Gifts For Her
Wedding Band Guide
BUYING THE PERFECT WEDDING BAND
Although the engagement ring purchase gets most of the attention in the bridal jewelry world, selecting the right wedding band is equally important to the bride and groom and holds a fascination all its own.
Wedding rings have been exchanged as tokens of love, affection and commitment for thousands of years. The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt are credited with being the first to use a ring in the form of a circle, a shape with no beginning and no end, as a symbol of eternal love. By Roman times, it was established custom for the ring to serve as a public pledge of the marriage contract between a man and a woman.
If you've selected a bridal set that includes an engagement ring and matching wedding bands, then you've already done all the work. But many couples opt to buy their wedding rings separately. In this case, the more you know, the better off you'll be.
Although many couples still opt for the plain gold band to seal their marital commitment, most modern brides and grooms want to wear something fashionable as well as functional. In the wedding ring category, they'll find a wide range of styles, designs and finishes to choose from.
For instance, although gold traditionally has been the metal of choice for wedding rings, platinum has become extremely popular as a bridal metal. The allure of platinum is its unparalleled strength, durability and purity. Many wedding rings also combine the warmth of yellow gold with the cool white of platinum, providing a contemporary twist to a traditional classic.
For those who like the look of platinum but can't afford it, there is always white gold. White gold, which is pure gold that has been mixed with an alloy to whiten it, costs considerably less than platinum, but is also less durable.
Not only can today's brides and grooms choose from a dizzying array of fashionable solid metal bands, but they can also opt for wedding rings with diamonds or colored stones. Channel set bands – rings with a line of small diamonds set in a groove, or channel, along the band – are particularly popular. An increasing number of men are choosing wedding rings with diamonds, as well. One word of caution, however: when buying either a men's or women's diamond wedding band, make sure the stones are small enough so they don't overpower the engagement ring.
Other considerations for buying a wedding ring:
BUY FROM A JEWELER YOU TRUST
This is a piece of jewelry you'll wear for the rest of your life – make sure you buy it from a reputable retailer with the highest quality standards, such as Diamonds International.
CONSIDER YOUR LIFESTYLE
If you or your spouse are athletic, outdoor types or work with your hands, high karatage gold (18 karat or higher) probably isn't the choice for you – it scratches easier than 10 karat or 14 karat and shows wear more easily because it is softer.
CONSIDER YOUR EXISTING JEWELRY
Look at the kind of jewelry and watches you already wear, and consider how your wedding band will look next to them. A bride-to-be also needs to consider whether she'll wear her wedding band and engagement ring on the same finger, or whether she will move her engagement ring to her right hand and just wear the band on her left. If she plans to wear them together, she'll need to choose a wedding band that matches the engagement ring and sits comfortably against it.
ESTABLISH A BUDGET
Plain gold bands can be bought for less than $100, but fashion comes with a price. High-fashion bands with diamonds or other gemstones can cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars, depending on the size and quality of the stones and the workmanship of the piece. Also keep in mind that a men's band tends to be more expensive than a women's, because it is larger, wider and denser.
Wedding Band Guide
