Now that we have the engagement ring it is time to take the next step, the wedding ring. Contrary to popular belief, the wedding ring and engagement ring are two very different accessories and totally different shopping experiences.
Here are some tips to make choosing your wedding ring an adventure you’ll never forget. Let’s get to it!
The difference between an engagement ring and a wedding ring
Knowing the difference between a wedding ring and an engagement ring is an important element. The engagement ring itself is the beginning of a life together and it is true that this experience is only experienced by one side of the couple.
The wedding ring, on the other hand, is an entirely different task, as it is both partners who choose their wedding ring. This event can be quite an adventure, as the couple can add a personal touch to the search and make it a very special experience.
Establish a budget
This is an important part, as setting a budget will help guide your purchase and help you know which materials and ring styles best suit you. It is usually recommended to allocate between 3% and 5% of the total wedding budget for the choice and purchase of the ring.
Choose the design
Once we have the budget we will be able to narrow down the styles, colours, materials and shapes that fit with our established price.
In terms of design type, here are the 3 main ones:
- Traditional wedding rings, discreet, comfortable and elegant, and you can combine them with any jewellery. They are usually with a single row of tiny diamonds or simply without any remarkable details. If you prefer something simpler, there are comfort fit and half-turn rings.
- Combination design wedding rings are wedding rings that allow for more original shapes. You can find them with cuts or facets on their surface accentuating the brightness of your ring. In addition, they usually combine several effects taking advantage of the details of the alliance, for example the bicolour designs or the game between matte-gloss finishes.
- Half wedding rings, Their origin comes from the French term “pavé”, which means “paved”, due to the diamonds that are placed on the arm of the ring. These are flat wedding rings in the metal and colour of your choice, with diamonds arranged in a rail or claw setting in the shape of a half-turn. In addition, you can also find them with a full twist.
It is important that you take into account your lifestyle, your work, etc. It is not the same to work sitting at a desk as it is to have a more active lifestyle. Considering this is fundamental because depending on your mobility and work, certain materials will suit you better than others. For example, titanium is a very good choice, as it does not bend or scratch as easily.
Choose the material
As far as material is concerned the typical metal for wedding rings is gold, although nowadays you can buy your ring in a variety of different metals.
Among the most commonly used materials are:
- Yellow gold, the traditional classic choice.
- White gold, an ideal choice if you want your ring to have a modern and resistant look. However, it is a material that can easily get scratched if you wear it with another ring.
- Rose gold is a very durable metal, it does not tarnish and keeps its colour.
- Silver, its price is not very high, however it is a very soft metal and shows scratches very easily.
- Platinum, it is more difficult to manufacture and stands out for its white shine and durability.
- Cobalt is a very resistant material. It has a lower density, so it allows a greater variety of designs with stones, glitter, and engravings of all kinds.
Wedding and engagement rings together?
In this regard it is important to consider several important aspects.
The first step is to decide whether the couple will wear the same rings. That is to say, even if the bride and groom are going to buy rings together, they do not have to be the same as their lifestyles or tastes may be different.
On the other hand, it is important to consider whether we want to combine the wedding ring with the engagement ring. There is no strict rule, but the rings should look good and complement each other when they are together. If you want this combination to exist, it is crucial that both rings are made of the same metal to achieve a unified look.
Now that you know the steps to choose your wedding ring, you can start this wonderful adventure with your partner, good luck and congratulations!