The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Perfect Wedding Rings

Your wedding day is a momentous occasion, a celebration of love and commitment that will stay with you forever. And at the heart of this celebration lies a symbol of your union: your wedding rings.

Choosing the perfect wedding rings can feel overwhelming, with endless styles, metals, and stones to consider. But fear not! This comprehensive guide is here to help you navigate the journey, step-by-step. We'll delve into everything you need to know, from understanding your personal preferences and exploring various options to navigating practical considerations like sizing and budgeting.

So, grab your partner, a cup of coffee, and get ready to embark on a delightful journey to find the perfect wedding rings that speak to your unique love story.

If you want to know how to buy a wedding band, you've come to the perfect place. Shemesh Diamonds professionals will answer your most pressing questions, explain the meaning of a wedding ring, guide you through the process of selecting the proper metal for your wedding band, and provide advice on how to create your wedding set with matching or unique pairings.

What Does A Wedding Ring Symbolize?

A wedding ring is a sign that is both intimate and visible. It expresses your love and fidelity to your partner while also indicating to the rest of the world that you are in a committed relationship. Your lovely wedding band commemorates the vows you exchanged on your wedding day, as well as your wish to remain with your partner forever. While your engagement ring represents the promise of marriage, the wedding ring is what officially seals the marriage. 

Many of our customers are curious whether a wedding ring should include diamonds. While we do have numerous wedding ring styles with diamonds placed into the band, many of our most popular wedding rings for women and men are simple metal bands.  

Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, a tapestry woven with love, joy, and anticipation. As you meticulously plan every detail, one element holds a special significance: your wedding rings. These precious bands, exchanged amidst vows and well wishes, symbolize your everlasting love and commitment – a silent promise worn close to your heart.

Choosing the perfect wedding rings can feel like navigating a dazzling labyrinth. With a plethora of styles, metals, and stones vying for your attention, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. But fear not, lovebirds! This comprehensive guide will be your compass, helping you navigate this exciting journey and find the rings that perfectly reflect your unique love story.

What is the meaning behind a wedding ring? 

A wedding band is a ring that two people exchange on their wedding day and then wear later. It is an emblem that represents the two married people's love and devotion.

During a marriage ceremony, the couple will exchange rings and say their vows to one other. The vows usually contain a commitment to love, be true, and dedicated to each other for the rest of their lives. 

The practice of exchanging wedding bands originated in Ancient Egypt, with early rings fashioned of reed.

Understanding Your Preferences

Before embarking on your ring-hunting adventure, take a moment to introspect, both individually and as a couple. Here are some questions to get you started:

• What aesthetics resonate with you? Do you lean towards classic and timeless designs, or are you drawn to modern and unique styles? Consider your personal taste and how it complements your partner's preferences.
• What is your lifestyle like? Are you an active couple with demanding careers, or do you prefer a more relaxed lifestyle? Choosing a ring that complements your daily activities is crucial for its longevity and wearability.
• What is your budget? Be realistic about the amount you're comfortable spending and discuss it openly with your partner. Remember, the most valuable aspect of your rings is the love they represent, not necessarily the price tag.

The Style:

• Classic Bands: Simple and elegant, these bands are available in various widths and finishes, perfect for those who prefer a timeless look.
• Solitaire Bands: Featuring a single, dazzling diamond, these rings are a symbol of everlasting love and commitment.
• Halo Rings: A smaller central diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds creates a dazzling and captivating effect.
• Vintage or Antique Rings: For couples with a love for history and unique designs, vintage or antique rings offer a distinctive charm and connection to the past.

Practical Considerations

• Sizing: Getting the perfect fit is crucial for comfort and ring security. Most jewelers offer in-store sizing or sizing kits to ensure a snug and comfortable fit. Remember, fingers can fluctuate in size throughout the day, so consider getting sized at different times and in different weather conditions.
• Comfort: Your wedding ring is something you'll wear every day, so comfort is paramount. Try on various ring styles and widths to ensure they don't snag on clothing or feel cumbersome during everyday activities.
• Durability: Consider your lifestyle when choosing the metal and gemstone. If you have an active lifestyle, opt for a more durable metal like platinum or titanium, and choose gemstones known for their hardness, like sapphires or rubies.
• Ethical Sourcing: Many couples today prioritize ethically sourced materials for their wedding rings. Research jewelers who source their metals and gemstones responsibly and sustainably.

What options do you have when choosing your wedding rings?

When selecting wedding rings, one of the first things to consider is whether you and your partner should go with matching or non-matching bands.

There are three options in this regard, namely:

• Wedding set
• A wedding ring that matches the engagement ring (for women)
• Non-matching wedding rings

The Joy of Choosing Together

Finding the perfect wedding rings should be a shared experience, a journey that strengthens your bond and brings you closer as a couple. Make an appointment at a reputable jeweler, discuss your options openly, and most importantly, have fun! Try on different rings, experiment with combinations, and celebrate each other's preferences. Remember, the most beautiful rings are the ones that resonate with your hearts and tell your unique love story.

what's the difference between engagement and wedding rings

The main differences between engagement and wedding rings lie in their meaning, occasion, and design. Here's a breakdown:

Meaning:

• Engagement ring: Symbolizes a promise to marry and signifies the intention to commit to a future union.
• Wedding ring: Represents the actualization of the marriage and signifies the official bond and commitment between two partners.

Occasion:

• Engagement ring: Given during a marriage proposal as a token of love and commitment leading to marriage.
• Wedding ring: Exchanged during the wedding ceremony by both partners, solidifying their vows and marital union.

Design:

• Engagement ring: Typically features a single central stone, often a diamond, but other gemstones are also popular. The band can be simple or ornate, depending on the style preference.
• Wedding ring: Usually simpler in design compared to an engagement ring. It can be a plain band or feature smaller gemstones in various styles, such as bands with intricate details, milgrain, or pavé diamonds.

Additional differences:

• Price: Engagement rings are often more expensive than wedding rings due to the larger central stone and more intricate design. However, this is not always the case and can vary depending on individual preferences and budgets.
• Wearing: Traditionally, the engagement ring is worn on the ring finger of the left hand throughout the engagement period. During the wedding ceremony, the engagement ring might be moved to the right hand to make room for the wedding band, worn on the ring finger of the left hand alongside the engagement ring. However, some couples choose to wear only the wedding band or both rings on the same finger.

Wedding Rings For Women

A woman's wedding ring might be as simple as a metal band or as complex as a diamond eternity ring. A great place to start your search is Shemesh Diamond's top ten styles for women, which provide an overview of our most popular designs, such as classic platinum bands, platinum bands with microwave diamonds, French pave diamond eternity rings in yellow 18kt gold and 14k rose gold, and vintage-inspired styles with migraine and fancy-shaped diamonds. 

Combining Your Engagement Ring And Wedding Ring

Wedding rings are generally worn on the finger next to the pinky on the left hand. This stems from the ancient Greek notion that the ring finger was connected to the heart by a vein of affection. On the day of their wedding, many women may temporarily relocate their engagement ring to their right hand. Once married and their wedding ring is in place, they will return the engagement ring to the left hand, leaving the wedding band nearest to the heart. 

One of the most interesting changes we've seen in recent years is that an increasing number of couples are shopping for engagement rings together—and, in many cases, considering how their engagement ring and wedding bands will complement one another, both stylistically and symbolically.

Wedding Rings For Men

Options for men's wedding bands are continually changing and expanding. While classic unadorned men's wedding bands in platinum, white gold, and yellow gold are among our best-sellers, we're also pleased to offer stunning designs in highly durable metals such as cobalt, tantalum, titanium, and tungsten, as well as wedding bands with channel-set diamonds, diamond pavé, and engravable styles. 

What Are Wedding Ring Sets

A wedding ring set consists of an engagement ring and matching his-and-her rings for the groom and bride. Jewelers often distinguish between a wedding set and a bridal set, which excludes the groom's ring. Outside of the jewelry sector, most people refer to both combinations as wedding sets. 

Popular Metals Used In Wedding Rings

Wedding rings are made from various metals. The various ring metals have distinct features and advantages. Some are famed for their strength, while others are known for their attractiveness or for their ability to avoid allergic reactions. 

As a result, the metal used to make your ring is a significant design factor when purchasing wedding bands.

Some typical metals used in wedding bands include:

White gold. These rings have a stunning champagne-white color. They are typically coated with rhodium for further durability. 

Yellow gold. Yellow gold rings have a beautiful golden color. However, they are not as durable as white gold.

Rose gold. These gold rings have a pinkish tone, giving them more romantic options. They are more durable than white and yellow gold, but include copper.

Platinum. Rings made of platinum are naturally white. They do not corrode, tarnish, or fade. They are also quite durable.

Width, Thickness, & Finger Size

Ring Width: 

The breadth of a ring relates to how much of the finger's length it covers while worn. Some ring designs and styles may include aspects that influence the width of the ring, such as stone setting or patterns. We want your ring to endure a lifetime, so Shemesh Diamonds uses a minimum width of 2mm when creating wedding rings. This implies that your ring will be more likely to maintain its structural integrity after decades of use and polishing. Most ladies' wedding rings are 2mm-4mm wide, and most men's wedding rings are 4mm-7mm wide, but this is only a guideline; you should base your decision on your own personal preferences.

Ring Thickness

The thickness of the ring refers to how thick the ring's wall is, which is best viewed by placing the ring flat on a table. Wedding band thickness is critical since a tiny ring will bend easily with regular wear. Shemesh Diamonds Jewellery makes rings with a minimum thickness of 1.8mm to ensure they can be worn for a lifetime. If we need to account for specifics like stone depth or etching on the side of the ring, your ring thickness may rise.

Ring Finger Size

Your wedding ring should fit snugly but comfortably. Ideally, it should slide smoothly onto the finger but provide some resistance when removed. Finger sizes fluctuate for a variety of factors, including weather and physical activity, so your finger will not always be the same size. It is critical that the ring does not slide off when your hands are chilly, when your finger size is at its smallest, and does not become stuck on your finger when your hands are slightly swollen in the summer.

Although being measured by a professional is usually desirable, we recognize that it is not always possible. Please visit our Finger Size page to learn more about how to estimate your finger size, and you can also download our printable Shemesh ring sizer.

When should you buy the wedding rings?

In general, there is no set rule for when to buy wedding rings. But keep in mind that if your chosen ring is to be engraved or built to order, there will be a lead time of up to a few weeks. If this is the case, it is advisable to be prepared and select your bands before the final rush in the run-up to the big day.

If it's a brief engagement, you might not have as much time to make a decision, but it's still worth checking around and visiting your local H.Samuel store to see your alternatives in person.

How Much Should You Spend On A Wedding Ring?

According to The Knot, the average cost of a wedding ring for a woman in 2019 is $1,100, while the average cost of a wedding band for males is $510. However, the amount of money you should spend on a wedding ring is as individual as the words you exchange or the location you choose to say "I do." The good news is that Shemesh Diamonds has hundreds of wedding ring styles for men and women, with stunning alternatives for every budget. Classic metal wedding bands start at $150, while extravagant diamond platinum eternity bands cost more than $30,000. There is something for everyone, whether you are just getting married or looking to upgrade to commemorate a significant anniversary. 

Choosing the perfect wedding rings is a deeply personal and symbolic process. By considering your budget, lifestyle, preferences, and the unique aspects of your relationship, you'll be well-equipped to make a decision that resonates with the eternal commitment you share. May your wedding rings become cherished symbols of your love story for years to come.