If you are wondering how to choose wedding rings, this article will be your salvation.
A complete guide with advice, types and models to get it right with wedding rings.
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1. The budget
Setting a budget is the first step to any major purchase.
Especially when it comes to things you need to get married, since the list is infinite and you must control your expenses very well so as not to have last-minute surprises.
In the case of wedding rings, they are not pieces that are bought often, so surely you will not know how much they can cost.
Actually, the prices of wedding rings vary depending on the material, its quality, the design and purity of the mineral used.
You can find, for example, cheap wedding rings, from $120.
Another aspect that adds and increases the final price of wedding rings is the jewelry brand you choose and its prestige.
2. The material
When choosing wedding rings, the material is another determining factor.
That is the type of metal with which your ring is made.
Historically, the most common and chosen wedding rings by couples have always been gold in its different shades (yellow, white or pink) and versions (9, 14 or 18 carats).
Fortunately, today the range of options in terms of materials and precious metals is very extensive: gold wedding rings, silver wedding rings, platinum wedding rings, cobalt wedding rings, carbon wedding rings, steel wedding rings, zirconium wedding rings, ceramic wedding rings, etc.
The difference between one and the other lies in the weight and resistance over the years.
Types of wedding rings based on materials
Yellow gold wedding rings. Undoubtedly, a classic but infallible choice, since it never goes out of style.
It has been used by many people over the years.
White gold wedding rings. They are elegant, attractive, current and of great beauty.
White gold is not found naturally, but is an alloy of gold with another material such as silver, nickel or palladium.
Rose gold wedding rings. They are characterized by being made together with other metals and having an incomparable pink tone.
Choose them with zircons or diamonds and you will love the result.
Silver wedding rings. The perfect alternative to gold for those who do not want to spend a fortune.
In this case, the star alloy is the one that contains a minimum of 92% pure silver and the rest of copper. The only thing you should keep in mind is that silver darkens over time and requires more care.
Platinum wedding rings. They are made of the purest and most beautiful material of noble metals.
And their hardness makes them ideal for embedding spectacular stones.
Opt for them if you are looking for something durable, but watch the price because it is usually one of the most expensive.
Titanium wedding rings. They are ideal for people with sensitive skin, since titanium is hypoallergenic.
Resistant and light at the same time, it is a material with a more matte appearance than silver, although it is possible to find it with a shiny effect.
Steel wedding rings. Incredibly durable, strong, and lightweight.
Steel is a material that won’t rust or discolor. A relatively modern option within bridal jewelry that also blends in wonderfully with low cost weddings.
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3. The shape and finish
Wedding rings can also be distinguished by design, more specifically by their cut and shape.
Thus, you can find square and round wedding rings, and others with a flat or rounded surface.
These are the most common shapes and models.
Half round wedding rings. They are the classic rounded wedding rings of a lifetime. Possibly, the most used for its simplicity and comfort. Its exterior is domed.
Flat wedding rings. Its outer shape is almost flat and uniform.
Almond wedding rings. They bulge both on the inside and on the outside, although to a lesser degree on the inside than the half-round ones.
But there are other shapes that offer couples a greater variety.
We are talking about rings with a triangular or trapezoidal cut, wavy wedding rings, ellipse-shaped wedding rings, concave wedding rings and a long list of possibilities within your reach.
The style of the wedding rings will also be determined by the finishing, which can be polished, satin, shiny, sandblasted, matt, brushed, hammered, ice-effect, textured, dotted or enamelled.
4. Width and thickness
All wedding rings designs have certain widths and thicknesses, which in turn end up constituting their final weight.
There are factors that directly influence the final design of wedding rings.
The width (or gauge), which is the length from one end to the other of the ring surface and usually ranges from 1.9mm to 12mm.
Although the most used and popular are between 3 mm and 4.5 mm.
While the thickness, which corresponds to the height of the ring, that is, what will protrude from the finger, determines if the wedding ring is more or less delicate.
You can find beautiful wedding rings, between 1.5 mm and 2.5 mm, which allow more creative and moldable shapes.
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5. The size and shape of the hands
Studying the size and shape of your hands will also give you many clues when it comes to finding the most suitable ring for you.
Therefore, before you start looking at wedding rings, check if your hands are long or short by measuring the length of the palm and the middle finger.
Wedding rings for long fingers
If you are one of those who have long fingers and hands, you can consider yourself very lucky, since practically all kinds of wedding rings will suit you.
From the finest and most delicate to the most striking.
If your fingers are very long and you want to give them a more proportional effect, opt for circular wedding rings or rings with a vertical design.
The aesthetic result will be spectacular.
Wedding rings for short fingers
In case you have short fingers, the size of the small fingers is crucial when choosing a wedding ring.
In this case, opt for small or thin wedding rings, although square and round rings can also work well for you.
The best advice? Choose simple and discreet wedding rings and avoid those that are very wide or with an excessively striking design.
It is better to choose a fine and simple ring, with few decorative elements. Wide and large designs will not suit you.
Wedding rings for thick fingers
Avoiding large and flashy wedding rings if you have thick fingers.
Choose thin rings, either smooth or with delicate designs.
Choose narrow wedding rings, as they help to balance the size of your fingers.
They will also minimize the round appearance of the fingers.
The recommended measurement is about 6 millimeters.
But yes, make sure that the diameter of the ring fits you perfectly so as not to put pressure on your fingers.
Wedding rings for thin fingers
In this case, most rings fit this type of fingers. But special attention should be paid so that the ring does not get lost on very thin fingers.
Therefore, the most suitable option is wide and thick rings, since they create the optical illusion of having more corpulent fingers.
Wedding rings for fingers with wide knuckles
If your hands have wide knuckles, there is also a solution.
The ideal is to choose wide and showy wedding rings that hide the wide knuckles, as well as opting for designs that carry a gem.
6. Types of wedding bands
There are many wedding rings and they vary from more timeless and traditional wedding rings to more avant-garde, sophisticated or groundbreaking wedding rings, depending on the design, metals and materials, color and added details.
Classic and simple wedding rings. They are traditional and without ornaments. They are the yellow gold wedding rings that we all know.
Original wedding rings. With natural and colored stones, with intertwined symbols and phrases, with combined metals and colors, with special reliefs, with minimalist aesthetics, with artistic borders, with unprecedented effects and shapes.
In short, these are creative and modern rings for original couples.
Custom wedding rings. Custom wedding rings are made entirely by hand in the workshop.
What do you think of some rings with a special engraving of which only the two of you know the meaning? And with the theme of your wedding?
Wedding rings with diamonds. Couples who want a romantic and VIP design can always turn to rings set with precious gems.
A fantastic way to get an everlasting shine on the hoop. Some diamonds that can also provide vibrant notes of color are great.
Bicolor wedding rings. They bring together several different shades and materials.
For instance, white gold, rose gold and yellow gold. Different and versatile pieces that combine with different outfits.
Double wedding rings. They are the most flirtatious, feminine and delicate alternative of all.
Two rings crossed with each other that stand out for their great beauty, their exquisite contrast and their striking design in full view of anyone.
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7. The engraving
One of the most common questions in jewelry stores is what is engraved on wedding rings?
This is writing your favorite words on the wedding rings.
They can be, for example, your names and the date of the wedding, the name of your children or pets, the affectionate nickname with which you call each other.
But there are also phrases to engrave on wedding rings: short love phrases, funny phrases, your phrases, Latin phrases, romantic song phrases… We leave you with 10 ideas:
• Inseparable
• Forever
• I love you
• Do you remember?
• Today, tomorrow and always
• You are my force
• If you jump, I with you
• 1+1=1
• My true love
• I will always love you
8. The size
Let’s go with more tips to know how to choose the best wedding rings.
Once you put on the wedding ring, you will not take them off. That is why it is very important to pay attention to the size or measure of the wedding ring.
This should fit perfectly on your finger without being loose or squeezing you.
That is to say, that it can rotate without much difficulty, but at the same time it is tight enough not to fall off.
To do this, you must take into account that the size of the fingers varies depending on the time of day and the weather.
So to avoid surprises on the day of the wedding, try not to buy the wedding ring on very cold or very hot days.
Neither after having exercised, since the width of the finger can vary.
There are tricks (some homemade) that can help you find out the size of your wedding ring:
1. Measure the contour of the finger with a sewing meter.
2. Measure around the finger with a strip of paper or string, then calculate the number with a ruler.
3. Measure the inside diameter of another ring that fits you well.
4. Go to a professional to determine the exact measurement, since he will have all the necessary instruments to find out.
The measurements of the rings are determined by the millimeters of their diameter.
So once you have the result, you just have to transfer it to a complete table of measurements and equivalences and verify which one corresponds to you.
Are you also wondering what are the most common sizes of wedding rings? Well, these range between 8 and 30(mm).
Being 14-16(mm) the most common in women and 22-28(mm) in men, although they are very general data and may vary depending on each person.
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9. Durability and maintenance
Since wedding rings will be used daily, it is possible that they are hit or scratched more frequently.
Therefore, the maintenance and durability of these rings must be taken into consideration.
Experts recommend choosing yellow gold or rose gold instead of white, since the latter has a layer of rhodium that is lost with use.
The same happens with silver wedding rings, which are cheaper, but can lose their beauty more easily.
These are aspects that you must take into account so that you do not have to go through the workshop more than once a year and that becomes more expensive.
10. The time in advance to order them
In the same way that happens with the wedding dress or groom’s suit chosen for the occasion, it is important that you order your wedding ring earlier.
Because choosing a default model is not the same as choosing a custom model.
So, if you are very busy, you will be away for a while before the wedding or you want something very specific and special, think about it.
It is better to get the wedding ring 3 months before the big day.
In this way, the jewelers will be able to work the piece with the convenient times and carry out, without haste, the forging and engraving if necessary.
Of course, if you want to buy them with more time in advance, much better. This way you will go more calmly and you will be able to better evaluate the different possibilities.
Read also: Can The Bride And Groom Sleep Together The Night Before The Wedding
11. Your tastes, personalities and professional activities
When we talk about how to choose wedding rings, your tastes and personalities should rule.
The design of the wedding ring must please you and it must make you feel comfortable.
Because it is what you will wear all your life, which means that thinking in the long term will be a sure hit.
It is important to pay special attention to your lifestyle and your work activity when choosing your wedding ring.
Your professional activity can cause the wedding ring to be damaged more or less quickly .
If you play sports, work with your hands or play an instrument, a solid yellow gold ring with rounded edges can be a fantastic option over a white or two-tone gold ring.
If you continuously subject the wedding ring to chemical products and external agents, it will damage the ring in no time.
Read also: How Many People Should I Invite To My Wedding (My Experience)
Conclusion
We hope that this complete guide on how to choose wedding rings will help you to make the right and suitable choice.
These tips will help you to resolve your doubts and be clear about all those things that influence your choice about wedding rings.