The concept of exchanging wedding rings surfaced about 6000 years ago in Egypt. Men and women marked their beloved with a wedding band, signifying togetherness and commitment.
Even today, the concept prevails. And couples exchange rings to commit to one another and make their relationship official.
Given the significance of this jewel, its concept has evolved to become more romantic over time. Jewelers have introduced a thousand kinds of wedding bands to provide couples with a plethora of options so they can choose the best representation of their commitment. This, in turn, makes it difficult for couples to settle for a wedding band. It makes it difficult to choose one.
So, here in this post, we’ll be easing the process for you. We’ll guide you on how to narrow down your options and shop for the perfect wedding ring.
Types of Wedding Bands
Before diving into the specifics, let’s explore the types of wedding bands.
There are three types of wedding bands based on shape. These include:
- Plain Wedding Band
- Stone-set Wedding Band
- Shaped Wedding Band
A plain wedding band refers to a traditional wedding band with no stones embedded on its surface and no design embossed or imprinted. These rings have a smooth surface. And hence, they are also known as flat bands.
Stone-set wedding bands comprise stones. These stones can be of different types, and they can be arranged in different styles.
Diamond happens to be the most common stone used in a wedding band, and the most common stone styles are:
- Beaded
- Channel
Next, we have shaped wedding bands. The most common shapes for wedding bands include:
- D-shaped
- Concave shaped
- Traditional Court
- Halo
- Flat-sided court
Once you’ve browsed all your options in terms of the type of wedding bands, pick a type. And then, you can proceed to stage two of your journey.
How to choose the right wedding bands?
After choosing the type of wedding band you want, it’s time to jump into the specifics.
Metal
In terms of metal, you have a variety of options. These include:
- Gold
- Rose gold
- White Gold
- Yellow Gold
- Platinum
- Palladium
- Titanium
- Zirconium
- Silver
Among these, the first five are the most popular options, owing to their looks and strengths. For example, white gold never loses its shine. And even if it does, it’s easily restored with a single coating of Rhodium. Similarly, rose gold doesn’t tarnish and has a feminine feel to it. Along the same lines, platinum looks super classy and works for both men and women.
Stones
After shape and metal (which form the base of your wedding band), it’s time to choose the second most prominent factor of your wedding band, i.e., stones.
Previously, the market was saturated with diamond engagement rings and diamond wedding rings. But recently, a variety of gemstones have gained popularity.
Some of the most popular wedding gemstones include:
- Emerald
- Sapphire
- Onyx
- Morganite
- Amethyst
- Ruby
- Garnet
- Pearl
- Quartz
Choosing the perfect stone can be quite a daunting task, so we recommend randomly browsing the looks of rings and picking one that appeals the most to you visually. In addition, If you’re looking for a pink gemstone, for example, you might want to consider the uses of pink gemstones before making your final decision. Some gemstones are only for jewelry, while others have more practical uses. For instance, some people use them for energy healing or for making potions. You should also think about whether you want a stone that’s rare or common. If you’re on a budget, for example, you might want to choose a less rare stone.
Or better, explore the meanings and symbolism of different stones and pick the stone that best resonates with the vibe of your relationship. For example, if you feel your partner brings positive energy to you, an onyx wedding band may be an appropriate pick. Onyx is known to shield from negative energy and protect from evil. Hence, a wedding band adorned with onyx will truly represent your relationship. And make your wedding bands more meaningful and impactful.
Budget & Brand
Lastly, you ought to consider the brand you’re purchasing from. Recently, several reliable online engagement ring vendors have emerged. So, we recommend easing the process for yourself by shopping online. Search for the best wedding ring brands in your area and browse through the designs they offer.
Before you entrust them with your wedding band, make sure you go through their clientele’s feedback and review. Analyze their reputation and reliability. Some of the best names in the present times are James Allen, Blue Nile, and Tiffany & Co.
As for the budget, you should expect to spend about $1000-$2000 at least for a quality wedding band. The more you spend, the better you’ll get.