You've made the commitment to marry and set the date for your wedding ceremony. Now, as you prepare for the nuptials, it is time to choose the wedding jewelry. The task seems simple enough; however, purchasing wedding rings can give couples a case of the pre-wedding jitters. You both want a beautiful design and high-quality product for the best value you can afford. Make the task easier by spending some time learning how to buy a wedding ring. This wedding jewelry buying guide gives you the basic information you need for purchasing all the jewelry your special love deserves.
A simple ring of precious metal has symbolized marriage for centuries, and as you prepare for your wedding, the selection of the rings most likely will be your biggest buying decision. It certainly is among the most important decisions an engaged couple makes; after all, you'll still be wearing the wedding bands on your 50th anniversary when everyone gathers to give you new gifts.
To ensure you find the best value for rings that you will love for years, set some guidelines as you and your beloved begin shopping:
Set a budget: Having an idea of how much you wish to spend makes facing the vast assortment of available wedding rings less daunting. The wedding industry and social convention both suggest that a bride's engagement ring cost at least two months' worth of salary; the price guidelines for men's and women's wedding bands are less strict. However, these are only suggestions. Only brides and grooms can determine ideal wedding jewelry budgets.
Invest in education: No matter how limited -- or unlimited -- your ring budget is, you want the best value for your money. In addition to online guides like this one, there are books, magazines and classes available that to teach consumers about fine jewelry. Taking the time to learn about jewelry metals, gemstones and designs makes you a more informed and confident shopper. A good place to start your education is our own diamond buying guide.
Choose your style: Whether you want to stay with tradition or experiment with cutting-edge design, your wedding ring should reflect your personal taste and style. Internet e-tailers provide quick access to ideas and images. You can also decide if you want a ready-made or a custom-made ring, a new ring or an heirloom ring.
Choose a jeweler: Your retailer should be a person or business that you trust. This means the jeweler is willing to answer all of your questions about a ring's quality. The information the seller needs to offer includes all applicable quality ratings and certifications for the diamonds, gemstones and metal; available warranties; and return policies.
Many men, and quite a few women, love and prefer the simplicity of the unadorned wedding band. The plain design accentuates the band's unbroken circle as a symbol of eternal love, and the highly polished finish highlights the metal's beauty. They are distinctive when worn alone or with a diamond engagement ring. These bands feature several basic designs:
Half-round band: This is the most common type of wedding band. A half-round band features a domed exterior, flat exterior and slightly rounded edges. They are often slender rings, too. For the most traditional look, choose a half-round platinum or gold band with a polished finish.
Flat band: A flat band features squared edges, a flat exterior and a flat interior. Often used for wider rings, the flat-band design offers the wearer a more modern look than the half-round band.
Comfort-fit band: The comfort-fit band features slightly rounded interior and exterior sides. The band provides a more comfortable fit as less of the metal actually touches the skin.
Decorated band: If the unadorned ring is too plain for your tastes, but you don't want diamonds or gemstones, choose a decorated wedding band. Jewelers enhance these rings with elegant engraved patterns or detailed beading. Some bands feature more than one metal.
After choosing your wedding rings, it's time to consider the jewelry you'll wear for the ceremony and wedding reception. A bride's happiness makes her beautiful, but she still wants stunning jewelry to complement her perfect dress.
There are no set-in-stone rules for choosing bridal jewelry. It just needs to match the style of the wedding; however, balance between the clothing and jewelry designs will help you look your best. An elaborate diamond necklace or choker is spectacular with a plain neckline and bare shoulders, but it might overwhelm an intricately beaded bodice -- you could wear diamonds at the ears instead. Drop earrings, with diamonds or pearls, and upswept hairstyles are a pretty combination. The occasion is also a good time to pull out the heirloom jewellery and wear it as a tribute to your family. You may find that the vintage pearl earring pair or precious stone brooch that grandma wore to her wedding are just right for your ensemble. The colors for wedding jewelry tend to be white or pastel to match traditional wedding dresses, although some brides add a little color with yellow or pink diamonds and blue sapphires.
For the groom
Many men limit their jewelery to a wedding band and a good watch, but they can add a little glamour for the big day. Monogrammed cuff links made of the same metal as the wedding band are accessories a man can continue to wear after he is married. A handsome bracelet is a good choice, also.
Do our wedding rings need to match?
Not necessarily. Bridal rings and wedding bands can fit the style preferences of the wearer. A couple won't be breaking etiquette or custom by choosing rings that do not match. Some couples prefer to have matching bridal rings; many handsome ring sets are available that include rings for the bride and groom or a pair of commitment bands. Otherwise, you can keep the sentiment of a matched set by choosing rings crafted of the same metal or by having each ring engraved with your names, a saying and the wedding date.
What are the best materials for the wedding bands?
The group of metals used for wedding jewelry has expanded in recent years, and each metal has its positive qualities. Gold is the most traditional material and is the only metal with a warm, yellow color. Other traditional choices include white gold, platinum and sterling silver, all of which can be polished to a brilliant shine. Many contemporary jewelry designs eschew the precious metals in favor of the industrial metals like stainless steel, titanium and tungsten carbide. In general, the shine on industrial metals is more subtle than on precious metals. The industrial metals are more common in men's wedding bands than in women's rings.
Any of the metals are durable enough for long-lasting jewelry, although 24-karat gold is probably too soft for rings that are worn every day; consider 14- or 18-karat gold. Platinum, titanium and tungsten carbide are stronger than gold and silver. The industrial metals also resist scratching better than the precious metals. Some people are allergic to gold or silver. On the other hand, platinum, tungsten carbide, surgical stainless steel and titanium are hypoallergenic.
How do we care for our wedding rings?
Your wedding rings will keep their shine for a lifetime if you take proper care of them, and they actually require little maintenance. For metal bands and diamond rings, clean them occasionally by soaking in a mild solution of water and dish soap. Use a soft brush to clean the diamonds and the settings. Rinse the rings in fresh water and dry them with a soft lint-free cloth.
Visit a professional jeweler every few years to have the settings on diamond rings checked for loose stones or damage. A jeweler can buff and polish a metal band that has been scratched, tarnished or discolored.
I don't normally wear rings. How do I find my size?
Read our ring-sizing guide, which has a sizing chart and tips on choosing the right size for different ring styles.
How can we be sure our rings will be perfect and ready for our wedding day?
Retailers have their own guidelines for returning, resizing or repairing engagement rings and wedding bands, and you need to understand these policies before you complete the transaction. In addition, purchase weddingrings at least two months before the wedding, if you have the time, in case you need to have rings adjusted. This timeframe gives a jeweler time to have rings custom-fit to your specifications.
Jewelry for the attendants
Every bride and groom want to reward their attendants for their dedication, so many couples thank a bridesmaid, flower girl or groomsman with a wedding gift of jewelry and accessories. Pretty jewelry also accessorizes the bridesmaids' dresses. Consider giving the women and girls in the wedding party earrings or pendant with colorful gemstones, white pearls or pastel pearls.
Cuff links and tie clips are popular gifts for groomsmen. If you can't imagine your friends ever wearing cuff links or a tie clip, give those guys watches, ID tag bracelets or money clips.
Make your wedding green
If you and your mate are committed to a green lifestyle, consider choosing heirloom wedding rings. The estate jewelry market offers many vintage, one-of-a-kind rings that feature beautiful materials and exquisite styling and craftsmanship. The rings won't be new, but in choosing an heirloom wedding band, you adhere to the reuse-and-recycle aspect of the earth-friendly philosophy.
A lifetime of wedding jewelry
Wedding rings are meant to be worn for a lifetime, but that doesn't mean you can't add more rings to your set. Enhance your wife's wedding jewellery with an anniversary ring that features a row of diamonds to symbolize the years of your marriage. Other romantic jewelry designs include the three-stone ring that represents the past, present and future of your relationship and the journey pendant or earring that represents the growth of love in a long-term marriage.
