What to Consider When Buying a Wedding Ring

The wedding ring is the ultimate expression of your everlasting love for each other. So the process of buying one is not something you should take lightly. It requires careful planning and consideration to find the perfect one.

There are so many factors that impact the final choice. These include the budget, gemstones, metal, ring design, and more are some of them. We will share some helpful wedding ring shopping tips to guide you.

Start Your Wedding Jewelry Shopping Early

Planning for a wedding can be pretty hectic. That is why you allocate sufficient time to the process. It helps to book the venue early, look for a wedding planner, shop for your outfits, and more.

The same should apply to buying wedding rings. Do not leave this as a last-minute job. Indeed the earlier you start shopping, the better. Let’s say you want bespoke bands. You must give the designer enough time to come up with the perfect rings. At the very minimum, give yourself at least two months.

Set a Budget

You have a pretty good idea about how much you want to spend on almost all aspects of the wedding. So do the same for your wedding ring. Keep in mind that the type of ring will determine the pricing.

You can both spend some time on the internet doing some basic research. As of 2020, the average cost for wedding rings for women was about $1,100. For men, it was almost half that amount at $510. As you read on, you will understand why the amount can vary. But overall, it wouldn’t hurt to have these figures as a budgeting guide.

Choose the Wedding Band Metal

Decide what metal will go towards the construction of the band. There are many options, including:-

• Yellow gold appeals to the more traditional grooms and brides. But please note that it is a delicate metal and may not withstand a very active lifestyle. The designer can combine it with stronger metals like silver, platinum, or copper to make it more durable.
• White gold is a fantastic alternative to platinum. The designers will often plate it with rhodium to further enhance its appearance. Over time you may need to reapply the plating because it will wear off.
• Platinum is very durable and tough. It is ideal for those who live an outdoorsy lifestyle or work a lot with their hands. But the price range falls on the higher side.
• Palladium has many similarities with platinum but not the hefty Price Tag. Be careful about scratching. And it is not the friendliest if you need to resize the ring.
• Sterling silver is affordable and looks great. The designer may mix it with other metals to make it stronger. Like in the case of palladium, you need to be careful about scratching and tarnishing.
• Tungsten is durable, scratch resistant, and affordable. You will need to be careful because it is quite brittle. It can fracture if you knock it against a hard surface.
• Titanium is strong, lightweight, and resistant. But make sure you get the fit right because resizing the metal is impossible.

One tip when choosing the metal is to go for the hypoallergenic ones. This is especially important if you have a history of allergic reactions to metal.

Choice of Gemstones

Who doesn’t want a wedding ring with a bit of bling? Diamonds are a favorite for many people. But the drawback for many couples is the price tag. But now, there is the option of lab-grown diamonds. Without compromising quality, the stones can be upwards of 30%+ cheaper than mined diamonds.

Shop for your lab created diamond wedding rings from reputable sellers. They can guide you on how to choose Diamonds by looking at the 4Cs. These are color, clarity, cut, and carat. You also have the choice of colorless and colored diamonds.

You can also go for other gemstones like emeralds, rubies, sapphires, amethyst, tanzanite, and morganites. Your personal preferences and budget will determine what you settle for. Do take time to research the pros and cons of each.

Choosing the Wedding Ring Design

There are some critical factors to consider when choosing the wedding ring design.

Comfort

Comfort is a critical consideration. A wedding ring is an accessory that you will wear every day. It should not interfere with or disrupt your life in any way.

Lifestyle

Let’s say you work around industrial machines. Having a huge diamond setting on the ring would not make sense. It could prove to be a danger due to snagging.

If you live a very active, outdoor lifestyle, you could lose the diamond if the designer did not do the setting well. The best design would be to have smaller stones in grooves.

But again, if you handle a lot of dirt, grooves may not be the best option. The tracks will trap the dirt, meaning you must keep up with cleaning. During the consultation with the designer, professional ones will ask about your lifestyle. They will then advise on the best options.

Diamond Shape

You will also need to choose a shape for your diamond ring. The options include round, cushion, emerald, oval and radiant. Your personal preferences will matter. But ladies have the engagement ring in mind, as they should sit comfortably next to each other.

So, let’s say the engagement ring has a massive stone as the centerpiece. In that case, the wedding ring may need a simpler design so it doesn’t fight for space on your finger.

As we have alluded to above, it makes sense to buy from reputable sellers. They have professional designers who can give you the best advice.

To Match Wedding Rings or Not

Some couples decide to match the wedding rings; others don’t. Once again, this choice comes down to what you both like or want.

Final Thoughts

We have looked at salient points to have in mind when shopping for wedding rings. We go back to the original point we made of giving the buying process enough time. From the above, it is pretty clear that there are decisions you will both have to make.

And, you don’t want to add to the wedding day stress with last-minute choices. The wedding rings will be on your fingers for years to come. So, make sure you give yourself room to get something, you both love.