Wedding rings have long been a part of the tradition of marriage. The highlight of every wedding ceremony, wedding rings represent a couple’s promise of remaining faithful and loyal to each other all the time of their lives.
The use of wedding rings date as far back as the time of ancient Egypt, when Egyptians create rings from reeds (and other plants that grow on the Nile River) for couples to exchange, symbolizing their never-ending love for each other.
Today, conventional forms of wedding rings are those that consist of precious metals that are usually worn on the ring finger (the 4th finger) of the left hand. This practice stemmed out from the belief of the hand-heart connection – that a vein of blood from the 4th finger of the left hand goes directly to the heart. Medical science, however, has already refuted this claim with their discovery of how the circulatory system works, and although the tradition of wearing the ring on the 4th finger of the left hand still prevails, some people now prefers to wear their wedding rings on their right hand.
Because wedding rings are the ultimate symbol of lifelong love and commitment, it is important that you choose rings of a high quality – one that will last for a long time (perhaps as enduring as your marriage!)
Below are some factors to consider when buying wedding rings:
1. Establish your budget. Going into a jewelry store with the idea of how much you are willing to spend (and how much you can actually spend) for your wedding rings will save you a lot of time.
2. Choose the material. There are numerous wedding ring materials for you to choose from. Some of them are the following:
Gold – considered as the most traditional wedding ring material, gold comes in a variety of color (yellow gold, pink gold, white gold, green gold) and quality (14k, 18k, and 24k).
Platinum – considered as one of the finest, purest, and rarest precious metals. One of the strongest, heaviest, and the most enduring of all metals, wedding rings made of platinum is ideal to wear everyday because it is hypoallergenic, it resists tarnish, and it shows little wear. It is, however, more expensive than gold.
Diamonds – the hardest substance known to man, diamonds are considered as one of the most luxurious and sought-after gem and wedding ring material, with its beauty, purity and durability symbolizing long-lasting love. Note that the value of a diamond is determined by the 4 Cs: Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight.
Other materials that are used for wedding rings include metals such as titanium, tungsten carbide, and nickel silver; and precious gems such as ruby, sapphire, emerald, and topaz.
3. Choose the style. Wedding rings also come in different styles and designs, such as the following:
Celtic/Irish design wedding rings
Antique and vintage rings
Designer wedding rings
Custom wedding bands
Traditional plain bands
Beaded edges
Engraved rings
Matching rings
Tattooed wedding rings
Depending on your personal preference, your wedding ring should be in a design and style that is comfortable to wear and one that will reflect your personality.
4. Browse stores. Find the best deals by looking around the different jewelry stores to compare the different styles and prices that they offer.
5. Consult an expert. Seek advice from a jeweler with a good reputation who can help you find the perfect wedding ring.
Wedding rings are not merely pieces of jewelry. They are significant symbols of a couple’s love and commitment for each other, so be sure to find a wedding ring that you can treasure forever.
Choosing A Perfect Wedding Ring
The big day has been set, and now you have tons of wedding preparations to attend to – preparing the guest list, looking for a caterer, shopping for the perfect wedding dress, and a lot more. All of these are essential in putting together a memorable wedding, so remember to have all these on your wedding checklist. Also do remember to include on the top of your checklist, choosing a perfect wedding ring.
Selecting a wedding ring is not as easy as it looks. It requires much thought, too. After all, it is the wedding band that binds the couple together and will be worn by the bride and groom for their entire married life, and therefore must be something that they would not get tired of wearing.
Most important when choosing a wedding ring set is to decide on a budget. The couple should consider how much they could afford to spend for the wedding rings. Based on this budget that the couple have in mind, decide on the material they want their wedding bands to be made of.
The materials from which wedding rings can be made of have evolved through the years. However, the most popular are still those made from classic 14K or 18K yellow gold. Gold rings remain to be very popular both for wedding and engagement.
Wedding rings made from white gold are also gaining popularity, it being very stylish-looking and exuding a very modern aura. Also, white gold goes well with other silver and platinum jewelry, as well as with most clothing fabric.
Platinum being one of the hardest metals is also a very suitable material for a wedding ring. For one, it is very durable and therefore will endure wear and tear for a very long time. Platinum wedding rings may also be a symbol for enduring love that is if couple wanted a romantic twist in picking a wedding ring. Platinum rings looking very similar with rings made of white gold looks very stylish and elegant. However, platinum wedding rings are the most expensive, but if the couple considers the fact that it is something that will last them a lifetime, then the cost probably would not really matter.
Titanium is a popular material especially for wedding rings for men. It is light, long lasting, and is not as expensive as platinum. Titanium wedding rings are similar to white gold rings in appearance. The only different is that titanium wedding rings are so light you can hardly feel it when worn on your finger.
As for the wedding ring style to choose, there are the traditional plain bands, the more elaborate ones with beaded edges. There are also the modern designs of two-tone wedding bands. The Celtic wedding rings engraved with ancient knot work are also hot these days. Solitaire rings with a precious stone are also classic designs for wedding bands.
Often times, the bride may want to match her wedding ring with the engagement ring. Of course, this is also something that has to be taken into consideration, especially is she wants to wear both rings on the same hand.
In choosing for a wedding ring, foremost consider your budget and then decide on the material. Also, having to wear your wedding bands for a really long time, it is also worth considering choosing something that would best work with your clothes and the other jewelry you usually wear. Above all, choose a wedding ring that you will be most comfortable in wearing.
Good luck on your wedding ring shopping!
