How to Choose Your Wedding Rings

The question has been popped, the date is set and preparations are being made. Despite all of the choices: venue, clothes, food, honeymoon, the tradition of exchanging wedding rings has remained unchanged. This means that the choice of wedding ring is simple, right? Though the choice of a wedding ring is easier than choosing an engagement ring, there are still a variety of options. Our guide will give you invaluable advice.

There are a number of considerations to be made when choosing a wedding ring:

Ring Style

The most traditional style is the plain wedding band, but you could go for a more individual choice, whether a ring set with diamonds or an engraved band. As well as this, you can choose different styles of wedding ring. Court shaped rings are the most traditional. They fit many different weights and widths. D shaped rings creates a D shape when cross-sectioned, hence the name. You may also want to choose a shaped ring, which will fit around your wedding ring, or you could even choose a bridal set, which includes a wedding ring and an engagement ring.  Couples, especially ladies, choose to have their wedding ring in a similar style, made with the same metal as their engagement ring. This will allow your two rings to complement each other. 

Metal Type

Probably the most popular and traditional metal for wedding rings is gold. Anything below 18 carat gold is practical for everyday use, and your ring will be timeless. However, you will want to match your ring with your engagement ring, and this may mean choosing another precious metal. White gold will go well with a platinum engagement ring. However, if you want a ring that doesn’t lose it’s plating over time, you may want to choose a platinum wedding ring. This is why platinum is becoming increasingly popular: though expensive, platinum is hardwearing and more rare than gold. Other metals that are becoming increasingly popular are palladium and titanium.

Weight 

In terms of weight, you could choose light, medium or heavy weight wedding ring. If you want a ring that is dainty and subtle, with a depth of 1.3mm, then you may wish to choose a light ring, perfect for thin fingers. A light ring may be more affordable in platinum. However, if you are looking for something more substantial, then you could choose a heavy weight ring with a depth of 2.1mm or more. This could be the perfect choice for a man’s ring in palladium for example.

Width

You can choose a wedding ring in widths from 2m to 10mm, and whether you want to go with the subtle sophistication of a delicate, thin wedding band or the reassuring heft of a 10mm ring, we have options for you.

Finish

When you have chosen the metal and other style features of your ring, then you can choose the finish. The most popular finish is a polished finish, which is very shiny and reflective. However, it is likely to scratch relatively easily. Matt finished rings have a smooth feel, but they are not reflective like those with a polished finish. This finish may be for you if you do not like the shininess of a polished ring. Brushed finish is similar to Matt finish, but Brushed finish is textured, like it was made with tiny brushes. The finish of your ring allows you to customize it even more to your individual style.

Increasingly, people are also choosing to further customize their wedding ring by purchasing a ring that is set with diamonds. When making your choice, there is everything from a ring that is subtly set with a few diamonds, right up to full-on bling. However, it is important that you read up on the ‘four Cs’ of diamonds before making your choice and buying. 

The ‘four Cs’ are carat, cut, colour and clarity, and if you are familiar with them this will make the choice of diamond easier, and will mean that you get the most value for your money. 

Carat

A carat is a measure of a diamond’s weight. Though weight is important, and a diamond’s weight will determine its values to some extent, this is not the be all and end all. For example, 2 one carat diamonds may look bigger or smaller as a result of their cut. This makes the other 3 Cs important.

Cut

A diamond’s cut is probably the most important thing I determining how it looks. Diamonds I their natural state are relatively uninspiring, and different cuts have been developed over a long period of time to change the way that the diamond plays with the light.

Cuts include Round Brilliant Cut, Princess cut, Emerald cut, Asscher, Cushion cut, Marquise cut, Oval cut, Pear cut, Radiant cut and Heart cut 

Colour

The perfect diamond is colourless, but most diamonds have flaws that affect their colour infinitesimally.  A Diamond’s colour can range from D to Z, with D being colourless and Z being slightly yellow. 

Clarity

Clarity measures the diamond’s purity, or of the small imperfections within a diamond, otherwise known as inclusions, which are normally not visible to the naked eye but will affect the diamond’s value.

Regardless of what you choose from these options, we at Orla James can meet your needs. We can offer rings in Platinum, Palladium, 9ct and 18ct White Gold, Yellow Gold and Rose Gold and finally, Silver. You also have a choice of light, medium or heavy weight and a range of ring widths. We have many options to make your special day absolutely perfect.