Ring Wars: How to Choose the Perfect Wedding Ring
The wedding ring is arguably the single most important piece of jewelry that you wear in your lifetime. So, Black Nuptials sat down and talked to Elemental Bands on how to select a timeless wedding ring that will not become quickly outdated or unfashionable after only a couple of years. Here is what Elemental Bands had to say about choosing the Perfect Wedding Ring.
What are wedding bands?
The wedding band symbolizes unity and a continuous circle. It signifies you and your partner’s commitment to be together through sickness and health, thick and thin, and everything else that a married couple in love will inevitably go through together.
Do you need to get matching rings?
Contrary to popular belief, couples are not required to select matching wedding rings. Additionally, the couple customarily shops for their rings together, so there is no need for either the bride or groom to become stressed out about selecting wedding rings.
Men and women have various options available to them when selecting
The Materials
Gold
The material of the wedding ring is an important concern for both men’s and women’s rings. The most common materials available for wedding rings include gold, silver, and platinum. However, wedding rings can be comprised of any material that the couple prefers. By far, gold is the trendiest wedding ring material. Gold can be comprised of 14 karat gold, 18 karat gold, and 24 karat gold. However, 14 karat gold is the most suggested for wedding rings. 14 karat gold is durable yet still has luster. 18 karat gold is sometimes used for wedding rings as well. However, because it is a softer metal, it is more prone to scratches. 24 karat gold is softer than 18 karat gold and, therefore, not typically recommended for wedding bands due to scratching concerns.
Silver
Silver can also be used for creating wedding bands. Silver is a soft white metal that is incredibly soft and is prone to scratching as well. Silver comes with additional concerns of tarnishing and discoloration, but because of its low cost, it is still a popular choice for wedding bands.
Platinum
Platinum is a precious metal that has recently become extremely popular in wedding bands. In general, platinum is too soft to be used in making rings. However, small amounts of ruthenium and iridium can be added to platinum to increase the hardness and result in an exceptionally durable wedding band.
Diamonds or moissanite gems can be added to any wedding band by an experienced jeweler.
Style
After selecting a metal for the wedding rings, the next thing to consider is the style of the ring. Fortunately, there is a plethora of styles for wedding banks so that everyone can find their perfect style. Basic wedding ring styles consist of flat bands, half-round bands, and comfit bands. Flat bands are rectangular in the cross-section. These are frequently decorated with engravings. Another option is half-round bands, which are the most traditional style available. Half-round bands are flat on the underside and are arched on the top.
Comfort-fit bands feature an oval cross-section but tend to be heavier and more expensive than other wedding bands. If a bride plans to wear her wedding ring together with her engagement ring, she should select a wedding band style that matches and compliments her engagement ring.
The wedding ring is without a doubt, an important piece of jewelry, which is meant to be kept for a lifetime. When selecting a wedding ring, the material of the ring, the style, and whether or not to get it engraved are just a few of the factors a couple has to consider. Shopping for a wedding ring is one of the best experiences for a couple when wedding planning and when great resources like Elemental Bands are available, there’s no reason to stress about finding wedding rings.
