Wedding Band: Forming The Perfect Musical Union

Wedding bands are a symbol of love and commitment, and creating your own adds a unique and personal touch to your special day. Whether you're looking to design a custom band or make your own from scratch, there are many options available to suit your style and budget. From choosing the perfect materials to finding a skilled jeweler, forming a wedding band can be a fun and rewarding experience. You can opt for a simple design or add intricate details like textured surfaces, custom inscriptions, or even small diamonds. The possibilities are endless, and with the right guidance, you can create a ring that truly reflects your relationship.

Choosing the materials

Durability

The durability of the metal is an important factor to consider, as wedding bands are meant to be worn every day. Some metals are softer and more delicate, while others are harder and more resistant to damage. Platinum, for example, is known for its strength and scratch resistance, while gold may require more maintenance due to its softness. If you or your partner lead an active lifestyle, consider choosing a metal like tungsten carbide, which is one of the strongest metals available for wedding rings and is highly resistant to scratches and wear.

Appearance

The appearance of the metal is also crucial, as you want a ring that complements your skin tone and personal style. Yellow gold, for instance, is versatile and can be worn by anyone, but it particularly complements olive and darker skin tones. White gold, on the other hand, beautifully complements fair and rosy skin tones. Rose gold is known for its warm hue and is considered the epitome of romance in wedding bands, complementing all skin tones. Platinum, with its stunning white colour, also complements fair or rosy skin tones.

Skin Sensitivities

If you or your partner have sensitive skin, it's important to consider metals that are less likely to cause skin issues. Platinum, for example, is hypoallergenic and an excellent choice for individuals with sensitive skin. Palladium, a rare and valuable metal, is also hypoallergenic. However, white gold often contains nickel, which may trigger metal allergies in some individuals. Similarly, due to its copper content, rose gold may pose a slightly higher risk of causing skin issues for those with sensitive skin.

Cost

The cost of the metal is another factor to consider when choosing the material for your wedding band. Platinum, for instance, is a luxurious choice but comes with a higher price tag. Palladium, while offering similar qualities to platinum, used to be more affordable but has recently increased in price. Gold, particularly yellow gold, is generally more affordable and offers an elegant and classic look without breaking the bank.

When choosing the material for your wedding band, it's important to consider your personal preferences, lifestyle, and budget. By understanding the unique qualities of each metal, you can make an informed decision and select a wedding band that suits your image and lasts a lifetime.

Selecting the style

Matching Bands or Individual Styles:

Some couples opt for matching wedding bands, such as two gold or silver bands, to symbolise the unity of their marriage. However, it has become more common for each partner to choose a band that suits their unique personality and style. This could be a traditional metal band or something more modern with unique materials, textures, and patterns.

Complementary Styles:

If you and your partner want to express your individuality while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic, you can opt for complementary styles. This could mean coordinating the materials or colours of your bands or choosing designs that complement each other without being identical.

Classic vs. Modern:

Classic wedding bands are characterised by their timeless simplicity, often featuring a plain metal band. They embody elegance and subtle beauty that never goes out of style. Modern wedding bands, on the other hand, embrace contemporary designs, incorporating unique materials such as silicone, textures, and patterns. They appeal to those seeking a cutting-edge, fashion-forward look.

Custom Designs:

Custom designs offer a personalised and unique option. You can add bespoke engravings, special symbols, or combine elements that tell your love story. Custom designs allow you to infuse your rings with individual significance.

Vintage:

Vintage-style wedding bands draw inspiration from antique and heirloom designs. They often feature intricate craftsmanship, such as filigree work and milgrain edges, appealing to those who cherish the romance and elegance of bygone eras.

Gemstones and Pavé Bands:

If you want to add some sparkle, consider pavé wedding bands, which are encrusted with diamonds or gemstones. Eternity bands, for example, feature diamonds or gemstones around the entire perimeter of the band. Alternatively, anniversary bands feature clusters of diamonds or gemstones along half the perimeter of the band.

Metal Type:

The type of metal you choose will impact the appearance, durability, and comfort of your wedding band. Popular choices include gold (yellow, white, or rose), platinum, tungsten, titanium, and silicone. Gold offers a classic appeal but requires regular maintenance, while platinum stands out for its durability and weight. Tungsten is known for its scratch resistance, and titanium is a lightweight, hypoallergenic option. Silicone bands are ideal for active individuals or those in professions that prohibit metal rings.

Width and Fit:

The width of your wedding band will influence its overall appearance and how it feels on your finger. Narrow bands offer a sleek and subtle look, while wide bands make a bold statement. Additionally, consider the fit of the band, such as a standard fit (flat against the skin) or a comfort fit (rounded interior edges for reduced friction).

Engravings:

Adding an engraving to your wedding band can transform it into an even more meaningful symbol of your love and commitment. You can engrave personal messages, significant dates, or your partner's name. Inside engravings keep the message intimate, while outside engravings allow you to share your love story with the world.

Remember, selecting the style of your wedding band is a personal choice that reflects your taste, lifestyle, and relationship. By considering the various options and factors, you can choose a wedding band that truly resonates with you and your partner.

Sizing the band

There are several methods to determine your ring size. One common method is to use a ring size chart. You can print out a true-to-size ring size chart and place an existing ring that fits you well on the circles until you find the one that matches the inside circumference of your ring. You can also use a ring-measurement tool, which can be purchased online inexpensively. These fall into two categories: a thin measuring tape or a keyring lined with a gradient of ring sizes.

Another method is to use a piece of string or dental floss and wrap it around the base of your finger. Mark where the string or floss first overlaps with a pen, then stretch it out along a ruler and take the length in millimetres. Divide this length by pi (3.14) to get the diameter of your finger, which can then be compared to the standard ring sizes.

It's important to consider the width of the band when sizing, as the wider the band, the tighter the fit will feel. It's recommended to take your ring measurement with a sizer that's close to the width of your final ring. You should also measure your ring size at the end of the day when your fingers are warm, as finger size changes throughout the day and is typically largest in the mid-afternoon.

If you have large knuckles, you'll want to choose the smallest size that you can slide over your knuckle comfortably. In this case, jewelers can add sizing beads or "speed bumps" to the inside of the ring to help it stay in place.

Additionally, it's worth noting that some ring styles cannot be resized due to their design. For example, eternity rings with a specific number of gemstones, milgrain or ornate bands, silver rings, or rings with alternative metals like tungsten may not be able to be resized.

Finally, it's always a good idea to measure your ring size multiple times to ensure accuracy, as the size can fluctuate depending on temperature and time of day.

Adding stones

Type of Stones

You can choose from various stones to add to your wedding band, including diamonds, moissanites, sapphires, or even your birthstone. Diamonds are a popular choice, with round brilliant cuts and square princess cuts being the most common shapes for adding to a ring due to their small size, which fits slim wedding rings well. If you want to add colour to your ring, consider a gemstone such as a tourmaline or an emerald.

Number of Stones

The number of stones you add to your wedding band can vary. You can choose to add just one diamond to mark a special occasion or progressively add stones over time, such as one for each anniversary. Spacing out gemstones at intervals along the band can create a beautiful contrast between the shiny metal surface and the sparkling stones. Alternatively, you can opt for a continuous flow of stones by using channel-set diamonds laid edge-to-edge, which is particularly effective with Princess cuts.

Size of Stones

The size of the stones you add will depend on the depth of your wedding band. Lighter bands are only suitable for tiny diamonds or gemstones, while larger gems require a deeper band and greater setting depth. If you want to add a larger stone, consider changing the setting and prongs or adding a raised bezel to accommodate the bigger stone.

Setting Style

There are several setting styles to choose from when adding stones to your wedding band. A prong setting is a simple design where the jeweller can remove the original head and place a new one on top to hold the stone. A flush setting involves setting the stone directly into the metal, which requires creating a hole in the ring and works well for plain bands. For a more secure hold, especially for larger stones, a bezel setting can be added to increase the room for the gemstone.

Cost

The cost of adding stones to your wedding band will depend primarily on the type, number, and size of the stones, as well as the labour involved. Since you already have the wedding band, the cost of the metal is not a factor. It is recommended to consult a GIA-accredited jeweller to get an accurate quote for the desired alterations.

Engraving

Timing

If you know you want your rings engraved before you purchase them, be sure to let your jeweller know. Engraving typically happens at the end of the manufacturing process, so you can take your time deciding on the perfect inscription. However, if you decide to get your rings engraved after you've bought them or even after the wedding, that's also possible. You'll just need to be prepared to spend a little time apart from your ring.

Type of Engraving

Most jewellers use laser engraving as it is a precise, fast, and safe option for jewellery. The strength of the laser is adjusted based on the type of metal, ensuring the integrity of your ring is maintained.

Ideas for Inscriptions

The options for inscriptions are endless, and you can choose anything that reflects your personality and relationship. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Your nicknames for each other
• The date of your first date or first kiss
• The date you got engaged
• Song lyrics
• Coordinates of where you met
• Religious quotes or Bible verses
• Romantic or funny phrases
• Matching or coordinating phrases with your partner

Frequently asked questions