May has arrived, the wedding season is kicking off, and jewellery stores are filled with couples looking for wedding bands. Choosing the rings may seem like an easy task at first, but it often proves to be rather difficult due to the wide variety of models, the large range in price, and the process of understanding what represents the right value for money. In addition, we choose wedding rings for a lifetime, typically to wear them every day, and because of their ideological value, we are usually reluctant to replace them with another model, so it’s a good idea to make an informed decision that lasts.
It is important to keep in mind that stores typically do not keep ready-made wedding rings in stock, only sample collections, and the selected model should be produced according to the appropriate finger size, so it is better not to leave your order to the last minute. The delivery time is typically 1-2 weeks, but for some brands / models it can be up to 4-6 weeks. It also happens that the ring size needs to be adjusted. So plan in time if you can!
To give you some assistance upfront, we have gathered the most important aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing your wedding rings.
10 important factors to consider when choosing your wedding rings
Choose a "comfort design" (convex shape inside) to be comfortable and to avoid dirt, soap, etc. getting stuck underneeth your band. This is especially important as you will be wearing your rings every day and stuck dirt can also cause skin problems.
Have sufficient amount of “material” in it, as gold wears out somewhat and wedding rings are subjected to more stress. Very cheap, lightened rings can completely thin out or even break over the years. They also typically do not have a “comfort” design. The ideal material thickness starts at about 1.7 mm.
When comparing the price, be careful not to "compare pears to apples". It is important to consider the amount of material because two rings that look the same can often have significant difference in weight (you may not easily notice that one weights double than the other). So look not only at the width, but also at the thickness. In addition, the method of production has a great influence on the price: hand-made rings are typically of better quality, because no casting defects or air bubbles appear in the material.
The shape of the ring also affects the difficulty of goldsmithing, and thus the price - a simple-looking rounded shape can often be much more labor intensive than you might think. In addition, some precious material can make labor more expensive - platinum, for example, is much harder to work with and more material is lost during production.
If you decide to include diamonds in the wedding ring(s), you may want to choose a less sensitive setting type to make the stones more stable.
When choosing the surface finish of the rings, it is worth noting that the poished rings become slightly matte within a relatively short time due to the microscars appearing on the ring, while the rings with matted finish typically become slightly polished due to constant rubbing. The good news is that the surface treatment can be easily remedied at any time and can even be changed from matted to polished or vica versa.
The white gold rings are rhodium plated, which is a precious metal belonging to the platinum family. This will make your ring shiny white, as by default both 14kt and 18kt gold are slightly yellowish-gray in color (18kt is more yellowish because there is more pure gold in it). The rhodium plating wears out over time, so it is a good idea to service the wedding rings every few years, and have them polished, surface treated and rhodium plated by the goldsmiths. If there are also gems in it, the settings are inspected and reinforced if necessary. We provide this service to our customers free of charge.
Choosing between 14kt and 18kt gold is a dilemma for many. Although 14kt gold is slightly harder than 18kt gold, it is not noticeable in everyday wear, the rings will be almost equally durable regardless of the gold karat, so this should not be the main consideration when choosing the material. 18kt gold has a higher gold content, which makes it more valuable and also more pricey.
If you would like a rose gold ring, there is only one lighter shade in 18kt gold, while in 14kt you can choose between a deeper rose shade or a lighter shade.
Last but not least: don’t follow the latest fashion, but plan for the long term with your wedding rings, too. Many times, the classy and eternal models prove to be the best choice, or those unique models that reflect your own personalities.
About the wedding ring size and the traditions how to wear them
Your finger sizes can be determined with a ring gauge. The ideal size is a little tight, not what you can comfortably pull off. It is best to choose one size larger than the one that is clearly too tight.
Here it is important to note that if the chosed ring is wider model, it is worth ordering it 0.5-1 size larger.
And then comes the typical question: on which hand should we wear the wedding rings? According to Hungarian tradition, it should be worn on the right hand after the wedding, but in most Western countries it is worn on the left hand. The reason for this is that in Roman times it was believed that the so-called “Vena Amoris”, meaning the “vein of love,” connects the left ring finger to the heart. In fact, every vein in our body leads to the heart in one way or another, so you can’t make a big mistake. ;)
We hope we helped you with the above pieces of information. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us. We are also happy to help you personally if you decide to choose your wedding bands in our store, and don't worry, there is no impossible wish for us...
Jewellery: Garavelli Design Italy, Saint Maurice, Fabio Design, Cervera Jewels