The use of wedding rings as a symbol of eternal commitment in marriage can be traced back to ancient Egypt, about 5000 years ago. Since then, the use of wedding rings has been adopted globally by many cultures and religions.
However, unlike in the past, there are thousands of wedding ring options available to couples planning to get married. In the present day, wedding rings are more than pieces of rounded metals. Wedding rings are now embossed and decorated with expensive gems and natural stones to increase their aesthetic appeal.
Wedding bands are eternal and therefore every couple wants to ensure that their band will stand the test of time and be long-lasting. There are thousands of options to choose from. Couples can have a hard time choosing between vintage rings with diamonds or modern rings with colorful gemstones.
In this article, we highlight some of the factors that couples should consider when choosing a wedding ring.
1. Band Design
Wedding bands come with different band designs. Some have bands that are coated with plain colors, with the most popular color being 18k or 24k yellow gold. But with recent trends, rose gold and white gold are becoming more popular among young couples.
Wedding bands can also be decorated with silver or any other gemstone of your desire to make the band pop out and be eye-catching.
Another vital wedding band aspect that you should decide on is the middle piece. Most people opt to have a gemstone as the middle piece to increase visual appeal. However, we have also seen an upsurge of beautifully crafted metal designs and embossments to act as the band’s middle piece.
Before embarking on the mission to find the right wedding band, ensure that you have a rough image or design that you are looking to have. You can use the internet to find beautiful wedding bands to give you some inspiration for the wedding band design that is best for you.
2. Shopping with the Engagement Ring
In the past, most people often stopped using their engagement rings once they had their wedding rings. However, this trend has shifted and people now use engagement rings as style pieces alongside the wedding band to complement each other.
Couples should shop for their wedding bands while using the engagement ring as a point of reference. Doing this allows the wedding ring dealer to narrow down your search by deriving inspiration from your engagement ring.
Using the engagement ring as a point of reference is a great strategy. It serves to ensure you get a ring that perfectly fits your finger without the hustle of determining sizes again. However, the main advantage of shopping with your engagement ring is to choose a wedding band that matches the engagement ring.
The simple rule to follow in shopping for a wedding band that matches your engagement ring is to contrast the two. This means that if you have a jeweled showstopper engagement ring, you should go for a simple diamond-studded wedding band. It completes the aesthetic and vice versa.
3. Wedding Band Aftercare
Wedding rings suffer from a bit of wear with time. You should therefore consider your lifestyle when choosing a wedding band. For example, you are an active person who regularly engages in activities such as working out or using your hands regularly at work. In this case, you should inform your wedding band dealer.
For such people, it is more advisable to go for more durable wedding bands that will not experience premature wear and tear. This tip also means that you should consider the care that should be accorded to the wedding ring that you choose.
Intricate and flashy wedding band designs often require a lot of time and care procedures to keep them in perfect condition. The most common aftercare procedures for wedding rings are cleaning and polishing. Cleaning and polishing should be done by professionals using specialized chemicals that will not ruin the ring’s luster.
You should also buy a wedding band holder for storing your ring when you take it off. A common tip often given to couples is to take off their wedding bands when in salty water or when handling chemicals. This is because they might react with the metals and ruin the wedding band.
4. Ring Fitting
The fit of a ring is an important aspect that one should keep in mind because an ill-fitting ring can cause a lot of upset and prevent blood flow. A perfectly sized ring should fit well even when your fingers are a bit swollen after an active session or during the summer when the metals expand due to heat.
To ensure your ring fits perfectly, you ought to choose a ring size that leaves a bit of room. Once you have chosen the ring size, schedule your fitting session. For your ring fitting session, do not schedule it after a rigorous activity such as a workout session. You shouldn’t also schedule it as the first thing you do in the day when you wake up.
5. Bespoke Ring Design
A common trend that has been noted among recently married couples is the increased desire for bespoke wedding ring designs. For this, couples are incorporating sentimental reminders of their life experiences into the wedding ring to add to its sentimental value.
A good example of this is the addition of sand from the beach where the two first met or had their engagement in the wedding band. This helps to add a recollection of the lovebird’s life into the ring and acts as a constant reminder of their love for each other.
You should consult with your wedding band dealer to get insights into the options you have for having a bespoke ring design or element.
Conclusion
When buying a wedding band, go for a design that appeals to your heart rather than going for the trendy ring designs. This will ensure that the ring remains timeless and stands the test of time alongside your union with your partner.
Another advantage of having a timeless wedding band is that you can give it to your kids. This makes it a family heirloom and it will run within the family for generations.