not to say, of course, that there is no need to ensure that the engagement ring and wedding band fit together. Wedding bands should compliment the engagement ring, drawing out the defining features that make it unique instead of appearing overpowering and detracting attention away from it. If your engagement ring is simple and delicate, the wedding band should also be small and thin. Some couples choose bands that fit together, such as wave or puzzle patterns. But, since these are typically more difficult to fit with engagement rings, they are usually made to be worn alone. Keep in mind how you want to wear your wedding ring, and what style would look best on your hand before you start looking.
Wedding bands come in different shapes.
If you thought that design was only reserved for the engagement ring, think again. The shape, or what jewelers refer to as the cross section, is what is molded when custom fitting a wedding band to the engagement ring. It is also what determines how comfortable the band will feel when worn and how noticeable you want it to be when worn next to the engagement ring. While jewelers can typically make any shaped band, here are the most common shapes:
- Flat Cross Section: Square, blunt edges make this shape the most noticeable ring shape.
- Flat (Soft) Cross Section: The hard edges of the flat cross section are slightly blended in this shape, giving it a softer appearance.
- D Cross Section: The outside of the band is rounded, while the inside remains flat.
- Reverse D Cross Section: This shape gives the look of a flat cross section with an inside that is rounded for a more comfortable fit.
- Courting Cross Section: Both the outside and inside of the band are slightly rounded, making it the most comfortable fit.
- Round Cross Section: A completely round profile makes this shape the most classic definition of a wedding band.
Match your colors (Or, should I say, metals).
Wedding bands should always match the metal of the engagement ring. The woman's metal choice does not have to match the man's, though. Like engagement rings, metal choices include gold, silver, or platinum. Gold may be worn in yellow, white, or rose and in either 9 or 18 carat weight. Platinum is the hardest metal and has a light, steel color. But it is also the most expensive metal choice. If you prefer the look of platinum but can't afford it, opt to have a white gold band rhodium plated. This cosmetic technique is relatively cheap and also wears well.
Choose your width.
When fitting a wedding band with an engagement ring, the width of the band can either be chosen to match that of the ring, be slightly smaller so as to not off-set it, or be thicker to add an additional design element to the overall appearance. Also, keep in mind that shape and width go somewhat hand-in-hand. If you want a bold, noticeable wedding ring, you may choose a flat cross section shape with a thicker width. Although wedding rings can be made up to 11mm in width, the most popular sizes for women range between 2 and 4mm and between 4 and 7mm for men.
Add your finishing touches.
From a classic, polished look to one that is textured and draws more attention, the ring's finish adds a final element to its overall appearance. Especially with wedding rings that are thicker in width and, thus, have a larger surface area, the finish may be quite apparent. Here are some of the most popular finishes:
- Polished: This gives the ring a shiny, classic look.
- Satinised: A softer polished look, satinised finishes will wear to a dull shine.
- Hammered finish: The outside surface of the ring is lightly hammered, giving it a more textured finish.
- Pin finish: The outside surface of the ring is abrased with pins for a matted finish. This may be done lightly for a slightly textured look, or harder for more defined texture.
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