How to Choose A Wedding Band

Today, we’re going to go over the basics of choosing a wedding band that will survive the test of time, but also a wedding band that you can love ten or even twenty years from now. 

Because you will spend a good bit of your life wearing your wedding band, you want it to be something that you love. Trust me. It’s worth it to spend a little more and invest in something you will enjoy wearing and that will be comfortable rather than going with the cheapest option and having to get a new one every few years. 

Rolling With the Decades 

Everyone changes their mind from time to time, right? Classic bands can be a great option if only for trying to get something that won’t look outdated and that you won’t hate ten years from now. Currently, the most popular material for wedding rings is yellow gold. It’s very classic and the best combinations are typically 14k or 18k because they have a gold look but they are not so soft that you’ll see the scratches. 100% gold is very soft and so if you go over 18k which is 75% of gold, it’s not a good idea for a wedding band. In England, you can also find 9k gold rings which are 37.5% of gold. These are very low in my opinion and it’s harder but the look sometimes is different from 14k or 18k. In Germany, you can even find 333 gold which means 33.3% of gold which is actually not really gold because the majority is something else. A lot of people don’t like this, so they stick with a band between 14k and 18k. 

Timeless Silver 

If you’re not into gold or it doesn’t match the tone of your skin very well, you probably will want to opt for silver. Specifically 925 sterling silver or 950 or 800 silver. Something that you will want to pay attention to with silver is that it scuffs much more easily than gold. The big advantage is that it’s a lot less expensive than gold, but at the same time, it requires polishing because it oxidizes. If you’re the type of person that’s going to get annoyed because of this, go with the gold. 

Other Materials 

 Back in the day, the alternative used to be platinum or white gold. Platinum is a different material than gold and is usually more expensive because it’s also harder to work on it. White gold is quite popular these days and if you like the silver look, it’s a valid alternative to a yellow gold or a rose gold. Rose gold is very popular and made from a nice material. It works particularly well if you are a little more tan because it has a slightly different look than a yellow gold.

Choosing a Look 

The next step would be to determine what kind of look you want and how wide the band is going to be.. Most bands are between 3mm and 8mm wide. We suggest that you go with something maybe 4mm or 5mm because it does get bigger.  Yes, for men it can look more masculine, but it can also be more difficult to get the ring onto your finger as well as much less comfortable when you wear it. 

When it comes to finishes, the most classic look is a polished, smooth finish. You can get something that’s hammered also, which is unusual, or you can get that milgrain edge. It all depends on your personal tastes and what you like and think you’ll like 20+ years from now. 

Sometimes, you will see edged patterns and things like that, but the more exotic you get, the more likely it is that you won’t like the design in a few years. 

Does My Ring Have to Match my outfit? 

So one question I get asked a lot is “Do I have to match the metals of my wedding band to the rest of my outfit?” Nope.  Don’t stress out about it. Your wedding ring is a part of you and if you can match it, great! If not, that’s okay too. However, if you do plan on trying to match, one thing to keep in mind is to have maybe one ring in white gold, and then the same one in yellow gold so you can switch it up so it matches with your tie bars, your cufflinks, or other metal things that you want to wear.

Wedding Ring “Don’ts” 

So what are some wedding ring “don’ts”? 

Perhaps the most important “don’t” is getting a wedding band in any unusual materials such as wood, tungsten, cobalt, titanium, rubber, and so forth. They won’t stand the test of time and chances are you’ll just won’t like the look of them down the line. Second, don’t go with finishes that are highly unusual such as blackened or matted, or edged, or acid treated because chances are, it’ll just look dated very soon. Also, don’t go with anything that’s wider than 8mm because it’s just way too big. Remember, It’s all about the weight, the specific design, and the right size for your particular hand and finger. Definitely avoid adjustable rings at all costs. It’s really the cheapest of the cheap and since this is a wedding ring, you want something that’s quality, not the equivalent of a gumball machine toy. 

Changing with the Seasons 

Have you ever noticed how your fingers change in size throughout the day, but specifically throughout the seasons?  During summer time, your fingers will probably swell, and in the winter, they’ll be slimmer. It’s important to keep this in mind when you’re getting a ring. when you choose a ring that you want to wear year round, make sure that you don’t buy a ring during the summer time that is almost too big because then during the winter time, it will certainly be too big. Likewise, don’t buy a ring in the winter time that is very snug because it will be painful to wear during the summer. The best way to figure out your ring size is probably to go to a jeweler.Sometimes you can also find these ring sizers that are made out of plastic and they come in all sizes and you can put them on but usually, they’re quite slim so that can be tricky and throw off the actual measurements for your finger. 

 

When it comes to things like your wedding, sticking to the classics is sometimes the best thing you can do for yourself and your significant other. Are you ready to go choose a wedding band you’ll love? Good luck!